ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: Trackman on April 20, 2009, 06:30:23 am
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What is the life expectancy of the BAHA ? Did anyone buy the warranty?
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Well, I'm hoping for what they charge for it, it will outlive me! :D
After the one year initial warranty was up, I added a personal articles rider to my homeowners policy - it was $146 a year for $5000 coverage. My audiologist said he doesn't really like the warranty offered by Cochlear and thinks you get better coverage on your own. I guess you'd have to look into both and decide which is better for you.
I put a post on here somewhere - I'd guess under Hearing Issues with the phone number of a company that offers insurance coverage on personal articles such as the BAHA if your insurance company doesn't.
Lori
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Mitch -
I just replied to the PM you sent me this morning a little while ago, but I'll recap here.
I didn't purchase the extended warranty and currently my processor still falls under the initial one until early June.
At that point I'll probably look into the homeowner's rider that Lori suggested.
Jan
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I bought a rider for my homeowners policy for my Resound Pulse hearing aids and the cost was $80 for $4,000 worth of coverage- Ohio Casualty is one of the few insurance companies that will insure hearing aids.
I am now looking at BAHA, since I am SSD on the right
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http://www.earserv.com/faqs.htm this was a link on the Baha yahoo groups website to warranty your Baha or hearing aid lost or stolen too.
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Thanks for the link, Mike. Very helpful ;D
Okay, guys, I'm a little confused here. I thought the BAHA warranty was 1 year, but someone (perhaps, Grega?) mentioned being in contact with Cochlear or reading their website or something and said that the warranty is 2 years?
Anyone know what the deal is there??
Jan
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Jan,
Maybe that's a new thing - mine was only 1 year.
Lori
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Thanks, Lori.
I'm fairly sure my warranty is only a year also. My first year is coming to an end in early June and even though I keep meaning to check into insurance, I haven't found the time.
I was hoping that perhaps I did have a two-year warranty from Cochlear so I could put off buying insurance for another year ::)
Jan
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The divino warraty is 2 yrs they told me.
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I'll have to dig out my paperwork and see what it says.
I just got my Divino 6/4/08 and I could swear I was told I only had a 12 month warranty.
If Cochlear has changed their policy since June, maybe they'll take pity on me and give me another year. It's worth a try ;D
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Hi all,
Mike added the following site to one of his posts several days ago. On this site, you can find detailed info re baha warranties, initial and extended.
http://www.earcentergreensboro.com/baha_device.htm#Sound:
:) Greg
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Thanks for pointing this out, Greg.
From what I get out of it, once my 1st year is up (6/4/08) I have 12 months to decide on the extended warranty option.
I thought I had to make the extended warranty decision during the first year - so I was confused ::)
Jan
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Jan .... although very thorough info, details might have changed since the info on that website came out. Yesterday, Anne Marie Autry at Cochlear Americas said that you can decide on an extended warranty up until 90 days before the initial 2-yr warranty expires. Suggest calling to verify times.
;D Greg
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Thanks, Greg, I may just do that.
I'm not certain I should extend my warranty though.
Not to jinx myself, but I've had absolutely no issues with my Divino since I got it and unless I somehow damage it I don't realistically expect any.
I may PM a few of the forumites who've had their BAHAs for a while to see what kinds of issues they've had with their processors, if any.
Jan
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Good morning Jan,
Good idea on checking with others who have baha'd for couple yrs to determine issues. I'm leaning toward Divino ....
Thanks Mike for the info .... gotcher number.
Talk atcha.... 8) Greg
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I went to my audiologist last week just for a quick once-over and fine-tuning before we move. He was looking at my chart and asked how many times I'd been in to the repair clinic they have there to have my processor fixed. I told him I'd never had to have it repaired. He was shocked and said that if I make it about another month without having any need for repair, I'd set a new record! Vanderbilt is supposedly the second largest supplier of BAHA's in the country, so they see a lot of them, but I guess people must be careless with them or something.
I even told him about dropping it into the chest freezer, onto the pavement, onto the tile floor, knocking it off a few times doing something stupid...
