Pasadena Hearing and Speech Nonprofit Clinic Lauds Expansion of State Hearing Aid Program for Children

A beleaguered state program that provides hearing aids to children has been revitalized and expanded to include families with partial insurance coverage and youth up to 21 years old after the state Legislature included the expansion in the budget bills.

A spokesperson for Pasadena’s HEAR Center, a longtime nonprofit hearing and speech clinic in Pasadena headquartered on East Del Mar Boulevard, is optimistic that the expansion will lighten the load especially for parents who had been waiting to access the hearing aid program for some time.

Thousands more California children would be helped by the expanded Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program (HACCP), according to media reports. The program, which debuted in July 2021, intends to provide hearing aids and services to thousands of children without health insurance.

“We are happy that the State of California and Gov. Gavin Newsom are addressing this issue,” Joey Lorino, Development, Marketing and PR Associate at Hear Center, said. “We can expect more families to be eligible for state benefits to cover their children’s hearing aids. This will result in having more children having greater access to the hearing healthcare that they need, allowing them to be active participants in the hearing and speaking world.”

As part of legislative budget language approved on August 31, eligibility for the HACCP will be expanded to youth under 21, up from age 17 previously, and to underinsured children for families earning less than 600 percent of the FPL (federal poverty level). The HACCP eligibility expansions will take effect in January 2023.

The Department of Health Care Services has also recently announced upgrades to the program, including the approval of necessary pediatric audiology codes, and coverage for the externally worn bone conduction hearing aid for children with atresia microtia.

As a nonprofit, HEAR Center in Pasadena has been providing low-cost services to all clients, which includes interest-free payment plans and affordable options for hearing aids.

With the expanded HACCP, HEAR Center can now expand its programs, which fulfills its mission and is a “win-win for families and the community,” Lorino added.

“HEAR Center’s vision is to be the best hearing and speech center in the eyes of our clients, funders, donors and the community,” he said. “We want to expand our services to more communities to provide more compassionate care and improve more lives!”

HEAR Center said it serves thousands of clients each year ranging from newborn babies to seniors.

“Many of our clients are seen at reduced rates or for free, and we will never turn away anyone based on their ability to pay,” Lorino said. “Although we mainly serve LA County, we do see clients that come from surrounding counties.”

To learn more about HEAR Center, visit www.hearcenter.org.

For information on how to apply for coverage under the state’s Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program, visit https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/HACCP/Pages/Home.aspx.