The Johnson Audiology Hearing Foundation

January 3, 2022

Helping More People Hear: The Mission of the Johnson Audiology Hearing Foundation

A group of people are making a heart shape with their hands.

In October 2019, Johnson Audiology launched the Johnson Audiology Hearing Foundation (JAHF), an official 501c3, non-profit organization for the purpose of helping those in financial need receive the gift of hearing. Since then, dear patients and others in the community have donated more than 200 hearing aids and hearing aid accessories to the cause.


“We have been so touched by people’s spirit of giving in the two years since JAHF was founded. Because of people’s donations of gently used hearing aids as well as monetary gifts, many people in the communities we serve have been fitted with hearing technology. The gift of hearing can be a gamechanger for people,” said Dr. Megan Johnson, an audiologist and owner of Johnson Audiology.


Seth Robinette agrees. His application to JAHF was reviewed and accepted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020. Mr. Robinette had been struggling with hearing loss, and it was impacting various aspects of his life, including his job. After coming to Johnson Audiology and receiving hearing aids by way of the Foundation, he said, “I feel like my ears have a new home, and it’s Johnson Audiology. This place turned my unfortunate hearing loss from a negative in my life to a great and wonderful experience. With my hearing aids, I feel like I’ve stepped out into a brave new world with ears to hear the things I have been missing in life, which in turn, re-establishes my confidence to
take on the world.”

Life-changing stories like this from JAHF recipients are exactly the impacts Dr. Johnson and her team had hoped for when the Foundation was started. Dr. Johnson says, “Hearing is one of the most important of human senses and should never be underestimated or dismissed. It empowers a person to live life without limitations. It connects people to those around them, allowing better communication and socialization with friends and family, greater opportunities in your career, even heightened physical safety as our sense of hearing is one of our body’s most potent warning systems to protect us from danger. Healthy hearing links us to the world in a way that none of our other senses achieve.”


Dr. Whitney Smith, an audiologist in Johnson Audiology’s Chattanooga office and a Foundation officer, explained that JAHF’s mission is straightforward—to pair those who cannot afford hearing technology with hearing aids and services. She also said, “We put a lot of thought into our vision statement because we wanted it to reflect how strongly we feel about healthy hearing being a basic human right that everyone should be able to harness.” The Foundation's vision statement sums up its goal:
The Johnson Audiology Hearing Foundation recognizes that healthy hearing harnesses a person’s ability to be an active participant in life rather than an isolated bystander. The Foundation also purports that communication is a basic human right. Thus, the Foundation’s vision is to make quality hearing health care and technology available and accessible to those with financial need who are struggling with hearing loss. This will be accomplished by mobilizing the power, expertise and passion of hearing health care professionals, volunteers and donors. 


Jan Hollingsworth, JAHF’s Donation Coordinator, said, “The Foundation accepts gently-used hearing aids and accessories, as well as monetary gifts from gracious donors.” JAHF also works with several of the major hearing aid manufacturers as they either refurbish the donated aids we receive or donate to JAHF by way of slightly older model aids they have in stock. 


Dr. Johnson added, “Our audiologists are committed to the Foundation, and their volunteerism speaks to the passion they bring to their profession. They truly want to help people hear better.”


Dr. Smith said she has seen firsthand what donations can mean to everyone involved. “I’ve dedicated my life to helping people hear. I couldn’t have chosen a more fulfilling profession. It’s incredibly rewarding watching a person’s face light up when I fit them with hearing aids and sound becomes a part of life again. Offering that experience to someone who thought hearing aids were financially out of reach—it doesn’t get any better than that!” She said, “It is so gratifying for donors, also. There’s no better feeling than to help someone in need with a gift that makes an immediate and lasting impact on their lives. It’s a win-win!” In fact, Dr. Smith has requested that her own family members make donations to the Foundation in lieu of Christmas and birthday gifts to her. Dr. Smith said that just like with any charitable gift, a donation to JAHF can be used as a tax deduction. “We mail acknowledgement letters for both monetary gifts and technology donations with a dollar value assigned to the gift based on the brand, style, and age of the hearing aid. The letter can be used as a receipt for tax purposes.”


