July 27 Webinar
Ronald Drach
You are invited to:
New Perspectives: Technology Bridging the Gap For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
Technology Bridging the Gap For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Ron Ron Drach, President Drach Consulting 240-413-3183
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Event: Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting - Tuesday, July 20, 2021
#cal-invite
HLAAVeterans@hlaagroups.hearingloss.org Calendar <noreply@...>
Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting When: Where: Organizer: Carla Beyer-Smolin cbeyer-smolin@... Description: We invite VAAVC members to attend the next Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting (VAAVC) online using Zoom. Date: July 20, 2021 This meeting will discuss chapter business and future activities. We look forward to seeing you online. The HLAA Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter is sponsored exclusively by Starkey.
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Event: Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting - 07/20/2021
#cal-reminder
HLAAVeterans@hlaagroups.hearingloss.org Calendar <noreply@...>
Reminder: Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting When: Where: Organizer: Carla Beyer-Smolin cbeyer-smolin@... Description: We invite VAAVC members to attend the next Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting (VAAVC) online using Zoom. Date: July 20, 2021 This meeting will discuss chapter business and future activities. We look forward to seeing you online. The HLAA Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter is sponsored exclusively by Starkey.
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VA
Jim Rau
At tonight’s meeting of the Veterans Chapter there was discussion on “how to reach VA Administration to make our needs know”. There were good ideas tendered but among the missing was that there are Congressional oversight committees in both the House and Senate. These are the folks who can most directly influence VA and how they operate. You can view the member list of these committees on the US Govt. web site. Also remember that your own Senator is a good avenue.
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Re: VA
Steve Sterry
I am not sure how Congressional Oversight committees would respond to what we have to offer. I think that we would have better luck working with the Veteran Services Organizations. We need to convince the VSOs that we have something that will benefit their membership. If we can do that, they should support us.
THE REVEREND STEVEN C. STERRY, M.A., M.B.A Director Ministry and Education, United States Conference of Chaplains Assisting Priest at Saint Stephen's Anglican Church, Tustin, CA LTC
(CA-Retired) California State Military Reserve (CSMR)
On Tue, Jul 20, 2021 at 6:24 PM Jim Rau <jimrau@...> wrote: At tonight’s meeting of the Veterans Chapter there was discussion on “how to reach VA Administration to make our needs know”. There were good ideas tendered but among the missing was that there are Congressional oversight committees in both the House and Senate. These are the folks who can most directly influence VA and how they operate. You can view the member list of these committees on the US Govt. web site. Also remember that your own Senator is a good avenue.
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VA Blog
Carla Beyer-Smolin
Hi All, Carla Beyer-Smolin Chapter and Membership Coordinator Hearing Loss Association of America 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 320 │Rockville, MD 20852 301.657.2248 ext. 101 | cbeyer-smolin@...│www.hearingloss.org “Like” us on Facebook│“Follow” us on Twitter Sign up for our free Hearing Life e-News
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Re: VA Blog
Steve Sterry
Good luck in getting the VA to publish information about our organizations from individual veterans. Again, if you want to reach the VA, the best way to do that is through our Veteran Services Organizations or through connections in Washington, D.C.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A. 10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608 Phone (562) 947-2258 Email: steve.sterry@...
On Thu, Jul 22, 2021 at 9:55 AM Carla Beyer-Smolin <cbeyer-smolin@...> wrote:
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New Member
hackroyd46@...
Greetings to all my fellow veterans. Thank you for your service. I retired from the Army after 30 years in the field artillery. I have profound hearing loss and severe tinnitus in both ears. I have extreme difficulty understanding a person talking to me, even in a quiet room. The tinnitus is pure torture, 24/7 ringing in both ears. I live in Boerne, TX just north of San Antonio.
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Re: New Member
Ronald Drach
Harry!
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Welcome and sorry to read about your issues. I am lucky in that although I have severe hearing loss I am not dealing with tinnitus. Take care and look forward to seeing you in future meetings. Ron Drach http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
On Jul 22, 2021, at 9:19 PM, Harry Ackroyd <hackroyd46@...> wrote:
Greetings to all my fellow veterans. Thank you for your service. I retired from the Army after 30 years in the field artillery. I have profound hearing loss and severe tinnitus in both ears. I have extreme difficulty understanding a person talking to me, even in a quiet room. The tinnitus is pure torture, 24/7 ringing in both ears. I live in Boerne, TX just north of San Antonio.
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Event: Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting
#cal-invite
HLAAVeterans@hlaagroups.hearingloss.org Calendar <noreply@...>
Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting When: Where: Organizer: Carla Beyer-Smolin cbeyer-smolin@... Description: We invite VAAVC members to attend the next Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting (VAAVC) online using Zoom. Date: August 17, 2021 This meeting will discuss chapter business and future activities. We look forward to seeing you online. The HLAA Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter is sponsored exclusively by Starkey.
