For years, he said, he searched for a program that would provide hearing assistance to people who needed it, but when he found nothing, he started his program with the help of the Lions.

“For an audiologist, that’s frustrating, that you know this person can be helped but they can’t afford it,” he said. “The reason that most audiologists went into this is because we want to find a way to help people.”

Cardano added that it is the responsibility of people in any profession, especially the medical field, to help people who can’t afford treatment. He said he provides these service to an average of four people a year. Hearing aids can range from $3,000 to $7,000, depending on what someone needs.

All related services, including hearing tests, fittings and repairs, are also free. Many of the hearing aids the program provides are donated to the Lions Club and refurbished. Others are purchased with donations to the program. “Lately we’re running low on funds,” he said, “so we’re trying to think of ways to do fundraisers.”

Ryan has received treatment from both Cardano and his business partner, Dr. Jennifer Lazzara. “They both give exceptionally good care,” he said.

Jose Pastrana, president of the Lions Club, said he is proud to say the program started with the Valley Stream chapter, as it provides an invaluable service to residents. After receiving applications from people outside Valley Stream requesting hearing aids, he said, it was an easy decision to expand it to Nassau and Suffolk counties. The Lions Club is a service organization, after all, he said, and doesn’t want to turn people away.

“How can I not be proud and overjoyed,” he said, “knowing that what we started here in Valley Stream has gone districtwide and helped so many people over the years?”

Cardano urges anyone who is thinking of discarding their old hearing aids to drop them off at his office so they can be repurposed for someone in need.