Re: Getting funding for hearing aids

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern Standard Time,

angel_gasior@... writes:

> 's audiologist said it was imperative that she have digital

> aids because she is only 6 months old and she can not manually turn the

> volume up and down like with analog aids.

I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume control. My son is profoundly

deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing aids since he was 3 months.

They are programmable, but not digital. They are pretty powerful and my son

is unable to manually adjust the volume. There is a shield on the volume

control so it cannot be moved. The shield can be taken off is we want access

to it, but as I understand the audi has programmed it so that the volume

cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

As far as funding... Our insurance company (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

hearing aids or speech therapy, however they have a special provision under

what they call " early intervention " for children birth - 3 who have delays.

They will allocate $5000 a year to services needed. So we were at least

fortunate to have that and we got most of the aids covered with those funds,

but we had to go to a provider on their list. Our local city early

intervention program (the one's you write your IFSPs with) helped us out

with additional funding. They should be able to find other sources of

funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm glad we have been able to

have people help us out with the funding. I worry what will happen when our

son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting the school system. I'll have

to get educated on that.

Kearns

's Mom, 19months, profound

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern Standard Time,

angel_gasior@... writes:

> 's audiologist said it was imperative that she have digital

> aids because she is only 6 months old and she can not manually turn the

> volume up and down like with analog aids.

I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume control. My son is profoundly

deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing aids since he was 3 months.

They are programmable, but not digital. They are pretty powerful and my son

is unable to manually adjust the volume. There is a shield on the volume

control so it cannot be moved. The shield can be taken off is we want access

to it, but as I understand the audi has programmed it so that the volume

cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

As far as funding... Our insurance company (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

hearing aids or speech therapy, however they have a special provision under

what they call " early intervention " for children birth - 3 who have delays.

They will allocate $5000 a year to services needed. So we were at least

fortunate to have that and we got most of the aids covered with those funds,

but we had to go to a provider on their list. Our local city early

intervention program (the one's you write your IFSPs with) helped us out

with additional funding. They should be able to find other sources of

funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm glad we have been able to

have people help us out with the funding. I worry what will happen when our

son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting the school system. I'll have

to get educated on that.

Kearns

's Mom, 19months, profound

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern Standard Time,

angel_gasior@... writes:

> 's audiologist said it was imperative that she have digital

> aids because she is only 6 months old and she can not manually turn the

> volume up and down like with analog aids.

I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume control. My son is profoundly

deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing aids since he was 3 months.

They are programmable, but not digital. They are pretty powerful and my son

is unable to manually adjust the volume. There is a shield on the volume

control so it cannot be moved. The shield can be taken off is we want access

to it, but as I understand the audi has programmed it so that the volume

cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

As far as funding... Our insurance company (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

hearing aids or speech therapy, however they have a special provision under

what they call " early intervention " for children birth - 3 who have delays.

They will allocate $5000 a year to services needed. So we were at least

fortunate to have that and we got most of the aids covered with those funds,

but we had to go to a provider on their list. Our local city early

intervention program (the one's you write your IFSPs with) helped us out

with additional funding. They should be able to find other sources of

funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm glad we have been able to

have people help us out with the funding. I worry what will happen when our

son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting the school system. I'll have

to get educated on that.

Kearns

's Mom, 19months, profound

[Guest guest]

Our daughter, Emma is 2 1/2 and proundly deaf. She is

involved in EI as well, who have been terrific

lifesavers in so far as providing Emma speech therapy,

and have been incredibly supportive resource to our

family. But in Massachusetts, there isn't a single

medical plan available that will cover the cost of

hearing aids (unless you qualify for the medicaid

services)- digital or not - so the entire cost falls

to us. Until legislation passes, we've just had to

accept that we have to cover the costs if we want our

daughter to have the most appropriate equipment. She

currently uses phonak pico forte (which also have

volume control with a child-proof shield so she can't

adjust the controls herself) and is doing remarkably

well with them. Her speech and sign skills improve

every day - she's a remarkable kid. I quit my job and

took her out of daycare in order to work with her

one-on-one myself, and we have both been greatly

rewarded with her progress. Gosh, I love that kid!

