Hi all,
I posted a little while back about my FM system and limited use in the work force...however, I am now back in school again for my PhD and I have been using my FM system for classes (I'm taking 3 plus a seminar).
However, after the first week, my Phonak Smart Link broke... luckily I had a couple of old FM systems that I was able to use but I just heard back from my audiologist today and repairs will cost $225...they don't know what's wrong exactly (it won't hold a charge though, so they are thinking battery) but that's steep for me as a grad student!
So does anyone know if there are resources out there to help with costs like this?
Or should I just pay it (I do have money in savings so it wouldn't be on a CC or anything)?
Or should I request they hold onto it and use the old ones until they break? The older ones aren't as good, and aren't phonak, but they are free (they use AA batteries though).
I estimate at minimum I need it through Dec. 2011 when I hope to finish all my classes (forever?!) but I do enjoy using it for being on the phone, listening to music, driving, etc so I would potentially still want one.
However, I got these around 2004 or 2005 (I was one of the first to get fitted on the east coast, or so they said...at least in GA) so I don't know exactly how much more life I'll get out of the whole system in general...hopefully at least 3 more years!
So, poll:
pay the $225 and hope it lasts until I finish school...it is the best system and that's cheaper than a new one
use the old FM system, ask them to put a hold on the repair
Find money somewhere to help pay the costs (originally bought by the state of GA rehab but I'm now a Colorado resident)
Thanks everyone!
I posted a little while back about my FM system and limited use in the work force...however, I am now back in school again for my PhD and I have been using my FM system for classes (I'm taking 3 plus a seminar).
However, after the first week, my Phonak Smart Link broke... luckily I had a couple of old FM systems that I was able to use but I just heard back from my audiologist today and repairs will cost $225...they don't know what's wrong exactly (it won't hold a charge though, so they are thinking battery) but that's steep for me as a grad student!
So does anyone know if there are resources out there to help with costs like this?
Or should I just pay it (I do have money in savings so it wouldn't be on a CC or anything)?
Or should I request they hold onto it and use the old ones until they break? The older ones aren't as good, and aren't phonak, but they are free (they use AA batteries though).
I estimate at minimum I need it through Dec. 2011 when I hope to finish all my classes (forever?!) but I do enjoy using it for being on the phone, listening to music, driving, etc so I would potentially still want one.
However, I got these around 2004 or 2005 (I was one of the first to get fitted on the east coast, or so they said...at least in GA) so I don't know exactly how much more life I'll get out of the whole system in general...hopefully at least 3 more years!
So, poll:
pay the $225 and hope it lasts until I finish school...it is the best system and that's cheaper than a new one
use the old FM system, ask them to put a hold on the repair
Find money somewhere to help pay the costs (originally bought by the state of GA rehab but I'm now a Colorado resident)
Thanks everyone!
