Hearing aids and the VA
For those who have an interest:
C&P
One way VA helps Veterans with hearing problems is by providing hearing aids.
If you qualify for VA health care you can receive hearing aids. Once a VA audiologist evaluates you and determines your need for a hearing aid, you will be scheduled to be fit for your hearing aids. VA will routinely provide hearing aid batteries and other hearing aid accessories, such as wax guards, at no charge to you.
Ordering options
Eligible Veterans can order new batteries for their hearing aids through:
Postal mail - send the blue VA Form 2346 (paper only), Request for Batteries and Accessories, to the address provided on the form.
Telephone - call the Denver Acquisition & Logistics Center (DALC) at 303-273-6200.
eBenefits - if you have a Premium account through eBenefits (DS Logon required).
If you have a My HealtheVet Premium account, you can also send your VA audiologist a Secure Message (sign in required) requesting new batteries. Since providers have up to three days to respond, try to request batteries before your current ones run out.
Other services
VA audiologists also provide multiple hearing health care services to eligible Veterans, including:
Disability audiology exams for Veterans and Servicemembers.
Assessment, treatment, and management of hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders.
Other assistive listening devices such as TV and telephone amplifiers, and post-surgical rehabilitation for cochlear and other auditory implants.
Noise-induced hearing loss prevention services, and aural rehabilitation services to optimize residual hearing.
Make an appointment
If you think you have a hearing loss, contact your VA audiology clinic directly for an appointment. Together you can determine your hearing needs and the best way to get your hearing back on track.
C&P
One way VA helps Veterans with hearing problems is by providing hearing aids.
If you qualify for VA health care you can receive hearing aids. Once a VA audiologist evaluates you and determines your need for a hearing aid, you will be scheduled to be fit for your hearing aids. VA will routinely provide hearing aid batteries and other hearing aid accessories, such as wax guards, at no charge to you.
Ordering options
Eligible Veterans can order new batteries for their hearing aids through:
Postal mail - send the blue VA Form 2346 (paper only), Request for Batteries and Accessories, to the address provided on the form.
Telephone - call the Denver Acquisition & Logistics Center (DALC) at 303-273-6200.
eBenefits - if you have a Premium account through eBenefits (DS Logon required).
If you have a My HealtheVet Premium account, you can also send your VA audiologist a Secure Message (sign in required) requesting new batteries. Since providers have up to three days to respond, try to request batteries before your current ones run out.
Other services
VA audiologists also provide multiple hearing health care services to eligible Veterans, including:
Disability audiology exams for Veterans and Servicemembers.
Assessment, treatment, and management of hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders.
Other assistive listening devices such as TV and telephone amplifiers, and post-surgical rehabilitation for cochlear and other auditory implants.
Noise-induced hearing loss prevention services, and aural rehabilitation services to optimize residual hearing.
Make an appointment
If you think you have a hearing loss, contact your VA audiology clinic directly for an appointment. Together you can determine your hearing needs and the best way to get your hearing back on track.
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The best hearing aids are the newest rechargeable ones. No batteries to replace, and the aids are sealed so they're much more rain resistant.
I didn't think mine would be free because the VA is somewhat means tested and I'm above their "free" income level. But they were. I got top-end Resound brand rechargeables, plus a white noise generator for sleep/tinnitus. Fresh wax guards and canal tips come every six months. No charge.
At my first hearing evaluation, I showed them a video clip with sound and told them I flew those jets. He came back with "What color hearing aids do you want?"0 -
Rocky Raab wrote:The best hearing aids are the newest rechargeable ones. No batteries to replace, and the aids are sealed so they're much more rain resistant.
I didn't think mine would be free because the VA is somewhat means tested and I'm above their "free" income level. But they were. I got top-end Resound brand rechargeables, plus a white noise generator for sleep/tinnitus. Fresh wax guards and canal tips come every six months. No charge.
At my first hearing evaluation, I showed them a video clip with sound and told them I flew those jets. He came back with "What color hearing aids do you want?"
The first ones from the VA were also took batteries. That was about 4 years ago at no charge when the VA changed and provided them to all veterans with hearing loss that wasn't service connected and no 'means test' applied.
The VA will replace them every 4 years and last spring got new ones that are rechargable. There are factors in favor of battery operated when traveling and power to recharge is not always available .... camping, hunting trips, etc. Also spare batteries take far less 'luggage space' than the recharging unit.
The replacement time frame is to provide the best and latest technological advances in the microphones and electronics used in hearing aids. The audiologist said the new placements were like going from a Ford Pinto to a Dodge Challenger Hellcat SRT.
The VA is the single largest commercial purchaser of hearing aids in the United States.0 -
My charging unit has its own battery, and is good for three to four re-charges of the aids. If you can charge a phone, you can charge your hearing aids. I take a folding solar panel on fishing trips of a week length. A mid-week day is all my hearing aid charging station needs. 0 -
I have the high tech Resounds also...I had asked for the rechargeable but they sent the battery type...I'm glad I chose the battery type due to short battery times...I always pack a set of batteries in my truck and backpack...
My only issue is they are not very "robust"... I have had to replace the battery closures twice now...As for the Denver #...I have been trying to call...but always get put on hold for 30+min...What a pain! :roll:0 -
I'd ask to have them replaced with rechargeables. Mine claim to be good for over 24 hours on one charge although I've never tested that. There's a way to turn them off if you want to conserve charge overnight without putting them in the charger unit but I've never done that, either. There's virtually nothing on them to break or leak as they are a sealed unit.
The only things I don't like about them is the noise my glasses make rubbing on them, and the fact that once in a while they make my ear hurt a bit. My ears are pretty close to my head and there just isn't much room there.0 -
The most important part is to go back to have them adjusted. It will take several visits to get them right for you. Then once a year to keep them in tune. 0 -
Grunt2 wrote:I have the high tech Resounds also...I had asked for the rechargeable but they sent the battery type...I'm glad I chose the battery type due to short battery times...I always pack a set of batteries in my truck and backpack...
My only issue is they are not very "robust"... I have had to replace the battery closures twice now...As for the Denver #...I have been trying to call...but always get put on hold for 30+min...What a pain! :roll:
To order hearing aid supplies (batteries, wax guard, etc.) there are 3 ways:
1. Mail the blue card
2. Phone 303-273-6200
3. Internet: ebenefits.va.gov.
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