A Hearing Test Is Quick And Easy And If Youre An Eligible Pensioner Or Veteran Its Free Too
Getting your hearing tested regularly is very important. Your initial hearing test will act as a baseline for the future and allows your audiologist to track any hearing loss.
If it comes to trialling hearing aids or devices, some of the benefits could be:
- Introduce clarity into your life
- Improved ability to hear in groups and background noise…….
- Improved speech comprehension in all situations
- Links to phones and TV
- Enjoy music and radio with improved sound quality
- No longer feeling isolated or withdrawn in social situations
- Assistance with tinnitus management
Can You Get Free Hearing Aids From The Veterans Health Administration
Hearing loss is the most common service-related injury for U.S. veterans.2 If you were in the service and are experiencing hearing loss in your golden years, the Veterans Health Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs , may be able to give you free hearing aids, or at least a significant discount on them.
Diagnosing Hearing Loss With The Va
There are two ways you may be able to receive hearing aids if you are a veteran: through VA health benefits or VA disability compensation.
Before you can get the hearing assistance you need, youll need to apply and qualify for VA healthcare. You can apply online or visit a VA facility for veteran benefits.
Once your eligibility has been approved, you begin with a hearing test.
The VA requires that a state-licensed audiologist administer your hearing test and that a determination be made as to whether or not you need hearing aids this is typically done at a VA hospital or community-based outpatient clinic .
Your hearing test will likely include an audiogram that shows how many decibels of sound you can no longer hear. Your audiologist will base your hearing loss degree on this test’s results.
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Option : Order By Mail
Fill out a Veterans Request for Batteries and Accessories card. If youre ordering hearing aid wax guards, please write down the type of guard if you have that information from your audiologist.
You should have received a VA Form 2346a in the box with your last order.
Mail the completed form to:
VA Denver Logistics Center
To find out which batteries you can order, .
Why Doesnt Medicare Cover Hearing Aids
Back in 1965, the government of the USA signed Medicare Cover into law. However, the cover didnt include hearing loss coverage. Then hearing loss treatment was not costly, which means most people could afford it. Further, older adults didnt live for long, so there was no need to introduce it. But in recent years, hearing loss coverage has become necessary. Most adults who have hearing loss cannot afford to foot the medical bills.
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Hearing Aids For Veterans: Three Things To Make Sure Of
November 23, 2022 by
The Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest purchaser and distributor of hearing aids in the United States.
If youre a veteran who has sustained a hearing loss, your ability to get hearing aids through the VA is very likely, although it is never guaranteed.
Well talk about what hearing loss means, the degrees of hearing loss that require hearing aids, and how to ensure you receive your VA benefits for hearing health care.
The Future Of Veterans Hearing Loss
As far as hearing healthcare is concerned, the future looks bright for American veterans. Youll be offered the best, most recent hearing technology, with as many services as it needs to fit you perfectly.
We wish you the best of luck if youre a veteran taking your first step toward better hearing healthcare. Youll not only be helping yourself by improving your hearing and lifestyle, but youll also be helping others by reducing the stigma around hearing aids, and possibly encouraging others to begin their own pursuit of better hearing health.
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- Keith Borns July 22, 2019 6:22 pm I didnt think the VA would do this, but now that I have read this article, I will make an appointment for an exam soon. I have Tinnitus and loss of hearing and miss out on so much, by not being able to hear or understand who is talking to me. I have been retired from the Navy now since 1995 and continue to pay for military insurance for my wife and I out of my monthly retirement check. The Eargo sounded good to me, but one of my ears are slightly deformed from severe 20 year infection and it hurt me to wear it in m left ear. Because of the faulty fit, they would fall out sometimes and finally got lost. The other quit charging and I cannot afford another set.
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What Is The Military Hearing Test Like
The process is surprisingly simple. First, you must complete a preliminary application process. If youre found to be a suitable fit for free hearing technology, youll be directed to your nearest VA Healthcare Center.
After a simple assessment conducted by an audiologist, youll work together to choose the best hearing aid/s for your lifestyle. Once you receive them usually at a second consultation, as in the meantime they need to be built specifically for you youll be able to return to the clinic at any time for service or repairs.
Please Note: You Cannot Order Batteries Through The My Healthevet Web Site
Once ordered, your batteries should arrive within 7-10 days.
Please reorder when your remaining supply of batteries is sufficient for approximately 30 days. Based on the information contained in your request, each order will contain batteries sufficient to operate your hearing aid or device for approximately six months.
