Where did the hearing aid thread go ?

Author Message   Bob M Advanced Member Username: Bob_m Post Number: 165 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.70.76.61 Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 11:35 am:    Good morning A/all, thanks for continuing to add to the thread. ALL "intel" (information) is good to have; and I'm a bit behind in reporting my progress. My audiology appt. at the VAMC was 5/26; and was directed by a Dr (Ph.D). The test consisted of two distinct parts, first, trying to hear "tones" at various frequencies and volume levels; and next, a "speech/word recognition" portion; followed by a "discussion" of past military assignments as they relate to "noise levels". Anyway my left ear hearing ability is "below normal"; just not yet bad enough to require a hearing aid; but my right ear "needs help." As expected, the folks in the audiology dept. at the VAMC here in Columbia (officially, the William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center) were professional, capable, courteous and respectful. The "hearing test" given was more detailed and sophisticated than the one I had at the Fort Jackson MTF; but that was pretty much expected. The tech that made the mold of my inner ear was not inclined to answer questions about the make/model of hearing aid I was being fitted for; but was capable and thorough in her job. Anyway after I did some "badgering", I was told that at my next appt. on 6/23, I would be fitted for a Siemens "Motion 701 HS (half shell) E2E" hearing aid. Now I'm off the the i-net to get some intel on the particular model of hearing aid I'm being given. Thanks again for the info/details provided. I appreciate the assist. Bob   Denny Knott Senior Member Username: Degause01 Post Number: 1438 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 98.183.26.167 Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 01:09 am:    Redleg, I'll be at the VA Clinic in P'cola tomorrow at 1030. I'll be wearing khaki shorts, t-shirt/pullover and yellow cap...If you can make it I'll try to make sure you get to where you need to go. I'll be by the lab.   ed williamson Advanced Member Username: Regnav Post Number: 209 Registered: 07-2009 Posted From: 76.114.109.206 Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 12:47 am:    Redleg: Just go to the VA clinic with your DD-214 and start the process. I was approved in about three months. Be prepared to tell the audiologist, in some detail, about your experiences that exposed you to loud noise, artillary or whatever. You'll get a hearing test at that time and a decision. Chances are you'll also receive a 10% to 20% rating. My experience was hassle free. Everyone was nice and also very encouraging. Go for it!   REDLEG Advanced Member Username: Redleg99999 Post Number: 183 Registered: 01-2007 Posted From: 99.194.184.155 Posted on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 11:36 pm:    Hello All, As you can tell by my name I am a retired Field Artilleryman.I have been privatly tested and definitly have a big high frequency hearing loss. I would like to get a set of those VA supplied hearing aids.I am on Tricare For Life and Social Security. There is a VA clinic? at the Pensacola Naval Hospital. I have had no previous contact with the VA. I have my DD-214(honorable). I have my 20 year letter from the Army.I am not necessarily looking for a disability but I do feel/know this hearing loss is service related. Vietnam/guns/Cannons for 26 years. How do I approach this. 1. Just go to the clinic and get appointment then jump through hoops for a few years? 2. Find a local American Legion/VFW that has a person who helps vets? 3. What do you suggest? I cannot afford $ 6000 + hearing aids. I really need help.I live here near Mobile Al and am close to the Pensacola NAS,and Hospital,there is a VA Clinic there. Thanks for your help.   ed williamson Advanced Member Username: Regnav Post Number: 201 Registered: 07-2009 Posted From: 76.114.109.206 Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 09:49 pm:    Thanks Leland. Appears mine don't have that feature. Maybe I got the stripped down model, as the tech told me if noise got to loud to just open the battery compartment. Considering she told me retail was $8,000.00 for the pair, it would seem they would have all the bells and whistles. Not really complaining, they do the job and cost me nothing. I'm happy to have them.   Leland Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 6266 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 98.218.147.237 Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 02:30 pm:    Ed, if you have Phonak units (which I have) the amplification should automatically drop after about eight seconds in a noisy restaurant. It does work for me, although on at least one occasion I too have had to pop open the battery compartment when the noise was bad enough to be a bother but not constant enough to trigger the auto feature.   ed williamson Advanced Member Username: Regnav Post Number: 200 Registered: 07-2009 Posted From: 76.114.109.206 Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 12:01 pm:    I've had my hearing aids now for six days and the only problem I'm having is dining at Cracker Barrel where the noise level is always high. With the hearing aids it sounds like I'm on the flight deck of a carrier. No volume controls so just flipping the battery compartment open takes it back to the normal, for CB, level. The aids are color coded, red and blue, since each is programmed for the individual ear. Red is for the right ear, which has confused this old Sailor a couple of times, since red means port, or left, for everyone navigating on water. I just changed the dern colors on them.   