Your Child’s Journey: An Ohio Guide for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Support
Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants, and Medical Needs
Raising a child who is deaf or hard of hearing can come with extra costs, from hearing aids and audiology appointments to childcare and therapy. The good news is that there are programs that can help families with these additional expenses. Below, you will find financial aid options available in Ohio. Each program includes a brief description and information on how to apply or get more details.
Child Care Choice Program Voucher – Child Care Payment Assistance
If you are working or in school, the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) may help pay for your childcare. You may need to pay part of the cost as a co-payment. The amount you pay depends on your income and family size. Assistance is available for families at or below 200% of the federal poverty line.
Email: childcarepolicy@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
CHIP provides health insurance for children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but still meet income limits. This program can cover routine doctor visits, prescriptions, and sometimes hearing-related care.
Fill out their online contact form or call 1-800-324-8680
Cincinnati Children’s Hearing Aid Trust (CCHAT)
CCHAT gives eligible Ohio children (from birth to age 3) their very first hearing aids for free. It is meant to help families who might not otherwise be able to afford these devices. To get started, your audiologist (especially one approved by CMH or Medicaid) can reach out to the CCHAT coordinator. Once the forms are submitted and you have contacted the coordinator, the hearing aids are ordered and sent straight to your child’s audiologist.
Email: cchat@cchmc.org
The Complex Medical Help Program (CMH), formerly called the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH), is operated by the Ohio Department of Health. CMH helps families of children with special health care needs, like hearing loss, connect with qualified providers and get assistance paying for necessary services. CMH can cover costs for evaluations, hearing tests, hearing aids, and certain related treatments when a child’s condition meets medical eligibility. The program also works with local health departments and nurses to coordinate care and make sure families can access other payment options when available.
Email: BCMH@odh.ohio.gov
Jacob’s Ride is a charitable program that helps individuals receive cochlear implant surgery when they cannot otherwise afford it. To be eligible, applicants generally must have limited or no health insurance coverage for the surgery and demonstrate financial need. Because funds are limited, not all applicants may receive assistance, and selection is made through the program’s grant process. Jacob’s Ride focuses on removing financial barriers so those who need a cochlear implant have a better chance of accessing this procedure.
Contact or email: info@jacobsride.org
Madeline’s Law requires most health insurance plans in Ohio to cover hearing aids and related services for children and young adults up to age 21. Coverage includes up to $2,500 per hearing aid, per ear, every four years. This law does not cover cochlear implants. To qualify, your child must have their hearing loss verified by a licensed professional, such as an audiologist or, an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor.
Learn more: Contact your insurance provider for details about how Madeline’s Law applies to your plan.
Medicaid provides health insurance to qualifying individuals, including children, people with disabilities, and families with low income. For children who qualify, Medicaid often covers the cost of hearing aids and related services.
Learn more or apply here: benefits.ohio.gov
Children’s Hospitals
Many children’s hospitals offer hearing and speech services, including help obtaining hearing aids or cochlear implants. Families can find nearby resources using the Directory of Children’s Hospitals in Ohio.
Ohio Hearing Aid Assistance Program
The Ohio Hearing Aid Assistance Program (OHAAP) helps families of children with hearing loss, from birth through age 26, cover the cost of hearing aids, assistive listening devices, earmolds, external cochlear implant processor replacements, and hearing aid batteries. Families with incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify. Children who are enrolled in, or eligible for, Medicaid or the Children with Medical Handicaps (CMH) program are not eligible for OHAAP—unless documentation shows that Medicaid or CMH will not cover the costs.
Email: OHAAP@odh.ohio.gov
United Health Care Children’s Foundation
Our mission at UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is to provide medical grants that enhance the quality of life for children across the United States. These grants give kids the care they need by helping with medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by their family’s commercial health insurance.
Email: uhccfcustomerservice@uhc.com