Patti

--- srkearns@... wrote:

> In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern

> Standard Time,

> angel_gasior@... writes:

>

>

> > 's audiologist said it was imperative that

> she have digital

> > aids because she is only 6 months old and she can

> not manually turn the

> > volume up and down like with analog aids.

>

> I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume

> control. My son is profoundly

> deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing aids

> since he was 3 months.

> They are programmable, but not digital. They are

> pretty powerful and my son

> is unable to manually adjust the volume. There is a

> shield on the volume

> control so it cannot be moved. The shield can be

> taken off is we want access

> to it, but as I understand the audi has programmed

> it so that the volume

> cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

>

> As far as funding... Our insurance company

> (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

> hearing aids or speech therapy, however they have a

> special provision under

> what they call " early intervention " for children

> birth - 3 who have delays.

> They will allocate $5000 a year to services needed.

> So we were at least

> fortunate to have that and we got most of the aids

> covered with those funds,

> but we had to go to a provider on their list. Our

> local city early

> intervention program (the one's you write your IFSPs

> with) helped us out

> with additional funding. They should be able to

> find other sources of

> funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm

> glad we have been able to

> have people help us out with the funding. I worry

> what will happen when our

> son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting the

> school system. I'll have

> to get educated on that.

>

> Kearns

> 's Mom, 19months, profound

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Our daughter, Emma is 2 1/2 and proundly deaf. She is

involved in EI as well, who have been terrific

lifesavers in so far as providing Emma speech therapy,

and have been incredibly supportive resource to our

family. But in Massachusetts, there isn't a single

medical plan available that will cover the cost of

hearing aids (unless you qualify for the medicaid

services)- digital or not - so the entire cost falls

to us. Until legislation passes, we've just had to

accept that we have to cover the costs if we want our

daughter to have the most appropriate equipment. She

currently uses phonak pico forte (which also have

volume control with a child-proof shield so she can't

adjust the controls herself) and is doing remarkably

well with them. Her speech and sign skills improve

every day - she's a remarkable kid. I quit my job and

took her out of daycare in order to work with her

one-on-one myself, and we have both been greatly

rewarded with her progress. Gosh, I love that kid!

Patti

--- srkearns@... wrote:

> In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern

> Standard Time,

> angel_gasior@... writes:

>

>

> > 's audiologist said it was imperative that

> she have digital

> > aids because she is only 6 months old and she can

> not manually turn the

> > volume up and down like with analog aids.

>

> I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume

> control. My son is profoundly

> deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing aids

> since he was 3 months.

> They are programmable, but not digital. They are

> pretty powerful and my son

> is unable to manually adjust the volume. There is a

> shield on the volume

> control so it cannot be moved. The shield can be

> taken off is we want access

> to it, but as I understand the audi has programmed

> it so that the volume

> cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

>

> As far as funding... Our insurance company

> (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

> hearing aids or speech therapy, however they have a

> special provision under

> what they call " early intervention " for children

> birth - 3 who have delays.

> They will allocate $5000 a year to services needed.

> So we were at least

> fortunate to have that and we got most of the aids

> covered with those funds,

> but we had to go to a provider on their list. Our

> local city early

> intervention program (the one's you write your IFSPs

> with) helped us out

> with additional funding. They should be able to

> find other sources of

> funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm

> glad we have been able to

> have people help us out with the funding. I worry

> what will happen when our

> son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting the

> school system. I'll have

> to get educated on that.

