Specifically, the Veterans Service Office and Clinic in Bangor, Maine.

Some of you may recall I started the process to see if I could qualify for hearing aids about a year and a half ago.

After delays due to a retiring Service Officer (awaiting his replacement) paperwork for the initial claim, waiting for a screening appointment in Augusta and a final hearing test and prescription in Bangor, I am now approved for aids for both ears.

I'll go back October 19th for fitting, tuning and pairing to my phone.

The Audiologist I saw today was VERY pleasant and thorough and took the time to explain everything she was doing and what I could expect going forward. Not at all hard to look at either!

It's been a long road, but well worth it considering what these aids would cost a civilian.

Glad to hear, sounds like the VA is finally listening to you!

I am glad that you are finally getting some success.

I have had nothing but a positive experience at the VA here in Durham, NC. (It is about the only thing I like about Durham) From getting therapy for my back so I can go back to retraining and this latest catastrophe of a kidney stone.

Now my father has had some serious ups and downs with the VA in Cols OH and now in Florida just like PHPaul has described in the past.

Make sure you know where the volume knob is before you leave -- sometimes it's better when it's a little quieter.

quote:

Originally posted by Tinyman:
Make sure you know where the volume knob is before you leave -- sometimes it's better when it's a little quieter.

One of my first questions at the fitting will be "How do I turn these things off?"

I was very lucky with my HA, I asked my primary doctor at the VA and he said sure, no problem. He placed a order in the system, done. Got my appt. tested me and ordered them and fitted when they came in.

I was told each VA facility sets their own rules, I'm glad mine was so flexible.

I am scheduled to have my hearing tested on October 11th. My hearing is severe to profound (worst). Without the hearing aids I have now, I can stand directly in front of the microwave or a sink with running water, and not hear the alarm or the water running.

I have bad tinnitus. Constant loud ringing. Been that way for 50 years, ever since I fired a 3.5 rocket launcher multiple times. The Marines did not provide hearing protection back then.

What’s strange is sometimes I hear what sounds like an idling diesel engine and there is nothing there.

I need new hearing aids and I’m retired, so medicare doesn’t cover the expense. Going to see if the VA will take care of me. So far I’ve been very surprised at how smooth the whole process has been.

I had my hearing test with them last Thursday from a private Audiologist, waiting on the ruling and final decision now.

I get mine on the 24th of September !

Not me but have several friends that have the VA issued hearing aids. They ain"t cheap. Only problems have been trying to get seen during this virus .Baton rouge/New Orleans area. 2rs ago the VA doctor found a major heart Carido) with the wife that she had no idea anything was wrong. Problem taken care of. She spent 8 1/2yrs active duty and I spent 9 1/2 yrs active duty. ...................................... drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by drill sgt:
Not me but have several friends that have the VA issued hearing aids. They ain"t cheap. Only problems have been trying to get seen during this virus .Baton rouge/New Orleans area. 2rs ago the VA doctor found a major heart Carido) with the wife that she had no idea anything was wrong. Problem taken care of. She spent 8 1/2yrs active duty and I spent 9 1/2 yrs active duty. ...................................... drill sgt.

You talking about me?

My hearing was bad and the Tinnitus will drive you nuts.
So after not hearing very good for so many years I went and put in a claim with the VA. I put in a claim for hearing loss and Tinnitus.

About a month or so after that the VA sent me to a outside Audiologist. She ask a lot of questions and gave me a good test.

She sent the VA my test results and the VA said my Bilateral Hearing loss and Tinnitus were Service Connected. So I called up our local VA clinic in Baton Rouge and told the Audiologist I would like to get some hearing aids. She looked at my test results and said OK and she ordered me two. In a couple weeks she called and said come in and get my hearing aids. It was that easy.

I just ordered some batteries from the VA just before I saw this post. They send me 120 batteries at a time. She also gave me a thing to hook to my tv to send the sound to my hearing aids. And a sound machine to use at night to make noise for the Tinnitus.

The VA in Baton Rouge has been great for my hearing problems.

I also sent a old friend that's about 80 years old down there. He asked how to get hearing aids. He said he didn't want to put in a claim just wanted hearing aids.
He took his DD-214 down there and explained to them what he wanted. They signed him up and tested him and it wasn't long he had some fine new hearing aids that working with his Iphone just like mine to. He's a happy camper now.

From what I've read on Veteran FB pages in the last couple years the VA has been really good about getting hearing aids to Vets that need them. And eye glasses too.

The response I've had from the VA on three occasions is to take hike we aren't doing anything for you.

Got so tired of their run around and just went to costco and bought two for a great price.

Glad it's worked out for you. I never had need to use the VA health system. I am a vet, and have always had my own health insurance through work, and now that I am retired I have Medicare, and supplemental health insurance, again through my previous employer. I've heard lots of bad things about VA health care in the past, but lately it seems like they are providing outstanding care for those vets that rely on it.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
Glad it's worked out for you. I never had need to use the VA health system. I am a vet, and have always had my own health insurance through work, and now that I am retired I have Medicare, and supplemental health insurance, again through my previous employer. I've heard lots of bad things about VA health care in the past, but lately it seems like they are providing outstanding care for those vets that rely on it.

I typically use my Tricare for Life and Medicare as well. They cover all the diagnostics but they won't cover the cost of the actual hearing aids. Through the VA, they're free.

I see they do eye care as well, I may have to check that out. If I can get something a bit more stylish than the military issue "Birth Control Glasses" it would save me $300-$400 every 3 years or so.

The eye glass frame selection at the VA is very nice. Not like what the Navy issued me in 1965. The eye clinic that I use is closed due to the Covid. Doc said they're looking at November to possibly reopen.