Mrs. Hollingsworth said, “We’ve received hundreds of pieces of donated technology since the Foundation’s inception in October 2019. Many are gently used devices without too much wear and tear from the previous owner, and those are what we use to place on Foundation recipients.” Some donations, however, are devices that were custom-fit to the original owner. “We also get devices that are quite old. Neither of these scenarios are appropriate for placement on someone else,” said Dr. Johnson. In those cases, JAHF seeks to send the devices to organizations that dismantle them into components and parts that can be recycled or reused.


Dr. Johnson said, “Many patients choose to move into new technology and have donated their older aids to the Foundation rather than the aids taking up space in a drawer at home. It’s a way of giving your aids a second life.” Additionally, aids have been donated by family members after a loved one has died.


Dr. Johnson also said that if a person is ineligible for help through JAHF, Johnson Audiology will seek to work with them in other ways. “We have many avenues for helping a person get the hearing technology they need. For instance, Johnson Audiology verifies every patient’s health insurance benefits. Some policies have programs for hearing aid technology. Also, a great organization—the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation—is an opportunity for residents of Georgia who are in need of assistance with hearing care. For years, Johnson Audiology has partnered with the Lighthouse Foundation to get people into the hearing technology they need.”


The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 466 million people worldwide are affected by disabling hearing loss and that number will soar to more than 900 million by 2050. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified hearing loss as the third most common chronic physical condition confronting Americans today. Dr. Johnson said, “Clearly, organizations that make hearing technology available for people will be an ongoing need as we move into the future. A gift to the Johnson Audiology Hearing Foundation is a way we can all do our part.”


Make a contribution or apply for assistance to the Johnson Audiology Hearing Foundation.

