RAM Hearing Aid Distribution
The Remote Area Medical (RAM) Health Fair, held annually in Wise, Virginia brings together health care volunteers from many subspecialties and several states. Diagnostic and habilitative audiology services are provided at RAM with the collaborative efforts of the UVA HS, the UVA Curry School of Education, and the contributions of private industry and philanthropic groups from around the country.
At RAM 2006, over 200 patients received audiological hearing evaluations, ENT specialty services and hearing aid measurements/clearance. Hearing aids were obtained for 80 patients who otherwise would not have been able to afford the devices.
The hearing aid distribution for 2007 was held November 17, 2007 at the Lenowisco Health Department in Wise, VA. A team of 14 volunteers distributed 84 hearing aids. An impressive 84 people were seen within nine hours. The volunteer team consisted of UVA HS Community Outreach/Service staff, audiology students from Eastern Tennessee State University, a Wise County School District Audiologist and several other private practice Audiologists.
The hearing aid and fitting procedure's fair market value was approximately $39,300. The cost of hearing aids through Hear Now Foundation was $50 each or $4,060 total. Hearing aid recipients contributed $2,235 towards the costs and Virginia Lion's Hearing Foundation contributed the remainder towards costs at $1965.