Hearing and Tinnitus claim

Iceman - that’s great. I have had mine for several yrs. makes a huge difference. I like all the Bluetooth features. Use the TV one a lot. If my wife is in the same rm, and not interested in my tv shows, put the tv on mute, and stream to ya ears. Also use them lots with my iPad, vids, music. VVV

I've had my new hearing aids for 2 weeks now.

I honestly can't believe how bad my hearing was. total game changer.  so much i was missing.

I got the aids that hook up and can be managed with my phone. Starkey Livio. I can stream music right to it, phone calls etc. in addition, it has a built in tinnitus masker.

with the aids, I also got the TV interface. didn't think I would actually need/use it, but WOW, another game changer.  tv is so much clearer now.
added bonus, I can turn up the TV volume, and also turn down the outside volume (haven't told the wife I can tune her out that way, LOL)

Vet1234 wrote:Thanks!  VVV!
I had a case manager, but not anymore.

Do I just speak with anyone?

Alternatively, you can submit a claim online thru myvac. That’s what I did.
In the section for how it affects your life, and how it is related to the military provide LOTS of details

You don’t need to do it all at once, you can save your status at any point.

After it is finally submitted, myvac will generate the forms to give to the audiologist

I went to the audiologist first, got copies of the report etc, then submitted a claim through myvac. I then gave the forms to the audiologist, and she happily filled out the forms

Thanks! VVV!
I had a case manager, but not anymore.

Do I just speak with anyone?

Vet1234 - Call DVA 1-866-522-2122. Tell them you want to put in a disability claim for hearing loss and Tinnitus in both ears. They will mail it out. Then take the Dr/Specialist part to yr hearing test. They will fill their part, and send it in. You do yr part and send it. I always send my paperwork in via registered mail. That way you have a track. Then you can print the tracking page saying it’s in Matane. They are known to loose mail. Hope this helps..

I've been having issues with my hearing and ringing in my ears/muffled hearing. I just made an appointment with an audiologist. How would I go about filing a claim?
It's been a few years since I've done any applications and don't know where to start.

Thanks

johnny211 wrote:Iceman - I also got a sound machine/alarm clock, and it has 2 small speakers you can place under yr pillow. And also ask for a small box that hooks to yr TV. I like it a lot. You can turn the volume up with the small remote. And they also gave me a small Bluetooth mic clip. You can give it to someone in a crowded rm, and adjust the Volume. I dealt with Belltone, but I’m sure they all can get it. Yr entitled to have these items..

thanks for the info Johnny.
I'll look into all of those

I like the idea of a bluetooth mic. i didn't know that was available.
I totally avoid crowds, because I can't hear properly with all the other noise, and that sets off the PTSD

I'm sure the hearing loss clinic i went to knows what VAC will pay for or not, and get me all that i can.
they were the ones tat suggested i submit a claim to start with

Iceman - I also got a sound machine/alarm clock, and it has 2 small speakers you can place under yr pillow. And also ask for a small box that hooks to yr TV. I like it a lot. You can turn the volume up with the small remote. And they also gave me a small Bluetooth mic clip. You can give it to someone in a crowded rm, and adjust the Volume. I dealt with Belltone, but I’m sure they all can get it. Yr entitled to have these items..

Got the official letters in myvac

Hearing 3 (+1 for QOL)
Tinnitus 10 (+1 QOL)
Total 15

Also states SDA attributable (gulf war) so full entitlement.

Now I can go back to hearing clinic and get an aid with a masker.

Iceman - Congrats, always nice to see a Brother getting what’s coming to him. Great you didn’t wait too long. My last reassessment took 77 wks. But in the end it was in my favour. Enjoy yr Holiday Season, Johnny Out, VVV

My spouse had 19 years in. Was air force and worked on ships for 2 years. Has some hearing loss in one ear and tinnitus in both. VAC claim was denied. Told hearing was normal on release. Not going to appeal.

So...  

I took a look at my vac. My claims are now marked as completed as of today. 6 weeks from submission, 4 weeks from all documentation.

No email yet, but my monthly payment is now up with a new psc payment
The monthly increase works out to 15% disability

Based on my prior percentage, i was granted somewhere between 15-19% for tinnitus and hearing.  
Looks like maximum possible for both the tinnitus, and for the hearing loss based on the ratings table.

Makes for a very happy iceman.

Once I get the official word, it be time to decide, take the extra 175/month or go with ~57,000 lump sum
It would take ~27 years to equal out, and I’m no spring chicken.

One should also consider Hercs are notorious for engine vibrations (not just db's) especially inside the aircraft (with engines running . If anyone flew as a passenger, most would not have ear plugs or a headset on. Heck, even aircrew, who wore headsets have hearing problems because of the Hercs. The inside of the aircraft was not very well insulated for sound proofing or temperatures.

Yes .....some medication can be the reason for Tinnitus, ever read the symptoms of say.... Mefloquine, so I am sure other medication could also cause one to be predisposed to ringing in the ears as well.

Riddick

I worked in operational power plants, like Alert, and on generators in the tin cans you would see scattered around the airfield, when I was released in 99' my hearing was "ok'ish" and tinnitus was "apparent" (whatever the hell that meant?!).

My doctors told me that a lot of the prescription drugs I had to take to fight my condition could cause hearing problems. So after 15 years of doctors (about 3/4 of them) bugging me to get tested got tired and ratted me out... my family doctor told my wife! Bastard!! LOL

So my loving bride ordered me to get tested as she was tired of my "Sorry can't hear you dear" routine and yeah time, military occupation and prescription drugs caused a good 'dip' in my hearing and tinnitus was "concerning". So now I hear my wife and my neighbors have noticed the tv isn't as loud as it used to be.

At least we had ear defenders and ear plugs. My uncle a Korean vet used bullets from his sidearm as ear plugs during tense situations. Bullets! He would tell me using cotton was out of the question as cotton for a bullet wound was more important then hearing. So yeah after what 60-70 years VAC figured out hearing issues are very common with veterans. At least they figured it out.

Teentitan wrote:It seems hearing claims/applications are pretty well streamlined to be mostly in favor for the veteran so I'd say it's worth a shot.

My hearing aid clinic submitted all the paperwork for me, hearing aids and hearing loss with tinnitus.  Got the hearing aids in a week or two and the claim for tinnitus and hearing loss (very similar to your hearing loss and tinnitus) was approved in about 2 months.  

thanks TT
so you were basically the same?
no hearing "disability" on release, but later in life, and it all went smooth? i guess i will wait to see.

I  went to the Dr, then the audiologist on a referral. the audiologist recommended claiming.
it took me a month to actually submit the claim... anxiety.. grrr.

I uploaded the reports I got from her with the claim, and still got the medical questionaire. i forwarded that to the audiologist (after a week, again.. anxiety...) , and she was going to fill it in and mail it. it should be on it's way

I guess they (the civilians that look at files with no idea what we actually do), after many many many years (looking at the VRAB), realized that constantly standing next to running jet engines, being near artillery, or constant weapons fire, or ship engines (or even  the constant yelling from your recruit sergeant, lol) actually might affect hearing more than the usual civilian