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Virginia Lions Hearing Foundation and Research Center Inc. |
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Virginia Lions Hearing Foundation and Research Center Inc.Box 800477University of Virginia Health Sciences Center Charlottesville VA 22908 804-296-LION (5466) or 800-251-3627 ext. 4-9805
HISTORYIn June 1978, the International Association of Lions Clubs introduced a program called "Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf" In response to this initiative, Lion Kenneth S. Hitch contacted Dr. Robert W. Cantrell, then Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center in Charlottesville, Virginia.They desired to explore the formation of an organization dedicated to supported research on deafness. Interested in pursuing this idea, a committee was formed with representatives from each of the six Lions Clubs districts in Virginia along with three medical personnel. A resolution to form the "Lions of Virginia Hearing Foundation & Temporal Bone Bank" resulted from these meetings and it was unanimously approved by the Lions of Virginia. The Hearing Foundation is solely supported by the Lions Clubs of Virginia. Since this Foundation was formed, the Lions of Virginia have contributed over $1,200,000 to the Foundation in support of their objectives. In August 1989, the words "temporal bone bank" were dropped from the name due to the fact that through research it was discovered that artificial ear bones are better used for transplants than human ear bones due to the risk of transferring diseases. The emphasis had shifted from being a "temporal bone bank" (a facility that houses temporal bones) to more of a "research center", thus the name change.
OBJECTIVESThe principal objectives of the Virginia Lions Hearing foundation are:
To conduct diagnostic clinical examinations, which may result in surgery (e.g. cochlear implant) or other rehabilitative processes (e.g.. hearing aids) to restore partial or complete hearing to individuals. To conduct informational programs to educate the public on hearing disorders and to encourage hearing protection. To initiate educational programs for practicing ear surgeons on the latest surgical techniques to better care for hearing impaired individuals throughout Virginia and beyond. 
CURRENT SUPPORTED PROGRAMSCOCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM this program was initiated by support from the Virginia Lions Hearing Foundation. It is now one of the most active in the United States and is ranked as one of the top five centers in the country. The Cochlear Implant is a device that restores sound to profoundly deaf individuals.IMPLANTABLE HEARING AID PROJECT - the Hearing Foundation provided "seed" money for this project to help lay the ground work necessary for further developments. Since its inception in 1986 a patent was awarded on the concept of this device which will eliminate background noises and feedback which is currently an inherent problem with conventional hearing aids. This program has also been supported by other Foundations, including Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) who have given two $50,000 matching grants. This project has received much publicity and is currently working on the development of a device suitable for human use. HAIR CELL REGENERATION - each of us is born with a specific number of hair cells", which are the cells located in the cochlea of the ear and are necessary for us to hear. When they are damaged (exposure to loud noise is one of the greatest causes of damage) they are damaged for life. This research is working towards finding a way regenerate these dead hair cells which may restore hearing to those individuals suffering from "nerve deafness". Significant break throughs have been made recently. The Hearing Foundation has been a major contributor in this research effort. NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING this program was initiated through contributions from the Hearing Foundation over 15 years ago. The program tests newborns for hearing impairments, which is vital to healthy development. The General Assembly used our program as a study center and due to its success, has now implemented a law where all high-risk new-borns (pre-mature, hearing loss history in the family, etc.) be tested for hearing loss. We continue to support this program as new techniques and equipment are continuously developed to give the best possible testing and results to these young lives. HEARING AID ASSISTANCE - The University of Virginia, Division of Audiology provides hearing testing for indigent individuals throughout Virginia. If the individual is not sponsored or referred by a Lions Club initially, they will submit an application for financial assistance to the Lions Club nearest to where the individual resides after exhausting all other possible assistance. Should the Lions Club sponsor the individual, the Club would pay $125 per aid which covers the cost of a new behind-the-ear style hearing aid with a 1 year warranty, the ear mold and the follow-up fitting. Though the Hearing Foundation does not contribute to this program, it is one that we support. EDUCATION We provide educational information and materials to Lions Clubs for distribution throughout Virginia. We have brochures on the following topics:
For further information contact: The Virginia Lions Hearing Foundation & Research
Center, Inc.
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