Why do people refuse to get hearing help?

Posted by Julie, Volunteer Mentor @julieo4, Mar 25 9:25pm

Sadly, just about every adult who is told they aren't hearing well, tends to deny the problem...at least for a while. Some hang out in the denial zone for years before admitting they need help. WHY?

Let's talk about "It". How did you feel when you were confronted with the reality of hearing loss? (Usually by a family member.) Did you blame the person confronting you for not talking clearly or talking too fast? Did you resist getting tested?

Did the mere idea of wearing hearing aids turn you off? Make you feel old? What? This invisible disability deserves much more attention than it gets. Do you think denial fuels this fire?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Mar 29 12:52pm

In reply to @alli4 "Julie, in all due respect my insurance covers $900 per pair - Consider your source when..." + (show)

You are fortunate to have that kind of insurance. Most people don't. Medicare does not cover hearing aids. A few advantage plans cover them if they are purchased from specified providers. Those providers do not always sell the hearing instruments needed. Again, it is complex, and situations vary. COST is one of the major reasons people do not get hearing help. High quality hearing aids needed by people who have severe/profound hearing loss generally cost $5000 or more per pair.

alli4 | @alli4 | Mar 29 1:37pm

There is so much for me to respond accordingly to your message however My information is aluminous.

Julie- I find it very interesting. How many seniors do not understand Medicare, advantage, insurance options.

These topics are not not a discussion for texting - There are too many variables in each area, including hearing aids

Take care

daveshaw | @daveshaw | Mar 30 2:18pm

In reply to @julieo4 "You are fortunate to have that kind of insurance. Most people don't. Medicare does not cover..." + (show)

Check out TruHearing and other discount hearing aid middle men.
Some Advantage Medicare plans give you the opportunity to buy top of the line hearing aid for $999 per hearing aid.
Do you homework.
Humana Gold plus offers $999 per hearing aid on quite a few top of the line Signia models.
Be your own best advocate. They are ways to find hearing aids at a substantial discount. If your audiologist does work with these companies find an audiologist that does. There are plenty that work with these middle me.

alli4 | @alli4 | Apr 4 5:03pm

In reply to @julieo4 "You are fortunate to have that kind of insurance. Most people don't. Medicare does not cover..." + (show)

You said it exactly as it is very complex. Unfortunately, most people do not research and do not understand the complexity of hearing aids-
Nor do “they”
Comprehend the complexity of Choosing a supplement plan to support Medicare- Ongoing
Thank you for your support. Hopefully others will read understand and research.

Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Apr 5 4:53pm

In reply to @alli4 "You said it exactly as it is very complex. Unfortunately, most people do not research and..." + (show)

@allia4 People would be interested in knowing what Medicare supplement plans provide hearing aid coverage. Yes, it's complex. It also varies in different states.

An issue with many seniors is that hearing loss is only one of the health issues they deal with. The supplement plans vary in coverage for other health issues, and they have to choose what covers the issue that concerns them the most. Hearing loss can get lost in the shuffle especially if/when the person with the hearing loss isn't willing to do something about it or is in the blame/denial stage which we know is very common.

It can be a matter of choosing what plan covers most of a person's health concerns.

There aren't one size fits all plans. Dental health is another area where coverage can be lacking. So is vision.

alli4 | @alli4 | Apr 6 10:27am

Julie, of course those are all correct. We choose a plan and then the middle of the year we have another issue that is not on the plan or hopefully is on the plan when you choose a Medicare Supplemental plan advantage plan you have to research. Don’t let somebody do it you know what you’re doing.
Plans very state to stay
Let me tell you my issue. I have Medicare at a supplemental plan. I have a fib.- I hit my head and now I cannot hear out of my right ear. Yes, I will be getting hearing aids.
I’m very active so I’m very fortunate - Extremely fortunate, I do not let medical issues hold me back. I Address These issues
Well, too much being said, but you’re on the right track and I hope people remember research research research!!!!!