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Watching my elderly father take care of my mom, it’s clear he barely hears her when she calls for him.

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If your Dad is a veteran, they will cover the cost but he must be evaluated by a VA audiologist. They also supplied him with a small microphone type instrument that we use to talk to him which is a great help. Batteries are supplied every 6 months free of charge. Good luck.
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Ceebee3 Jan 2020
Thanks. Not a veteran though. I’ll keep at it.
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First have him evaluated with an audiologist; it looks like Medicare might pay for the exam at least if his doctor orders it (https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hearing-balance-exams).

It could be that hearing aids won't help, however. My poor, sweet FIL waged the battle of hearing aids for the last few years of his life... they were constantly being repaired and regularly replaced (he had excellent hearing aid coverage) but nothing really worked because he was nearly deaf and there was no fixing that.

Do an Internet search for 'hearing aids for people who can't afford them' and you will get lots of results, some of which might apply to you.
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Ceebee3 Jan 2020
Wow. Gosh, I did not know that at some point hearing aids won’t help. I’m wondering - an audiologist should tell me that, right? Not try to sell me something that won’t work?
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We got a bell for my aunt, when she was bedridden. Maybe a baby monitor would help...
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Ceebee3 Jan 2020
Never thought of that one. Creative and interesting. Thanks’
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I have " industrial" hearing loss and I'm 78. My first hearing aids were through an audiologist and they were "disposable". About $30.00 a month back in the 1980's, when I had excellent private health insurance through my employer for free.
My brother sent me a pair of 8 year old reconditioned hearing aids that worked well until the cat got a hold of them. I bought two reconditioned ones (HC206 - TMD-2018 from Advanced Affordable Hearing for about $300.00. I can buy batteries from them that last 18 days plus HC thin Tubes for $15.00 that last a long time plus Linx Domes, also very reasonable.
They have been excellent inn every way. I can hear my wife now, as she also is disabled. There is something seriously wrong with what Washington calls "affordable" as no government insurance pays 100% for health care. They try and sell the health insurance with pretty words, but they are 100% misleading and false.
If you have a job that provides health insurance, and you work for a Company with over 150 employees that has excellent benefit packages for their employees, be very thankful. Just don't ever retire or become disabled.
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Ceebee3 Jan 2020
I agree! I’m glad you found something that worked for you.
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If all he has is plain old vanilla Medicare, no.

SOME Medicare Advantage plans have coverage for hearing aids. Some other co-insurance plans also have some coverage. Generally those that do might not cover the entire cost, but anything is better than nothing! Mom's federal plan (the BEST for gov't employees only!!!) covers $2500 every 3 years. My Advantage plan also has some coverage, no clue what as I don't need them (eh, what'd ya say???) yet. You need to find out if he has any supplemental plan(s), or is eligible for VA and/or Medicaid benefits.

Sadly the Medicare supplemental plan also does not cover this cost:

"Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap) plans don't cover hearing aids."

Could he possibly qualify for any Medicaid assistance? see this for more detail:

https://eligibility.com/medicare/hearing-aid-coverage

I would start with getting his hearing tested. SOME conditions work really well with hearing aids. Some don't. Mom has used them for many years, but her condition is degenerative and at this point one ear has no hearing, the other isn't far behind, so the hearing aid isn't helping much. There are also some low cost alternatives found searching online, but it would be better to have him tested first, by someone qualified, to see if anything might work. Some people have good results with the amplifier box/head set. Doc tried to use that with mom (she has dementia) and she refused to wear it! These would be much less expensive too, if it works for him - if the doctor doing the testing has one, they could try it!

Before even considering hearing aids of any kind, get him tested. No point in spending any money, much less the cost of expensive hearing aids, unless they know what loss he has and why, and can determine what might work best for him.
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Ceebee3 Jan 2020
Thanks. We will get him tested next week.
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To the best of my knowledge traditional Medicare does not pay for hearing aids for either the recipient of care or the caregiver. Some of the Medicare Advantage plans do offer benefits in the area of hearing aids but first I would get Dad tested (a hearing aid may not help). If the recommendation is for a hearing aid you can see if he would qualify for assistance from Medicaid (which is administered,, by each state so qualifications differ), check with your state's Office on Aging to see if they know of any sources that may assist in payment for a hearing aid, check to see if it would be in your parent's best interest to switch from traditional Medicare to an Advantage Plan.
I have not recommended Advantage plans to a number of people because when you are very ill and require skilled nursing or rehab, traditional Medicare has seemed to provide better and more service; however it all depends on where you are in your health journey and your stage of life. I would definitely review all of their options on an annual basis. Your Office on Aging can help with this. Hugs and good luck!!
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Ceebee3 Jan 2020
You’re right. Medicare does not and he does not have an Advantage plan. I will call his local Office on Aging.
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My step father had Medicare Advantage and they paid for his Cochlear implant as hearing aides were no longer helping him.
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Ceebee3 Jan 2020
Ok. So that’s an option too I guess. I’ll look into that too but that probably more expensive than hearing aids.
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Medicare does not pay for hearing aids.
If your father is a veteran, the VA generally supplies hearing aids and the batteries.
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Ceebee3 Jan 2020
Thank you. He is not a veteran. I’ll keep researching.
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beware the cochlear implants...that is a surgical procedure...with risks and not the clear hearing everyone anticipates. It's typically not a first choice...
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There are ways to get help with the cost. Start with:

https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/financial-assistance/

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/paying-for-hearing-aids.html

https://www.asha.org/public/coverage/p4AudFundingResources/
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