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Monday, August 25

Hearing Aid Tax Credit

When Drew was first diagnosed with hearing loss, we were disappointed to learn that many, if not all, health insurance providers do not provide coverage for hearing aids. We knew that Drew would in all likely hood not benefit from hearing aids enough to develop normal speech and language, but hearing aids were a critical step to stimulate his auditory nerve with his residual hearing.

Our family was fortunate in two regards: 1. Our state's Early Intervention Program provided Drew with loaner hearing aids at no charge; and 2. Drew would only need hearing aids until his cochlear implant surgery, alleviating the need to purchase.

For many families, hearing aids provide their children with appropriate amplification for life. But these families are faced with the financial burden of paying for the hearing aids themselves, some as much as $5000 per ear. And hearing aids don't last a lifetime. As technology changes, hearing aids are replaced. I recently learned of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit. Please take a moment to write your congressmen/women about this important legislation. I certainly don't think that this legislation is enough, but it is a start. We can all make a difference.

2 comments:

leah said...

Thanks for posting the link! We were lucky and got Nolan's HA's for $4000 for both ears, which was a relief. I figure if we have to replace them every 3 years, that will be $24,000 by the time he's 18! Not to mention the $120 earmolds, batteries, etc. We're one of those hearing aid families that will be in them for a while (with a moderate loss), so we have a "hearing aid fund" rather than a "college fund" in our house.

tammy said...

Thanks for this info! Our children's hospital gave us one loaner and we had to buy one for $1300. Our insurance denied coverage, yet, in order for them to cover Aiden's CI, they say he has to wear hearing aids for at least 6 months prior to the surgery. Doesn't make much sense. Go figure. I'm writing a letter today!