VA hearing aid eligibility

Maybe it has to do with the level of disability I am only receiving 20%. And my service disability is only for my hearing loss. Other than that then for some reason we are all not equal for some reason.

I don’t think your 20% level is limiting. I have 10% and get free glasses.

Back to free hearing aids/HAs; Hmmmmm; Maybe the VA figured out that providing free hearing aids to anyone enrolled in VA Healthcare was cheaper because fewer veterans would would go about claiming a service related disability therefore resulting in free hearing aids plus compensation.

I think that if the OP’s hearing loss is related to hanging around with all those pencil barrel AR-15s then he should claim a service related disability to get free HAs plus compensation.

Here’s the other video about VHA/hearing aids without compensation;

My loss is due to working around and flying in cargo jet. And back then we didn’t have that much hearing protection. And when flying in the cargo bay we had no protection.

Well I guess I am going to have to dig in some more and maybe even push some. Seeing my hearing loss is now severe by my Audi’s definition my disability rating is under review. The last time they only did a hearing test this time I got a full blown physical with X-rays and scans. I have also been asked about my joint issues and blood pressure. Which are in my Navy medical records. So who knows what will happen this time I an in a different state and of course a different VA Region.

This is the VHA directive that covers hearing aids, eyeglasses, and contact lenses: VHA DIRECTIVE 1034(1) - PRESCRIBING AND PROVIDING EYEGLASSES, CONTACT LENSES,AND HEARING AIDS19

Right off the bat it says:

2. BACKGROUND

a. Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1707(b) provides that VHA may furnish sensorineural aids only in accordance with guidelines that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prescribes. Subsequently, the VA promulgated regulations establishing such guidelines at Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 17.149.

b. All Veterans eligible for care and services under 38 CFR 17.38 are eligible for diagnostic and preventive audiology care, and diagnostic and preventive eye care services. These diagnostic and preventive services are separate from VA’s provision of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids. Veterans shall not be denied access to audiology and eye care services covered under 38 CFR 17.38 because they do not meet the eligibility criteria for eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids.

c. Veterans in all enrollment Priority Groups may be eligible to receive sensorineural aids (eyeglasses, contact lenses and hearing aids) as authorized under 38 CFR 17.149 provided they are otherwise receiving VA care or services.

I am not retired, but did spend 8 years active duty. I have been in the system since 2004 so I am sure things have changed over the years, and I can only go by my experience.

The directive I linked to above also says:

To mitigate the impact of hearing impairment on quality of life and participation, the following degree of impairment is considered disabling and establishes the basis for consideration of hearing aid candidacy, subject to evaluation by an audiologist: hearing thresholds 40 decibels (dB) HL or greater at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 hertz (Hz); or hearing thresholds 26 dB HL or greater at three of these frequencies; or speech recognition less than 94 percent (38 CFR §3.385). This degree of impairment is disabling is considered justification for hearing aids

Going by your posted audiogram, you qualify in spades.

My hearing lose is about 80 db, and my word recognition is about 40% without my aids. And I have improved my word recognition by reading and listening to the book at the same time. But that is with aids. And They have to have the speech level set to 90db for me to here the words, with the norm being at about 70 db. I am receiving 20% for my hearing now. My Audi believes I should get more. I am just happy having the VA provide my aids. I could not afford them any other way now.

@cvkemp said:

I am just happy having the VA provide my aids. I could not afford them any other way now.

I hear you, brother. I’m in that same boat.

Yes that was told to me at first, then I lost my job and went back almost begging for help. When they did a full physical they also found my hearing loss. And as they say the rest is history. But it still took 18 months to get a proved for my service related hearing loss

I just received my HAs from the VA about 3 weeks ago. I just made my appointment for the hearing clinic & after my hearing test they ordered me my HAs. I was given Starkey Livio 2400’s.
I had to wait about 2 weeks to get back in for my fitting.
The Audiologist ordered the remote control to change the settings, she said she also ordered my extra domes and batteries. They arrived in the mail about 1 week later. I received 30 sets of domes and 160 batteries.
When I run out all I have to do is call an 800 # and new supplies will be sent out.
I do not have a service related disability.
Hope this helps.

USAF 81-93

I think you may be right as a fellow vet co-worker said as much, but I just never tried - again some I knew never came home, or could walk when they did. My uncle was a tail gunner in a B17, it was shot down, his leg severely injured and a POW for some months - so I guess I’d feel embarrassed with those suffering more. But, I DO believe I have HA coming from and am irked that the army doctors told me hearing loss after being there was that long was “normal” it would return. It DID get better in my left ear (still loss), but it is what it is - I’m sure that was their standard answer. Thanks for the reply

Thanks! I’m not looking for disability (though that was certainly physical “damage”. I’ll check out the video and lol at “forms not phones” True of most government stuff.