primitive can't afford hearing aids

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/114854

Oh my.

A mole, but not franksolich's mole.

left-of-center2012 (46 posts)   Mon Oct 1, 2012, 11:03 PM

No money for hearing aids

The audiologists say I've lost 50% hearing in each ear, and they recommend hearing aids.

They mentioned $1,200 per ear.

I told them I don't have any money for hearing aids, and Medicare doesn't pay for them.

They said I can buy some as cheap as $500 per ear.

Living on SS, $1,00 isn't cheap to me.

uppityperson (66,148 posts)  Mon Oct 1, 2012, 11:30 PM

1. talk to a local audiologist about refurbished ones. I got them for $400.

People donate their old ones, or they die and the aids are donated, or for some reason they are donated. Sometimes they are old, sometimes newer. They can refurbish them, get them refitted for you. I got my first digitals this way for $400 each. I talked to a chain place and they told me $1200/ear. Then I was recommended to go to a local private place and they were wonderful. It took a bit of time to find the second one, but hey, they worked for many years.

^^the snobbish primitive, the best mole-detector on Skins's island.

She's an older woman, lives in a rustic area somewhere north and west of Seattle with her husband, hoards dogs.

Tons and tons of dogs.

A registered nurse who once said she trusted the terrorists more than she trusted George Bush.

Always complains of chronic poverty, and used to beg for stars on the old DU.  That however hasn't kept her from taking a couple of luxury first-class vacation trips to France the past few years.

I dunno why she didn't detect this mole, though; usually she's pretty damned good.

BillE (73 posts)   Wed Oct 3, 2012, 11:48 AM

2. Check with your local VR office

Your local Vocational Rehab office may pay for your hearing aids if you qualify. I was able to get my hearing aids from them when I couldn't afford any. good luck!

[Airwolf]

Probably won't get them if Obamacare isn't removed from the face of the Earth either.

[formerlurker]

Left of center lives in NM?    retired nurse on social security. 

Medicaid pays for hearing aids in NM - http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmac/parts/title08/08.324.0006.PDF

[Zeus]

My hearing aids didn't cost me a thing.  If you don't count 8 yrs in the US Army. 

3 channel digital , ea programmed for a specific ear.  Put them in , set em & forget em 

[franksolich]

My hearing aids didn't cost me a thing.  If you don't count 8 yrs in the US Army. 

3 channel digital , ea programmed for a specific ear.  Put them in , set em & forget em 

I hope you didn't have a hearing loss because of the military service, sir.

I'm appalled, really appalled, at the number of military guys who are supposed to be wearing ear protection, but who don't.

If I were a general, I'd call them on the carpet and yell at them good.

[Zeus]

I hope you didn't have a hearing loss because of the military service, sir.

I'm appalled, really appalled, at the number of military guys who are supposed to be wearing ear protection, but who don't.

If I were a general, I'd call them on the carpet and yell at them good.

In my case hearing protection wasn't an issue. Two minor & 1 major concussions from I vehicle accident and a couple being to close to the BOOM BOOM KABOOMS  . Occupational hazards

[formerlurker]

I hope you didn't have a hearing loss because of the military service, sir.

I'm appalled, really appalled, at the number of military guys who are supposed to be wearing ear protection, but who don't.

If I were a general, I'd call them on the carpet and yell at them good.

My husband flew B-52s then hercs - he wore ear protection, he still has hearing loss.   It will happen.

[franksolich]

My husband flew B-52s then hercs - he wore ear protection, he still has hearing loss.   It will happen.

The three I know were military aircraft mechanics who didn't do that, wear it.

Yeah, sure it could happen, but protective gear minimizes the loss a bit.  And so one should wear it.

[Celtic Rose]

The three I know were military aircraft mechanics who didn't do that, wear it.

Yeah, sure it could happen, but protective gear minimizes the loss a bit.  And so one should wear it.

That was what damaged my dad's hearing.

[GOBUCKS]

In most private industries where noise is a concern, wearing specified hearing protection is mandatory.

Failure to comply with hearing protection standards, just like safety shoes and safety glasses, is very often a firing offense.

[Skul]

My husband flew B-52s then hercs - he wore ear protection, he still has hearing loss.   It will happen.

Hueys for me. Ear plugs were avoided because you might miss the sound of someone shooting at you.
Dats the truth.
I have a 60% loss due to engine noise and an rpg going off really, really close.

The three I know were military aircraft mechanics who didn't do that, wear it.
Yeah, sure it could happen, but protective gear minimizes the loss a bit.  And so one should wear it.

Four, (airline now), I can't fly anymore.
I do wear muffs on the flightline, however.
VA does provide me with hearing aides. I earned the damn things, the hard way.

[RobJohnson]

The three I know were military aircraft mechanics who didn't do that, wear it.

Yeah, sure it could happen, but protective gear minimizes the loss a bit.  And so one should wear it.

My father was a diesel mechanic and both his company and the big union known as the Teamsters never knew the risk of hearing loss. Once they found out it was too late. Even when he retired in 2000 they still did not provide hearing protection for employees.

All the places I worked union and non union provided us ear testing and hearing protection prior to this same time period.

[Skul]

My father was a diesel mechanic and both his company and the big union known as the Teamsters never knew the risk of hearing loss. Once they found out it was too late. Even when he retired in 2000 they still did not provide hearing protection for employees.

All the places I worked union and non union provided us ear testing and hearing protection prior to this same time period.

The airline I work for also provides free hearing protection, AND, two free hearing tests every year.
The union didn't do that, the airline did.
The young bucks are starting to learn that it's better to use it, than lose it.

[Zeus]

VA does provide me with hearing aides. I earned the damn things, the hard way.

VA Dr.'s and counselors have told me I could possibly get about 40 - 50% Va disability compensation if I put in for it. I figure them guys and gals getting arms & legs blown off could use the money more than I could.

[BlueStateSaint]

VA Dr.'s and counselors have told me I could possibly get about 40 - 50% Va disability compensation if I put in for it. I figure them guys and gals getting arms & legs blown off could use the money more than I could.

That's the main reason I haven't put in for VA disability for my lower back.  I figure I could get maybe 20%.  Someone else, without a foot/leg or hand/arm needs it more.

[RobJohnson]

The airline I work for also provides free hearing protection, AND, two free hearing tests every year.
The union didn't do that, the airline did.
The young bucks are starting to learn that it's better to use it, than lose it.

One large aluminum mill in Iowa, the world's largest mill to be exact, sent employees for a hearing test six months after they retired for a workmans comp rating on their hearing. They stepped up to the plate and did this on their own.

You had to be out of the noisy environment for six months before you could get the final test.

At times I think I should of kept that job. But, I really wanted to get into the car business. The car business was really good to me for many years. I was just a young man, had my own office and had meetings with the plant manager. This was a big place. I was young and cocky. Very cocky. Today I might be the plant manager.