Recent Posts

By Jan Hollingsworth March 12, 2026
Starkey Omega AI Is Now Available at Johnson Audiology There's a kind of exhaustion that comes with straining to hear — following along, nodding, guessing — and feeling like you missed most of it anyway. Better hearing technology doesn't just help you hear more. It helps you stop working so hard to listen. Starkey's newest platform, Omega AI, was built with exactly that in mind. And we're proud to now offer it at Johnson Audiology. Smarter Sound, Right When You Need It At the heart of Omega AI is DNN 360, the world's first deep neural network–powered directionality system. In real-world terms, that means voices stand out more clearly in the places that have always been the hardest: noisy restaurants, busy family events, crowded spaces. Starkey reports up to 28% better speech intelligibility and an 8 dB signal-to-noise improvement — without any sacrifice to battery life, which runs up to 51 hours. The AI doesn't stop there. A feature called TeleHear AI listens to your sound concerns and makes an instant adjustment with 93% accuracy right from the My Starkey app. And the built-in Gen AI Smart Assistant lets you ask questions, change programs, and set reminders using your voice, the same way you'd interact with a smart assistant on your phone. For patients who want more control between appointments, it's a meaningful shift in how hearing care works day to day. Built to Keep Up with Your Day Omega AI is waterproof with a coating tested to last 10 times longer than previous generations, so daily life; rain, sweat, an active schedule, isn't something you need to work around. New LED indicator lights let you confirm power and Bluetooth connection immediately, and in an industry first, those same lights double as a find-my-hearing-aid tool through the My Starkey app. More Than Just Hearing Omega AI also brings two health-focused tools to the My Starkey app. Balance Builder offers guided at-home exercises to support stability, especially valuable for patients managing fall risk. And an automatic respiratory rate monitor quietly tracks breathing in the background throughout the day, helping patients and their care teams stay a step ahead. Omega AI also supports Auracast™ connectivity, which lets you tune in to broadcast audio in public spaces including airports, theaters, places of worship, etc. directly through your hearing aids with a simple tap. It's the kind of feature that quietly makes a big difference in the moments that matter most. It's a reflection of something we believe deeply at Johnson Audiology: hearing care is health care. Let's Find the Right Fit for You If you're wondering whether Omega AI could be right for your hearing and your lifestyle, we'd love to help. Schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation at any of our locations across Tennessee and North Georgia, and let our team guide you from there. Because better hearing isn't just about sound, it's about everything sound connects you to.
By Jan Hollingsworth March 12, 2026
Oticon Zeal™ Is Now Available at Johnson Audiology Johnson Audiology is pleased to now offer Oticon Zeal, a breakthrough in hearing technology that delivers premium sound performance in an exceptionally compact and discreet design. Oticon Zeal represents a significant advancement in both engineering and sound processing. By combining durability, artificial intelligence-driven sound clarity, rechargeability, and seamless connectivity, Zeal offers patients a comprehensive hearing solution — without compromise. A Breakthrough in Design: Innovative Encapsulation Technology One of the defining innovations behind Oticon Zeal is its advanced encapsulation technology. This method encloses the body of the device in a single, solid structure, creating a hearing aid that is both robust and moisture resistant (IP68-rated). This innovative design allows Zeal to be: More protected against everyday wear and environmental exposure More compact and discreet More durable without sacrificing performance Patients no longer have to choose between premium sound quality and a small, cosmetically appealing device. Zeal is engineered to provide both. Advanced AI Sound Processing — Always On Oticon Zeal is powered by Oticon’s most advanced AI-driven sound processing technology to date. This “always-on” system continuously analyzes the listening environment, helping the brain access clearer, more balanced sound in real time. The result is improved speech understanding, even in complex listening environments. Zeal provides up to 6 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and has been tested on more than 1,500 ears, demonstrating measurable performance benefits. Rather than simply amplifying sound, Zeal works intelligently to support how the brain naturally interprets speech and environmental cues. Always-On Connectivity Modern hearing technology must integrate seamlessly into daily life. Oticon Zeal introduces uncompromising connectivity through a newly designed skin-coupling antenna and optimized tap control for discreet and intuitive use. Patients can enjoy seamless connectivity with: Smartphones Tablets Personal computers Televisions Zeal also supports hands-free calling through Bluetooth® LE Audio and is compatible with Auracast™ broadcast audio in public spaces. This expanded connectivity allows patients to stay engaged at home, at work, and in community settings with greater ease and clarity. Reliable Rechargeability As a true all-in-one hearing aid, Oticon Zeal features rechargeable lithium-ion battery technology. Users can: Charge overnight for a full day of power* Gain up to four hours of use with a quick 15-minute charge This flexibility provides peace of mind, especially for active individuals who are frequently on the go. Patients no longer need to manage disposable batteries or worry about running out of power during important conversations or events. Flexible, Personalized Fitting at Johnson Audiology Oticon Zeal is designed to support a personalized fitting experience. Its dome-to-mold flexibility allows clinicians to begin new users with a dome and transition to a micromold if needed to meet individual anatomical or acoustic requirements. At Johnson Audiology, we use comprehensive diagnostic testing and individualized programming to ensure each device is tailored to your specific hearing needs and lifestyle goals. Zeal enables us to offer a premium, discreet solution while maintaining the personalized care our patients expect. Schedule a Consultation If you are interested in learning whether Oticon Zeal is right for you, we invite you to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation at one of our locations in Tennessee or North Georgia. Our team is here to help you explore your options and find the hearing solution that best supports your daily life.
