Turner Syndrome FoundationMany people don’t realize that Turner Syndrome is more than just short stature. It can lead to many different health concerns, including hearing loss. Up to 90% of TS patients have sensorineural hearing loss. Also, up to 80% of TS patients have conductive hearing loss. Thus, there is a great need to understand hearing loss and resources available.
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The hearing aid is an essential device developed to increase the sound and quality of hearing. Living with degenerative hearing loss affects ones health, security & overall well-being. The costly hearing aids are often more than most people can possibly afford.
There is help! If you are insured, most insurance companies will cover the first set of hearing aids, less your insurance deductible and co-insurance. Many insurance companies do not offer replacement coverage and the cost is fully out-of-pocket. Prices for hearing aids can range up to $5,000! The resources on this page are presented here to assist you in obtaining financial assistance as well as self-advocacy.
Resources for Hearing
The National Association of the Deaf, http://www.NAD.org, is a national organization with resources you may find helpful. They provide Advocacy Letters that can help you advocate for your rights.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections) that relate to different areas of public life. ADA National Network www.adata.org
Relay Conference Captioning (RCC) is a free service for anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing to engage in meetings (in-person or remote), group conversations in a videoconference and multi-party conference call.
Computer-aided transcription service (CART) enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have auditory processing difficulties, to participate in meetings and training events by viewing realtime text of the lecture/training/meeting. However, sometimes it is not practical or possible to have a CART writer available on-site. It may be possible to access CART services remotely. – JAN
Assistance Programs & Devices
- http://sertoma.org/ways-to-help/hearing-aid-resources/
- Part C Eligibility Considerations: For Infants and Toddlers Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing – National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management 2012
- Local universities: University speech and hearing clinics may offer a sliding-scale fee and use graduate students to help keep costs down. Others may have a recycled hearing aid program.
- Hear Now/Starkey Foundation: This national program donates new Starkey hearing aids if the hearing aid dispenser donates their services. While client income is considered, out-of-pocket medical expenses also are considered. There is an application process and a $100 per aid non-refundable application fee. The total household income is considered, not just the applicant’s financial position. Call 1-800-648-4327 and press 1 for application or visit http://www.sotheworldmayhear.org/forms/hearnow.php (link is external).
- Private health insurance: Check your private health insurance coverage. Policy to policy, state by state, benefits and laws differ.
- Payment Plan: Need credit approval and must go to their list of providers. 1-877-354-8337 and push ext. #1 for application.
- ESCO Help Card: Need credit approval and must go to their list of providers. 1-800-945-4357 or http://www.earserv.com (link is external)
- Civic organizations: Check your local Lions, Kiwanis, Sertoma and other civic organizations to learn if there is a re-conditioned hearing aid (recycling) program in your community.
- Assistive Listening Devices: An alternative to a hearing aid, retail from $100 to $180. These look like a ‘walkman’ radio. The person with hearing impairment wears headphones or an earbud and the person speaking uses a microphone. These are appropriate for one on one situations where the speaker is near the listener. They are also great for noisy situations.
- For more information, contact Audex at 1-800-237-0716 and ask about their Sound Director System
- Williams Sound Company 800-1-843-3544 makes a Pocket Talker
- Hitec makes the Sound Wizard, 1-800-288-8303
