Conference 7.286::digital

    I don't know the answer, but I do have a guess.  DEC's policy is
    probably based on some obscure IRS regulation, that sets out what
    is a tax-deductable expense and what has to be counted as salary.
    I expect that if DEC paid for your hearing aids DEC would have to
    count that payment as a salary payment to you for tax purposes.
        John Sauter

    I doubt that.  What is covered should depend on the insurer.  For
    instance, with my HMO, eye exams are covered, and I don't believe
    they are with John Handcock (or even other HMO's).  My father
    works for Ford in the Detroit area, and my mother is definitly
    covered for her hearing aid (without which she is effectively
    handicapped).

    DEC, like any other corporation provides only the minimum benefits
    it can get away with and remain copmetitive for job seekers.
    
    Most younger employees could care less about age related problems,and
    most older employees are too locked in by pension concerns, inertia
    and age discrimination, to leave the company.
   
     I know that sounds cynical,but business is business.
    
    							Jack P          
    

    I was 37 years old last year and was diagnosed as having otosclerosis
    which is a hardening of the middle ear bones. I got a second opinion
    and had an operation called a stapedectomy done. The procedure involves
    the removal of the the stapes bone(very tiny - looks like a very
    short piece of thread) and replacing it with a metal wire device.
    the operation has a success rate of 90 %. Unfortunately it didn't
    work and I ended up with less hearing in that ear than before the
    operation. I went to john hancock and was told that if the doctor
    stated the need for a hearing aid and the failure of the procedure
    that they would pay 80% of cost which was around 600 bucks including
    fitting. Even now the hearing has degenerated to the point thtat
    I may have to get a new appliance with stronger amplification.
    
    I will face that with john hancock when the time comes.
    
    al
    

    Welcome to the club.  I also have two hearing aids.  Not from natural
    aging but nerve damage in the military.  Funny they didn't agree
    i fought it all the way to the Pentagon and lost.  I went in with
    class 1 hearing and was discharged with class 3 hearing.  Must have
    been the waiver I signed to get out on my discharge date (stupid
    thing to do).  But back to the real issue I have multi group ins.
    and they will not cover the price of hearing aids.  John Hancock
    will cover 80% if not due to natural aging.  the $1300 was a small
    price to pay to return to the world of the hearing.  Reading lips
    does have its advantages though.  
      My loss was discovered in 1970 what a shame I waited so long to
    hear the birds in the morning and the wind in the trees. And i agree
    it's easy to turn them down in those boreing meetings that tend
    to happen every so often.  Of course my wife gets upset when I turn
    them down and she gets a "yes dear" once to often.
      I'd be interested in hearing from folks that wear them on how
    they answer the phone without turning them down (squeeeeellll)
    Or is it the brand I bought that has this drawback.
    
    Pat Culbert
     

    I had more trouble getting used to using the hearing aids on the
    phone than anything else.  I finally got a volume control handset
    both at work and at home (about $30 for home, and my manager paid
    for it work). 
    
    If I have to use a phone without a volume control, I usually take
    off a hearing aid. I can manage ok, unless the line is very noisy,
    or the speaker on the other end has a high-pitched, low-volume voice. 
                                                       
    I have John Hancock, and as you know they didn't pay.
    
    -bs

    I have a telphone switch on my Oticon.  It cuts out the rest of
    the world.  My normal volume setting usually handles what comes
    in over the phone.  Also have a Dec-provided volume control on
    my work phone.  I rarely have to use it.

    I have, fortunately, lost my hearing due to some sort of abnormal
    (unidentified) event as I have significantly reduced low frequency
    hearing loss at the tender age of 33.
    
    DEC (John Hancock) paid the 80% for the aids and all related visits
    with the doctor and audiologist.  The audiologist I had had a package
    deal which was one fixed price for audiologist and Hearing aids
    (aids price plus x $).
    
    I have two "in the ear" hearing aids.  I had a volume controlled
    handset both at home and at work (paid for by DEC) before although
    I don't now.  At home I use a speakerphone with a volume control.
    
    When I had a volume controlled handset at work it was on a Dimension
    system.  We are now on a Northern Telcom system.  The phone is louder,
    but on occasion just not good enough.  As a result I have put in
    for another volume controlled handset and havn't been told no. 
    
    Does anyone know if such a thing exists for the Northern Telcom?
    
    I DO have a problem with squealing (feedback) in the aids on the
    telephone.  It is a big pain.
    
    However, with turning the one on the handset down and the one on
    the other ear off it becomes acceptable (normally).  With a volume
    control it's fine.  It just slows down how long it takes you to
    get talking successfully on the phone.           

    re .8
    
    Northern does have a volume control hand receiver.

    The volume control handset I have at work is a Northern Telecom.
    It works fine, better than the previous Bell one. 
                  
    -bs

    I just had my old hearing aids replaced with new hearing aids paid for
    by DEC.  This is not a case of the old ones wearing out, but rather
    a medical need to have new hearing aids (ie. I would hear better
    with new ones).
    
    Again, they pay 80% of everything including testing and evaluative
    sessions.