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Hearing loss and medical card

  • 12-06-2013 9:56pm
    #1
    jaffa20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,565 ✭✭✭


    Hi, i'm 27 and have pretty bad hearing loss in both ears. My dad is the same and granny was the the same too so it could run in the family. I attended an ENT specialist about 3 years ago who confirmed my hearing loss and said i had almost severe hearing loss in my left ear and moderate loss in my right and need 2 over the ear hearing aids. I couldn't afford hearing aids at the time. I had survived so long without them that i just put up with it but recently i feel it has gotten worse.

    I attended a GP recently to get a referral to the Eye and Ear hospital but the waiting list is so long. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with Hidden hearing or Specsavers on the medical card which i obtained recently. I was wondering do i get at least get a discount the the medical card as they are so expensive.

    Any help would be much appreciated as the hearing issue is really becoming a pain and my partner has noticed that i have the tv louder and louder as time goes by:(

    P.S the ENT specialist suggested an MRI scan but this never happend at the time.


Comments

  • #2
    Lardy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 981 ✭✭✭Lardy


    Give DeafHear a try. There is a link to their website in one of the sticky posts. They where great for me, and even lent me hearing aid equipment whilst I was waiting for my own hearing aids. They will also sort out everything you need to do with medical card applications and funding. :)


  • #3
    eyescreamcone
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,562 ✭✭✭eyescreamcone


    The system with regard to hearing aids in this country is as follows:

    If you have a medical card you can go through the HSE system and get an aid eventually (usually 3 years waiting list to be tested approx.). This will cost you nothing IF you have a medical card.

    If you do not have a medical card your only option is to go private and pay full cost minus PRSI grant (up to €500 if you qualify). You may also qualify for a rebate from the taxman as all money spent can be claimed as a medical expense and claimed at the 20% rate (Med 1 Form).

    If you have a medical card but want to go private and top up your benefit (as per the spectacles system) you have a problem. This is not allowed for hearing aids.


    Your choices are go through HSE for free
    Or go private and pay.
    There is no halfway house.


  • #4
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,316 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    eyescreamcone wrote: »
    (up to €500 if you qualify)
    €500 per aid;
    From 1 January 2012, the maximum grant available for one hearing aid is €500 for one hearing aid, and €1,000 for two hearing aids.

    Also, Specsaver hearing aids aren't meant to be the best. Check out Deafhear or Bonovox.


  • #5
    jaffa20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,565 ✭✭✭jaffa20


    Thanks for the advise everyone. Can i choose who i go through if i'm going public or does it have to be a hospital? Slightly confused about it all. The waiting list for an appointment alone with the eye and ear is so long.


  • #6
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,316 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    jaffa20 wrote: »
    Can i choose who i go through if i'm going public or does it have to be a hospital? Slightly confused about it all. The waiting list for an appointment alone with the eye and ear is so long.
    Not sure about now, but when I went through the public system 18 years ago, I went to a place on North Great Georges Street which is now within the HSE remit. Not sure if it's still the same place, though.


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  • #7
    eyescreamcone
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,562 ✭✭✭eyescreamcone


    the_syco wrote: »
    €500 per aid;


    The PRSI grant is half the price of the hearing aid up to a max of €500.
    So, if you purchase a hearing aid for €800 - the maximum grant you can receive is €400.

    Price 800 - Grant 400
    Price 1000 - Grant 500
    Price 1200 - Grant 500

    Hope that clarifies that point.
    Most aids are over 1000 anyway so people get the maximum grant of 500 most of the time.


  • #8
    mtjm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 461 ✭✭mtjm


    the_syco wrote: »
    Bonovox
    Bonovox is the cheapest around I've gotten my second set there


  • #9
    ronjonbyrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭ronjonbyrne


    how could a multi national like Specsavers not have decent hearing aids ? if you want to pay £6000 for a hearing aid go ahead but Specsavers will sell you the same one for probably £2700, which is the top price. as for Prsi they cover half up to £1000 therefore a 2000 pair 1000 or 1800 pair 900.
    Just as when they were accused of selling bogey glasses & that bull**** was blown out of the water, there now being accused of selling bogey hearing aids.
    they are that big a company that at least there is accountability, not like some of the thieving parasites that are charging extortionate prices for the same product.
    but like I said go ahead & pay £6000 or even £10000 for your hearing aids, but be sure of one thing, the audiologists in Specsavers are at least qualified & you will pay considerably less for the same product


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