>

> Kearns

> 's Mom, 19months, profound

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Our daughter, Emma is 2 1/2 and proundly deaf. She is

involved in EI as well, who have been terrific

lifesavers in so far as providing Emma speech therapy,

and have been incredibly supportive resource to our

family. But in Massachusetts, there isn't a single

medical plan available that will cover the cost of

hearing aids (unless you qualify for the medicaid

services)- digital or not - so the entire cost falls

to us. Until legislation passes, we've just had to

accept that we have to cover the costs if we want our

daughter to have the most appropriate equipment. She

currently uses phonak pico forte (which also have

volume control with a child-proof shield so she can't

adjust the controls herself) and is doing remarkably

well with them. Her speech and sign skills improve

every day - she's a remarkable kid. I quit my job and

took her out of daycare in order to work with her

one-on-one myself, and we have both been greatly

rewarded with her progress. Gosh, I love that kid!

Patti

--- srkearns@... wrote:

> In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern

> Standard Time,

> angel_gasior@... writes:

>

>

> > 's audiologist said it was imperative that

> she have digital

> > aids because she is only 6 months old and she can

> not manually turn the

> > volume up and down like with analog aids.

>

> I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume

> control. My son is profoundly

> deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing aids

> since he was 3 months.

> They are programmable, but not digital. They are

> pretty powerful and my son

> is unable to manually adjust the volume. There is a

> shield on the volume

> control so it cannot be moved. The shield can be

> taken off is we want access

> to it, but as I understand the audi has programmed

> it so that the volume

> cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

>

> As far as funding... Our insurance company

> (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

> hearing aids or speech therapy, however they have a

> special provision under

> what they call " early intervention " for children

> birth - 3 who have delays.

> They will allocate $5000 a year to services needed.

> So we were at least

> fortunate to have that and we got most of the aids

> covered with those funds,

> but we had to go to a provider on their list. Our

> local city early

> intervention program (the one's you write your IFSPs

> with) helped us out

> with additional funding. They should be able to

> find other sources of

> funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm

> glad we have been able to

> have people help us out with the funding. I worry

> what will happen when our

> son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting the

> school system. I'll have

> to get educated on that.

>

> Kearns

> 's Mom, 19months, profound

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Johanna - thanks to both you and LuAnn for your

comments - I'll will look into Tufts when we switch

insurance in August.

Actually, Johanna, we belong to the MEEI PAL program

as well, as it has worked out well for us so far,

except that I have been given conflicting comments

about whether or not digital aids would be better for

Em. We have Blue Cross, who will cover all therapy,

but not equipment. We are going into Childrens on

friday to meet with the BCDC (Boston Center for Deaf

Children), and to have another ABR test done - for the

sake of a second opinion. Luckily, we live in Canton,

and are a stone's throw away from The e School,

were Emma attends.

thanks again for your note - it's always nice to hear

from other Mass-ites! Hugs to Ethan and Emma!

Patti

--- Johanna Lent wrote:

>

> Hi Patti - I am in MA too (north of Boston). As

> LuAnn mentioned, Tufts Insurance covers hearing aids

> (with clauses). We however have not yet purchased

> an aid for Ethan (6 mos) as we participate in a

> " loaner " program through Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary

> (located in Boston). For $275 / yr, we get an

> appropriate hearing aid for Ethan (he only uses

> one), and if it becomes damaged or Ethan needs a new

> one for whatever reason, we take it back and they

> provide us with another. If Emma used 2 hearing

> aids, I think the cost for two is something like

> $500 / yr. Tufts Insurance is covering the cost of

> this program for us, although we had to provide a

> letter of medical necessity from our audiologist.

>

> I think it's a pretty good deal, as you get the

> hearing aid(s) and insurance that you can always get

> a new one. We have also been very pleased with Mass

> Eye and Ear as a whole. Where are you located in

> MA, if you don't mind me asking? If you have

> further questions about the program or whatever,

> feel free to contact me off-line at

> johannalent@... .

> P.S. I have an almost 3 yr old Emma too!

