Hello Question about HA's from a newbie

FrancesInBama

FrancesInBama

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Hi everyone! My name is Frances and I am HOH and have been for the last 3 yrs but just found out this past Sept 29th. Prior to that I just thought my ears were really stopped up due to all my sinus problems little did I know that I had severe hearing loss in both ears at the ripe ol age of 28.

Anyways I am getting hearing aids since my insurance doesn't cover h/a or the surgery that I could get to correct the situation. I went to the audiologist a little over a month ago and he talked to me about the h/a's and put a testing set in my ears and let me see what I could be hearing vs what I currently hear (which isn't much). I went out to the lobby and talked to hubby and was amazed on how much I had been missing out on.

So while I had these in, I noticed it seemed to be very "airy" sounding, kinda of white noise like if that makes sense... so I was wanting to find out from those who already have h/a's if that is normal or do they get set differently and that dead air sound will not be there?

I am still trying to come up with the $4300 to get both my h/a's so I will not see the dr to ask again til I get the money.

THanks for your help!
 
I got my first set of ha a couple months ago. Mine don't sound airy at all. I think this sound is due to the test pair not being adjusted just for you.
 
Thanks! That makes me feel better, I was really hoping the air thing was because they were not adjusted 100% for me.
 
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services


I live in florida but I figured alabama might have the same type of system. It's the vocational rehabilitation program. If you work or are trying to find work (even part time) they pay for a ton of stuff. I just got approved for 2 hearing aids, fm transmitter, fm receiver, remote control.......cost to me $0.00

Check it out.
 
Give them a shot!

The "airy" sound you are hearing could be background noise of many different
forms. Different aids have different noise reduction characteristics (and many
give you a button you can press to change programs, which may have
different noise reduction settings). Some change programs automatically.

Note that most states provide a lengthy hearing aid trial period at the
end of which you can choose to purchase or not. I recommend taking
advantage of this and trying out different types of aids; the differences
between them can be substantial.

Definitely check with the vocational rehabilitation people in your state.
Also, check with your or your husband's benefits people; for instance,
I was able to pay for part of my hearing aids using pre-tax dollars
with a medical reimbursement account. In addition, with this account I
could take out the full amount in January, even though the contributions
took place over the full calendar year.
 
Thanks Kender for the info... I do know about the voc. rehab program however I am not seeking employment at this time and don't plan to right now anyways, we hope to have another kiddo next year.

I do have a home business but I don't think that it would apply to the voc. rehab lol to bad huh!

Rokicki~thanks for your info too. I do believe he said I could try them out for 30 days. I can't wait to be able to hear again!!!
 
FrancesInBama said:
Thanks Kender for the info... I do know about the voc. rehab program however I am not seeking employment at this time and don't plan to right now anyways, we hope to have another kiddo next year.

I do have a home business but I don't think that it would apply to the voc. rehab lol to bad huh!

Rokicki~thanks for your info too. I do believe he said I could try them out for 30 days. I can't wait to be able to hear again!!!
Click to expand...

If you are just HOH $4300.00 is way to much to pay for hearing aids. My daughter has a severe to profound to severe hearing loss so she needs powerful hearing aids. I just bought some strong digit hearings aids last summer. I spent 1500.00. Do some research on the internet, I am sure you can find some much cheaper. When I called the aduiologist they quoted 3500.00 and she told me to look on the internet. Also look up Starkey Foundation, they make hearings aids. They have program where they are giving people hearing aids free. I think I have there direct info on an e-mail if you would like I would be more then happy to forward you their info. Just PM your e-mail address.
 
FrancesInBama said:
Thanks Kender for the info... I do know about the voc. rehab program however I am not seeking employment at this time and don't plan to right now anyways, we hope to have another kiddo next year.

I do have a home business but I don't think that it would apply to the voc. rehab lol to bad huh!

Rokicki~thanks for your info too. I do believe he said I could try them out for 30 days. I can't wait to be able to hear again!!!
Click to expand...


It is my understanding that whether you own the business or just work for a company it still applies if you need to be able to hear to complete your job functions. So depending on what is needed in order to keep your business going it may still apply. They were very broad when dealing with me. It is my understanding that they would rather pay $4000 (actually less since they get a cheaper price than you would) once every few years instead of paying disability every year that is well above the cost of the HA's. The stuff I just got approved for are a pair of phonak savia bte's that are commonly priced at $2800ea., a remote controll for $800, fm transmitter $1000, and receiver $500.....Total, $7900 (my cost) and about $5500 thier cost. All I had to do was articulate that my daily interactions with customers, vendors, and co-workers required the use of my ears.

It's worth a look into, at most you loose an afternoon of your time, they may even be able to tell you over the phone if you are a candidate or if there is no chance.

Good luck
 
My brother did manage to get the state of CA to pay for his hearing aids, but it took him many many months of fighting to make it happen. They kept giving him one excuse or the other, but they finally came through. So you might have to fight a little bit.

As for pricing, there are options available on the internet. I've been very happy with my audiologist over the past fifteen or twenty years, so I continue to do business with her even though I *could* get the same aids more cheaply over the internet. I know I would not get the same level of service "over the internet" (I've been disappointed by the audiologists that I was referred to by the internet companies). But yes, you can certainly save money by getting the aids on the internet.
 
rokicki said:
My brother did manage to get the state of CA to pay for his hearing aids, but it took him many many months of fighting to make it happen. They kept giving him one excuse or the other, but they finally came through. So you might have to fight a little bit.

As for pricing, there are options available on the internet. I've been very happy with my audiologist over the past fifteen or twenty years, so I continue to do business with her even though I *could* get the same aids more cheaply over the internet. I know I would not get the same level of service "over the internet" (I've been disappointed by the audiologists that I was referred to by the internet companies). But yes, you can certainly save money by getting the aids on the internet.
Click to expand...



That sucks that you had to fight for them. I found out about the voc rehab program in florida in the begining of NOV. and I go in on friday (DEC. 14th) to make the final decision on color and to get the final fitting, no mold though since I am going with an open style. So about a month and a half and I have it all done, no fighting, in fact they were so helpfull that it was like I was paying 10x the actual cost.
 
Update

Just wanted to update, I have my hearing aids now and it's really great to hear again. I did look up the prices for the particular hearing aids I was getting and it was the same cost online as it was for me at the dr.

I ended up having to try 3 different pair before we settled on the last ones. I have Oticon Tego Pro I can't remember the exact ones right off since its late well rather early lol I don't have them in. I am pleased with them and everyone is much happier I can hear them now.

:D
 
what is your dB loss, i thought the tego was for more profound losses? I may be wrong...
 
lol maybe not i checked it out but their website isn't as thorough i find..
 
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