To find the area of the circle, we first need to find the radius. We know that the circumference \( C \) of a circle is given by the formula:
\[ C = 2\pi r \]
Given that the circumference is \( 22\pi \) inches, we can set up the equation:
\[ 22\pi = 2\pi r \]
To solve for \( r \), we can divide both sides by \( 2\pi \):
\[ r = \frac{22\pi}{2\pi} = \frac{22}{2} = 11 \text{ inches} \]
Next, we find the area \( A \) of the circle using the formula:
\[ A = \pi r^2 \]
Substituting \( r = 11 \) inches into the area formula:
\[ A = \pi (11^2) = \pi (121) \]
Now substituting \( \pi \) with \( 3.14 \):
\[ A = 3.14 \times 121 \]
Calculating this product:
\[ A = 3.14 \times 121 = 379.94 \]
Thus, the area of the circle is:
\[ \boxed{379.94} \text{ in}^2 \]