The Sarge Intermediate Member Username: Olderbutwiser Post Number: 70 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 68.194.138.183 Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 03:24 am:    Hello BoB M~~I was told when getting my tests, that the type or model being given to you is determined by the results of the tests given to you. It's all computer generated. Then they order them and you should get them in about 2-3 weeks. So far I don't think there has been anyone that has complained about the style they received. I was told by the Audio Tech that if after wearing them, they bother me , they would probably give me differnt models, but so far, I'm tickled with them.   ed williamson Advanced Member Username: Regnav Post Number: 194 Registered: 07-2009 Posted From: 76.114.109.206 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 09:19 pm:    John D.: Back in the day Sailors were given quarterly performance evaluations, in several areas, on a scale of 1.0 to 4.0. Not nearly as formal a process as today, or as when I retired. "He's a 4.0 Sailor" was a high compliment. The "discipline" area often kept me from earning that title.   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4492 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 05:38 pm:    Ed, The rating of 4.0 is out of how many?????? 4.0??   ed williamson Advanced Member Username: Regnav Post Number: 193 Registered: 07-2009 Posted From: 76.114.109.206 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 05:14 pm:    Picked up my Phonak Versta Micro Wireless, two of them, at VA this morning. The doctor and the technician were both outstanding. The things are barely visible (if I let my hair grow out a tad that would not be), although not really an issue. I was told VA would supply batteries and tubes, etc. at no cost. Was told they retail for around $8,000 a set, but found them on the web for half that. Still, one heck 'uva deal since they cost me absolutely nothing! I've worn them for three hours or so and becoming comfortable with them. I suspect I'll have to return for an adjustment in one, but I'm very, very pleased at this point. So far, in my year or so experience with VA, for several issues I rate them 4.0 in all respects. I know not all VA Clinics/Hospitals are the same, but the Knoxville, Tennessee clinic, in their treatment of me, is outstanding.   Bob M Advanced Member Username: Bob_m Post Number: 163 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.70.76.61 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 06:14 pm:    Thanks everyone for the assist. I'll keep the board posted as the testing procedures get underway.   Hale Lait Senior Member Username: Norwich50 Post Number: 871 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 71.147.58.183 Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 12:11 am:    I too have hi-freq hearing loss, the left ear. I recently received a hearing aid from the VA . The Audiologist was very particular about the colors which pleased my wife greatly. I've been wearing it for about a month, its a Siemens and am very pleased with it. I had the gain reduced because the loudness of the turn indicator- in my car was annowing. I use the North Chicago VA and am very pleased with the people that have treated me. My biggest challenge is to remember to remove the aid before showering or swimming.   ed williamson Advanced Member Username: Regnav Post Number: 191 Registered: 07-2009 Posted From: 76.114.109.206 Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 09:41 pm:    I'm going to have mine fitted on Monday - let you know the result then. From the ordering process I remember the tech being very careful trying to find a color that blended with my hair color. I'll let you know how successful that was also.   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4463 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 03:46 am:    Bob, There's a few recent ones in the archive - search for "hearing" in Subject line and they should pop up!   Phil Doubleman Senior Member Username: Phil Post Number: 1589 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.35.26.65 Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 01:37 am:    Bob, I have a high frequency hearing loss. VA gave me the Siemens Life 700. I'm not sure how good they work yet, but they are easy to forget that they are there (I took a shower with then on once.) and folks don't seem to notice them even when I point them out.   PR Senior Member Username: Pretzlaff Post Number: 1667 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 67.190.52.82 Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 10:37 pm:    Phyllis-- You beat me to it.   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 2715 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 99.34.250.201 Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 09:22 pm:    See first you get married, now you find out you can't hear, ain't life great   Bob M Advanced Member Username: Bob_m Post Number: 162 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.70.76.61 Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 09:00 pm:    Some time ago I was reading the thread about the VA and hearing aids; and at my wife's urging, had a hearing test conducted at my local MTF. Turns out I do indeed have a hearing loss and have a scheduled audiology appointment at the VA coming up later this month. My question for the previous thread was going to be;from a "reverse angle" to the other thread. Is there a make/model of hearing aid being "prescribed" by the VA that isn't "desireable"? Everything I can remember reading from the "other" thread extolled the capabilities of the models in use.