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Check If You Qualify For Va Healthcare
To obtain hearing aids through the VA, you must first enroll in Veterans Health Administration healthcare coverage. If youre eligible, your hearing aids may be covered by one of the VAs programs. You would be automatically eligible for hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and even cochlear implants if you need them.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hearing Loss
You may not realize youve lost your hearing, as hearing loss can be gradual. Symptoms of hearing loss can include:
- Asking others to speak up or repeat themselves
- Turning up the volume on the television or radio
- Avoiding social situations where you feel you might not be able to hear people
- Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
- Feeling like people are mumbling or that sound is muffled
- Having a feeling like there is something lodged in your ear
- Becoming depressed or feeling isolated
If you suspect youre losing your hearing, you can be tested to determine the type and degree of hearing loss.
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Can I Appeal Any Decision Vac Makes About My Treatment Benefits
Yes. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to request a review There are two levels of review.
- First Level Review The decision letter indicates how to submit a request for a first level review.
- Final Review The decision letter for your first level review will indicate how to request a final review.
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Hearing Aids For Military Retirees
The DoD sponsored Retiree-At-Cost Hearing Aid Program is designed to help retirees purchase hearing aids through the Audiology Clinic at a special government negotiated cost. The hearing aids available through this program are the same state-of-the art technologies available to active duty service members. The program is open to all military retirees who have hearing loss or tinnitus . Dependents of military retirees are not eligible for this program.
Retirees can obtain hearing aids at significant savings by using the program. Two hearing aids can usually be purchased for less than $2,000. Exact costs are variable and subject to change at any time without notice. Contact your nearest audiology clinic for further details.
Not every medical facility is able to provide this program. Care of active duty members takes precedent at all MTFs. It is recommended that you contact the appropriate military facility before incurring significant travel expenses. Facilities may discontinue this program for any reason without notice to us.
Retirees can use any military treatment facility which will accept them you don’t need to return to your service affiliation to participate in this program.
Dependents of retirees are not eligible for hearing aid services from military treatment facilities or from TRICARE. The family member is eligible for hearing evaluations and the audiologist can provide them with more information about hearing aids or local providers.
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Hearing Aid Foundations May Offer Assistance
Some major hearing aid companies, like Miracle-Ear and Starkey, have established foundations to provide hearing aids to people who need them but may not be able to afford them. You can visit the Miracle-Ear Foundation and Starkey Hearing Foundation websites to fill out an application and see if you qualify for assistance from them.
How Do I Get Hearing Aids From The Va
Veterans who have been approved for hearing aid coverage can order their new devices directly through the VA as long as they are enrolled in the system. Ordering is available over the phone at 273-6200, online at VA.gov or through the mail with VA Form 2346a.
Veterans can also order batteries for their devices as long as they remain eligible through the VA. In addition, beneficiaries can request a variety of accessories, including:
- Drying products
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How To Use Your Vac Healthcare Card
Often, you only need to show your VAC card to the provider of your choice to receive health benefits or services.
The provider may also need to see your prescription from your doctor or health professional and receive pre-authorization from VAC before they can provide the benefit or service to you.
- Prescription A prescription is valid for one year from the date on it. It confirms you are under the care of a health care professional and details their recommended therapy for your health need. To learn who can provide a prescription, see the section Prescriber Required in that benefits details of the Benefit Grid.
- Pre-Authorization To find if pre-authorization is needed, see the section Pre-authorization Required in that benefits details found in the Benefit Grid. Your provider can contact us for pre-authorization. Most services will only need pre-authorization once.
Using a registered provider A registered provider can bill Veterans Affairs Canada directly so you do not need to pay out of pocket. To find registered providers in your area, please contact us or use your Medavie Blue Cross account.
Using any other provider You may have to pay this provider for their services and then seek reimbursement from VAC.
Please note: we may not be able to reimburse the cost of services you purchased prior to having pre-authorization.
Veterans Are Entitled To Free Hearing Aids Through The Va
Readers: As I mentioned a few weeks back, Nano Hearing Aids nanohearingaids.com was giving away 24 pairs of hearing aids through this column.
The company is in the process of contacting the people it picked for this giveaway based on their need and their inability to pay for hearing aids on their own. Here is the ninth lucky winner:
Winner 9
Nano: I hope you consider me for a pair of hearing aids in your giveaway promotion.
I am 59 years old and blind. It is important that I have good hearing to help make up for my lack of eyesight.
I have a pretty good HMO, but unfortunately, it does not cover hearing aids. I have been to an audiologist and have been fitted for a pair. But when it came time to purchase them, I couldnt come up with the money I needed.
