Author Topic: Success with Soundbite and Insurance  (Read 2880 times)

JB914

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Success with Soundbite and Insurance
« on: February 25, 2014, 10:58:18 pm »
I saw a House Ear Clinic audiologist today for an hearing exam and to look at SSD options.  I was presented CROS, Soundbite and BAHA.   I have read all the other threads and follow the forum. 

I wasn't demoed the CROS since the audiologist said it works best for people who have diminished hearing in their good ear. 

I'm fortunate that my good ear hearing is normal.    ;D

I had a demo of both BAHA and Soundbite. 

The soundbite demo lets you test by touching the transmitter to your teeth.  When the audiologist was whispering to me i would take the transmitter off my teeth and it was like turning off the volume.  When i put it back on i could hear her whispering to me from behind my deaf side.  I did this with a finger plugging up my good ear.

The BAHA was demoed with lower volume than soundbite and can be tuned. Tuning would make it louder plus the headset isn't really a 'true' test since there is hair, skin, fat that affects the transmission of the sound to bone. 

Overall, they both seem like good options, but, i would prefer the Soundbite.

how many here have had success with insurance covering the Soundbite
« Last Edit: February 26, 2014, 09:20:38 am by JB914 »
11mm AN right side surgery House Ear Clinic 12/00
W. Luxford MD / John D. Day MD
SSD right side, ringing

JB914

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Re: Success with Soundbite and Insurance
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2014, 12:01:37 am »
Well, it appears my Insurance will pay part of the soundbite device as DME and i can pay the rest out over 12 months with 0 interest. 

The audiologist should get my device before the end of the month and i will setup an appt first week in April!

I will report back once i get fitted and use it a few weeks  ;D
11mm AN right side surgery House Ear Clinic 12/00
W. Luxford MD / John D. Day MD
SSD right side, ringing

Susan A

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Re: Success with Soundbite and Insurance
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2014, 08:38:43 pm »
DME?
What insurance do you have?
2011 8 x 7 mm AN, & 20 x 22 mm M found, both on the left. Mosaic NF2 diagnosed. Some hearing loss
2014 hearing 30% on left, now using hearing aid (HA)
2015 Now have CROS HA - no longer hear enough for HA to be useful in AN ear
2016 Use an FM system on occasion at work to supplement HA

dalern

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Re: Success with Soundbite and Insurance
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2014, 10:13:37 pm »
I am very surprised that they consider it DME.  Interesting.  They sure don't do that with regular hearing aids or BAHAs to my knowledge.
~Dale
Dale Barnes, RN, MSN, CLNC
Tarzana, CA
1998 Sudden Onset Idiopathic Sensorineural  hearing loss diagnosed at House Ear Institute, Los Angeles
BAHA June 30, 2010 Dr. Jeffrey Harris UCSD San Diego

JB914

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Re: Success with Soundbite and Insurance
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2014, 12:26:28 am »
I have Healthnet
11mm AN right side surgery House Ear Clinic 12/00
W. Luxford MD / John D. Day MD
SSD right side, ringing