Pennsylvania Hearing Aid Scam & How to Avoid Being Victimized

Are you a senior citizen concerned about your hearing? Perhaps you’ve encouraged an elderly friend or family member to to get their hearing checked. Take heed. A couple in Pennsylvania are currently facing a civil suit for allegedly selling hearing aids to people who don’t need them.

According to State Attorney General Tom Corbett’s office, 50 complaints have been received about the couple, James and Catherine Kocher, and their business,  Digital Hearing Solutions.  Corbett said they  “(used) high-pressure tactics to convince consumers to buy products that they may not have needed” and could be found screening individuals at community centers and senior citizen residential complexes.

In addition, the couple is accused of testing with equipment that was not properly calibrated and neglecting to conduct state-required tests prior to selling hearing aids. Both accusations are in violation of Pennsylvania’s Hearing Aid Law and Consumer Protection Law. If found guilty, the couple faces paying full restitution to customers who suffered losses and fines of up to $5,000 for each violation.

How can you avoid being scammed into high-priced or unnecessary hearing aids? The following tips are from “A Consumer Reference Guide for Seniors: How to Avoid Scams and Fraud“, published by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General:

1. Obtain a medical examination from a licensed otolaryngologist or doctor of audiology to determine if you can benefit from a hearing aid. Not all hearing loss can be remedied by a hearing aid.
2. Do not sign anything without reading it carefully. You might be signing an agreement to waive the need for a medical examination before you buy a hearing aid.
3. Be sure you deal with a seller who will take the time to resolve fitting and volume adjustment problems and teach you how to use the device.
4. Get a written estimate of the cost of the hearing aid, including extra charges for molds, accessories, follow-up checkups, warranties, etc. Also, make sure to get the detailed disclosure agreement and the user instructional brochure for the hearing aid.
5. Never pay cash. Use a check (payable to the company – not a salesperson) or credit card so you can stop payment, if necessary.
6. Make sure you receive the 30-day money back written guarantee.

SOURCES: Pittsburgh Review-Tribune, A Consumer Reference Guide for Seniors: How to Avoid Being Scams and Fraud

3 Types of Hearing Protection

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) accounts for about 1/3 of all hearing loss. The good news? It is almost always preventable. So what can you do to help yourself? Read on.

1. Ear Plugs

Ear plugs can be made of foam, wax, or soft plastic. They are a good choice for the workplace, protection at loud concerts, or a restful sleep with a snoring spouse.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) assures that ear plugs are safe to use. According to NIOSH, it is unlikely that one would damage their eardrum due to the length of the ear canal (1¼ inches) and the irregular pathway between the ear opening and eardrum.

To get the best fit from soft foam earplugs, remember to Roll, Pull, and Hold.

2. Semi-inserts/canal caps

These are worn on a headband. This makes it easy for the user to take them on and off for sound that comes and goes. They are intended to seal the entrance to the ear canal instead of going into it.

3. Earmuffs

Earmuffs look like large headphones that make a seal over your ears. When worn properly, they are highly effective, but may be cumbersome in certain environments. They are meant for protection against moderate to high noise levels.

Try the NIOSH Sound Meter to learn what sounds are safe.

NIOSH compares getting used to hearing protection with wearing a new pair of shoes. It may take some time, and if the protection is the wrong size or fit, it may be very uncomfortable. Just like wearing different shoes to play different sports, different types of hearing protection may be needed for different jobs. Don’t give up – your hearing is worth it!

If you’re unsure as to whether or not you need protection during certain activities, try the NIOSH Sound Meter.

Sources: safteicorp.com, NIOSH, NCRAR

Veterans and Hearing Loss: Follow-up

A little over a month ago (March 11th), we reported with information on Hearing Aids for Veterans. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, hearing damage is the number one disability caused by this war, a result of exposure to loud noises such as roadside bombs.

But the following video clip shows a simpler prognosis for hearing loss- build-up in the ears caused by sandstorms in Iraq. Rob Rudolph found that the hearing loss he was experiencing when he returned from war went away after his ears were cleaned out. Unfortunately, not everyone’s hearing loss is this easily cured, but all hearing loss is worth having an audiologist look into.

Hearing loss caused by blockage (in this case sand, but more often wax build-up), usually dissipates after the blockage is removed. However, if your hearing loss is a result of infection, your audiologist will need to prescribe an antibiotic (MedlinePlus).

To find an audiologist in your area, go to www.tvears.com and enter your zip code under “Find a U.S. Dealer Near You” on the left hand side of the screen.