>

> Patti Tuttle wrote: Our

> daughter, Emma is 2 1/2 and proundly deaf. She is

> involved in EI as well, who have been terrific

> lifesavers in so far as providing Emma speech

> therapy,

> and have been incredibly supportive resource to our

> family. But in Massachusetts, there isn't a single

> medical plan available that will cover the cost of

> hearing aids (unless you qualify for the medicaid

> services)- digital or not - so the entire cost falls

> to us. Until legislation passes, we've just had to

> accept that we have to cover the costs if we want

> our

> daughter to have the most appropriate equipment. She

> currently uses phonak pico forte (which also have

> volume control with a child-proof shield so she

> can't

> adjust the controls herself) and is doing remarkably

> well with them. Her speech and sign skills improve

> every day - she's a remarkable kid. I quit my job

> and

> took her out of daycare in order to work with her

> one-on-one myself, and we have both been greatly

> rewarded with her progress. Gosh, I love that kid!

>

> Patti

>

>

> --- srkearns@... wrote:

> > In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern

> > Standard Time,

> > angel_gasior@... writes:

> >

> >

> > > 's audiologist said it was imperative that

> > she have digital

> > > aids because she is only 6 months old and she

> can

> > not manually turn the

> > > volume up and down like with analog aids.

> >

> > I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume

> > control. My son is profoundly

> > deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing

> aids

> > since he was 3 months.

> > They are programmable, but not digital. They are

> > pretty powerful and my son

> > is unable to manually adjust the volume. There is

> a

> > shield on the volume

> > control so it cannot be moved. The shield can be

> > taken off is we want access

> > to it, but as I understand the audi has programmed

> > it so that the volume

> > cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

> >

> > As far as funding... Our insurance company

> > (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

> > hearing aids or speech therapy, however they have

> a

> > special provision under

> > what they call " early intervention " for children

> > birth - 3 who have delays.

> > They will allocate $5000 a year to services

> needed.

> > So we were at least

> > fortunate to have that and we got most of the aids

> > covered with those funds,

> > but we had to go to a provider on their list. Our

> > local city early

> > intervention program (the one's you write your

> IFSPs

> > with) helped us out

> > with additional funding. They should be able to

> > find other sources of

> > funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm

> > glad we have been able to

> > have people help us out with the funding. I worry

> > what will happen when our

> > son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting

> the

> > school system. I'll have

> > to get educated on that.

> >

> > Kearns

> > 's Mom, 19months, profound

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Johanna - thanks to both you and LuAnn for your

comments - I'll will look into Tufts when we switch

insurance in August.

Actually, Johanna, we belong to the MEEI PAL program

as well, as it has worked out well for us so far,

except that I have been given conflicting comments

about whether or not digital aids would be better for

Em. We have Blue Cross, who will cover all therapy,

but not equipment. We are going into Childrens on

friday to meet with the BCDC (Boston Center for Deaf

Children), and to have another ABR test done - for the

sake of a second opinion. Luckily, we live in Canton,

and are a stone's throw away from The e School,

were Emma attends.

thanks again for your note - it's always nice to hear

from other Mass-ites! Hugs to Ethan and Emma!

Patti

--- Johanna Lent wrote:

>

> Hi Patti - I am in MA too (north of Boston). As

> LuAnn mentioned, Tufts Insurance covers hearing aids

> (with clauses). We however have not yet purchased

> an aid for Ethan (6 mos) as we participate in a

> " loaner " program through Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary

> (located in Boston). For $275 / yr, we get an

> appropriate hearing aid for Ethan (he only uses

> one), and if it becomes damaged or Ethan needs a new

> one for whatever reason, we take it back and they

> provide us with another. If Emma used 2 hearing

> aids, I think the cost for two is something like

> $500 / yr. Tufts Insurance is covering the cost of

> this program for us, although we had to provide a

> letter of medical necessity from our audiologist.

>

> I think it's a pretty good deal, as you get the

> hearing aid(s) and insurance that you can always get

> a new one. We have also been very pleased with Mass

> Eye and Ear as a whole. Where are you located in

> MA, if you don't mind me asking? If you have

> further questions about the program or whatever,

> feel free to contact me off-line at

> johannalent@... .

> P.S. I have an almost 3 yr old Emma too!

