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My journey with the VA

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In reply to @John_Green

@John_Green said:

, that has been an issue with every aid I have ever tried.

But it seems you’ve only used Phonak, John.
I mentioned in my earlier comment, you need to try a different mfg.
The gives you 5 or 6 months to trial new aids, so ask for Oticon Intents, and see if they work, or Signia.

I won’t presume to comment on John Green’s adverse experience. I can only say that I’ve had audiology services for about ten years, now on my fourth set of hearing aids of which the first, third and now fourth were Phonak and the second Resound. They have all worked well, and I have benefited from accessories like Phonak’s TV Connector and Roger Select. I even have a Partner Mic, but have had no need for it. The audiologist is very capable, thorough and personable. I can only suspect that the audiologists whom John has seen have failed to recognize an unusual issue that requires a different type of device. My aids have all been , so I have no experience or knowledge of what to me seem like more eclectic devices such as , Naida, , etc. The knowledge level of most forum participants here leaves me in the dust, lol, but I thought I’d at least chime in to support my experiences with VA Audiology.

@ericlandau said:

I thought I’d at least chime in to support my experiences with VA Audiology.

I completely agree. I’ve found them generous, knowledgeable, eager to help at each turn.

WH

I have contacted the nearest Hearing up clinic. They want me to come in for a hearing test. Since it is about a 3 hour drive for me, I am hesitant to go forward unless I have at least some confidence they can help. I realize that my experience with the isn’t what others have experienced. I am glad that those who have been helped actually got what they needed. I have had other experiences with VA medical, and mental health people, and like audiology, it has been a mixed experience. I don’t plan on bothering the VA any more going forward. The very first Audiologist I ever encountered, some years ago, told me something that has proven true. She sat me down, showed me my loss, and said:“You basically have no high frequency hearing. There is no way it can ever be restored. Hearing aids can’t do what you need. So, just learn to live with it”

i’m very sorry that’s your sitch. Have the staff told you different? why drive for 6 hours if you’re stuck with unfixable HF loss?

Edited

In reply to @John_Green

John, You might want to try the Community Care which is designed for Vets not living near (within 30 miles) a VA facility. The program has a number of participating local providers. All you need is a referral from your VA Primary Care or a VA Audiologist. The VA can get the job done; compare your to mine. I ended up with Oticon More and custom molds.

I’m in the process of converting my from a doctor to a local one. 50 min to get to the VAMC on a good traffic day. Way longer getting home if the appt is later in the day.

WH

I typically don’t participate in forums, but this particular thread piqued my interest. As a veteran with a 100% disability rating from OEF, OIF, and OND, I wanted to share my experiences with services. Overall, I have found the support from the VA to be excellent, which has been instrumental in improving my health during challenging times. Travel time to my nearest clinic or hospital is consistently around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.

I recently received hearing aids () from my audiologist at the VA hospital. Initially, my first audiologist was very enthusiastic about prescribing Phonak with domes, but unfortunately, that option didn’t work well for me. I later switched to a local clinic where my primary care physician works and was fortunate to connect with a new audiologist there.

This new audiologist has been incredibly attentive and understanding of my needs. During one of our sessions, she encouraged me to do a bit of research on hearing aids to prepare for our next appointment. I explored options and heard positive feedback about Starkey from others in Berkeley. Interestingly, my audiologist at the VA clinic also highly recommended Starkey as her top choice. While I considered ReSound as well, I learned that they won’t have new releases in 2024.

One of the benefits of VA Audiology is their generous 5-month trial period for hearing aids. If there are any issues or if you simply don’t like a particular model, they are very accommodating about providing a replacement with another available option.

In summary, the key to a successful experience with your medical team lies in understanding your own needs and being patient as you navigate your healthcare journey.

I have never understood that but I know you are right. The only way the would take you is if you had a recorded disability upon being discharged. And that is sad. I only stayed in 8 years, but my hearing loss was noted in my mustering out physical. But i didn’t even apply for my VA benefits until about 25 years later. It took me over 2 years to get my first set of aids, but it has been smooth sailing every since.

In reply to @oldesailor

@oldesailor said:

Everyone misses the point. I am retired Navy and have Tricare for medical insurance. VA doesn’t want me as a patient

Oldesailor, if you can show your hearing loss is service-connected, you can probably get hearing aids. First, you have to apply for disability due to hearing loss and/or tinnitus. If you are deemed disabled, then you will qualify for aids regardless of other insurance or income. I have been retired since 1981. I have Medicare and Tricare for Life and a decent income. I went to the a couple of years ago to get hearing aids and, like you, was turned away. My Navy career was in Aviation, and I was routinely subjected to hazardous noise conditions. With the help of a Veterans Service Officer, I applied for disability due to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. It took about six months, but I was eventually granted 10% disability. Once deemed disabled, I qualified for VA health care and was given hearing aids and accessories at no cost. So, I recommend you seek out a local Veterans Service Officer—mine actually worked for the Florida county in which I live—and start your application for disability if you think your hearing loss might be service-related or if you have another service-related injury.

A shout out to the .

I am planning to be out of town for awhile next month, and was trying to make up my mind about taking my Phonak Bolero m90 rechargeable aids and dealing with recharging, or my Phonak V70 aids and a card of batteries. I was considering purchasing the Combi charger and the clip-on power pack off Ebay, then I thought about the VA.

I purchased all my hearing aids off Ebay or Craigslist prior to signing up with the VA, and didn’t know if they would be willing to help me by supplying a charger for hearing aids they didn’t provide. I sent an email to them in San Francisco last night and had a reply this morning giving me the choice to come to their walk-in clinic or have them shipped to me. Well they are on the way!

So far every interaction I have had with the VA has been so good that even though I am covered by Medicare through Kaiser Permanente, I am leaning towards using the VA more every day.

Edited

I have been getting my hearing aids, glasses, and all my hearing aid supplies, and any other help I need for my hearing needs and eyesight needs from the for the last 20 years. It has saved me close to a hundred thousand dollars not counting my disability payments.

In reply to @dacuttler

It’s great to have the as a resource for audiology, I also use the dept. for cleaning my ears every 6 months.
Rest assured when you need new aids, you’ll get the latest top of the line models, and all accessories from them.

I don’t understand what is written here about coverage. I’m an 81 year old 1st Infantry Division Vietnam vet who actively served less than two years, came home during the first Tet offensive in ‘68, and was honorably discharged with no real disability. I finally signed up for non education VA benefits late this year and was recently offered HAs at no charge, but chose to wait to get them when the new Phonaks are included in the VA contract. Why can’t other vets get full HA coverage?

In reply to @user777

Because you were actually in country, boots on the ground, Vietnam you had an automatic in for healthcare. You still need to do the paperwork if you want a disability rating. Use your VSO for this.

Well my Phonak Combi Charger & power pack arrived this morning from the , & I’m a happy camper! I don’t know about the rest of the country, but the VA folks here in the San Francisco Bay Area are great.

@dacuttler said:

the VA folks here in the San Francisco Bay Area are great.

I don’t think I’ve come across but one ill-willed person in the , and I submitted feedback on that individual. (A , not audiology) When they called about it, they made it sound like they got a bunch of complaints and they were calling to get more details.

Most are trying to do the best within the constraints of the system with stupid rules. Maybe they made sense 30 or 50 years ago. They seem frustrated too, sometimes. Glad you got the support you need!

WH

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