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Being a Savvy Consumer, and More on Hearing Concerns
Annotation:Federal Trade Commission - Summarizes the various types of hearing loss, the differences between a hearing aid and a personal sound amplification device, and what to consider when you’re shopping so you get the product that’s most appropriate for your particular kind of hearing loss.
Annotation:Consumers’ Union of U.S. - The comparison tables require a subscription to Consumers Report online, but the informative descriptive portions of the article are available free.
Annotation:Cathie Gandel and AARP - This site provides a number of useful suggestions on why and how to buy an hearing aid. Follow the links through the various pages.
Annotation:Hearing Loss Association of America - The guide is a printed color booklet which can be ordered from this site $5.50. It shows the different styles of hearing aids and compares different models and features.
Annotation:The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - See page 31, Medicare Part A and Part B, for a description of what services are covered under Hearing and Balance Exams. Hearing Aids and hearing aids fitting exams are not covered by original Medicare, however some coverage may exist under Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C), so you will need to check with the plan.
Annotation:The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams or hearing aids. In some cases, diagnostic hearing exams are covered by Part B.
Annotation:Hearing Loss Association of America - A list of resources and contact information for national and regional organizations providing assistance for hearing aids.
Annotation:Starkey Hearing Foundation - This domestic program provides hearing aids to people with no other resources to acquire hearing aids. HEAR NOW is a program of last resort; all other options must be used before service is awarded. Professional/consumer fact sheets and brochures are available.
Annotation:AT Network - The network, provided by the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers under contract with the California Department of Rehabilitation, sponsors an assistive device exchange, provides directories of assistive technology manufacturers and services, and device lending libraries for people with disabilities.
Annotation:U.S. Federal Communications Commission - A guide to the requirements that cell phone manufacturers and carriers have to comply with in making wireless telephones compatible with hearing aids.
Annotation:Job Accommodation Network - A guide on ways to comply with the American with Disabilities Act in accommodating employees with arthritis.
Annotation:This is a professional organization for audiologists. Resources include professional and consumer publications (some in Spanish), an audiologist locator, and a professional membership directory.
Annotation:Professional organization of specialists in audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science. Website provides both professional and consumer online publications are available. Some materials are available in Spanish.
Annotation:ATA supports medical research focused on a cure for tinnitus. The organization publishes a magazine three times a year, which includes detailed articles on current research, treatment, and other information for those living with tinnitus. Articles from prior issues are available on the ATA website, as well as a consumer directory, fact sheets, and other publications for professionals and consumers.
Annotation:(Formerly Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH), this non-profit organization provides education, information, support, and advocacy. HLAA provides assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss. Its national support network includes an office in the District of Columbia area, 14 state organizations, and 200 local chapters.
Annotation:NINCD supports all kinds of research in the areas of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. It also sponsors campaigns for health promotion and disease prevention. The website includes many articles for both consumers and health professionals on diseases and conditions, and on communication methods and devices, such as American Sign Language, cochlear implants and hearing aids.
Annotation:U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Suggestions regarding the safe use of medicines, including questions to ask your doctor, and tips on how to cut medicine costs. Check out the whole section of the FDA website devoted to consumers for other useful articles and resources, including how to report a bad reaction to a medicine, and how to protect yourself from health fraud.
Annotation:SeniorNet and Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher - Doctors and patients can sometimes be on different wavelengths. This article provides practical tips on how to prepare for an effective medical appointment.
Annotation:National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health - Tips for finding reliable health information.
Annotation:MedlinePlus - Excellent guidelines for evaluating web resources for the consumer.
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Information provided in these databases and websites should not be viewed as a means for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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