Summary: TruHearing and The Black Car Fund have partnered to provide more than 60,000 for-hire drivers in New York State with free access to audiological exams, hearing aids, and follow-up care, addressing noise exposure risks in their profession.

Takeaways:

  1. Comprehensive Hearing Care: Eligible drivers enrolled in The Black Car Fund’s Drivers Benefits program can access free audiological exams, remote care, and high-quality hearing aids from TruHearing’s network of over 8,850 providers.
  2. Addressing Noise Pollution Risks: Drivers frequently exposed to traffic, construction, and emergency sirens will benefit from proactive hearing healthcare to prevent long-term hearing damage.
  3. Support for Safer Driving: This partnership emphasizes the importance of hearing health for responsible driving, ensuring drivers can continue serving New York riders safely and effectively at no cost.

Thousands of for-hire drivers in New York State will receive expanded access to no-cost hearing healthcare through a new partnership between TruHearing and The Black Car Fund, the groups announced.

The Black Car Fund is a not-for-profit organization created by New York State that provides workers’ compensation, safety, and education classes, and health and wellness benefits at no cost to tens-of-thousands of for-hire vehicle drivers in New York State.

“This is an industry that deals with repeated noise exposure, so the need for proactive hearing healthcare is critically important, and we are proud to be the partner in providing that care to New York’s drivers,” says Trent Sterling, CEO, TruHearing. “This new relationship will help thousands of drivers easily access the hearing care they need, allowing them to prioritize their hearing health and prevent future damage while also avoiding unnecessary costs.”


Further Reading


Streamlining Access to Audiological Exams

Through TruHearing, eligible drivers who are enrolled in The Black Car Fund’s Drivers Benefits program, are now able to quickly access free audiological exams and follow-up visits from a convenient network of more than 8,850 provider locations. They will receive remote care and telehealth services, as well as top quality hearing aids at no cost, including free batteries.

“Partnering with TruHearing underscores our commitment to our mission to provide drivers with no-cost programs that make them healthier and safer—and we are very proud to bring this invaluable benefit to our members,” says Ira Goldstein, executive director of The Black Car Fund. “Driving in the concrete jungle has many challenges, and one we often forget is that drivers are frequently exposed to potentially harmful noise far more often than average New Yorkers. Hearing is essential to responsible driving and overall health, and this partnership with TruHearing will enable all our drivers to prioritize their hearing health so that every ride is a safe ride at no cost to them.”

This new partnership will support more than 60,000 eligible drivers who are regularly exposed to noise pollution from traffic, construction, emergency sirens, and more.

Sounds at or below 70 decibels are considered safe for preventing hearing loss over the long term1. In New York however, a 2015 study revealed that the average street noise level was 73.4 decibels, with levels reaching as high as 95 decibels2 in some places.

“Working with The Black Car Fund will help us provide even more people with quality and affordable hearing healthcare, ensuring they can safeguard their hearing health so they may continue to serve New York riders safely and responsibly,” added Sterling. 

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