$50,000?!?!?!?!
I had heard $2,500 apiece, or $5,000 for the pair, plus about $300/yr. for batteries and maintenance. Now you are really scaring me! One of the links I read said most hearing aids only last 3-5 years if maintained well. Who could afford $50M+ every few years?! YIKES!
Geeze, should I add you to my yahoo list, osso?
what yahoo list? and, sure, add me.
Eh? What?
I guess that's not funny.
Why does everyone murmur?
Eeek, again that's only for the biggest baddest most powerful hearing aids. My audiogram dips down into 110+, yours is 30-40 if I remember right, big difference.
Cochlear implants are more expensive yet, btw, and much iffier. But THEY are covered. Sigh. So many causes to agitate for, so little time.
Btw the sub-cause there is that hearing aids have no reason to be THAT expensive. Criminal all around.
Okay, I am breathing normally again. Whew!
Thanks for the input on the implantable aids, too. I knew it was new technology, but I couldn't find any objective commentary about it. What you say sounds very reasonable. If all they're going to implant is a magnet, why even risk it?
Yes, my audiogram is mostly in the 30s, but dips down to 45-50 at 1000hz. Overall, a 35 to 37.5db loss.
just a tiny question. why do hearing aids cost so much more in the u.s. than in canada? some plans cover them, some don't, some cover a portion - but i've never seen an invoice for one in canada that came anywhere $50,000 u.s.
That was definitely tippy-top of the line. Brand-new at the time (new digital technology), I think it's come down in price since.
But I'd believe they cost more here than in Canada. The whole industry is stinky, needs some serious regulation IMO.
Invoice for hearing aids, ehBeth? You mean they are covered by insurance in Canada? Grrrrr.
They are covered by quite a few plans here, Roger. There's also a provincially assistive devices program available for big-ticket items. When I worked for a long-term disability carrier, I saw invoices from here and the U.S. - always a striking differential.
Yep.
There is, as with so many things, a large gap of underserved folks between those who are very poor (though the services they receive are still usually inadequate) and those who are very rich. I used to work closely with the Department of Rehabilitation, and they (through the government) pay for hearing aids for the truly needy. Then the rich can pay out of pocket. The rest of of us...?
The governmental spending is part of why the prices stay so high. If that's what the market will bear...
[whistling]----------------------------------[whistling]
stereo
hearing level with an aid
can any one tell me if a good hearing aid can get my hearing up to about 35 db my loss is around 70-80 db i need ta least 40 to keep ky cdl licence
i was just wondering how high a good aid can bring your hearing back up to thanks for any replys
sorry for the spelling i said was i need to get my hearing at least up to 40 db to keep my cdl licence can a good aid bring it up to this level or more
from 80db
Welcome j2963,
Sorry, it's too hard to say without more details -- whether it's more a high frequency problem or a low frequency problem, for example.
I'd say it's *possible*. All reputable hearing aid dealers let you try out an aid for a while before buying it. So my suggestion would be to see your audiologist, get a recommendation for a hearing aid, try out a few hearing aids, and see which one works best for you... and whether any of them bring the average back to 40 db loss. You should be able to determine that without paying for an aid, and then if you find one that DOES, your option to buy it or not.
Good luck!
thanks sozobe for your responce i have an appointment on the 19th this month to check about an hearing aid im still recovering from mastoid surgery hopefully they can get my hearing back up or i loose a 15$ hr job
What is your job, j2963? (I got Kentucky, but not sure about "cdl license".) Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is very possible that even if the hearing aid doesn't improve your hearing to 40 db loss or better, you can't be fired.
Good luck with your appointment and finding a good aid.
im a public bus driver without good hearing i cant pass the fedral medical
physicle for a comercial drivers licence so no cdl no job i guess
I'm not sure... there have been some suits about that, I believe. Depends upon whether reasonable accommodations can be made. Studies have found that deaf drivers are very good! (Forget exact criteria.)
Anyway, first step is to see what hearing aids can do for you in terms of quality of life if nothing else. If they bring your hearing back to 40 db, end of story. If not, I'll do more research for you on your legal rights.
Can't be any worse than cell phone drivers.