>

> Patti Tuttle wrote: Our

> daughter, Emma is 2 1/2 and proundly deaf. She is

> involved in EI as well, who have been terrific

> lifesavers in so far as providing Emma speech

> therapy,

> and have been incredibly supportive resource to our

> family. But in Massachusetts, there isn't a single

> medical plan available that will cover the cost of

> hearing aids (unless you qualify for the medicaid

> services)- digital or not - so the entire cost falls

> to us. Until legislation passes, we've just had to

> accept that we have to cover the costs if we want

> our

> daughter to have the most appropriate equipment. She

> currently uses phonak pico forte (which also have

> volume control with a child-proof shield so she

> can't

> adjust the controls herself) and is doing remarkably

> well with them. Her speech and sign skills improve

> every day - she's a remarkable kid. I quit my job

> and

> took her out of daycare in order to work with her

> one-on-one myself, and we have both been greatly

> rewarded with her progress. Gosh, I love that kid!

>

> Patti

>

>

> --- srkearns@... wrote:

> > In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern

> > Standard Time,

> > angel_gasior@... writes:

> >

> >

> > > 's audiologist said it was imperative that

> > she have digital

> > > aids because she is only 6 months old and she

> can

> > not manually turn the

> > > volume up and down like with analog aids.

> >

> > I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume

> > control. My son is profoundly

> > deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing

> aids

> > since he was 3 months.

> > They are programmable, but not digital. They are

> > pretty powerful and my son

> > is unable to manually adjust the volume. There is

> a

> > shield on the volume

> > control so it cannot be moved. The shield can be

> > taken off is we want access

> > to it, but as I understand the audi has programmed

> > it so that the volume

> > cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

> >

> > As far as funding... Our insurance company

> > (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

> > hearing aids or speech therapy, however they have

> a

> > special provision under

> > what they call " early intervention " for children

> > birth - 3 who have delays.

> > They will allocate $5000 a year to services

> needed.

> > So we were at least

> > fortunate to have that and we got most of the aids

> > covered with those funds,

> > but we had to go to a provider on their list. Our

> > local city early

> > intervention program (the one's you write your

> IFSPs

> > with) helped us out

> > with additional funding. They should be able to

> > find other sources of

> > funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm

> > glad we have been able to

> > have people help us out with the funding. I worry

> > what will happen when our

> > son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting

> the

> > school system. I'll have

> > to get educated on that.

> >

> > Kearns

> > 's Mom, 19months, profound

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Johanna - thanks to both you and LuAnn for your

comments - I'll will look into Tufts when we switch

insurance in August.

Actually, Johanna, we belong to the MEEI PAL program

as well, as it has worked out well for us so far,

except that I have been given conflicting comments

about whether or not digital aids would be better for

Em. We have Blue Cross, who will cover all therapy,

but not equipment. We are going into Childrens on

friday to meet with the BCDC (Boston Center for Deaf

Children), and to have another ABR test done - for the

sake of a second opinion. Luckily, we live in Canton,

and are a stone's throw away from The e School,

were Emma attends.

thanks again for your note - it's always nice to hear

from other Mass-ites! Hugs to Ethan and Emma!

Patti

--- Johanna Lent wrote:

>

> Hi Patti - I am in MA too (north of Boston). As

> LuAnn mentioned, Tufts Insurance covers hearing aids

> (with clauses). We however have not yet purchased

> an aid for Ethan (6 mos) as we participate in a

> " loaner " program through Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary

> (located in Boston). For $275 / yr, we get an

> appropriate hearing aid for Ethan (he only uses

> one), and if it becomes damaged or Ethan needs a new

> one for whatever reason, we take it back and they

> provide us with another. If Emma used 2 hearing

> aids, I think the cost for two is something like

> $500 / yr. Tufts Insurance is covering the cost of

> this program for us, although we had to provide a

> letter of medical necessity from our audiologist.