Maybe my doctor knows what a hazard I am and ordered the super heavy duty model! :D
And my audiologist wasn't sure what the prize was for setting the record....I hope it's something good!
Lori
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Lori ..... mon dieu, you seem to drop your baha a lot. Vision I get is that of a smiling, gymnastic, lady doing all sorts of kung-fu flips and movements that would make your baha fly off! Glad your baha has been good to you to last thru all your gyrations .... that's a baha-haha!! ;D
Cochlear must have changed their warranty period (now 2-yr) .... but it's worth double-checking for peace of mind.
Wishing you and family a safe trip!
Greg
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Greg,
I like that vision much better than the actual one - yours would make you think I was actually graceful! We can just pretend your vision is accurate! ;D
Lori
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Hey, Lori, I was kind of buying into Greg's vision until you told us otherwise ;D
I've never done kung-fu flips - even on a good day - but I've knocked my BAHA off 3 times. Well, actually my son knocked it off for me once; and I knocked it off the other 2 times. It does happen. No damage done, thankfully.
Jan
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Lori~
Didn't you tell me you did gymnastics through high school?? Seriously... ::)
K
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Darn, Lori ...... no flips or gyrations .... but perhaps I brought a little laugh to your day. Sounds as if Jan & K did a bit of smilin at that vision too! ;D ;) ;D
Got a Divino tester yesterday and have been trying it in diff situations, and will do so for a week. I had tried the Intenso couple weeks ago. This time I didn't get the box w/ users manual. So instead of trying to ask the audiologist or ENT doc (impossible to contact them :-\), here's my question for you Divino-ers .... which position on that little switch is for the directional mic? I do notice an increase in power in the 'up' position, so I'm curious about the dir'l mic.
Thanks! Greg
ps .... some day, I'll divulge my little mishap :o :-X with the D-tester .... but it still works real well ....... WHEWWWWWWW !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Greg -
this is going to sound pretty stupid, but I'm really not sure - and I like the directional microphone.
I usually flip it one way and if I don't like the sound I'm getting, then I just flip it the other ::)
Can you tell I'm not very technical? Heck, I can't even program my VCR :D
Lori will probably have a more helpful answer.
Jan
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The dirctional mic does it plug into the divino or is it built into the processor.
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The directional microphone is built into the processor.
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ok
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Directional - Down.
But I'm like you Jan, I just move the switch to where it sounds best at that moment. I know, that's highly technical.
Lori
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Jan and Lori,
My BAHA waranty is definitely two years too. I was pretty sure you both said yours were only waranteed for one. I wondered if Cochlear had changed their policy but forgot to look into it. I don't know when they changed their policy, but it might be worth looking into now since you've had yours for less than a year.
Wendy,
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The first year I had my BAHA, it had to be replaced twice thru the warranty, and this was done w/ no hassle. I didn't but the extended warranty, and now I have a separate policy for it $100/year for $4000 coverage for loss or damage or breakage or repairs. It's been trouble free now for 2 1/2 yrs, although I rarely use it, maybe once or twice a week for a few hours.
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Sam~
Out of curiosity, why do use it so infrequently? Just wondering...
K
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I'm not certain I should extend my warranty though.
I've never been a believer in extended warranties ... from cars to anything else... I think its a waste of money....
I do think your homeowners or some other policy is the way to go....
now having said that.... I've taken very good care of my BAHA (or lucky) ..(no repairs yet) and now that I'm working at home a lot.. I dont even wear it.. (because I'm home alone!) ... I never wear it working in the yard or fishing ... only wear it , going in the office (1 or 2 times a week) or out to eat.... (about every time I put on good shoes ;) )
now if your total dependant on it (totally deaf without it, and wearing it 24/7 ) .... I would change my feelings on this.....
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To Kaybo
Don't feel that I need it much, SSD doesn't seem to bother me. I consider my BAHA a luxury for special occasions, that I'm entitled to.
