As for Medicaid, this was in SD about 10 years ago, so they may have cut benefits for hearing aids, or put a cap on the amount, but I think coverage varies from state to state. Also, not all dealers will take Medicaid because they are only reimbursed by about 65% and can’t bill the patient for the remainder.

The feedback was/can be a big problem for me as well. It was a major reason why I didn’t get one until I was in grad school. My sisters would bitch and bitch about it. But there’s not much you can do about that. If the aid isn’t turned up to where the user needs it, it doesn’t do you much good.

Some of the newer digital models can filter out some of the feedback with their processors, and if you can use an open ear model that will help too, but anytime you have a microphone and speaker so close together, it’s inevitable.

But I’ve never heard of hearing aids being covered. Not even by medicare.

You’re right on that point. My grandmother was stone deaf and the only way she got them covered was when she went into the nursing home and Medicaid covered them when Medicare denied them. They still didn’t work very well cuz she would turn them all the way up, causing them to ring and drive our family dog insane.

I’ve never seen a health plan that covers routine prescription lenses or contacts.

Also, I don’t believe aids are covered for even for profoundly deaf persons. What is usually covered are cochlear implants (a $100K procedure), and bone anchored hearing aids. And of course, things like the above mentioned stapedectomy.

But I’ve never heard of hearing aids being covered. Not even by medicare.

Hearie fools, no doubt.

perhaps you have a face for text & not TV?

What they’re really bad about is their website: posting only the video, and not an accompanying written version like most of the other local stations.

But it is inexcusable to not at least write a real version of the story to go with it. Plus it’s stupid. I know way more people read our stories online, than watch our videos.