>

> I think it's a pretty good deal, as you get the

> hearing aid(s) and insurance that you can always get

> a new one. We have also been very pleased with Mass

> Eye and Ear as a whole. Where are you located in

> MA, if you don't mind me asking? If you have

> further questions about the program or whatever,

> feel free to contact me off-line at

> johannalent@... .

> P.S. I have an almost 3 yr old Emma too!

>

> Patti Tuttle wrote: Our

> daughter, Emma is 2 1/2 and proundly deaf. She is

> involved in EI as well, who have been terrific

> lifesavers in so far as providing Emma speech

> therapy,

> and have been incredibly supportive resource to our

> family. But in Massachusetts, there isn't a single

> medical plan available that will cover the cost of

> hearing aids (unless you qualify for the medicaid

> services)- digital or not - so the entire cost falls

> to us. Until legislation passes, we've just had to

> accept that we have to cover the costs if we want

> our

> daughter to have the most appropriate equipment. She

> currently uses phonak pico forte (which also have

> volume control with a child-proof shield so she

> can't

> adjust the controls herself) and is doing remarkably

> well with them. Her speech and sign skills improve

> every day - she's a remarkable kid. I quit my job

> and

> took her out of daycare in order to work with her

> one-on-one myself, and we have both been greatly

> rewarded with her progress. Gosh, I love that kid!

>

> Patti

>

>

> --- srkearns@... wrote:

> > In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern

> > Standard Time,

> > angel_gasior@... writes:

> >

> >

> > > 's audiologist said it was imperative that

> > she have digital

> > > aids because she is only 6 months old and she

> can

> > not manually turn the

> > > volume up and down like with analog aids.

> >

> > I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume

> > control. My son is profoundly

> > deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing

> aids

> > since he was 3 months.

> > They are programmable, but not digital. They are

> > pretty powerful and my son

> > is unable to manually adjust the volume. There is

> a

> > shield on the volume

> > control so it cannot be moved. The shield can be

> > taken off is we want access

> > to it, but as I understand the audi has programmed

> > it so that the volume

> > cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

> >

> > As far as funding... Our insurance company

> > (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

> > hearing aids or speech therapy, however they have

> a

> > special provision under

> > what they call " early intervention " for children

> > birth - 3 who have delays.

> > They will allocate $5000 a year to services

> needed.

> > So we were at least

> > fortunate to have that and we got most of the aids

> > covered with those funds,

> > but we had to go to a provider on their list. Our

> > local city early

> > intervention program (the one's you write your

> IFSPs

> > with) helped us out

> > with additional funding. They should be able to

> > find other sources of

> > funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm

> > glad we have been able to

> > have people help us out with the funding. I worry

> > what will happen when our

> > son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting

> the

> > school system. I'll have

> > to get educated on that.

> >

> > Kearns

> > 's Mom, 19months, profound

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

LuAnn -

thanks for the tip! It's pretty unbelievable all the

" conditions " they can come up with, isn't it?

-Patti

--- LuAnn wrote:

> Patti--Our Tufts health insurance is a Massachusetts

> plan that has a hearing

> aid benefit for children under the age of 19. It is

> 80/20 with a max of

> $5000. My husband's employer added it to the plan

> per our request--there are

> various options an employer can choose from when

> contracting with a

> provider.

>

> BUT--it has not helped us, because according to

> their rules the benefit is

> >per prescription change<. Matt's hearing is

> stable, but his old hearing

> aids are 4 years old and close to running out of

> warranty. Since his

> prescription is the same, we cannot get coverage for

> new aids, even though

> Tufts did not pay for the aids he has now. Some

> benefit...

>

> LuAnn

>

>

>

> Re: Getting funding for hearing

> aids

>

>

> > Our daughter, Emma is 2 1/2 and proundly deaf. She

> is

> > involved in EI as well, who have been terrific

> > lifesavers in so far as providing Emma speech

> therapy,

> > and have been incredibly supportive resource to

> our

> > family. But in Massachusetts, there isn't a single

> > medical plan available that will cover the cost of

> > hearing aids (unless you qualify for the medicaid

> > services)- digital or not - so the entire cost

> falls

> > to us. Until legislation passes, we've just had to

> > accept that we have to cover the costs if we want

> our

> > daughter to have the most appropriate equipment.

