The Conservative Cave

Interests => Health & Fitness => Topic started by: seahorse513 on February 28, 2012, 10:35:31 AM

Title: hearing aids
Post by: seahorse513 on February 28, 2012, 10:35:31 AM
Well I am on a mission to get my hearing aids, Went to an audiologist for testing. moderate to severe. Finances always a problem!!
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Eupher on February 28, 2012, 12:22:13 PM
Bloody things are expensive as hell. I have hearing loss as well, but will have to wait for hearing aids due to Mrs E's new viola......
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: seahorse513 on February 28, 2012, 12:56:34 PM
Bloody things are expensive as hell. I have hearing loss as well, but will have to wait for hearing aids due to Mrs E's new viola......
I was quoted at $7490.00 , which is for both ears. Waiting on vocational rehab to call me... Will go from there...
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Eupher on February 28, 2012, 01:44:25 PM
I was quoted at $7490.00 , which is for both ears. Waiting on vocational rehab to call me... Will go from there...

Wow. My quote was for ~$950 for each ear. This aid is a 3-channel aid, which would work for me I think. I tried one of them for about a day, but it drove me nuts because it was out of balance with my other ear.

It functioned well and I definitely heard things I had not heard in a long, long time....

You may want to shop around.....
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Zeus on February 28, 2012, 02:06:19 PM
I was quoted at $7490.00 , which is for both ears. Waiting on vocational rehab to call me... Will go from there...

Got mine though VA due to Military connected disability. Digital Hearing aids, 1 red one right ear 1 blue left ear. Three channels was told they cost about 5 grand.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: seahorse513 on February 28, 2012, 09:35:46 PM
It's a tough road, but I am working on it... Just have to check all my options and my resources before I go forward....
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Big Dog on February 29, 2012, 09:59:23 PM
Got mine though VA due to Military connected disability. Digital Hearing aids, 1 red one right ear 1 blue left ear. Three channels was told they cost about 5 grand.

I have single-sided deafness and "mild to severe" hearing loss in the other ear (the "mild" part is at lower frequencies, the "severe" part is middle and high freqs). I was just fitted with BICROS hearing aids through the DOD's "retired at-cost hearing aid program" (RACHAP), $500 for both ears.

More information here (http://militaryaudiology.org/site/aids/).
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Eupher on March 01, 2012, 09:03:08 AM
I have single-sided deafness and "mild to severe" hearing loss in the other ear (the "mild" part is at lower frequencies, the "severe" part is middle and high freqs). I was just fitted with BICROS hearing aids through the DOD's "retired at-cost hearing aid program" (RACHAP), $500 for both ears.

More information here (http://militaryaudiology.org/site/aids/).

THANK YOU for this information. I had wondered about any kind of benefit for military retirees, but as I am generally pessimistic about that sort of thing anymore, I didn't check.

All the same, it may be just as cheap for me to stick with the audiologist that is local for me. He's charging about $2K, which may be about the same as they'd charge me under this program.

Also, the closest facility for me is 6 hours, whether north to Chicagoland or west to Ft. Riley, KS.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Zeus on March 01, 2012, 09:10:52 AM
THANK YOU for this information. I had wondered about any kind of benefit for military retirees, but as I am generally pessimistic about that sort of thing anymore, I didn't check.

All the same, it may be just as cheap for me to stick with the audiologist that is local for me. He's charging about $2K, which may be about the same as they'd charge me under this program.

Also, the closest facility for me is 6 hours, whether north to Chicagoland or west to Ft. Riley, KS.

Hearing lose isn't a hard sell for service connected disability and as such it's a thanks for serving this one is on us. You do get travel pay from home to VA facility. Because of the distance you have to travel meals & an over night may also be covered.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Eupher on March 01, 2012, 09:12:30 AM
Hearing lose isn't a hard sell for service connected disability and as such it's a thanks for serving this one is on us. You do get travel pay from home to VA facility. Because of the distance you have to travel meals & an over night may also be covered.

In a word -- I want NOTHING to do with the VA. (Except maybe to process a home mortgage guarantee.)
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Zeus on March 01, 2012, 09:44:00 AM
In a word -- I want NOTHING to do with the VA. (Except maybe to process a home mortgage guarantee.)

meh they ain't all bad. although I did have to fire a Dr. and get another. yep you can do that too.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: seahorse513 on March 01, 2012, 05:15:12 PM
Not to trainwreck my own topic, but when my stepdad started having medical issues with his heart and cancer, he thought of trying Tricare through the VA. Because, he had been out of the service for so long and nothing to do with the VA, they decided they were going to stay with their current program.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Zeus on March 01, 2012, 05:30:52 PM
Not to trainwreck my own topic, but when my stepdad started having medical issues with his heart and cancer, he thought of trying Tricare through the VA. Because, he had been out of the service for so long and nothing to do with the VA, they decided they were going to stay with their current program.

60 - 70 yr olds the majority of the VA workload but lots of teenagers & twenty somethings starting to filter in.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Big Dog on March 01, 2012, 05:38:21 PM
THANK YOU for this information. I had wondered about any kind of benefit for military retirees, but as I am generally pessimistic about that sort of thing anymore, I didn't check.

All the same, it may be just as cheap for me to stick with the audiologist that is local for me. He's charging about $2K, which may be about the same as they'd charge me under this program.

Also, the closest facility for me is 6 hours, whether north to Chicagoland or west to Ft. Riley, KS.

Eupher, if you come out to Ft. Riley, let me know.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Eupher on March 01, 2012, 08:19:42 PM
Eupher, if you come out to Ft. Riley, let me know.

I called and left a message on the number they provided. Haven't heard anything back yet. But yeah, you bet, I'll letcha know.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Big Dog on March 01, 2012, 09:13:46 PM
I called and left a message on the number they provided. Haven't heard anything back yet. But yeah, you bet, I'll letcha know.

Hooah!

Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Eupher on March 02, 2012, 08:02:22 AM
Hooah!



I served with a guy, another musician, who lives in Wamego. Depending how this goes, I may drop in on him. Hell, he can give me the grand tour of Riley -- I've never been there. If you're available, we can drag you along too!
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Big Dog on March 02, 2012, 07:08:26 PM
I served with a guy, another musician, who lives in Wamego. Depending how this goes, I may drop in on him. Hell, he can give me the grand tour of Riley -- I've never been there. If you're available, we can drag you along too!

My office is near the hospital, if you come for an appointment during the week.

Our Cavalry Museum and 1st Infantry Division Museum are a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Eupher on March 02, 2012, 09:04:38 PM
My office is near the hospital, if you come for an appointment during the week.

Our Cavalry Museum and 1st Infantry Division Museum are a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.



Still no word from the dude who evidently is "in charge" of this program on Riley. I'll give it another day or so and make another call on Tuesday. Thanks, BD, for the heads-up. Might be good to get a cup of coffee somewhere when I do connect with the guy.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Big Dog on March 02, 2012, 09:12:58 PM
Still no word from the dude who evidently is "in charge" of this program on Riley. I'll give it another day or so and make another call on Tuesday. Thanks, BD, for the heads-up. Might be good to get a cup of coffee somewhere when I do connect with the guy.

If you don't hear from anyone, send me a PM.
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Eupher on March 02, 2012, 09:13:56 PM
If you don't hear from anyone, send me a PM.

okee-doke.  :cheersmate:
Title: Re: hearing aids
Post by: Big Dog on March 02, 2012, 09:33:36 PM
okee-doke.  :cheersmate:

It just occurred to me, the Audiology Clinic at Gen Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital may be able to participate in the RACHAP program. You may try them: (573) 596-0048.