Give the Gift of Hearing
One person at a time.
Due solely to a lack of funds some people are living in a world of silence with no hope.
Lend An Ear wants to change that.
For most seniors with hearing loss, hearing aids are life-changing. They restore not just sound, but connection.
Quality hearing aids cost between $1,000-$6,000 per pair. For seniors on fixed incomes, this isn’t just expensive—it’s impossible. Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, and many private insurance plans don’t either. So seniors who’ve worked their entire lives are forced to choose between hearing their loved ones or paying for other essentials.
That’s where Lend An Ear Outreach comes in. We provide hearing aids, along with professional hearing exams, at little or no cost to qualifying Northeast Florida seniors. Every hearing aid that sits unused in a drawer could be the gift that brings someone back into the world.
30M
One in eight people in the United States (30 million) aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations.
28.8M
28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.
66%
Over 2 in 3 adults 70 years old and older who could benefit from hearing aids has never used them.
50%
Nearly 50% of adults who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Our solution? We turn your unused hearing aids & monetary donations into life-changing gifts.
Refurbish. Our volunteers and partner audiologists clean, repair, and test each donated hearing aid to ensure it meets professional standards. What arrives as a forgotten device leaves as a precisely calibrated tool ready to restore someone’s hearing. While most recipients are fitted with new hearing aids, refurbished models are given to qualifying school children in need and serve as replacements for lost hearing aids.
Fit. Through partnerships with local doctors of audiology, we provide professional hearing examinations and custom fitting services to those who qualify. Each recipient receives personalized care to ensure their hearing aid works perfectly for their specific type and degree of hearing loss. Both refurbished and new hearing aids are provided.
Provide. Seniors over 60 as well as school children with hearing loss in Northeast Florida who can’t afford hearing aids receive theirs at little or no cost along with ongoing support.
Since 2012, we have fit 1,000 individuals across North Florida.
Imagine sitting at a family dinner where everyone is laughing at stories you can’t quite hear. Or missing the punchline when your grandchild tells a joke. For millions of seniors, this isn’t just an occasional frustration, it’s daily life.
Hearing loss affects 1 in 4 adults over 65, and that number jumps to 1 in 2 for those over 75. In Northeast Florida alone, thousands of seniors are living in a world of muffled conversations, missed connections, and increasing isolation. When left untreated, hearing loss doesn’t just affect communication—it’s linked to depression, cognitive decline, and a loss of independence that diminishes quality of life.
The causes vary from a lifetime of noise exposure to age-related changes in the ear, chronic infections, or certain medications. But regardless of the cause, the impact is the same: seniors withdraw from the activities and relationships that give life meaning.
Our mission is to provide the Gift of Hearing by furnishing quality hearing aids to those with limited or no means, in an atmosphere of dignity and compassion.
You can help.
Volunteer
Ready to volunteer? Join our Amplifiers—the volunteers who power everything we do. Whether you can help sort donations, spread the word, or support our events, we need you.
Attend Events
Come join us at any of our monthly meetings and learn valuable insight on hearing loss. From what hearing loss is to how hearing loss can be preventable.
Monetary Donations
Your donation helps cover hearing examinations, refurbishing costs, and the professional audiology services that ensure each hearing aid fits perfectly. Every dollar directly supports a senior in our community.
Hearing Aid Donations
Have hearing aids you no longer use? When you upgrade to new hearing aids, your old ones can transform a senior’s life. We’ll refurbish them and match them with someone in need right here in Northeast Florida.
Lend An Ear Outreach was created in March 2012 by a group of four women who saw the impact of hearing loss on the elderly.
Lend An Ear’s mission is to make the gift of hearing available to all low-income people, beginning with seniors over the age of sixty in our Northeast Florida community. We have seen first-hand how the gift of hearing has restored people back to a world of promise and the enormous difference it has made in the lives of seniors.
“At this time the organization has no paid staff and the Board and volunteers are responsible for all operational activities and are providing the gift of hearing to many seniors.”
Meet Our Board Members
Scott Hetzinger
Chief Executive Officer
Scott Hetzinger is the current visionary architect behind Lend An Ear Outreach, LLC. He has dedicated his career to the belief that hearing healthcare is a fundamental right. Currently serving as President of LAE, Scott provides the executive oversight and long-term strategic vision that has allowed the organization to flourish since its inception.
A Legacy of Leadership
With an illustrious 36-year career a Director a Premier Continuing Retirement Community (CCRC), Scott recently retired at Vicar’s Landing at Sawgrass and Vicars Landing at Oak Bridge, one of Florida’s premier life plan communities. His decades of leadership in the senior living and healthcare sectors have given him a deep understanding of the complexities of operational excellence, regulatory environments, and the critical importance of compassionate service.
Mission & Commitment
Scott’s transition to the role of President at Lend An Ear Outreach marks a new chapter in his lifelong mission of service. His leadership is defined by a commitment to helping people from all walks of life regain their connection to the world through better hearing. By bridging his extensive professional network with his passion for philanthropy, Scott ensures that the organization remains fiscally sound, strategically focused, and deeply rooted in its founding values.
Strategic Oversight
In his role as President, Scott works closely with the Executive Directors and Board to:
- Scale the Mission: Leveraging his 36 years of experience to expand the organization’s reach.
- Cultivate Partnerships: Strengthening ties between healthcare providers, donors, and the community.
Dr. Judenie Raphael, Au.D., CCC-A, RN
Executive Director
Dr. Raphael is a highly accomplished healthcare leader and the Executive Director of Lend An Ear Outreach, LLC. With a career defined by clinical excellence and a holistic approach to patient care, she brings a wealth of multi-disciplinary knowledge to the mission of expanding hearing healthcare access.