> She

> > currently uses phonak pico forte (which also have

> > volume control with a child-proof shield so she

> can't

> > adjust the controls herself) and is doing

> remarkably

> > well with them. Her speech and sign skills improve

> > every day - she's a remarkable kid. I quit my job

> and

> > took her out of daycare in order to work with her

> > one-on-one myself, and we have both been greatly

> > rewarded with her progress. Gosh, I love that kid!

> >

> > Patti

> >

> >

> > --- srkearns@... wrote:

> > > In a message dated 6/9/2002 8:27:45 PM Eastern

> > > Standard Time,

> > > angel_gasior@... writes:

> > >

> > >

> > > > 's audiologist said it was imperative

> that

> > > she have digital

> > > > aids because she is only 6 months old and she

> can

> > > not manually turn the

> > > > volume up and down like with analog aids.

> > >

> > > I'm not sure what the audi meant by the volume

> > > control. My son is profoundly

> > > deaf and has had his Phonak Sono Forte hearing

> aids

> > > since he was 3 months.

> > > They are programmable, but not digital. They

> are

> > > pretty powerful and my son

> > > is unable to manually adjust the volume. There

> is a

> > > shield on the volume

> > > control so it cannot be moved. The shield can

> be

> > > taken off is we want access

> > > to it, but as I understand the audi has

> programmed

> > > it so that the volume

> > > cannot be adjusted more than 5 Db at this time.

> > >

> > > As far as funding... Our insurance company

> > > (Sentara/Optima HMO) doesn't cover

> > > hearing aids or speech therapy, however they

> have a

> > > special provision under

> > > what they call " early intervention " for children

> > > birth - 3 who have delays.

> > > They will allocate $5000 a year to services

> needed.

> > > So we were at least

> > > fortunate to have that and we got most of the

> aids

> > > covered with those funds,

> > > but we had to go to a provider on their list.

> Our

> > > local city early

> > > intervention program (the one's you write your

> IFSPs

> > > with) helped us out

> > > with additional funding. They should be able to

> > > find other sources of

> > > funding to assist in what your child needs. I'm

> > > glad we have been able to

> > > have people help us out with the funding. I

> worry

> > > what will happen when our

> > > son turns 3yrs. I guess then we start fighting

> the

> > > school system. I'll have

> > > to get educated on that.

> > >

> > > Kearns

> > > 's Mom, 19months, profound

> > >

> > >

> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > removed]

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Patti, what is MEEI PAL program, I live a short distance from you in

Brockton, we were at BCDC in March they were really nice, Good Luck on

Friday.

- Mom to 9yo

[Guest guest]

Patti, what is MEEI PAL program, I live a short distance from you in

Brockton, we were at BCDC in March they were really nice, Good Luck on

Friday.

- Mom to 9yo

[Guest guest]

Has anyone ever tried the Lions Club?? I did. Got my hearing aids free.

Also a dry and store unit. I love the Lions Club!!!

Donna

Mother to ny 6, severe/profound Widex P38 digitals $4,000

3, moderate Resound programables $2,600

[Guest guest]

Has anyone ever tried the Lions Club?? I did. Got my hearing aids free.

Also a dry and store unit. I love the Lions Club!!!

Donna

Mother to ny 6, severe/profound Widex P38 digitals $4,000

3, moderate Resound programables $2,600

[Guest guest]

Has anyone ever tried the Lions Club?? I did. Got my hearing aids free.

Also a dry and store unit. I love the Lions Club!!!

