Hey, if it doesn't work and never really did, it's crap. We had a person closer to us that was nice enough to help him. She sent it off for repairs again and it died - yet again, a month later. He never wears them now and I can't say I blame him. "Crap" is a fitting discription of the hearing aids we give our vets for "free." I did mention that Phonak was one of the brands covered by the VA and it's had more favorable reviews than the garbage they gave my father....not that he's willing to go through that again - and why not? The big issue with VA services is not all services are local.
My father can't go to Lynn which is twenty minutes away, or Bedford, about a half hour away. No...he has to drive all the way to Jamacia Plain because that location is the only one that deals with hearing aids. How stupid is that? Why can't the VA service hearing aids regardless of location? The two biggest strikes against the VA from the clients' point of view are products that don't work and distance most have to travel to get the services they need. I don't know how it varies from state to state, but in Massachusetts: Jamacia Plain is the only location for hearing services, Lynn only deals with precription meds and Bedford - no idea.
No one should have to work that hard to get help. The VA should be able to service all the needs of vets in their residental area - not make them travel for an hour or more. I wouldn't do it and I don't think a 77 year old man should have to either..however the VA only helps clients that are willing to travel to them - regardless of distance. They don't make anything easy on the clients. This is probably why Costco does so well. Less hassle, better selection.
