Funding Sources for Hearing Technology and Protecting Our Hearing

2. Funding Sources for Hearing TechnologyandProtecting Our Hearing Melanie Buhr-Lawler, Au.D., Audiologist Amy Hartman, Au.D., Audiologist Chelsea Conrad, B.S., 2nd year Au.D. student Susan Von Dollen, B.S., 2nd year Au.D. student

3. May is Better Speech and Hearing Month!

4. Funding Sources for Hearing Technology

5. Types of funding sources available for hearing technology* Insurance Loans Discounted services Subsidized programs Charitable organizations (local or national) *Disclaimer: The list and information provided may not be exhaustive and is subject to change at any time

6. Insurance Private (non-Medicaid or Medicare): Some insurance companies provide a benefit toward hearing aids, batteries, CI repairs and upgrades, etc. This varies depending on the company and the policy within the company Check with your insurance company for more information on your policy

7. Insurance, continued WI Medicaid: With prior authorization, members with ForwardHealth MAY have coverage for hearing aids Prior authorization means this is on a case-by-case basis Medicare: No hearing aid benefits May have some cochlear implant benefits • May require prior approval for CI, although in some cases, the CI manufacturer can directly bill Medicare and your secondary- check with your audiologist and CI center

8. Insurance-related ABC for Health WI-based nonprofit public interest law firm Dedicated to linking WI residents to health care benefits and services www.abcforhealth.org

9. Loans and Financing WisLoan Alternative loan program open to WI residents who are DHH/HOH. No income requirements. Not required to exhaust personal or public funding to get this loan. www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disabilities/wistec/factsheet.htm CareCredit (financing) http://www.carecredit.com/ Other lines of credit

10. Discounted Services Audient Alliance for Accessible Hearing Care Non-profit program for individuals with limited income Must go to Audient provider (UW Speech and Hearing Clinic is a provider) Must apply for the program Pending approval, the program directs to provider www.audientalliance.org

11. Subsidized Programs Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP) WI residents who are DHH qualifyif there is a need for special equipment to use the telephone at home or for travel Voucher. No income requirement. Copay required except for individuals w/the HH voucher. Telecommunications Assistance Program (TAP) can provide income assistance for copay http://psc.wi.gov/consumerinfo/assistanceprograms/tepp/tepp-ind.htm

12. Charitable Organization, Local UW-Madison Hearing Aid Recycling Program (UW HARP, formerly Sertoma SHARP) http://www.comdis.wisc.edu/harp.htm

13. Charitable Organizations, National Starkey Hearing Foundation Hear Now Lion’s Club www.lionsclubs.org/EN/cont Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf www.agbell.org National Easter Seals March of Dimes Rotary Clubs Optimist Clubs Sertoma International

14. Other Resources HLAA – Walk4Hearing! WisTech: Assistive Technology Program http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disabilities/wistech/ Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) – formerly the Department of Vocational Rehabiliation http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/ www.listen-up.org/haidfund.htm

15. Other Resources, continued Williams Sound: discounted Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) for veterans and family members www.williamssound.com/rald Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) www.alda.org UW Veterans Administration Self-fundraising Concerts, walks, bake sales, outreach via Facebook or other social media

16. Additional Funding for Pediatric Patients HIKE fund Miracle Ear Children’s Foundation WISHES Program

17. Additional Funding for Pediatric Patients, continued From the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA, 2012): Wisconsin Requires health insurance plans and policies to pay for cochlear implants, hearing aids and related treatment that are prescribed by a physician or audiologist for any child under the age of 18. Coverage for hearing aids includes the cost of one hearing aid per ear per child once every three years. Citation: Wisconsin Stat. §609.86; §632.895 (16) Source: http://www.asha.org/about/legislation-advocacy/state/issues/ha_reimbursement.htm#WI

18. How to Protect Hearing

19. Protecting Hearing • One type of preventable hearing loss: • Hair cell damage from noise exposure • There are measures you can take to prevent damage!

20. What sounds are dangerous?

21. How do I protect my hearing? • Turn down noise sources • Move away from sounds that are unable to be controlled • Use hearing protection • Hearing aids • Output is controlled to prevent damage, but will not make loud sounds safe

22. Communication Strategies Amplify: use recommended hearing technology hearing aids (noise program, telecoil) cochlear implants FM system, other ALDs

23. Communication Strategies Identify: acknowledge your hearing loss know what accommodations you need be comfortable asking others to help

24. Communication Strategies Modify: optimize your listening environment

25. Communication Strategies Specify: analyze how well you’re able to hear provide targeted feedback to your communication partners

26. Communication Strategies Verify: if you aren’t sure you understand, ask for confirmation of what you think you heard - request repetition if needed http://health.heraldtribune.com/2012/01/16/throwing-a-lifeline-to-someone-with-hearing-loss/

27. Invitation…

28. Questions?