Robert Mathog Lions Hearing Centers

Phone: 517-887-6640, ext. 13
www.lhcmi.org  info@lchmi.org
www.lmsf.net  info@lmsf.net

The Lions Hearing Center is a partnership between the Lions of Michigan Foundation and the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Wayne State University. The mission of the Lions Hearing Center is to focus on service to the hearing needs of the community and the medically underserved in the area. 

From 1977 to 2014, Dr. Robert H. Mathog served as professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Wayne State University, and he was also chief of Otolaryngology at Harper and Detroit Receiving hospitals from 1977 to 2007.  As a staunch supporter of the Lions of Michigan's efforts to fight hearing loss and provide affordable hearing aids for people, Dr. Mathog served as president and chair of the Lions Hearing Center from its inception in 2000 until his death in 2014.  He was devoted to the Lions' cause and to raising the necessary funds to help people in need.

Today, through our Lions Hearing Centers, we conduct hearing screenings for thousands of children and adults each year; we provide affordable hearing aids to those in need; and we help hearing impaired children and their families identify resources for help and support.  We partner with many of the top hearing aid manufacturers in the United States, including GN ReSound, Oticon, Phonak, Rexton, Starkey and Unitron, and with hearing professionals and charitable organizations including the Wayne State University Audiology Program, the Michigan Ear Institute, the Carls Center at Central Michigan University, HearUSA, Fluke Hearing, Nu Ear, and Michigan Lions Clubs.  Dr. Robert Hong, Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Wayne State University and attending physician at Michigan Ear Institute, serves as Chief Medical Director for the Lions Hearing Centers, helping to direct efforts to deliver affordable hearing healthcare services to more and more communities across Michigan.

CHILD AND YOUTH SCREENING PROGRAM     We provide hearing screenings for children at schools, churches, Head Start Programs, the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, and at various health fairs and events.

SENIOR OUTREACH PROGRAM     We provide hearing screenings for seniors at community centers and events.  Screenings are offered on location and at no cost to participants.  Follow-up care and hearing evaluations are also provided through some participating providers, like the Michigan Ear Institute.

AFFORDABLE HEARING AID PROGRAM     For individuals who qualify (proof of low-income), we provide many hearing aid options, including very affordable, new production, multi-channel, digital hearing aids.

EDUCATION AND AWARENESS     We distribute a wide range of educational resources on hearing health care at hearing screenings, health fairs and community events and through our website and social media.

SCHOLARSHIPS     Each year, scholarships are awarded to high school or college students with documented hearing loss.

Interaction with other units within the University

Academically and clinically, the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is linked with dentistry/oral surgery, audiology, and speech pathology services for adults and children. Rotations for otolaryngology residents are provided at Karmanos Cancer Institute, John Dingell Veteran's Administration Hospital, Beaumont Hospital-Dearborn and Ascension Providence-Rochester Hospital.

Osteopathic, Family Practice, Oral Surgery and Internal Medicine residents are rotated through the department for general Otolaryngology experiences. Third and fourth year medical students also have rotations specifically designed for their level. Several faculty members hold adjunct appointments with other departments within the School of Medicine, including Biochemistry, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Radiology. The department has numerous clinical and research collaborations within and outside the university.