Bank of Hearing Aids
In the Podkarpacie Region, The Bank of Hearing Aids acts at The Society of Parents and Friends of Hearing Impaired Children, seated by the Province Hospital of Krosno. It was founded in 2009, firstly disposing of 12 hearing aids destined to young children with hearing defects. The resources of the bank are as follows: 2 apparatus Phonak- Naida Junior V UP, 2 apparatus Phonak- Naida Junior VSP, 2 apparatus Phonak Extra 411 AZ, 4 apparatus Widex- Aikia 19, 2 apparatus Phonak- Naida Junior III UP.
The apparatus are adjusted by experienced acoustic engineers – Mr. Krzysztof Stokaluk, MSc and Mr. Wojciech Góralczyk, MSc from Fonmed. Proper apparatus is selected for every child upon valuation of Mr. Piotr Jurczak, MD, from Audiology Clinic at the Province Hospital of Krosno.
In 2009 we borrowed 17 apparatus, among them 10 designed for serious hearing defects. All the beneficiaries were instructed to buy filters before returning this hearing aid (cost of filter – ca 12 PLN). Filters were exchanged for free however beneficiaries should give two batteries and new fasteners. The Orange Foundation has also given us maintenance devices which can be borrowed along with the hearing aid itself.
- - Sounds of Dreams – Banks of Hearing Aids -
If a child needs a hearing device, his parents turn to our Bank of Hearing Aids. The only Bank in the Podkarpacie region is seated in Krosno. The youngest child that needed such apparatus is only five months old.
- Experts say that if a hearing impaired child starts to use the apparatus before he is six months, he is very likely to develop in a regular way – says Mrs. Katarzyna Bieńkowska from The Society of Parents and Friends of Hearing Impaired Children in Krosno. – But the cost of a good device is ca 5000 – 7000 PLN, thus there are only few parents who can afford it.
- There is a possibility for subsidy; however a pre-condition for a child is to be recognized as handicapped. The whole procedure is time consuming, thus our Bank in a way covers this gap. The child can use the apparatus before his parents clear all the formalities. As Mrs. Bieńkowska explains: It is a very convenient situation. A child can even try several apparatus before doctor specifies which one suits him best.
- The Bank of Hearing Aids is a part of „Sounds of Dreams”, a global Polish programme of rehabilitation of young children with hearing defects. Krosno, namely The Society of Parents and Friends of Hearing Impaired Children, is one of cities which have recently joined the programme. – These hearing aids are destined for children of up to the age of three. We lend them for free. However, parents are responsible for any damage or loss that may occur. We assume that one hearing device can be borrowed for even three years. Our Bank has not been founded a long time ago. We have 10 apparatus; so far we have lent 5. If a need arises, we will apply for extra devices. All children from Podkarpacie region are very welcome – says Mrs. Bieńkowska. – They can borrow an apparatus and then to attend therapy we offer.
- The Bank in Krosno is one of 18 alike institutions in Poland. It was founded by The Foundation of Telecommunication in Poland which in 2006 distributed totally 540 apparatus. For further information please call free number 0800 48 00 44 (Monday to Friday, 10.00 – 16.00).
- The residing address of the Bank in Krosno is: Stowarzyszenie Rodziców i Przyjaciół Dzieci z Wadą Słuchu, ul. Korczyńska 57, pok. 326, 38-400 Krosno, tel. 013 437 85 58.
- Source: Gazeta Wyborcza Rzeszów