In the 1970s, a group of visionary Lions recognized a need to assist Hoosiers with speech & hearing impairments. In 1981, ILSH was incorporated as a 501c3 organization, functioning as an autonomous corporation, authorized by the Lions of Indiana . 

Today, the main objectives of ILSH are:

• Conservation and restoration of human hearing
• Prevention of speech and hearing disorders
• Support of research into the treatment and prevention of speech and hearing disorders
• Elimination of communication barriers for those with speech and hearing disorders

A board of 21 elected Trustees represent each of the seven Lion districts as a governing body.

Grants made must serve the needs of Hoosiers and may be dispersed for charitable, educational or scientific purposes.  

The main source of funding for ILSH is the generous contributions of the Indiana Lions Clubs.  

Affordable Hearing Aid Project offers deeply discounted hearing aids to low-income Hoosiers through a partnership with the Rexton Company. To apply for the program, contact your local Lions Club or complete the contact form in the link below.   

Hearing Aid Loaner Bank loans hearing aids to any Indiana child or adult in need. To apply for the program, contact your local Lions Club or complete the contact form in the link below.  

Infant Hearing Aid Loaner Bank loans hearing aids to any Audiologist to fit infants up to age 3 with approval by the First Steps Program.   For additional information, click the link below and a Lion Trustee will assist you shortly.  

Cochlear Implant Program. ILSH was the first organization to offer support and is instrumental in the continued success of the world-class program, operating at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Hospital .

Preschool Hearing Screening for children, ages 3-5, is sponsored by a Local Lions Club, with the assistance of an ILSH Trustee and Hearing Professional.  To coordinate a screening in your community, contact your local Lions Club or submit a request via the link below.  

William Foster McKenney Outreach Program offers substantial funds annually for scholarships, research and materials to benefits students of the Speech & Audiology Departments of Ball State University, Indiana State University, Indiana University and Purdue University.     

Scholarships to students attending Indiana universities and colleges, majoring in speech pathology, audiology or American Sign Language. Contact your local Lions Club for a scholarship application .  

Alternative Communication Device Program  provides access to ACDs for individuals unable to communicate through spoken voice for the enhancement and development of communication skills.  

Scholarships to Camps for the Deaf allow students from the Indiana School for the Deaf to attend a Deaf Youth Leadership Camp in Stayton, OR, and sponsor children to Camps operated by the Indiana Deaf Camps Foundation , Inc and Hear Indiana .