Montclair State University in collaboration with the New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) and Hearing Charities of America/Sertoma launched the New Jersey Hearing Aid Project (NJHAP) in 2014. The project provides free refurbished hearing aids to eligible low-income seniors in the state of New Jersey. Eligibility to receive these hearing aids is determined by the DDHH and is limited to individuals who are at least 65 years of age, are New Jersey residents and have an income that does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level.
The Center for Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at Montclair State University houses the Hearing Aid Bank and coordinates the dispensing of the refurbished hearing aids. Many potential recipients of these hearing aids cannot travel long distances so Dr. Elena Kagan-Weitz has been building a network of licensed audiologists throughout New Jersey to dispense the refurbished hearing aids in their local area. The NJHAP is grateful to those audiologists who are participating in the project.
Anyone interested in more information or to apply to receive a refurbished hearing aid please contact Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) office at 609-588-2648, or within New Jersey, at 800-792-8339. If preferable, please visit the DDHH website to download an application. The website provides additional information regarding the NJHAP, as well as links to the form needed to apply.
To obtain more information on how to become a participating audiologist email the NJHAP at NJHAP@dos5.net.
Finally, the project accepts donated hearing aids. If you are in possession of hearing aids you wish to donate, the NJHAP accepts gifts of all hearing aids regardless of function, style or age of the device. A letter that can be used for tax purposes will be mailed to the donor if a name and address are included with the donated items. Please send your donations to New Jersey Hearing Aid Project, Montclair State University, 1515 Broad Street, Bldg. B, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.