SOURCES: Medline Plus- Hearing Loss, YouTube- KETV Iowa

How to Donate Used Hearing Aids

Donating used hearing aids is beneficial to those in need and helps preserve our planet!

Earth Day is approaching (April 22nd) and those with hearing loss want to know, “How can we help?” Healthy Hearing recently published an article with 5 tips on how to go green with your hearing aid.

One of the recommendations was to “donate your old behind-the-ear hearing aids.” Did you know your old hearing aids can be used by someone else? If they’re still working at the time you need new hearing aids, donate your old ones to an organization that will clean them up and reprogram them for someone else. You won’t just help save the world for the future, you’ll give someone the gift of hearing today.

The following organizations receive used hearing aids and help those in need:

1. The Lions Club: The Lions Club has Hearing Aid Recycling Program centers in 18 states in the U.S., Canada, and Denmark. To donate your hearing aid, send it in to one of the centers listed here. A few of the states have websites that give detailed information on their programs, but at the least, one contact name and address are listed.
2. Hear Now: Starkey Hearing Foundation provides this program for U.S. residents who are deaf or hard of hearing and have no other way to acquire a hearing aid. They ask that if you wish to donate a hearing aid to Hear Now, securely package your donation and mail it to: Hear Now, 6700 Washington Avenue, South Eden Prairie, MN, 55344.
3. Help the Children Hear:  Rotary Clubs in Argentina and New Jersey joined together to create this project. Hearing aids donated to Help the Children Hear benefit lower income hearing impaired children of Tucuman Province in Argentina. They accept used hearing aids regardless of size, condition, or age. You can send them to Help The Children Hear, PO Box 98, Caldwell, NJ, 07006.

Also, if you are in need of a hearing aid and are unable to afford one, contact one of the above organizations. Hear Now has an application that can be accessed online. It is a bit lengthy and there are specific eligibility guidelines, so be sure to get assistance completing the application if you need it. All applicants are encouraged to call Hear Now to discuss their eligibility.

What is Single Sided Deafness (SSD)?

Hearing loss in both ears can undoubtedly be a frightening experience, whether it occurs instantly or gradually over the years. Fortunately, there are analogue and digital hearing aids, as well as cochlear implants, available to help these folks.  But every year, about 120,000 people worldwide experience single-sided deafness, a disability that finds no relief from traditional hearing aids.

Single-sided deafness (SSD) is caused by sudden deafness, measles, mumps, trauma, acoustic neuroma tumors and hereditary disorders. Since there is no indication (such as a hearing aid) that an individual has SSD, public interactions may be frustrating and embarrassing as an individual has to explain their condition prior to conversation.

Ray Gillies-Jones allows us all to walk in the shoes of an SSDer in his essay, “A Personal Introduction to Single Sided Deafness.” He explains the struggles one has starting with getting up for work in the morning:

My bedside alarm goes off at 6:30am, but I sleep through it because I happen to be lying (on) my left ear… I let the bath run while I lazily brush my teeth — only when I turn off the tap do I realize (my wife) was talking to me from the bedroom.

That’s all before leaving the house, where Gillies-Jones’s wife was aware of his SSD.

Help for Single Sided Deafness

There are products out there to help those with SSD. The CROS hearing aid is one option, but it is an extremely tight fit, often produces feedback, and must be worn in both ears. A microphone is placed on the deaf ear that picks up sounds and carries them to the good ear.

In 2002, the FDA approved the Baha hearing aid for treatment of single-sided deafness. The Baha implant is connected to the skull behind the deaf ear and works by using vibrations to stimulate the inner ear nerve fibers. This option is more invasive but many report a clearer sound quality than with CROS.

The TransEar, developed by Dan Schumaier, PhD, is making waves as a new alternative to treating single-sided deafness. This device is worn in the deaf ear and transmits sound energy through the skull to the good ear, where the cochlear processes the energy and the brain interprets it as sound. While this is not the solution for everyone, many are excited by this new technology. (Click here for an interview with Schumaier on Hearing Review.)

Gillies-Jones reminds those without SSD to help sufferers by taking some basic precautions: don’t mumble, avoid places with excessive background noise, and remember, “If the person can’t see you, don’t be surprised if they can’t hear you!”

SOURCES: Hearinglosshelp.com, dizziness-and-balance.com, Tribalvillages.org., HearingReview.com, singlesideddeafness.com, UMM.edu