finally ready for aid...looking for your best tip!

August 14, 2003

Hi-

I've been a member of this list for sometime, but not active for some time.

Yesterday, my son Sam, 28 months, had a successful appt at the audiologist

(we haven't had many of those in our 7 month oddyssey to figure out the

extent of his hearing loss). Since late last year, we've done an ABR,

tried a booth test on 4 different occasions, had surgery for PE tubes, and

now an appt that actually told our audie that Sam needs a hearing aid. His

ENT has already signed off on it, and now I feel overwhelmed.

Sam has a 95db loss at all frequencies in his left ear. This ear will not

be aided. His right ear has normal hearing at 500HZ, but then starts to

diminish at higher frequencies (he's 60db at 4000hz). This will be the ear

that will be aided.

Neither of our two insurances pay for hearing aids. We plan to pursue;

BCMH, PASSS (post-adoption special services subsidy....our son was

adopted), and TEFRA to try and find some funding. But we know that Sam can

not wait for that, so I guess we'll just go ahead and get the aid ASAP.

Another option is that through our Regional Infant Hearing Program, they do

offer loaner aids. It is possible that we can get a loaner for Sam while

we wait for the financing options to pan out. I'm a little anxious about

that though...as I want to make sure that his first experience with the aid

is as positive as possible, and am worry about the quality of a loaner.

Would love your opinion on this option.....

Also, I'm just feeling overwhelmed on determining which aid is right for

him. I have a lot of confidence in Sam's audiologist, but I feel like I

know absolutely nothing despite the reading I've done lately. Analog or

Digital? Brand? What's a good price? Seriously, is there some sort of

Consumer Reports guide somewhere for this information? I'd love one right

about now.

So I was hoping others could share...what's the number one thing you wish

you had known at this stage of the game that you now know? Basically, I'm

looking for a crash course for our appt on Monday.

Thanks,

Mom to Gabe, nearly 5, and Sam, 28months

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