Estimates vary, but approximately 30 to 40 % of adults age 65 and older have a hearing loss.  This figure increases to 50 percent for individuals 75 and older.
Although hearing aids will improve speech understanding in quiet situations or one-on-one conversations, in most instances, they provide less benefit in group situations, large areas, or environments with background noise or poor acoustics.  In these common and difficult listening situations, assistive listening devices may improve speech understanding more than a hearing aid.

A thorough evaluation should be done by a certified Audiologist connected to a medical facility.   They will render an impartial judgment as to whether the $1000 to $3000 hearing aid will work for the client.  Avoid seeking initial help from a company whose mission is to sell hearing aids.

For More Information:

BDHH Bureau for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living
1 W Wilson Street B275
    Madison, WI  53707-7851
    (608) 866-3118 TTY
    (608) 266-3256 Fax
    Department of Health Website

What is the Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program?
The TEPP is to help people with disabilities buy equipment they need in order to use basic telephone services.  The TEPP is one of several different programs paid for by the Wisconsin Universal Service Fund established by the Public Service Commission.  Money collected from WI telephone service providers goes into the USF.

This sounds too good to be true!  What's the catch?
There is NO catch, all you do is request the simple application form, fill it out and mail it in.

An Applicant Must Be:
A Wisconsin resident
Be a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or mobility or motion impaired.
Need special equipment to use the telephone in your home or when traveling (like a TTY, volume control, visual alert system, etc.)

There's no age or income limit, but the same household can only get TEPP money once every three years for the same type of disability.

How Much Will TEPP Pay?
The amount depends on your disability.  On the form, you check off which disability affects your telephone use.  You will be mailed a voucher (like a check) for the amount you are qualified to get.  The amounts were set based on the usual cost of the equipment needed.

How Much Do I Have To Pay?
You pay the first $100.  The voucher pays the rest, up to the maximum voucher amount.  If you buy equipment that is more expensive than the voucher plus your $100, you must also pay the extra charges.
What if I can't afford the $100?
The WI office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WDHH) has a special program -- the Telecommunication Assistance Program (TAP).  This is only for qualified persons who are deaf, deaf and blind, or hard of hearing.  Unlike TEPP, TAP does have income requirements.  But this separate state funded program pays the $100 TEPP copayment.
How do I get an application?
To get a Tepp application form, or answers to your questions, call or write:
    Public Service Commission
    PO Box 7854
    Madison, WI  53707-7854

For more information call:

Holiday House
PO Box 579
2818 Meadow Lane
 Manitowoc, WI  54220
(920) 682-5655 TTY
(920) 682-4663 voice
return to Hearing Loss Menu

Milwaukee:    Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
                        Brookfield
                        Marika Kovacs Houlihan   (414) 790-1940                        
                        Lori Behling ..   (414) 790-1040 Voice

Green Bay:        Independent Living Program
                        Sally Tyner, Deaf/Hrd of Hearing Specialist
                            voice or TTY... (920) 738-8021
 

If you have a vision and hearing loss, you can access some equipment at the above locations, and additional equipment through:
                   Statewide Coordinator for Deaf/Blind Services
                    Thomas Burns        (608) 243-5633 voice
                                                   (608) 243-5634 TTY