top of page

MEET THE BOARD: 
MEAGHAN THOMAS

Founder and President 

What inspired you to create The Heart of Hearing?

Meaghan: In 2014, I started my first full-time job as a weekend meteorologist in Birmingham, Alabama. Within my first week there, I had to get an interruptible foldback (IFB) made. For those who don’t know, an IFB is a monitoring and cueing system used in television to allow one-way communication from the director or producer to the on-air talent during newscasts or commercials. I went to Beltone with a co-worker to be fit with a custom-molded IFB earpiece. While an IFB can be fitted for either ear, I suggested the audiologist use my right ear to create the mold as I didn't hear well out of my left one. The audiologist began asking questions and I shared with him that hearing loss did run in my family and that I hadn't really thought too much about it. He suggested that I get my ears checked, but as someone fresh out of college and at the starting line of my career, I did not have the money. That's when he offered to do a free scan. It's something I'm glad I took him up on because I did in fact need hearing aids.

 

I called my parents after my appointment, as my dad has profound hearing loss in both ears, and explained the situation. Understanding where I was financially, they offered to help me pay for one. So, I got one hearing aid… and I hated it. Everything felt so off. It was sensory overload as I was hearing things I never had heard before. 

 

Fast forward to a couple of years later, I ended up going to a new audiologist who encouraged me to get hearing aids for both ears. She shared that it would only get worse if I did not stimulate my nerves. I told her I could not financially afford a pair. That's when she suggested I go to a vocational rehab program to see if they could help. After a lot of paperwork, hearing tests and meeting with various audiologists at the vocational rehab program, they offered me a pair of Bluetooth hearing aids for half the cost... which was still $2,500! 

 

Since I could tell my ears were getting progressively worse, this was something I needed. I decided to get a credit card - where the limit was $2,500 - to pay for this pair of hearing aids. I was definitely excited and nervous when I showed up to my appointment. I was excited about to get to hear but nervous because I was wondering how I was to pay this credit card off as I was living paycheck to paycheck. 

 

The audiologist came back into the room to collect my credit card and she quickly returned. She handed it back to me and said, “We’ve done some talking and we are just going to gift these to you.” In that moment, my life changed. I began to cry and was so overwhelmed by this generous gift. I immediately called my dad and he too cried. He knows firsthand how expensive and important hearing aids are. 

 

I also knew at that moment, that one day, I was going to be able to do that for someone else. In 2021, alongside people who saw my vision, we created The Heart of Hearing with the collective goal to remove the financial barrier that comes along with hearing loss.”

What has been the most rewarding moment for you since founding the nonprofit? 

Meaghan: Seeing the look on our recipients' faces when we announce they are receiving the gift of hearing is always a special moment for me. I can understand how they are feeling in that moment and it is never something I will take for granted. Taking that financial burden off of someone is an incredible feeling.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone who might feel hesitant about addressing their hearing loss?

Meaghan: JUST DO IT! If you suspect you are experiencing hearing loss or are showing signs of hearing loss like saying "what", hearing ringing in your ears, pumping up the volume and struggling to hear amid background noise, it doesn't hurt to get tested. If it is determined that you need hearing aids, look at the application requirements on our website and apply if you meet them! 

Where do you see The Heart of Hearing in the next five years?

Meaghan: We truly want to give the gift of hearing to as many people as we can. That's why in 2025, we expanded our age requirement for recipients to be 18-50 years old. But we aren't stopping there. In the next five years, I can see The Heart of Hearing in every state in the Southeast - first expanding to all of Tennessee and into Alabama. I would love to set up local chapters in each city across the country to reach as many people as we can! Hearing health should be fully covered under insurance, and our job isn't done until it is! 

bottom of page