Okay so...I dont know who to talk to about this, but I want to get this out. In 2006 my mama, who has always been my biggest advocate, so dammit, Im gonna be hers, got a Cochlear implant. Now understand, my mama has been deaf her whole life. She has had hearing aids that work to an extent, but with a 20% hearing loss in one ear, and a 60% loss in another, caused from an illness when she was 2 weeks old, shes been doing good to hear you scream at her from behind. Fast forward to 2006. She has a Cochlear Implant. Something REVOLUTIONARY to the deaf world. It basically is a massive surgery, where they put a piece of metal in your head and run wires to your brain that tells your brain that youre hearing. Youre getting vibrations and electron pulses and it opens a WHOLE NEW WORLD to those who are deaf. And I mean to the point that it made me CRY, to know that my mama heard church bells from half a mile away. Something as simple as the refrigerator running, was an absolute amazing accomplishment. And I was with my mama EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, including going to meetings for those out there who have had or are curious about getting a Cochlear Implant. Fast forward to 2013. My mom has had her implant for 7 years. The processor for her implant isnt designed to last 7 years. SO she gets with her audiologist and they run around and come to find out, the hearing part of her insurance only covers a hearing aid (Which she has one still, since she was only able to be approved for 1 Cochlear implant) for $900 every three years. My mama has a PROFOUND HEARING LOSS! She cant get one of those $19.95 Bluebird things that do NOTHING for her condition. To make it worse, she needs a new processor for her Cochlear Implant. The hearing part of her insurance wont cover it. They say its a medical condition. The medical part of her insurance says This is an elective, you have to pay out of pocket. Really? Because in 2006 you covered it 100%! Then we get to the brass tax. In 2006, my daddy was a full time employee. Fast fwd 7 years and hes retired and doesnt have any say in what his insurance covers and doesnt. WTF PEOPLE! Really!? NOW, my mama has to jump through red tape and hoops, only to find out, its elective and she has to pay out of pocket 100% for a $4000 processor (not exact amount), for a replacement. Really people!? Are you able to come off of $4k for something to help you hear? Are you able to just jump off of $2500 (Which it what it costs for a REAL hearing aid right now, WITHOUT the bells and whistles.) for a new hearing aid? Where does it stop? Where is the justice for my mama, and people like her who want simply, to be able to hear, like you and I do. Imagine if you couldnt hear for 1 hour. And I mean honestly, TRY IT. Now, imagine living your entire life without hearing anything, and when you do, someone telling you, that you can only continue, if you pay an amount that you cant afford. Now, how do you feel? Just saying. Would love input on this. Any way I can help her, I will. Rest assured.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 02:59:08 +0000
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