Academic Foundation & Clinical Excellence
Dr. Raphael earned her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of Florida in 2013, following dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Anthropology in 2009. This unique academic background in both the science of communication and the study of human societies informs her compassionate, person-centered approach to audiology.
She is clinically certified in Audiology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and maintains a diverse professional portfolio as both a Licensed Registered Nurse and a Doula. Throughout her years of clinical practice, Dr. Raphael has built an extensive track record of success working within integrated medical teams.
Mission-Driven Impact
As Executive Director of Lend An Ear Outreach, Dr. Raphael leverages her deep clinical roots and her nursing background to bridge the gap between complex hearing healthcare and community needs. Her leadership ensures that the organization provides not only expert services but also a holistic framework of support for every individual served.
Dr. Diana Ortiz, Au.D.
Co-Chair + Operations Manager
Dr. Diana Ortiz serves as the Co-Chair and Operations Manager of Lend An Ear Outreach, LLC, where she blends clinical precision with operational leadership. Her dedication to advancing hearing healthcare is rooted in a strong foundation of evidence-based research and a commitment to inclusive, person-centered care.
Dr. Ortiz earned her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from Utah State University, building upon her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Utah. As an active member of the American Academy of Audiology, she maintains a specialized clinical interest in:
- Cochlear Implants: Advancing auditory access through cutting-edge technology.
- Vestibular Disorders: Diagnosing and managing balance-related health.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Bridging the gap between the latest clinical research and improved patient outcomes.
A fluent Spanish speaker, Dr. Ortiz is passionate about breaking down language barriers and ensuring that high-quality hearing healthcare is accessible to diverse and underserved communities. In her role as Operations Manager, she ensures the organization’s initiatives are executed with efficiency, clinical integrity, and a focus on cultural competency.
Originally finding inspiration in the rugged landscapes of the West, Diana is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, kayaking, and snowboarding with her family. Her adventurous spirit and dedication to family mirror her professional drive to help others lead active, connected lives.
Gemima Sophia Louis, M.S.
Development & Grant Manager
Gemima Sophia Louis is a distinguished technology leader with over a decade of experience at Citigroup, specializing at the intersection of financial crime prevention, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity. Currently serving as Vice President and Technology Project Manager in Trade and Compliance, Gemima orchestrates complex, high-stakes programs that ensure operational efficiency and risk mitigation across global international trade processes.
She holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity with a minor in Cyber Intelligence, a technical foundation that informs her strategic approach to protecting global financial institutions. Beginning her career as a Data Intelligence Analyst in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Gemima has consistently leveraged data-driven strategies to strengthen investigative processes and meet rigorous global compliance standards. She is a dedicated advocate for resilient systems, committed to navigating the evolving threat landscape through innovation and cross-functional leadership.
Beyond her corporate and technical achievements, Gemima is deeply committed to humanitarian causes. As the Development and Grant Manager for Lend An Ear, she focuses on strategic growth and resource acquisition to expand the organization’s reach. Her work ensures that more individuals in need gain access to essential hearing healthcare, reflecting her passion for using her management expertise to drive meaningful social change.
Sol Angel Winter
Director of Philanthropic Services
Bilingual Community Health Worker | Benefits Advisor | Grassroots Developer
“Change does not begin with systems; it begins with US.” For Sol Angel Wynter, this isn’t just a quote—it is a calling. As a Certified Community Health Worker and Government Programs Navigator, Sol bridges the gap between complex institutional systems and the individuals who need them most.
Currently serving as the Director of Philanthropic Services for Lend An Ear (LAE) Outreach, Sol works alongside a dedicated board to restore dignity and connection through the gift of hearing. By dismantling the barriers of social isolation, Sol ensures that neighbors—regardless of age or insurance status—are no longer “unseen,” but are instead empowered to share their voices with the world.
A consultant, educator, and connector at heart, Sol’s work is defined by the belief that a community’s strength is measured by its accessibility and the compassion of its advocates.
Dr. Helen Lee, Au.D., CCC-A
Audiology Consultant
A specialist in auditory disorders, Dr. Lee’s clinical pedigree includes advanced training at The Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, with a research focus on specialized tinnitus treatment. As the Chief Audiology Consultant for Lend An Ear Outreach, she provides the technical oversight and clinical vision necessary to serve diverse populations. Dr. Lee is dedicated to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the life-changing technology and care.
Walle Waters
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Walle Waters is a seasoned strategist and a cornerstone of the Lend An Ear Outreach team. An Indiana State University graduate and a four-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Walle brings a disciplined, mission-focused approach to the organization’s growth and community presence.
Walle has been an integral part of Lend An Ear Outreach since 2012. Having been involved from the ground level, he possesses a profound and empathetic perspective on the challenges of hearing loss and the transformative impact of hearing healthcare across all generations. His long-term commitment has provided him with an unparalleled understanding of the organization’s roots and its future potential.
With over 40 years of professional sales experience, Walle serves as the primary voice for Lend An Ear’s strategic initiatives. He leverages his extensive background in relationship building and communication to:
- Partner with Organizations: Building bridges with corporate and community partners to expand the LAE footprint.
- Advocacy & Presentation: Delivering the positive mission of LAE with energy and conviction to stakeholders and beneficiaries alike.
- Program Development: Utilizing his decades of market experience to ensure the benefits of LAE reach those who need them most efficiently.
Walle’s unique blend of veteran leadership and sales mastery makes him a driving force in sharing the Lend An Ear message and ensuring the organization’s sustainable success.
To qualify for this program, individuals must meet 300% poverty level.
Contact Us
If you have a question about getting involved as a volunteer, or if you’re wondering whether you qualify for a hearing aid, send us a message.
Ste D
Jacksonville, FL 32244