By Jan Hollingsworth March 9, 2026
How Healthy Hearing Strengthens Social Bonds and Relationships Strong relationships are built on communication. From conversations with coworkers to family dinners and time spent with friends, hearing clearly allows us to stay connected to the people who matter most. When hearing begins to decline, those everyday moments can become more difficult. Conversations may feel exhausting, misunderstandings can happen more often, and some people may even begin avoiding social situations altogether. Maintaining healthy hearing plays a powerful role in protecting the social bonds that enrich our lives. At Johnson Audiology , we see every day how better hearing helps patients reconnect with family, friends, and their community. Why Healthy Hearing Is Essential for Strong Relationships Healthy hearing allows you to participate fully in conversations and social experiences. When you can clearly hear what others are saying, communication becomes easier, more natural, and more enjoyable. Without clear hearing, people often miss parts of conversations or struggle to follow along in group settings. This can lead to frustration, misunderstandings, and feelings of isolation. By protecting your hearing health and addressing hearing loss early, you can continue to engage confidently in the conversations that keep relationships strong. Hearing Clearly Improves Emotional Connection Communication isn’t just about words. Tone, laughter, and subtle vocal cues help us understand emotion and intention. When hearing loss occurs, these important details can be missed. Someone may hear the words but not the emotion behind them. Over time, this can make communication feel less meaningful or more strained. Healthy hearing allows you to hear the warmth in a loved one’s voice, the excitement in a grandchild’s story, or the humor in a friend’s joke. These emotional connections are what make relationships meaningful. Better Hearing Builds Social Confidence Many people with untreated hearing loss begin to withdraw from social situations. Noisy environments like restaurants, family gatherings, or community events can become difficult to navigate. Instead of asking others to repeat themselves or worrying about missing something important, some individuals choose to stay quiet or avoid social events entirely. With proper hearing care and modern hearing technology, patients often regain the confidence to fully participate in social activities again. Clear hearing makes it easier to stay engaged, enjoy conversations, and feel comfortable in group settings. Stronger Family Connections Start With Hearing Well Family relationships often benefit the most from healthy hearing. Spouses, children, and grandchildren all rely on communication to stay connected. When hearing loss interferes with everyday conversations, it can create frustration for everyone involved. Simple moments like sharing stories, talking about the day, or laughing together can become more difficult. Addressing hearing loss can restore those everyday interactions. Many patients tell us that better hearing allows them to reconnect with loved ones in ways they didn’t realize they were missing. The Health Benefits of Staying Socially Connected Research consistently shows that maintaining strong social connections is important for overall health and well-being. Social engagement has been linked to: Lower risk of depression and loneliness Better cognitive health Reduced stress levels Improved quality of life Because hearing is essential for communication, protecting your hearing health helps protect your social health as well . Take the First Step Toward Better Hearing If conversations have become harder to follow, the television volume keeps creeping up, or family members have mentioned your hearing, it may be time for a professional hearing evaluation. The good news is that hearing care has advanced dramatically in recent years. Today’s hearing technology is discreet, comfortable, and designed to help you stay fully engaged in everyday conversations. At Johnson Audiology , our team is dedicated to helping patients reconnect with the sounds and relationships that make life meaningful. Schedule Your Hearing Evaluation Today Don’t let hearing difficulties create distance between you and the people you love. A simple hearing test can provide valuable insight into your hearing health and help you take the next step toward clearer communication and stronger relationships. Contact Johnson Audiology today to schedule your hearing evaluation and start enjoying conversations again. Better hearing doesn’t just improve sound—it strengthens the connections that matter most.
By Jan Hollingsworth March 12, 2026