Youll be doing my wife a great favor by providing me with hearing aids as I am constantly annoying her by asking, What? LOL.
Anyway, thank you for reading this and for considering me. C.M.
Special note to veterans
A lot of you vets have been asking for the free hearing aids that are being given away. And Nano Hearing Aids has been wonderful in granting as many of those requests as possible, along with giving devices out to non-veterans as well.
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The Connection Between Military Service And Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is one of the most common service-connected medical conditions taking second place after tinnitus . This connection between military service and hearing loss can be seen in the following CDC statistics:
- 79.9% of male veterans have excellent or good hearing compared to 84% of male nonveterans.
- 23.2% of male veterans have a little or moderate trouble hearing compared to 13.6% of male nonveterans .
- 3.9% of male veterans have a lot of hearing difficulty or are deaf compared to 2.4% of male nonveterans.
- 18% of male veterans between the ages of 18-44 have moderate hearing trouble compared to 5.3% of male nonveterans of the same ages.
- Male veterans between the ages of 45-64 and 65-74 also showed an increased likelihood of suffering from moderate hearing trouble compared to male nonveterans.
- A found that veterans with combat experience have a 63% increased risk of hearing loss.
In addition to these figures, the former president of the Association of Veterans Administration Audiologists, Scott C. Forbes, calls hearing injury “the signature injury” among post 9-11 veterans. The tragedy of these statistics is that hearing loss goes hand-in-hand with military service. The light at the end of the tunnel is that some service members with hearing health challenges can qualify for free VA hearing aids.
Hearcom Salutes Our Troops
If you are veteran or an active duty U.S. military personnel, we want to personally thank you for serving our country and protecting our freedoms. You should get top-quality support for your hearing loss. However, we know how difficult it can be at times to get immediate help from the VA. In fact, many of our customers decide to go through hear.com because itâs faster and easier to get hearing aids. Not only do we provide comprehensive support and guidance, we also go out of our way to give you a special veteranâs discount. In some cases, we can apply a 15% discount on whichever one of our brand-name hearing aids you would like, if you decide not to go through the VA.
This is an exclusive hear.com offer ONLY for the outstanding individuals like yourself who courageously defended our nation.
You can call us at your earliest convenience, or simply fill out the questionnaire on this page, and we will reach out to you shortly. There is no obligation when you contact us. We wonât ask you to commit to anything or give us any money for your consultation. You will receive FREE, expert advice from one of our experienced hearing specialists.
We look forward to speaking with you soon and on behalf of hear.com, thank you for your service!
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The Two Types Of Hearing Tests Required To Rate Hearing Loss
The Maryland CNC test measures hearing loss using a 50-word exam that is designed to score how well you recognize the spoken word. The results of the Maryland CNC test helps the VA determine your hearing damage, whether the severity of the damage qualifies for VA disability payments, etc.
The other hearing test is known as the Puretone Audiometric test, sometimes referred to as Pure Tone Audiometry or a Pure Tone Audiometry Test. This test measures overall hearing loss by determining the quietest tones you can hear while the test is administered.
These tests are done without the use of assistive devices such as hearing aids the intent is to learn how diminished your hearing is without the use of these devices.
Va Health Benefits Information Below:
- VA Health Benefits:
- Find out if you are Eligible:
Files coming soon.
Find a Provider now: call 800-890-8387
Please send us a message, or call us for additional Information
Fax any documents to 750-7450
Hearing4Veterans.com
What is the Mission Act for Veterans?
Veterans can see a local private “Community Care Provider” instead of the VA
- If the Veteran is a 60 minute drive, or further to their nearest VA Hospital they can request to see a local Community Care Audiologist Provider
- If the Veteran’s Appointment with the VA Hospital is over 28 days they can request to see a local Community Care Audiologist Provider
- You can also “insist” to see a local Community Care Provider of your choice!
*No more bureaucracy!
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Va Disability For Hearing Loss
Military members who are about to retire or separate from the military are urged to begin the VA medical claims process as soon as they know they are going to separate. That doesnt mean you can start submitting your VA claim whenever you want but you should begin to research the medical conditions you need to make claims for and how the VA rates them.
Hearing damage, hearing loss, tinnitus, and related conditions are among the most common types of medical issues for military people and getting the VA to take such claims seriously requires a qualifying medical diagnosis of the condition.
If you need to make a VA claim for hearing damage and similar problems, you may be able to get audio testing from a VA facility, but barring that you will need to submit medical evidence gathered by a licensed audiologist. In either case the VA will require two types of audio testing one is called the Maryland CNC test, the other is a pure tone audiology test.
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