We established the Live Better Foundation to help those who truly can’t afford hearing aids get the help they need, within the communities where we live and work. This non-profit foundation is consistent with one of our important core values: to be of benefit to people in our communities.
In December 2024, the Live Better Foundation partnered with community organizations in Philadelphia to provide comprehensive hearing care to more than 30 residents in need. The Gift of Hearing event offered free hearing evaluations, custom-fitted hearing aids, and ongoing follow-up care to individuals who otherwise would not have been able to afford these life-changing services.
For many participants, this was the first time they had heard clearly in years. Grandparents reconnected with their grandchildren's voices. Family members could participate in conversations again. Simple moments—a doorbell ringing, music playing, laughter at the dinner table—became accessible once more.
The impact of this event extended beyond the individuals served. CBS News Philadelphia recognized the Foundation's work, bringing national attention to the critical need for accessible hearing healthcare and the transformative power of the gift of sound.
The Gift of Hearing initiative represents the Foundation's core mission: ensuring that financial barriers never prevent someone from experiencing the profound benefits of better hearing. Through partnerships with manufacturers, community organizations, and generous donors, the Live Better Foundation continues to expand access to quality hearing care across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Ernestine had lived with hearing loss for years. She missed conversations, withdrew from social events, and often felt cut off from the world around her. Like many people, she wanted help but the cost put hearing care out of reach.
At our Baltimore Gift of Hearing event in 2024, everything changed.
During her evaluation, Ernestine shared how much she missed hearing her family clearly. She talked about the moments she tried to follow conversations but could not keep up. Our audiologists listened, tested her hearing, and selected a device that matched her needs.
When she put on her new hearing aids for the first time, she smiled. Then she laughed. Then she began talking to the volunteers around her, amazed at how clearly she could hear the voices in the room.
That moment captured exactly why our foundation exists. It was connection restored. Confidence returning. A person finally able to participate fully in her own life again.
Ernestine walked out of the event with new hearing aids, expert fitting, and follow up support already in place. She left with more than sound. She left with possibility.
In our work at Live Better Hearing + Balance, we encountered numerous individuals struggling with hearing loss. However, what struck us most was how many of these individuals were unable to afford the care they desperately needed. This was more than a healthcare issue; it was a matter of quality of life, of being connected to the world around them.
That’s why our mission is simple yet profound: to ensure that no one is denied the opportunity to hear better because of financial limitations. We believe that quality hearing care is not just a service but a fundamental right that should be accessible to all, regardless of their economic status.
If you or a loved one can not afford hearing aids, we are here to help. Please download and fill out the application form to determine your eligibility.
If you have any questions, would like to make a hearing aid donation, or make a financial contribution, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@livebetterfoundation.org.
You can learn more about the Live Better Foundation at https://livebetterfoundation.org/
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