Gift of Sound
What is the Gift of Sound?
The Gift of Sound program provides hearing aids and lifetime aftercare at no-cost* to families or individuals who have significantly limited incomes, who are unable to afford quality hearing instruments and have exhausted all possible resources for their hearing health.
Who is eligible for
the Gift of Sound?
Miracle-Ear® is committed to helping underserved people with hearing loss by giving them the Gift of Sound. Our eligibility requirements are designed to reach those who need our help most:
Eligibility Criteria:
See Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must have a hearing loss that requires amplification (hearing aids).
- Applicant must be denied financing options available at the Miracle-Ear store.
- Applicant must have exhausted all resources available for their hearing health; including, but not limited to insurance, state Medicaid program, VA, vocational rehab, state or local programs, and other charity sources.
- Applicant’s total household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines on the income chart provided to qualify. Please note this is not the only eligibility criteria, this is only one component of the overall requirements. Scroll down to see the household income chart below.
- Applicant must possess a family commitment to intervention, rehabilitation, and necessary follow-up services, which is especially important for a child applicant as they grow.
- Applicant must be a resident or citizen of the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
- Repeat adult applicants (19 & older), who still meet all eligibility requirements may reapply every 5 years from when they last received hearing aids from the Miracle-Ear Foundation. Child applicants (18 & younger) may reapply every three years if the family still fits the eligibility criteria.
- Children (18 & younger) must provide a current audiogram (dated within the last 6 months) and medical clearance dated within the last six months, and signed by a physician (MD, ENT). While medical clearance is encouraged for adults, a signed medical waiver is acceptable.
- For Adult applicants (19 & older) only; a $200 non-refundable application is required. It must be in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Miracle-Ear Foundation.
How to apply to the Miracle-Ear Foundation
How to apply
If you fit within the eligibility requirements and have carefully reviewed the criteria for income, assets, and hearing loss, you may be eligible for services from the Miracle-Ear Foundation.
1. Contact your local Miracle-Ear store
Applicants must contact their local Miracle-Ear store before starting the application process to confirm store participation in the Gift of Sound program and to receive a free hearing evaluation.
2. Complete the Gift of Sound application
If you prefer to download a printable version of the application, scroll down to the Miracle-Ear Foundation Application and select the “Download Now” button below to print and complete the application.
3. Bring the application fee to your local Miracle-Ear store
For online applications – (Adult applicants only) – The Miracle-Ear store must receive the $200 non-refundable application fee before the application can be submitted to the Miracle-Ear Foundation. The application fee must be in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Miracle-Ear Foundation. The store will upload a copy to your application and mail it to the Miracle-Ear Foundation.
For paper applications – Bring the completed application, supporting documents, and the application fee ($200 adults only/$0 children). The application must be in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Miracle-Ear Foundation.
You will receive notification by email (if provided) within three weeks if your application has been approved or denied services. The chosen Miracle-Ear store will also receive this notification.”
FAQ
What is the mission of the Miracle-Ear Foundation?
The mission of the Miracle-Ear Foundation® is to provide access to life-changing hearing aids to those who have no other means of obtaining them. The Miracle-Ear Foundation is a Minneapolis-based non-profit and works to provide hearing instruments to qualified applicants across the United States.
How long does it take to process my application?
If the application and supporting documents are completed in full, it can take up to four weeks to process your application. The store will be notified via email of the outcome. However, applications that are not completely filled out or are missing information will delay the application process or stop it completely.
How are these $200 hearing aids different from what other people buy at Miracle-Ear?
The hearing aids gifted to our qualified applicants are not $200. They are the same hearing aids that can be purchased in store. The average cost of a hearing aid is $1,000 to $4,000.
Can the $200 non-refundable application fee be waived?
While the Board of Directors understands that this fee may be a hardship, the non-refundable application feeis consistent with other like charities that help individuals with their hearing health. We require the $200 non-refundable application fee for all adult applicants 19 & older without exception. Based on our eligibility criteria, adults should not submit an application or application fee if they do not meet these guidelines for this service.
