There was a woman who sat at my mom's table in the nursing home with such profound hearing loss that staff literally had to scream at her in order for her to make her menu selections, my mom on the other hand could still hear well enough as long as you enunciated well, stood close and spoke directly to her. Mom could also still hear well enough to enjoy the entertainers and listen to the facility's Ipod. By that time my mom was also at a point where she was mostly asleep and wasn't really following anything happening around her, so the benefits of replacing her HAs wasn't great. In other words I think it depends on where your mother is in her life journey and how well she can function without her hearing aids.
When my dad lost his hearing aids (and while we were waiting for replacements) I got a simple hearing amplifier from Amazon for him. He loved it! The headphones never got lost and since they were plugged into the device, everything stayed together. This may not be the perfect solution, but its a good alternative to consider. https://www.amazon.com/SuperEar-Amplifier-Headphones-facilitates-Compliance
Losing Hearing aids has become a nightmare. First my husband lost one in the weeds. Insurance reimbursed. Then he too them out and left them somewhere and insurance no longer reimbursed. I am looking for something like TILE than is super small and can be attached to the aids or to just buy cheap ones.
I know my dad's hearing aids has a tracker for his. Just can't figure out how to get it set up. I might work on that tomorrow. It's on my to do list. Just so much is on there and not sure how to get it to work.
DH's doctor, an internist and geriatric specialist, believes in "the best hearing aids money can buy" for dementia patients. If the ears can't hear, information doesn't get to the brain. The conduits to the brain slow down and eventually stop working if they aren't used. This isn't good for a brain that is already deteriorating.
Maybe you can talk to an Ombudsman to report the 2 pairs lost and see if the nursing facility should reimburse for the loss. In my humble opinion, the facility should have to reimburse for items that they lose, especially things as important and costly as hearing aides.
Also, does the facility wash her laundry or does family take it home and wash it? Maybe it’s possible that they’re getting washed accidentally if they were in a pocket.
Thanks for the suggestion about the ombudsman. I want to remain on good terms with staff and admins because they are wonderful with my mom in every other way. I trust they are doing their best and I think my mother gets annoyed with her aids and possibly threw them in the garbage. I will inquire as to whether or not they can share in the deductible, $700, but if not I’ll still pay it. And remain on good terms. Yes, they were expensive, but I’ve decided it’s just a blip in the grand scheme of things. We will work on a better protocol for collecting them at night. Thanks all for your feedback. Your perspective is important to me.
I've considered a cochlear implant but so far haven't pursued it. How is it working out for your stepfather? Has it made a major difference as opposed to hearing aids?
My mother hasn't lost her hearing aids in the NH but they are getting old. She needs really good ones because she has profound hearing loss, over the counter ones won't work. Even with the hearing aids she cannot hear, she reads lips more than anything else now.
She probably should get new ones but does not have any money to pay for them. And I really don't have the $6K minimum it would cost to get a new pair. Plus I really don't know if they will improve her situation and I'd hate to invest in a new pair and her not being able to hear anyway. It would be a colossal waste of my money.
Trying to keep these going for as long as we can for now. The audiologist said she might need to be fitted for new molds. Maybe that is the next thing to consider.
I research this heavily when my mom's HAs became too old to repair (over 5 years 🙄). Apparently many of the mid priced units are essentially equal to what was considered top of the line a decade ago, since most of the very old don't need all the bells and whistles don't discount that option.
Eek. My dad is about to spend $2500 on a pair. Is that a bad move to spend so much? The good thing is, they will be custom molded, old fashion large type, so hopefully harder to lose, and no one else can mistake for theirs as they are custom molded so wont fit anyone else....
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By that time my mom was also at a point where she was mostly asleep and wasn't really following anything happening around her, so the benefits of replacing her HAs wasn't great.
In other words I think it depends on where your mother is in her life journey and how well she can function without her hearing aids.
This may not be the perfect solution, but its a good alternative to consider.
https://www.amazon.com/SuperEar-Amplifier-Headphones-facilitates-Compliance
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He hates wearing them!
Same thing with keeping glasses up to date.
With the brain, nothing in, nothing out.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hearing+aids+for+seniors&crid=VXOXMP00G8EU&sprefix=Hearing+aids%2Caps%2C462&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_12
Read the reviews before you buy them and save a ton of $$$.
In my humble opinion, the facility should have to reimburse for items that they lose, especially things as important and costly as hearing aides.
Also, does the facility wash her laundry or does family take it home and wash it? Maybe it’s possible that they’re getting washed accidentally if they were in a pocket.
She probably should get new ones but does not have any money to pay for them. And I really don't have the $6K minimum it would cost to get a new pair. Plus I really don't know if they will improve her situation and I'd hate to invest in a new pair and her not being able to hear anyway. It would be a colossal waste of my money.
Trying to keep these going for as long as we can for now. The audiologist said she might need to be fitted for new molds. Maybe that is the next thing to consider.