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VAAVC Survey
Carla Beyer-Smolin
Dear VAAVC members, Carla Beyer-Smolin, HLAA Chapter and Membership Coordinator
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Re: VAAVC Survey
David Schible
Carla,
Survey Complete. Thank you!
From: HLAAVeterans@... <HLAAVeterans@...>
On Behalf Of Carla Beyer-Smolin
Dear VAAVC members, Carla Beyer-Smolin, HLAA Chapter and Membership Coordinator
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Re: VAAVC Survey
Ronald Drach
Sorry for the delay but I just finished. Perhaps a "report" could be compiled of the responses that can be shared and we could have a discussion at a future meeting. See you tomorrow. Ron Ron Drach, President Drach Consulting 240-413-3183
On Friday, August 13, 2021, 07:18:40 PM EDT, Carla Beyer-Smolin <cbeyer-smolin@...> wrote:
Dear VAAVC members, Carla Beyer-Smolin, HLAA Chapter and Membership Coordinator
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Event: Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting - 08/17/2021
#cal-reminder
HLAAVeterans@hlaagroups.hearingloss.org Calendar <noreply@...>
Reminder: Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting When: Where: Organizer: Carla Beyer-Smolin cbeyer-smolin@... Description: We invite VAAVC members to attend the next Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting (VAAVC) online using Zoom. Date: August 17, 2021 This meeting will discuss chapter business and future activities. We look forward to seeing you online. The HLAA Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter is sponsored exclusively by Starkey.
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Now: Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting - 08/17/2021
#cal-notice
HLAAVeterans@hlaagroups.hearingloss.org Calendar <noreply@...>
Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting When: Where: Organizer: Carla Beyer-Smolin cbeyer-smolin@... Description: We invite VAAVC members to attend the next Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting (VAAVC) online using Zoom. Date: August 17, 2021 This meeting will discuss chapter business and future activities. We look forward to seeing you online. The HLAA Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter is sponsored exclusively by Starkey.
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Issue With The Denver VA
dwisott
I just today discovered this site and am posting here to get your input and suggestions.
The Denver VA has provided me with hearing aids for several decades and generally updated my hearing aids about every 3 years or so as new technology emerged. My hearing in both ears was damaged while firing a bazooka in basic training in 1956 (no ear protection was provided back then). It was only when I reached retirement age that I needed hearing aids and have gotten increasingly worse as I reached my late 80’s. I currently cannot hear much in noisy situations, like in restaurants and also in the classes I take and also teach at Denver University. And my wife is constantly complaining that I miss much with my daily interactions with her and our friends and family. An audiologist at the University of Colorado Hospital that I consulted with, strongly recommends that I try the new hearing aids called "Phonak Audeo Paradise 90”, which are recommended for those with severe hearing loss (which is what I have at some levels). The website “Senior Living. org” also considers the Phonak aids the best for my hearing loss. The Denver VA has denied me even trying the Phonak aids claiming that since my current Oticon aids are just 3 years old I need to wait for at least 2 more years. The head of VA audiology in Denver sent me a message which included these statements: “The VA strives to provide the best products and best service possible. We are not able to provide new hearing aids because new technology becomes available.” I find that last statement to be totally outrageous and told them so. If technology has improved significantly, which would markedly benefit our veterans lives, how can they deny making them available to veterans like you and me? I am considering going out and buying a pair of hearing aids (cost around $5,000) since I likely don’t have that many years left as I approach my nineties. But I am appalled that the VA is so rigid and uncaring. So what do you think about this and what do you advise me to do? Thanks, Dick Wisott Email: dwisott@...
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Re: Issue With The Denver VA
Ronald Drach
I am not sure about the law and regulations but I would get a VSO to file an appeal.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Ron http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
On Aug 23, 2021, at 4:11 PM, dwisott <dwisott@...> wrote:
I just today discovered this site and am posting here to get your input and suggestions. The Denver VA has provided me with hearing aids for several decades and generally updated my hearing aids about every 3 years or so as new technology emerged. My hearing in both ears was damaged while firing a bazooka in basic training in 1956 (no ear protection was provided back then). It was only when I reached retirement age that I needed hearing aids and have gotten increasingly worse as I reached my late 80’s. I currently cannot hear much in noisy situations, like in restaurants and also in the classes I take and also teach at Denver University. And my wife is constantly complaining that I miss much with my daily interactions with her and our friends and family. An audiologist at the University of Colorado Hospital that I consulted with, strongly recommends that I try the new hearing aids called "Phonak Audeo Paradise 90”, which are recommended for those with severe hearing loss (which is what I have at some levels). The website “Senior Living. org” also considers the Phonak aids the best for my hearing loss. The Denver VA has denied me even trying the Phonak aids claiming that since my current Oticon aids are just 3 years old I need to wait for at least 2 more years. The head of VA audiology in Denver sent me a message which included these statements: “The VA strives to provide the best products and best service possible. We are not able to provide new hearing aids because new technology becomes available.” I find that last statement to be totally outrageous and told them so. If technology has improved significantly, which would markedly benefit our veterans lives, how can they deny making them available to veterans like you and me? I am considering going out and buying a pair of hearing aids (cost around $5,000) since I likely don’t have that many years left as I approach my nineties. But I am appalled that the VA is so rigid and uncaring. So what do you think about this and what do you advise me to do? Thanks, Dick Wisott Email: dwisott@...
