Does anyone have experience with reduced cost hearing aids through the Lions Club?

Thanks to everyone who replied, and with very helpful answers!

PlumCrazy, I appreciated learning of your experiences with the Lions Club. I'm still waiting for the application to be sent (which is what the local rep wanted to do), but it's been over a week. I was unable to reach him thus far today, but I'll keep trying.

Nothing was said when we initially spoke about financial qualification, so I'll pursue that issue when we connect. Thanks for that tip.

Busy, I wasn't aware that a doctor had directly gone into business to provide more affordable aids. That sounds like a good source. I appreciate that information and will check it out ASAP.

James, thanks for the additional information on the Hearing Express. It's especially helpful to know that it is a legitimate operation, from someone who's done business with them.

Chimonger, your experience is a new twist on hearing aid sources. I will follow that up; given that the company is new, and needs to get established, it sounds like a good idea to have reasonably priced hearing aids instead of ones which are literally beyond someone's financial reach.

I've always wondered how the brand name hearing aid places can afford to stay in business when they charge $2K to $4K for each aid!

I also realized this morning that AAA may have an affiliation with a hearing aid company; their benefits have in the past been fairly broadly based. AARP used to also affiliate with a company; I'll check that out as well.

Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to offer suggestions. I definitely have some research to do this week.

We kinda gave up on the "circus peanuts" the old style hearing aids.
DH said so uncomfortable, didn't work very well. But those were all his L&I provided.
So when Indegogo [a crowd-funding venue], showed an offering for a new start-up, low-cost hearing aid company [we pray it isn't too good to be true],
we went for it. We're waiting to get some very low-cost, self-testable and tunable hearing aids---better, because they are tunable, which is pretty important to help better than simply boosting the loudness.
indiegogo/projects/the-first-affordable-invisible-hearing-aid-with-superior-sound-by-ihear
The initial offerings are closed now, and the units are being worked up to produce. But should be available sooner than later for anyone else to get--vastly lower prices than regular hearing aids. Anyone interested might track down the company to see when units will be available for others to buy. The new company seems to "get it" that most folks need far lower prices, since Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, dentures, glasses, etc.
Now if other companies would "get it" about glasses, teeth, etc.!

We also looked at:
mdhearingaid
hearinghelpexpress

IF you have local chapters of Lions Club, contact them--local means you can talk with them in person to get a clue if that program is real, and would have real people to talk with about it.

Garden Artist They are by mail. I have had an audio exam and I saw no benefit with that. I ha
ve used Hearing help express for a number of years. get supplies when needed. They give a guarantee for 90 days I believe and will refund or exchange. You can choose a moderate or severe aid. I have referred them to several others. They all are satisfied.

These are designed by a doctor that was tired of his patients not being able to afford hearing aids. They do not involve an audiologist and you have to make your own adjustments so the wearer needs to at least be able to notice changes and communicate them, though the adjustments are easy.

Go to Hearing Aide MD on Google. These hearing aids are also $300 (or $600 if you need more than just volume as in different environments). We are both using them and are very satisfied.

I recently received free hearing aids for my father through a Lions Club chapter here in Oregon. I contacted the local rep, we met and filled out a brief application (mostly to confirm financial need as my parents only net about $1700 per month through SS.) The app was approved within a couple of weeks and I was sent a certificate to go to a specific hearing aid store. We went through the process of hearing tests and molds being made, etc. The hearing aids were brand new and totally free, but probably the least expensive ones available.

They seem to work okay, but Dad has trouble getting them it. In fact, I had to send them back for service and that was free too. I was not told about the $300 option at the time I applied. Maybe that's because it was shooting for the free ones and qualified. Like everything, it's a process and takes time. If I had it to do over, I would heavily research the type best suited for my Dad and then figure out how to get them.

James, I've seen these ads, and without insulting you, always thought they were scams. It seems though that you've had good success with them? As I recall they were hearing aids by mail. Or did you go to an audiologist to be examined? I'd be interested in learning more.

I have no information on the Lions Club, but also check out hearinghelpexpress , I have 2 of their aid that are over 5 years old. They are great. They have several styles and start at $300.00. They have a sale on now and many styles that did not exist when I got mine. Check both

Grandma, thanks for the link. I did contact the state Lions Club last week and got the number for the local county rep, who I also called to discuss the program.

The process begins when we fill out an application and submit the funds, but the local rep hasn't sent the application as he promised to do over a week ago. He said he had to get an envelope in which to mail the application. I guess he didn't have any spare envelopes on hand.

I plan to call the state rep again tomorrow and see if I can just download the form. But I have lost confidence in the local rep's ability to handle the processing, unless for some reason he's had emergencies of his own to deal with. It shouldn't take a week to send out an application, even for a charitable organization.

Good point about adding an insurance rider. I hadn't thought of that.

The local rep didn't say they were used aids, and the info I read online said they could be used or new. So I'll need to clarify that with him, if I can get ahold of him.

Jamie, please let me know what you learn as well. I'd especially be interested if in your state the applications are handled by someone locally or at the state organization.

I'm glad you asked this. I will be checking it out tomorrow when I find out more I'll let you know.

Here is a link to information about the Lions Club program.
http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/member-center/planning-projects/sight-hearing/hearing/programs-hear-recyclepolicy.php
Apparently they are used hearing aids. Considering how much my mother's hearing aids cost, it sounds like it would be a good deal for your family member. I know my mother's audiologist collects hearing aids for the Lions.

When you get the hearing aids, I strongly urge you to get an insurance rider on your renter or homeowners insurance to cover the hearing aids. Things do happen and the insurance paid all the cost of replacing my mother's hearing aid. The cost is about $100 a year.