Juana Poareo

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) expired June 1, 2024, leaving 23 million households without access to affordable internet services. So, we’ll point you to some alternative options for affordable home internet and mobile data plans plus federally funded services for people with hearing loss.

As the U.S. senior population climbs, so does hearing loss. More than 30% of seniors 65 and older experience hearing loss, reaching 40% for those 75 and older.1 A sudden or gradual hearing loss can be a jarring experience for seniors already dealing with health or community issues. Social isolation is a lack of contact or meaningful interaction with friends, family, and the larger community.

Communication is fundamental to human interaction and belonging. Without it, we would end up confused, frustrated, and lonely. In the U.S., there are approximately 50,000 people who are DeafBlind. The DeafBlind community represents a distinct group that, due to combined hearing and vision loss, presents with a unique set of challenges and experiences when it comes to communication. Although DeafBlindness is a combination of hearing and vision loss, each DeafBlind person’s experience varies.