ETSU audiology students will be providing free hearing tests and discounted hearing aids to individuals attending the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic.
RAM works to provide cost-effective medical and health services to patients who may not be able to afford to them.
“It’s a really great volunteer opportunity for ETSU audiology students, as we will be evaluating and testing individuals hearing, and then kind of determining if they would need a hearing aid or not, and then working to provide them with some hearing aids at a at a reduced cost compared to what they could get elsewhere or if they just came into the clinic,” said Karee Diem, a clinic graduate assistant for the Native Language Center in Elizabethton.
Costs for hearing aids will vary for most people, depending on their insurance provider and the clinic.
Fortunately, attendees will be able to get a hearing aid for just the cost of an ear mold, thanks to donations from the Skalko Foundation Grant and the ETSU chapter of the Student Academy of Audiology.
“We’re going to be able to provide one hearing aid for free, with just the cost of the ear mold, which will be $30. Additionally, the most someone will spend at RAM on a set of hearing aids is $400,” said Diem.
ETSU students will be present at the event on Nov. 5 from 5 a.m.-6 p.m., but the clinic is open from Nov. 4-7.
It will be held at the Appalachian Fair Grounds at 100 Lakeview Street, Gray, TN 37615.
“Most people you talk to you get into a medical field because they want to help people, and this is a great opportunity to put what we’ve learned in the classroom and throughout our time here to practice in the real world and helping those that really need it. I think it’s well received by the community, and it’s an opportunity for patients all over,” said Diem.
If students want to volunteer, they can sign up at https://volunteer.ramusa.org/ .
