Hearing the Call Northeast OhioA hand up for hearing care
High-quality hearing healthcare for qualified Ohio residents—made possible through community generosity and a commitment to giving back.
≈92¢ of every dollar stays right here in Northeast Ohio!
the smile says it all →
The moment hearing returns
Dr. Donovan on mission
Hearing loss affects far more than the ability to hear sound. It affects conversations, relationships, employment, independence, safety, and quality of life. Unfortunately, many people delay treatment for years because they simply cannot afford the care they need.
Hearing the Call Northeast Ohio exists to change that.
Through a partnership between Hearing the Call and Sounds of Life Hearing Center, qualified Ohio residents have access to reduced-cost, evidence-based hearing healthcare delivered to the same professional standard we provide every patient who walks through our doors.
This is not simply a program that provides hearing aids. It is a program that restores connection through comprehensive hearing healthcare.
so much more than a device
Hearing Care—Not Just Hearing Aids
Successful hearing treatment involves much more than receiving a device. Every participant works with a doctoral-level audiologist and may receive:
Diagnostic Hearing Evaluation
A comprehensive evaluation with a doctoral-level audiologist
Individualized Selection
Hearing aids chosen for your hearing loss, communication needs, lifestyle, and dexterity
Professional Fitting
Expert hearing aid fitting by a doctor of audiology
Real-Ear Verification
Verification that hearing aids are programmed appropriately for the individual's ears
Education & Counseling
Guidance to help you succeed with your hearing treatment
Communication Coaching
Communication strategy coaching for everyday situations
Follow-Up Visits
Follow-up appointments and programming adjustments
Ongoing Support
Continued professional support throughout your care
Evidence consistently shows that hearing aids are far more likely to be successful when they are fit, verified, and supported appropriately.
Devices alone do not restore communication. Care does.
Want to see what this level of care looks like? Learn more about our comprehensive hearing tests, hearing aid fittings, and real-ear measurement.
everyone gives, everyone gains
The Circle of Giving
Hearing the Call Northeast Ohio is built on a simple belief: communities become stronger when people help one another. Everyone contributes in meaningful ways.
Our Donors Give
Individuals, businesses, churches, civic organizations, and foundations provide financial support and donate gently used hearing aids to make hearing healthcare more affordable for neighbors in need.
Sounds of Life Gives
Our practice provides professional hearing healthcare at cost through the program, allowing charitable dollars to stretch further while maintaining the same high standard of care our patients expect.
Participants Give
Participants contribute reduced program fees toward their care and complete community service, becoming active partners in strengthening their own communities.
Our Community Benefits
When more people can hear, they communicate more effectively, remain engaged with family and friends, continue working, volunteer, and participate more fully in community life.
One act of generosity inspires another. That is the Circle of Giving.
A Partnership—Not a Handout
We believe dignity matters. Participants are not simply receiving assistance. They invest in their own care through reduced program fees, commit to their treatment, and give back through community service.
Likewise, donors know their generosity directly helps bridge the gap between what participants can afford and the actual cost of providing high-quality hearing healthcare.
Everyone contributes. Everyone benefits.
Who May Apply
Applicants generally must:
Household income guidelines are based on the current Federal Poverty Guidelines and are updated annually. Every application is reviewed individually.
Questions? Please contact our office at (440) 579-4085.
Why Your Support Matters
The Northeast Ohio project can provide care only through the generosity of our community. Participants contribute toward their own care, but charitable donations help cover the remaining cost of professional services, hearing aid refurbishment, earmolds, and other program expenses.
Every gift helps another person reconnect with family, friends, work, and community.
Make a Tax-Deductible Giftof every dollar donated remains designated for Hearing the Call Northeast Ohio, directly supporting local participants
The remaining approximately 8% supports Hearing the Call's national nonprofit administration and infrastructure, making local programs like ours possible.
beyond our walls
Service Is Part of Who We Are
Hearing the Call Northeast Ohio reflects the values that guide Sounds of Life Hearing Center every day. We believe hearing healthcare extends beyond the walls of our office.
We Support Service
Sounds of Life Hearing Center provides a humanitarian service grant—currently $1,500—to employees and audiology students participating in approved humanitarian hearing healthcare trips.
We also provide up to five paid working days for this service without requiring employees to use their earned paid time off.
We Serve
Members of our team have participated in humanitarian hearing healthcare outreach in underserved communities around the world.