The Miracle-Ear Foundation can answer your questions to see if you may be an eligible candidate before you submit an application. If you have questions, please contact the Miracle-Ear Foundation at 1-800-234-5422.
Many applicants have sought out support from their church, Lions Club, family, or other community resources for assistance with this fee.
Can I pay the adult application fee with a personal check?
The $200 non-refundable application fee can only be paid with a cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Miracle-Ear Foundation. Personal checks cannot be accepted and will prevent your application from being processed until an acceptable form of payment is received.
Is net or gross income needed when applying to the Miracle-Ear Foundation?
The guidelines are based on gross income. Please provide a copy of current 1040/1040A tax form(s) if you file taxes or copies of government benefit award statements and your last two monthly bank statements (if you do not file taxes) for you and all adult members of your household to verify your income eligibility.
How do I apply to the Miracle-Ear Foundation?
Your application and supporting documents must be submitted through your local Miracle-Ear store. If you are unsure where this may be, please call 1-800-464-8002 and they will direct you to the closest Miracle-Ear center.
Why am I asked to sign a publicity waiver/Applicant Testimonial Consent and Release form?
Sharing our recipients’ stories helps the Miracle-Ear Foundation educate and lessen the societal stigma around hearing loss. If you are willing to share your story with others, we are required to have you sign the Applicant Testimonial Consent and Release form. While we encourage all applicants to sign this form, if you do not wish to share your story you do not have to sign it.
What paperwork is needed from the applicant?
- Application completed in full. For adults: pages 3, 5-10; children: pages 4-10.
- Current Audiogram dated within the last six months for child applicants 18 & younger.
- Medical Clearance form (pg. 7) must be signed by a Medical Doctor (for child applicants 18 & under). Adults may choose to waive their right to consult with their doctor by signing the Waiver of Medical Clearance (pg. 7 bottom section)
- Total household size and total household income
- Copy of the most recent 1040, 1040A, or 1040-SR federal tax form if you file taxes, or Government Benefit Award Statement and the last two monthly bank statements (if you do not file taxes) for the applicant and all adult members of their household
- Money order or cashier’s check for $200, payable to the Miracle-Ear Foundation. This is a non-refundable application fee for applicants 19 years of age or older.
How often can a recipient receive a new hearing aid through the Miracle-Ear Foundation?
Previous adult recipients may reapply for new hearing aids every five years from the date they received their hearing aid(s) through the Foundation. Child applicants 18 & under can reapply every three years.
Will I have to pay for ear molds?
Adults receive their first pair of ear molds free of charge. After that there will a charge for any new ear molds. Ear molds for children will always be free of charge through the Foundation as they are continuing to grow.
Why do all of the adults in my household have to provide their proof of income?
The income guidelines are based on the total household income; therefore, we need to verify the total income of every adult in your household with their current 1040/1040A/1040-SR tax form(s)/Social Security or Government Benefit Award statement(s) and last two monthly bank statements. A household is defined as all those who live together or are dependent on each other.
Can I submit a copy of my W-2 or a paycheck summary instead of my 1040 tax form?
We cannot accept W-2s or paycheck summaries instead of your 1040/1040A/1040-SR tax form as proof of income.
Is there a warranty for my hearing aids?
The warranty for adult recipients is three years and does not cover lost or damaged hearing aids. The warranty for child recipients is three years and will cover one replacement per ear within the three year period for lost or damaged hearing aids.
What happens if an adult recipient loses or damages their hearing aid(s)?
The Miracle-Ear Foundation does not replace lost or damaged hearing aids for adult recipients (19 and older). We encourage you to take special care of your hearing aids to avoid damaging or losing them. When not in your ears, keep them in a safe place where they will not be misplaced or damaged. If you would like to replace lost or damaged hearing aids, you will be responsible for purchasing new hearing aids through your local Miracle-Ear store. You may only reapply for new hearing aids through the Miracle-Ear Foundation every five years.
*Application fee for adults, ages 19 years and older, requesting services from the Miracle-Ear Foundation is $200. This is a non-refundable fee; please make sure you fit eligibility criteria before applying.