Long Wait For Hearing Aids

[chr49]

Is this a normal waiting period for an audiology consult, especially when service connected for hearing loss, or is this an isolated problem only occurring at my VAMC?

Any info or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks...Georgiapapa

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Georgiapapa...

I am service connected for hearing loss. In Oct. my PCP ordered an audiology consult because I was having increased hearing issues & trouble with my hearing aides. I went for my appointment yesterday, Feb. 17 (almost 4 months). They re-evaluated me and did measurements for new hearing aides. I have an appointment for 2 months from now to have the new hearing aides custom fitted. Every specialist consult i've had recently has taken 3-4 months to get set up. The longest wait has been for a neurologist consult for which I have an appointment in July 2012 (requested by PCP - Oct. 2011).

Edited February 17, 2012 by chr49

[Teac]

Well I know it is not normal to wait a long time for hearing aids....

But it will also depend on the VA medical center that the veteran has to deal with..

last week I requested an appointment due to continued problems with my hearing ( 0% hearing, 10% tinnitis)...I was given an appointment for yesterday which was less than a week from the time I requested it. The examiner gave me a new hearing test and I really struggled with responding to the beeps, and words.. I was told at the end of the test that my hearing has gotten worse in 4 frequencies in my right ear.. and 1 frequency in my left ear. The doctor scheduled me for a return appointment on 8 Mar to be fitted with new hearing aids that he said will be blue tooth compatable (what ever that is) as well as some kind of FM receiver to work in conjuction with hearing aids, that he said will help me in noisy situtations... he also sent a consult to EENT because he is concerned that my hearing loss is abnormal --said it was unusual to have more hearing loss in one ear than the other in just the last year, is concerned something else may be going on....

I don't really know how bad my hearing loss is, but I will be getting a copy of the exams and then if I can decifer it to see if the conditon is now compensable......I have a stinking feeling based on what the doctor said....that my hearing loss is profound.......

So here in San Antonio it takes a long time to get an eye appointment...3 months.. but less than a week to see the audiology....

[donh777]

My pcp put in my request at Muskogee, on sept. 13/2011.. Had hearing test on 2/16/12 and return visit for the hearing aids is 4/09/2012. Left is is completely gone so they are getting an amplifier for the left ear and a tube behind the neck to channel it to the right is which has mild-moderate loss in it.What excuse can I use for the wife then....

[georgiapapa]

Update:

After waiting nine months, I finally had my hearing test for hearing aids on March 12th. Severe hearing loss in the left ear and moderate to severe hearing loss in right ear. Almost identical results to my hearing loss C&P in February 2011. I was told I would receive my hearing aids in 4 to 6 weeks.

When I told the doctor in the audiology clinic about my nine month wait, she said to consider myself lucky. She advised me they have over 2000 veterans on the waiting list for hearing aids at the Dublin VA Medical Center and they schedule veterans who are service connected for hearing loss (such as myself) before non-service connected veterans. She also said they have just started scheduling non-service connected veterans for appointments who submitted requests in January 2011. This is amazing since the audiology department at the Dublin VAMC just opened in August 2011.

I guess the waiting time is different at each VAMC depending on the number of audiologists on hand and the length of the waiting list.

Georgiapapa...

[carlie]

When I told the doctor in the audiology clinic about my nine month wait, she said to consider myself lucky. She advised me they have over 2000 veterans on the waiting list for hearing aids at the Dublin VA Medical Center and they schedule veterans who are service connected for hearing loss (such as myself) before non-service connected veterans. She also said they have just started scheduling non-service connected veterans for appointments who submitted requests in January 2011. This is amazing since the audiology department at the Dublin VAMC just opened in August 2011.

Georgiapapa...

papa,

So I'm just wondering if, in her to tell you how backed up their clinic is, did / does this action:

1) Provided her some personal lack and freedom from any responsibility for the situation ?

2) Make her feel good with this type of sublime intimidation, making a vet feel they are lucky

or need to grovel in thanks, for being provided care and treatment for SC'd conditions ?

3) Embarrass her to the point of offering an apology on behalf of this VAMC, for the extended

wait veterans must endure ?

4) Show that in any way on her part, a feeling that this is not acceptable care and treatment ?

Most likely, if any of the above are applicable -

my bet is on # 2.

JMHO

[georgiapapa]

Carlie,

I would also pick #2. She definitely was not apologetic in anyway.

Based on her comments about the long waiting list, you would expect to see a full waiting room in the audiology clinic. I had the first appointment of the day at 8:30 a.m. There did not appear to be a shortage of personnel in the clinic. One employee checked me in, another employee sat with me while I filled out a questionnaire about my hearing loss, the doctor handled my actual hearing exam and an audiology technician made the molds for my ears. I looked at the sign in list at the front desk as I was leaving at 10:07 a.m.. Only one other veteran had checked in after me. There must have been some last minute appointment cancellations or perhaps they schedule their breaks in between each appointment.

Georgiapapa...