These experiences continue to shape how we care for patients here in Northeast Ohio.
We Lead
Dr. Cara Donovan has participated in five humanitarian trips to Guatemala through Hearing the Call's Student Initiative Program.
She serves on the Student Initiative leadership committee, mentoring audiology students and helping prepare the next generation of humanitarian hearing healthcare providers.
Whether serving a neighbor in Northeast Ohio or a patient thousands of miles away, our mission remains the same:
Helping people reconnect with the people and moments that matter most.
field notes from our trips
Stories From the Field
Watch the moments that drive this work—patients hearing family, friends, and community again through Hearing the Call humanitarian trips.
Serving Guatemala
3:19
Merle's Story
1:28
The Hearing Smile
1:16
Hearing Smiles in Guatemala
1:02
Choosing Local Creates a Ripple Effect
When you choose Sounds of Life Hearing Center for your hearing healthcare, you are doing more than investing in yourself. You are supporting an independent, locally owned healthcare practice that believes in reinvesting in people. Your decision helps:
Local Jobs & Economy
Support local jobs and the Northeast Ohio economy
Affordable Hearing Care
Expand access to affordable hearing healthcare through Hearing the Call Northeast Ohio
Humanitarian Service
Encourage humanitarian service by providing financial support and paid service leave for our team
Future Audiologists
Develop future audiologists through mentorship and international service opportunities
Because we are independently owned, we can choose to invest in our patients, our profession, and our communities—both here at home and around the world.
How You Can Help
Every contribution—financial, material, or simply sharing the word—helps another neighbor reconnect with the people and moments that matter most.
Make a Financial Donation
Your tax-deductible contribution helps qualified Northeast Ohio residents receive professional hearing healthcare they otherwise may not be able to afford.
Donate NowDonate Hearing Aids
Many hearing aids can be professionally refurbished and programmed for another participant, giving them a second life and creating another opportunity to restore communication.
Contact Us to DonateBecome a Community Partner
Churches, service organizations, employers, foundations, civic groups, and businesses can sponsor participants, support hearing aid refurbishment, organize collection drives, or make annual charitable contributions.
Email Our TeamRefer Someone
Many people live with untreated hearing loss simply because they don't realize help exists. Sharing this program with someone you know could change their life.
Call (440) 579-4085good questions, honest answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Hearing the Call Northeast Ohio?
Applicants generally must live in Ohio, have a documented hearing loss, and demonstrate financial need based on current program guidelines, which follow the Federal Poverty Guidelines and are updated annually. Participants also contribute reduced program fees and complete community service hours. Every application is reviewed individually.
How do I apply for the program?
Applications are handled through the Hearing the Call Northeast Ohio chapter page at hearingthecall.org/us/neohio, where you can download the application. You can also call our Concord Township office at (440) 579-4085 and our team will point you in the right direction.
Is the program free?
No—and that is by design. Hearing the Call Northeast Ohio is a partnership, not a handout. Participants invest in their own care through reduced program fees and give back through community service, while charitable donations bridge the gap between what participants can afford and the actual cost of high-quality hearing healthcare.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Hearing the Call is a nonprofit organization, and approximately 92% of every dollar donated remains designated for Hearing the Call Northeast Ohio, directly supporting participants in Lake County and across Northeast Ohio.
Can I donate my old hearing aids?
Absolutely. Many hearing aids can be professionally refurbished and programmed for another participant, giving them a second life. Contact our office in Concord Township to arrange a hearing aid donation.
What care do participants receive?
Participants work with a doctoral-level audiologist and may receive a comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluation, individualized hearing aid selection, professional fitting with real-ear verification, education and counseling, communication strategy coaching, and ongoing follow-up care—the same standard of care we provide every patient at Sounds of Life Hearing Center.
Have a question we didn't answer? Call us at (440) 579-4085 — we're happy to talk it through.
Invest in More Than Your Own Hearing
When you choose Sounds of Life Hearing Center, you're investing in more than your own hearing. You're helping strengthen our local community, supporting humanitarian hearing healthcare around the world, and ensuring that more people have the opportunity to hear, communicate, and fully participate in life.
Sounds of Life Hearing Center
8003 Auburn Road, Suite 4
Concord Township, OH 44077
With gratitude — your friends at Sounds of Life
Learn more about the national organization at hearingthecall.org.