Wellness

[Tinkrbl44]

I have an elderly neighbor that has "given up" .... and I would like to help her, if possible. 

This is a medical quality of life issue.

She used to wear two aids but lost one of them about a year ago and never replaced it.   (Insurance is supposedly very pricey for replacing them.)

I just learned that now she lost the other one and when it turned up it was on the floor, broken.  Probably stepped on.

She is not going to replace it either because "they cost $1700 and I can't afford that".   Money is very tight for her, and I know nothing about this medical device and how things work.   

Doesn't anyone finance hearing aids?  Are there any grants or financial assistance for something this expensive?  While most of us would think they are "medically necessary",  she says most insurance plans don't cover them.

Any thoughts ....  suggestions .... referrals?    TIA!

[151949]

I think now a days they are way more than $1700 each. I would call her prescribing doctor's office and ask them your questions as they probably would know about any assistance available. Does she happen to have United Health Care as her supplemental insurance? They own a hearing aide company and give their customers very good deals on hearing aides.

[Kachina624]

@Tinkrbl44. Very good of you to try and help.  I'm surprised she could replace a hearing aid for $1700 as they're very expensive.  She's right, insurance doesn't cover them nor does Medicare.  Not being able to hear is very isolating as a person cannot participate in conversations.  My poor dad had trouble hearing even with the hearing aids, especially in a setting with background noise.

Surely financing is available.  Try to find an audiologist that is not affiliated with a specific brand.

[panda1234]

I just purchased a pair for $4,200. There is a company that does intrest free financing called, CareCredit. Vets take this, if you have plastic surgery that insurance will not cover you can use this....different uses.

[NickNack]

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@panda1234 wrote:

I just purchased a pair for $4,200. There is a company that does intrest free financing called, CareCredit. Vets take this, if you have plastic surgery that insurance will not cover you can use this....different uses.

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This is a great suggestion @panda1234!  I just went to their website, and they do finance hearing aids.  You can put in your zip code and state, and it will tell you the places in your area that accept it.  The ENT practice that I use accepts it.  I don't need hearing aids yet, though.  I hope this will help your neighbor @Tinkrbl44.

[Mz iMac]

@Tinkrbl44

Check out Audicus dot com.

[Scooby Doo]

I would check around with different audiologists.  My GD is hearing impaired.  When she was younger her parents had financial restraints.  One of the members of their church happened to be an audiologist.  He had a pair of hearing aids that he donated to her.  They weren't the newest technology, but they were still good.  Patients of his will upgrade or get new devices and give him the older ones.  He refurbishes them and donates to patients who cannot afford hearing aids.  His services are not free, but the hearing aids are.  See if you can find someone like him.

[Mz iMac]

There's always Canada!

[Imaoldhippie]

I would think that audiologists offices would offer financing of some sort.  I need them too but the cost scares me to death.  

I think there should be a place where families could send or take their deceased loved ones hearing aids and donate them.  They could be used for others in need.  The soft plastic ear peaces could be made to fit for a reasonable price.

I also think used pacemakers should be donated to Vets to use in cats and dogs.

[RedTop]

My mother’s hearing aids cost $2200 for the pair.   While the office did not offer a financing plan, they accepted all credit cards.