Donna

Mother to ny 6, severe/profound Widex P38 digitals $4,000

3, moderate Resound programables $2,600

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy!

thanks for your note, I'm looking forward (but

nervous) about tomorrow. The Mass Eye & Ear Pediatric

Loaner Program provides hearing aids to kids under 5

for a yearly fee. We pay $500. per year for Em's aids,

and that cost covers replacements or prescription

changes, but not ear molds (which run about $135.00

for the pair) I've been really happy with MEEI, but

also looking forward to meeting the Children's team

tomorrow.

Patti (mom to Emma Kate 2.5 sev-pro/HAs)

--- soccrnurz1@... wrote:

> Patti, what is MEEI PAL program, I live a short

> distance from you in

> Brockton, we were at BCDC in March they were really

> nice, Good Luck on

> Friday.

> - Mom to 9yo

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy!

thanks for your note, I'm looking forward (but

nervous) about tomorrow. The Mass Eye & Ear Pediatric

Loaner Program provides hearing aids to kids under 5

for a yearly fee. We pay $500. per year for Em's aids,

and that cost covers replacements or prescription

changes, but not ear molds (which run about $135.00

for the pair) I've been really happy with MEEI, but

also looking forward to meeting the Children's team

tomorrow.

Patti (mom to Emma Kate 2.5 sev-pro/HAs)

--- soccrnurz1@... wrote:

> Patti, what is MEEI PAL program, I live a short

> distance from you in

> Brockton, we were at BCDC in March they were really

> nice, Good Luck on

> Friday.

> - Mom to 9yo

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy!

thanks for your note, I'm looking forward (but

nervous) about tomorrow. The Mass Eye & Ear Pediatric

Loaner Program provides hearing aids to kids under 5

for a yearly fee. We pay $500. per year for Em's aids,

and that cost covers replacements or prescription

changes, but not ear molds (which run about $135.00

for the pair) I've been really happy with MEEI, but

also looking forward to meeting the Children's team

tomorrow.

Patti (mom to Emma Kate 2.5 sev-pro/HAs)

--- soccrnurz1@... wrote:

> Patti, what is MEEI PAL program, I live a short

> distance from you in

> Brockton, we were at BCDC in March they were really

> nice, Good Luck on

> Friday.

> - Mom to 9yo

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Johanna, I take to Childrens and have never been to MEEI, Thay

are wonderful, but I think you have to be careful (just like anywhere else

which dr you go to. We were going to one that was really nice, but than

had to switch to Dr. Kenna when the 1st went out on medical leave. What a

difference- She is incredable she spent a long time with us and I found out

pedi hearing loss is her specialty and it was obvious.

[Guest guest]

Johanna, I take to Childrens and have never been to MEEI, Thay

are wonderful, but I think you have to be careful (just like anywhere else

which dr you go to. We were going to one that was really nice, but than

had to switch to Dr. Kenna when the 1st went out on medical leave. What a

difference- She is incredable she spent a long time with us and I found out

pedi hearing loss is her specialty and it was obvious.

[Guest guest]

Johanna, I take to Childrens and have never been to MEEI, Thay

are wonderful, but I think you have to be careful (just like anywhere else

which dr you go to. We were going to one that was really nice, but than

had to switch to Dr. Kenna when the 1st went out on medical leave. What a

difference- She is incredable she spent a long time with us and I found out

pedi hearing loss is her specialty and it was obvious.

[Guest guest]

Patti - You'll have to let me know how it goes tomorrow at The Children's

Hospital. We have been at MEEI since the beginning, but I've always questioned

whether it made sense to go to Children's to get a second opinion. I'd love to

hear your experience!

Best of luck to you and Emma!

Johanna

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Patti - You'll have to let me know how it goes tomorrow at The Children's

Hospital. We have been at MEEI since the beginning, but I've always questioned

whether it made sense to go to Children's to get a second opinion. I'd love to

hear your experience!

Best of luck to you and Emma!

Johanna

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Patti - You'll have to let me know how it goes tomorrow at The Children's

Hospital. We have been at MEEI since the beginning, but I've always questioned

whether it made sense to go to Children's to get a second opinion. I'd love to

hear your experience!

Best of luck to you and Emma!

Johanna

---------------------------------