Sam
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Sam~
I was just curious b/c I have been SSD for 13 years now. I think that I have adjusted VERY well, but then hear others rave and wonder if it is something I should check into some day...your response was kind of what i was thinking for me. I really don't want to invest the time or money into something that I have already adjusted to! Especially after last year's surgical fiasco! ;D
Thanks for the response!
K
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Kaybo
If you have the time and the money, then the BAHA is definately worth while.!!
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Sam~
Maybe when the kids are older and I am not running so much for them, I will pursue it. I know that I can't get the TransEar here so I figure I would have to travel for the BAHA too. That is not a huge deal - just don't have the time or energy now - I kind of spend ALL of that on my family (& wouldn't change that for the world right now)!! ;D
K
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I'm very happy with it ... I just dont need it when I home alone !! My mother has poor hearing and she has a HA for each ear.... and before my AN got my hearing tested... On the non-AN side I was told it was a low score... (but within the range of normal) so I assumed as I got older... I would need help... so I went with the BAHA...
(I need some more recent pictures.... coming soon!)
interesting note..... one of my mothers ears is worse than the other... same as me... one of the reasons I delayed getting it checked... I just figured it was genes! .. of course that was my AN side !!! .. talked to her about all the AN symptoms... she has none of them... just the poor hearing...
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I have had my BAHA for 2 yrs with no problems. I did not take out the extended warranty because I work inside and only wear it while at work. When I get home everyday I take it off and store it before I wear it outside and chance damaging it. I too have knocked mine off several times getting in the car but so far it is still working fine.
Ellis
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I have been deaf for 39 yrs and I am so glad that the Baha is there for SSD people I was so use to not hearing for so long that when I tried the Baha I would have laid on the opearating table then it sucks being deaf on my right side and I am glad that the Baha is there for people I got sick of ENTs and Audiologist saying there nothing we can do for you but you still have one good I felt like telling them you try being deaf in one ear then tell me that. I did not have AN surgery mine was from nerve deafness when I was alittle kid severe ear infections destroy the inside of my right ear nerves and cochlear. :'( So I look at it this way I am so glad someone was looking out for someone with SSD an made the BAHA I am tired of being deaf on one side. You deal with it but never I mean never get use to it. Ok I feel better lol. ;D
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Mike -
although I knew your story, I want to thank you for sharing it with everyone else. You are one of the very few forumties who have had experience with both the TransEar and the BAHA. We don't get to hear this kind of perspective too often.
Joef, Dr. Sam, and Ellis -
thanks to all of you for giving us some feedback on this topic. As BAHA users who have their processor longer than a lot of us here, your input is invaluable.
Hope to see you guys around more often ;D
Jan
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HI Jan had my 2 week follow up today she took 2 stitches out that did not dissolve right away she said the site looks very good will be able to wash it next week with out the cup. as for the healing cap she is real conservative she like to keep it on. I asked her about the sound processor and she said 3 months no earlier she likes to wait. Which is fine with me so that means July 21 is when I will get it. ;D
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Yea! Great report, Mike.
In your honor I'm going to add your BAHA gotcha day (phrase coined by Lori) to the AN Calendar ;D
That will get officially you into David's weekly update - and in addition, will bring lots of well wishes from our fellow forumites.
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Thanks Jan ;D
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What does the warranty cover when you go through your Insurance company. My insurance co. told me it will run about $250 a year and will only cover it if I lose it. What do you do if it goes bad an malfunctions.
Karen
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My ins. covers losing it or loss of use through damage or malfunction.
State farm, $100/yr $4000 coverage
Sam
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Hi Sam I have state farm too How do you get it.
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Sam -
is this a stand-alone policy? or a rider to your homeowner's policy?
I thought Lori said her coverage was a rider to her homeowner's policy, but I'm not certain.
Jan
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It's a stand alone policy, I got it from agent's office.
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Some companies let you add a personal articles rider to your policy - I have Travelers and I had to get a separate policy - it's $146 a year for $5000 coverage and it covers loss and breakage.
