MDHearing aids

[Jim Becker]

True but only if your hearing loss is service related

My father's hearing loss is not service related and the VA helped to fund his aids. I know that because the 'rents are now my "kids"...I manage their financials at this point.

[Charles Palmer]

I see that you've got the EGA for your picture. Have you thought about the VA?
Im a retired Marine. I went to the Walter Reed and got my first set for about $700. I finally went to the VA with my medical records. They gave me 10% service related disability for hearing loss. With that service related disability they gave me free hearing aids and batteries.
even if you're not retired, I'd check with the VA.m talk to your local rep and see if you can get your hearing loss to be service related. It's definitely worth a shot!

[Mike Henderson]

I see that you've got the EGA for your picture. Have you thought about the VA?
Im a retired Marine. I went to the Walter Reed and got my first set for about $700. I finally went to the VA with my medical records. They gave me 10% service related disability for hearing loss. With that service related disability they gave me free hearing aids and batteries.
even if you're not retired, I'd check with the VA.m talk to your local rep and see if you can get your hearing loss to be service related. It's definitely worth a shot!

I second this. Here in CA there's a group that functions as VA "advocates" for veterans. They will help you file for a service related disability. Actually, they'll do almost all the work for you. You do need to get a copy of your last hearing test to submit.

Even if you were not in combat but you were in a branch that created loud noise (such as the infantry or artillery) you can get a service related disability for hearing loss based on noise exposure during training. It won't be much, maybe 10%, but that's enough to get hearing aids through the VA.

Mike

[Bert Kemp]

Well I've tried the VA and they just tell me its not service related and they can't help.

I second this. Here in CA there's a group that functions as VA "advocates" for veterans. They will help you file for a service related disability. Actually, they'll do almost all the work for you. You do need to get a copy of your last hearing test to submit.

Even if you were not in combat but you were in a branch that created loud noise (such as the infantry or artillery) you can get a service related disability for hearing loss based on noise exposure during training. It won't be much, maybe 10%, but that's enough to get hearing aids through the VA.

Mike

[Jim Becker]

Don't give up so easily. Find an advocate like Mike mentioned.

[Charles Palmer]

Go to your VA advocate. Try the local vfw - amleg. My advocate has an office in the local post. She helped me - filled out and submitted mine.
It's well worth the effort!

[Bert Kemp]

ill try again

[Charles Palmer]

I finally saw an ad for the MD aids. At 200 each, they're pretty inexpensive. However, they may only be sound amplifiers (my term - prob incorrect term).
My hearing loss is in the high frequencies and no loss in the lower. Just amplifying everything would probably be a bit painful if the lower frequencies were amplified as well. I'm not sure - just speculating.
my suggestion- and only a suggestion- is to get a pair that can be tuned to your specific loss. You'll be amazed at what you've been missing!
good luck with the VA.
go to Costco / Walmart/ BJs - may cost a bit more - but if they'll tune me, well worth it over the long run.

[Myk Rian]

Well I've tried the VA and they just tell me its not service related and they can't help.

Ever fire a gun in the service without hearing protection?

[Charles Palmer]

I'm pretty certain that wouldn't be justification. I had to show them my medical records. Thy compared my early hearing tests to the one for my discharge physical. That showed hearing loss over 20 years.
Get with your VA rep - he / she will know what to do.