Ironically, most insurance companies will not pay the cost of hearing and speech services or hearing aids, only the test to determine hearing loss, and hearing aid costs range from $3,000 to $6,000 per pair. Since 1981, the Hearing and Speech Foundation has helped provide hearing and speech services to those in need in East Tennessee. Currently, the Foundation assists over 600 people in 26 different counties obtain the services they need to live in a hearing world.

Who we serve
We serve both children and adults through the hearing aid assistance program. The Foundation provides speech services to children to help prevent educational failure and developmental delays through the early intervention of one-on-one speech therapy for economically disadvantaged children with severe to moderate language processing disorders. Hearing services and hearing aids for deaf and hard of hearing children are also provided.

Adults often seek assistance to increase job opportunities and improve their quality of life. The Foundation provides hearing services and aids to economically disadvantaged deaf and hard of hearing adults and elderly individuals. Social service agencies and physicians usually refer elderly clients.

Patients per County Served by HSF*
County	Number of Patients
Anderson	39
Blount	249
Bradley	1
Campbell	13
Claiborne	6
Cumberland	3
Fentress	3
Greene	2
Grainger	3
Hamilton	1
Hamblen	8
Hancock	2
Jefferson	9
Knox	106
Loudon	27
McMinn	13
Monroe	55
Morgan	8
Overton	4
Polk	1
Roane	21
Scott	8
Sevier	26
Sullivan	3
Union	8
Other	9

* Updated January 2010.