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Thanks for the info Sam & Lori ;D
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Jan ~
FWIT - We have riders on our homeowners policy (at an extra charge) that cover jewelry (came in handy when I accidentally washed Tina's diamond earrings down the drain) as well as a valuable painting we own. Every company has different rules and exceptions as well as prices. One hint: always get 'replacement value', not 'stated value'. It's a better deal, especially when the value of items like a BAHA rise over time, as most things do. Definitely worth a call to your agent.
Jim
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so, the baha is covered by insurance, but, if the processor croaks after warranty you are responsible for paying? what if a coclear implant fails? are you responsible for that too? how is the 'processor' seperated from the BAHA? is the BAHA is the implant and processor?
My wife did medical billing, auditing and worked for a hospital and IPA for years. she thinks that if the insurance covers it and it croaks they should replace it too.
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JB -
the best way I can describe the BAHA is that it's not really "all-inclusive". By that I mean, there's the part that's implanted into your skull (permanent fixture) and the part that's not.
The part that's not (the processor, which is a tiny hearing aid) is removable. You rock it on and snap it off the piece that is in your skull.
I never really gave any thought to what you're asking, which basically is why doesn't the insurance company who paid for the original surgery and processor pay for replacements when the processor becomes damaged. Good question.
I don't really know the answer. My inclination is that the processor is a detachable part, not a permanent fixture so that makes it different. But I could be wrong.
Someone who has a BAHA (maybe Wendy?) mentioned that her medical insurance will pay for replacement processors , but I think that's something that is specifically spelled out in her policy.
Jim -
thanks for the tip on replacement vs stated value. Something I'll definitely have to remember.
Jan
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if someones coclear implant fails do they have to pay to have it fixed? or does insurance pay for that?
i think there is a logical argument to be made that insurnance should pay for a processor that fails or wears out.
IMHO if your processor falls off and you run over it with your lawnmower or something, well, that should be on your own dime! ;D
just passing on the opinion of my wife the medical billing/auditing expert. she feels a good case can be made to have them pay for it based on her auditing / billing experience. I trust her, she got my IPA to setup a one time contract with House Ear 9 years ago when they wanted to send me somewhere else.
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I'm not sure if I'm answering the question you have or not, but the additional insurance I purchased for my processor covers loss or damage, including running it over with a lawnmower (as long as I don't do it intentionally!). There were a few exclusions, but they were things like nuclear war, a plane crash, train derailment, etc...odd things. It's basically covered like traditional hearing aids, engagement rings, diamond earrings that get washed down the drain ;), or anything of value that you want to make sure is covered for it's full value and not just what the insurance company decides at the time off a loss.
The implanted part itself should be covered by medical insurance - if it needs to be replaced or removed, I would imagine your medical insurance would cover that, especially if they paid for you to have it put in in the first place. It's probably not an issue much, because all it is is a titanium screw with no moving parts, so it's not prone to breakage. A Cochlear implant is a different story, and they actually do fail - in which case, the implanted part is probably covered by medical insurance and the external part would probably need to be covered on a separate personal articles policy, much like the regular hearing aids.
Lori
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Hi Lori,
not really a question, more just a comment. ;D
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Phew.... pressure's off then! :D
Lori
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if someones coclear implant fails do they have to pay to have it fixed? or does insurance pay for that?
i think there is a logical argument to be made that insurnance should pay for a processor that fails or wears out.
IMHO if your processor falls off and you run over it with your lawnmower or something, well, that should be on your own dime! ;D
just passing on the opinion of my wife the medical billing/auditing expert. she feels a good case can be made to have them pay for it based on her auditing / billing experience. I trust her, she got my IPA to setup a one time contract with House Ear 9 years ago when they wanted to send me somewhere else.
I would agree to a point ...
if your SSD .. you dont need the BAHA on all the time (and your should not be wearing outside doing yard chores) ... but if you totaly deaf without em .. your wearing it 24/7 and you are wearing it whille cutting the grass ...
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JB,
As Jan said whether your insurance company will pay for a replacement processor may be spelled out in your policy. My insurance carrier(AETNA) will pay to replace my processor every five yerars. I plan to take advantage of that when the time comes.
Wendy