(561) 802-3353
New Opportunity for Free Telephones
The local non-profit HEARING WELLness Center has announced that the coming summer season represents a chance for local residents who have difficulty hearing over the telephone to obtain free special telephones that will help them. There are about 150,000 hard-of-hearing permanent residents in the County, said Joan Gindlesperger, the agencys Executive Director. They all qualify under a statewide program for special volume-control and tone-control telephones at no charge under a contract we have with Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. The HEARING WELLness Center is a program of the Deaf Service Center of Palm Beach County.
The HEARING WELLness Center has distribution hubs for the special telephones in both Delray Beach and West Palm Beach. The new models have volume controls and tone controls as well as many other features. Telephones are distributed by appointment. For more information, call the Center located either in West Palm Beach (at 802-3353) or in Delray Beach (at 278-6444).
To be eligible, one only has to show verification of hearing loss or speech impairment and proof of Florida residency. Technically, the phones are loaned free-of-charge for as long as the person needs it and resides in Florida. The Center handles the certification of applications, distribution of equipment, and training in how to use all their features.
More than one person in nine has some hearing loss. Since it typically happens gradually, people often dont notice it or even deny its true. One result is that there is a disproportionately small public outcry for somebody to do something.
In Palm Beach County, that somebody is the HEARING WELLness Center and other components of the Deaf Service Center of Palm Beach County, Inc. Last year the nonprofit agency contributed to the hearing health of 50,000 people. In addition to the distribution of special free telephone equipment for hard-of-hearing and deaf residents, the agency provides information & referrals; client advocacy, assistance, and counseling; as well as client & community education. The HEARING WELLness Center division provides hearing aids and other audiology services.
The agency is a member of the Palm Beach Community Chest United Way and the United Way of Palm Beach County. Major funding is also provided by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners.
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