Some things just don't make sense. Insurance will pay for a PAIR of glasses but NOT for a pair of hearing aids. If you or someone in your immediate family is an active duty service member, you get a pair of hearing aids. If you or a member of your family are retired military, you only get one hearing aid.
If you desire to have a cochlear implant, and the surgery IS risky, insurance will pay for that. I don't understand the reasoning behind this one at all, because a pair of hearing aids are a lot less expensive than an implant, plus, you get to keep whatever residual hearing you have left. From what I've been reading, the auditory nerve is cut during the proceedure and once you've had this surgery, there is NO turning back. Insurance will pay for this risky proceedure, but not for a pair of hearing aids.
I'd rather keep my residual hearing at the moment and simply have a pair of hearing aids, please. Of course, with my Social Security Disability benefits, they aren't going to let me have two, nor with my Fabulous Husband's military retirement benefits. No, I am not allowed to get two.
There was a brief time when I had only one working hearing aid. I was constantly falling down, more than I do now, and I was constantly walking into things. I was off balance. As soon as my other hearing aid was repaired and I was wearing it in conjunction with the other one, I wasn't having the balance problem, and the dizziness was almost nil.
I believe people with hearing loss in both ears should be allowed the same benefits as those with vision impairments. Help us with BOTH ears, not just one. It's healthier and safer in the long run. You don't give a person with two bad eyes just one lens to see with, do you?
Raised on the Southern Oregon Coast, now retired on the Southern Oregon Coast. I was a hard of hearing child who grew up to be a deafened adult. I share and write about deafness, hearing loss and other things I find interesting. I am a 50 something year old woman who could be anyone's mother, grandmother or friend. I've traveled the U.S., and I've lived in Europe. I'm currently residing near the beach with Fabulous Husband and 11 year old son. ~ Joyce Edmiston
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I think this is outrageous! I don’t understand how the medical community and insurance companies could be so naïve to something like this. I think if enough people knew about this and spoke up they could make a difference. I am a hearing person and will speak up where I can. Wouldn't it be great if someone could put themselves in a postition to rally enough people to make a difference.
ReplyDeleteThan you for your supportive comment! It's good to know there are people like you out there speaking up for others, and joining your voice to others to spread the word so that we can make a difference.
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