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Re: Issue With The Denver VA
Jim Rau
Hi Dick, Welcome to the site. Glad you found it.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I also have a service connected hearing loss from Viet Nam. Like you I struggle to understand speech in noisy situations. I have received my audiology care from VA for many years. At first I was told I could get new hearing aids every 3 years and most recently every 4 years. My most recent hearing aid replacement began in February when I qualified for new hearing aids. I had been using Oticon OPn. The audiologist tested my hearing and prescribed new Oticon More (which would become available on VA contract in May. By the time the hearing aids came in late may that audiologist had moved to a different position in VA. The audiologist who set up my Otidon Mores said she thought I’d do better with the Phonak Paradise so she ordered them but did fit me with to. Oticon Mores which I wore for 3 months while waiting for the Phonaks. Two weeks ago she fit me with the Phonak Paradise which seem to work a bit better than the Oticons but I have issues. While they do sound a bit better and connect wirelessly to more things than the Oticons they are harder to use. By that I mean they don’t work as seamlessly as the Oticons. The Phone app that controls the Phonaks is terrible. It drops connections and changes programs randomly. I found out from Phonak that the Paradise hearing aide provided to VA do not have the latest firmware and VA won’t have that firmware until about November. So I went to a private audiology clinic and got them updated with the new firmware. They still remain unstable. Outgoing phone calls connect the Phonaks, but incoming calls go to the phone audio and I have to switch it over manually. I was anxious to get the Phonak Paradise but I’m considering going back to the Oticons because they work seamlessly. Today,for instance, my Phonaks changed programs about 6 or 8 times by themselves. I changed them back manually to the correct program each time. The mute button mutes the Phonaks only momentarily. I sometimes want to mute them and just listen to music without the hearing aid microphones on. The Phonaks have more automatic features which is great but they don’t work as they are supposed to. I’m communicating with Phonak and the private audiologists to remedy the instability issues. Bottom line is I’m still undecided which ones I’ll keep. I know I’ll have them for at least 4 years. For you, I think VA’s position is that they will not replace your hearing aids as long as they are working just to get the latest technology. Every time Ihave received new hearing aids my anticipation was much higher than the improvement. The way the audiologist sets them up is more important in my opinion. And if I were you I wouldn’t want the Phonak Paradise from VA until after they get the new firmware (November???) Jim Rau President HLAA WI Association
On Aug 23, 2021, at 3:11 PM, dwisott <dwisott@...> wrote:
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Re: Issue With The Denver VA
dwisott
Hi Jim, appreciate the welcome and thanks for all the valuable info.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I also now have the Oticon Opn 1 currently and have read extensively on the Oticon More 1 and thought originally that would be where I would want to go next. Then I had two different audiologists tell me the Phonak Paradise 90 would be best for my hearing loss. Your experience and advice is truly appreciated. And I am not a techie and really don’t want to be dealing with all the issues you mentioned. Frankly, at this point in my life, I’m now thinking that getting trouble-free quality service quickly may be equally as important as the device itself. One of my outside audiologists I recently consulted is with UCHealth (through the University of Colorado where my primary care doc is). They are really top quality. And while I don’t love the idea of ponying up the $5k, I also don’t love the hassle and regimentation of the VA. My former VA audiologist was unbelievable and accommodating, but they moved her into retirement. The new people are nice, but rigid. Your clear and detailed advice greatly helped in getting me motivated. I’m thinking now that I will purchase the Phonak aids outside the VA and will wait a year to see if the VA will upgrade my Oticon aids to the More 1. Having both available for different situations might be the best place to be overall. Dick Wisott
On Aug 23, 2021, at 2:51 PM, Jim Rau <jimrau@...> wrote:
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Re: Issue With The Denver VA
dwisott
Ron, thanks for the suggestion and I’ll consider going the appeal route.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Also I just read your bio and am dazzled with what you have accomplished during your career and lifetime. We all have a great deal to thank you for in service to our country and to our vets. Keep it up! Dick Wisott
On Aug 23, 2021, at 2:50 PM, Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
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