About The Children's Hearing Help Fund

The Children’s Hearing Help Fund (CHHF) Hearing Aid Loan Bank for Infants and Toddlers was made possible by collaboration between the Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Fl, Inc. (SSHF) and Florida Department of Health, Children’s Medical Services, Bureau of Early Interventions, Early Hearing Loss Detection and Intervention grant project. The NCHAM Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Resource Center states, “As more and more states implement early intervention (EHDI) programs, it has become clear that the success of these programs depends on successful tracking and follow-up to ensure that babies referred from the screening program (hospital) receive appropriate and timely audiological and early intervention services.” Since the implementation of the hearing screening law in Florida, it has become apparent that some children do not receive hearing aids in a timely manner to maximize the auditory and verbal language learning benefits associated with quality early intervention services. This barrier to successful intervention outcomes has been addressed by the implementation of a hearing aid loan bank for infants and toddlers. The Children's Hearing Help Fund is the first statewide hearing aid loan program to provide resources to ensure that all infants and toddlers with hearing loss who are receiving early intervention services can receive hearing aids in a timely manner."

The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation (SSHF) is a 501(c)(3) organization which was chartered in December 1982. SSHF is registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs under the Solicitation of Contributions Act. Registration # CH1750.