HEAR for KidsHEAR for KidsLylis Olsen, MS, MPH Lylis Olsen, MS, MPH

AudiologistAudiologist

HEAR for KidsHEAR for Kids Permanent Hearing AidsPermanent Hearing Aids

Low incomeLow income Not Medicaid or SCHIP eligibleNot Medicaid or SCHIP eligible Audiologists choose the best aid at Audiologists choose the best aid at

the best price to meet the child’s the best price to meet the child’s needsneeds

Vouchers for evaluationVouchers for evaluation One time evaluation including ABR One time evaluation including ABR

or behavioralor behavioral For those kids who are “stuck”For those kids who are “stuck” One time medical for hearing aid One time medical for hearing aid

clearanceclearance Loaner hearing aidsLoaner hearing aids

Loaner Hearing AidsLoaner Hearing Aids NO financial or legal residency NO financial or legal residency

restrictionsrestrictions Children stay with their community Children stay with their community

pediatric audiologistpediatric audiologist The audiologist and the family make the The audiologist and the family make the

decisionsdecisions The pediatric audiologists determine policy The pediatric audiologists determine policy

and maintain the programand maintain the program The program manager’s job is to say The program manager’s job is to say

“yes” as often as possible“yes” as often as possible

Filling Gaps in EHDIFilling Gaps in EHDI Hearing aid fitting starts with diagnosing Hearing aid fitting starts with diagnosing

audiologistaudiologist No waiting on:No waiting on:

pre-authorizations, pre-authorizations, qualifying, qualifying, deductibles ordeductibles or appealing insurance decisions. appealing insurance decisions.

Allows for:Allows for: trying more than one aidtrying more than one aid refining fit as loss is better defined refining fit as loss is better defined progressive losses, progressive losses, changing technology and changing technology and waiting on cochlear implantswaiting on cochlear implants

Who Uses Bank?Who Uses Bank?

Pediatric audiologistsPediatric audiologists 49 are registered to use online request49 are registered to use online request 25 use infrequently (1-2 times per year)25 use infrequently (1-2 times per year) 3 facilities (7 audiologists) most frequent3 facilities (7 audiologists) most frequent

FamiliesFamilies First hearing aids after IDFirst hearing aids after ID

No financial restrictionsNo financial restrictions No legal residency restrictionsNo legal residency restrictions

Cochlear Implant TrialCochlear Implant Trial Try new/different technologyTry new/different technology

Loaner AidsLoaner Aids

20 to 50 available at any one time20 to 50 available at any one time >20 requests each month>20 requests each month Approximately 200 in the bankApproximately 200 in the bank Purchase 30 or more new aids each yearPurchase 30 or more new aids each year

New technologyNew technology Purchased as requestedPurchased as requested More if money is availableMore if money is available

~20 lost each year ~20 lost each year Self insuredSelf insured No penalty to families or audiologistNo penalty to families or audiologist Many show up somewhere else in the systemMany show up somewhere else in the system

10 or more “retired” each year to adult program10 or more “retired” each year to adult program

Aids AvailableAids Available

WidexWidex Senso P38Senso P38 Senso C-18, 8, 9, 19 Senso C-18, 8, 9, 19 DivaDiva VitaVita BravoBravo

UnitronUnitron UnisonUnison

OticonOticon SumoSumo Gaia Gaia TegoTego Atlas Atlas

PhonakPhonak Maxx Maxx ValeoValeo AeroAero ClaroClaro ExtraExtra

Special AidsSpecial Aids

FM systemFM system Portable soundfield Portable soundfield BAHABAHA Bone conduction aidsBone conduction aids Frequency compression aids Frequency compression aids

AVR/SonovationAVR/Sonovation CROSCROS

Online reserve

•Auto generates email to PM

•Stored in database

•Field for comments/requests

•Earmold

•Clip

PurchasingPurchasing

EarmoldsEarmolds At the discretion of the At the discretion of the

audiologistaudiologist As often as neededAs often as needed AccountsAccounts

All AmericanAll American EmtechEmtech MicrosonicMicrosonic Pacific CoastPacific Coast WestoneWestone

Hearing AidsHearing Aids Ordered as requestedOrdered as requested AccountsAccounts

AVR-SonovationAVR-Sonovation OticonOticon PhonakPhonak StarkeyStarkey SiemensSiemens UnitronUnitron WidexWidex Others as neededOthers as needed

EAR Foundation account numbers

Assigned purchase order number

Order placed by audiologist and shipped to audiologist

PO within 48 hours - HA shipped in one week

Fitting Form

• for high use clinics

• also in a fill-in form to keep in child’s record

• allows aids to move quickly from one child to another

Advance PO#s for earmolds

• High use clinics

• Saves time for manager and audiologist

• Sorted by Audiologist

• Facilitates nagging

• Could be used to extend loan period

CostsCosts

Hearing AidsHearing Aids 3030 20,00020,000

EarmoldsEarmolds 150150 3,0003,000

Med Med Clearance/FittingClearance/Fitting

3030 6,0006,000

Shipping & PO BoxShipping & PO Box $4.05 each$4.05 each 500500

AdministrationAdministration 12,00012,000

Repairs/SuppliesRepairs/Supplies 3,0003,000

Total estimated cost per year Total estimated cost per year $44,500$44,500

Event raises $20,000 per yearEvent raises $20,000 per year Part of renewable grant from St. Part of renewable grant from St.

Luke’s Health Initiatives (private Luke’s Health Initiatives (private Arizona foundation)Arizona foundation)

Donated hearing aidsDonated hearing aids Private cash donationsPrivate cash donations

FundingFunding

Thank you

Your organization made it possible for my son to get a temporary hearing aid and what a difference it has made! In 2 weeks he will have his permanent one and now I have no hesitations regarding him wearing one. Thank you for being there.