Starkey Omega AI Is Now Available at Johnson Audiology There's a kind of exhaustion that comes with straining to hear — following along, nodding, guessing — and feeling like you missed most of it anyway. Better hearing technology doesn't just help you hear more. It helps you stop working so hard to listen. Starkey's newest platform, Omega AI, was built with exactly that in mind. And we're proud to now offer it at Johnson Audiology. Smarter Sound, Right When You Need It At the heart of Omega AI is DNN 360, the world's first deep neural network–powered directionality system. In real-world terms, that means voices stand out more clearly in the places that have always been the hardest: noisy restaurants, busy family events, crowded spaces. Starkey reports up to 28% better speech intelligibility and an 8 dB signal-to-noise improvement — without any sacrifice to battery life, which runs up to 51 hours. The AI doesn't stop there. A feature called TeleHear AI listens to your sound concerns and makes an instant adjustment with 93% accuracy right from the My Starkey app. And the built-in Gen AI Smart Assistant lets you ask questions, change programs, and set reminders using your voice, the same way you'd interact with a smart assistant on your phone. For patients who want more control between appointments, it's a meaningful shift in how hearing care works day to day. Built to Keep Up with Your Day Omega AI is waterproof with a coating tested to last 10 times longer than previous generations, so daily life; rain, sweat, an active schedule, isn't something you need to work around. New LED indicator lights let you confirm power and Bluetooth connection immediately, and in an industry first, those same lights double as a find-my-hearing-aid tool through the My Starkey app. More Than Just Hearing Omega AI also brings two health-focused tools to the My Starkey app. Balance Builder offers guided at-home exercises to support stability, especially valuable for patients managing fall risk. And an automatic respiratory rate monitor quietly tracks breathing in the background throughout the day, helping patients and their care teams stay a step ahead. Omega AI also supports Auracast™ connectivity, which lets you tune in to broadcast audio in public spaces including airports, theaters, places of worship, etc. directly through your hearing aids with a simple tap. It's the kind of feature that quietly makes a big difference in the moments that matter most. It's a reflection of something we believe deeply at Johnson Audiology: hearing care is health care. Let's Find the Right Fit for You If you're wondering whether Omega AI could be right for your hearing and your lifestyle, we'd love to help. Schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation at any of our locations across Tennessee and North Georgia, and let our team guide you from there. Because better hearing isn't just about sound, it's about everything sound connects you to.
By Jan Hollingsworth March 12, 2026
Oticon Zeal™ Is Now Available at Johnson Audiology Johnson Audiology is pleased to now offer Oticon Zeal, a breakthrough in hearing technology that delivers premium sound performance in an exceptionally compact and discreet design. Oticon Zeal represents a significant advancement in both engineering and sound processing. By combining durability, artificial intelligence-driven sound clarity, rechargeability, and seamless connectivity, Zeal offers patients a comprehensive hearing solution — without compromise. A Breakthrough in Design: Innovative Encapsulation Technology One of the defining innovations behind Oticon Zeal is its advanced encapsulation technology. This method encloses the body of the device in a single, solid structure, creating a hearing aid that is both robust and moisture resistant (IP68-rated). This innovative design allows Zeal to be: More protected against everyday wear and environmental exposure More compact and discreet More durable without sacrificing performance Patients no longer have to choose between premium sound quality and a small, cosmetically appealing device. Zeal is engineered to provide both. Advanced AI Sound Processing — Always On Oticon Zeal is powered by Oticon’s most advanced AI-driven sound processing technology to date. This “always-on” system continuously analyzes the listening environment, helping the brain access clearer, more balanced sound in real time. The result is improved speech understanding, even in complex listening environments. Zeal provides up to 6 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and has been tested on more than 1,500 ears, demonstrating measurable performance benefits. Rather than simply amplifying sound, Zeal works intelligently to support how the brain naturally interprets speech and environmental cues. Always-On Connectivity Modern hearing technology must integrate seamlessly into daily life. Oticon Zeal introduces uncompromising connectivity through a newly designed skin-coupling antenna and optimized tap control for discreet and intuitive use. Patients can enjoy seamless connectivity with: Smartphones Tablets Personal computers Televisions Zeal also supports hands-free calling through Bluetooth® LE Audio and is compatible with Auracast™ broadcast audio in public spaces. This expanded connectivity allows patients to stay engaged at home, at work, and in community settings with greater ease and clarity. Reliable Rechargeability As a true all-in-one hearing aid, Oticon Zeal features rechargeable lithium-ion battery technology. Users can: Charge overnight for a full day of power* Gain up to four hours of use with a quick 15-minute charge This flexibility provides peace of mind, especially for active individuals who are frequently on the go. Patients no longer need to manage disposable batteries or worry about running out of power during important conversations or events. Flexible, Personalized Fitting at Johnson Audiology Oticon Zeal is designed to support a personalized fitting experience. Its dome-to-mold flexibility allows clinicians to begin new users with a dome and transition to a micromold if needed to meet individual anatomical or acoustic requirements. At Johnson Audiology, we use comprehensive diagnostic testing and individualized programming to ensure each device is tailored to your specific hearing needs and lifestyle goals. Zeal enables us to offer a premium, discreet solution while maintaining the personalized care our patients expect. Schedule a Consultation If you are interested in learning whether Oticon Zeal is right for you, we invite you to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation at one of our locations in Tennessee or North Georgia. Our team is here to help you explore your options and find the hearing solution that best supports your daily life.