Question
My husbands hearing is bad and now he can't pass the hearing section of the DOT physical. Our insurance does not pay for hearing aids and if he does not get the hearing aids by March he is out of a job.
There use to be a man who worked out of the same place my husband does but has since quit who got free hearing aids because he would have lost his job without them but we can't remember the name of the agency who provides people with the hearing aids. Would anyone know who I can contact about getting free hearing aids?
I am disabled and can't work and require alot of medical care so we don't have the money needed to buy any hearing aids. Any help will be appricated.
Thanks
Pamm
Answer
I will also copy this post to the RT above .. there may someone there that knows the answer.
Monty
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Howdy, Pamm! i posted over on the Pro Driver's Forum about this. i found a link to an article about the Lion's Clubs, and their Free Hearing Aid Program. If you will go to:
http://www.themess.com/lions/den/hearing/msg/48.html
i think this might be the help y'all are looking for.
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Godspeed to all of you out there on the highways and byways!
Answer
Sorry it took me awhile to answer this one, I've been on vacation.
First of all, you state that he can't pass the hearing test. What type of test was it? If it was merely a whisper test, was it backed up with an actual audiology exam? Were his ears physically examined to be sure there was not a wax build-up or some other obstruction that could be impairing the hearing? Did they rule out fluid behind the ear drum, infections, tumors, etc?
Your hubby needs to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist BEFORE getting hearing aids. He may not need them at all.
But if he does, contact your local Kiwanis or Lion's club. You may also want to call your local Disabilities office. They may be able to help get hearing aids or letting your husband's company know that they can NOT legally fire him for this. If they do, they may find out what the American's with Disabilities Act is all about.
Let us know if we can be of further assistance.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
My husband is going to an ENT and went to the audioligest for a hearing test and he was told he needed hearing aids but then we found out the insurance won't pay. Then his company USA truck screwed up his check agian. Every week they don't pay him what he has earned we think they are just trying to get rid of him this week they shorted him $80.00 last week it was a $600.00 bonus check which he finally managed to get part of but they still owe him money on that too. Wish he could pass the hearing test he really needs to get the heck out of that place. USA bought out the company he was working for and we have had nothing but problems since they took over. He has really bad ringing in the ears which make it hard to hear the beeps when they do the hearing tests. His last DOT test he just passed the hearing part.
I hate he needs to look for new work as I am sick and on this job he is only gone 3 days each week but if he can get something else I will just have to count on my sons to check up on me. I sew alot so I mostly am a homebody but I have fell twice in the last month due to not being able to keep my balance. But it does no good for my husband to stay at this hell hole and keep loseing money on a weekly basis. Sure wish he could find a good company to work for.
I appricate all the help that has been offered I am sure something will work out the Lord has always taken care of us.
Thanks again
Pamm
Answer
Pamm,
Sorry to hear that your hubby is having problems with the company. I don't have any answers for that one.
However, the ringing in your husbands ears is referred to as Tinnitus. It is generally caused by nerve damage from overexposure to loud noises but it can also be caused by some medications. Beleive it or not, Aspirin can cause it.
Now you mention that during his last physical he barely passed the hearing test and did not pass it on this one. That indicates a progressive hearing loss (one that gets worse with time). You didn't mention your husbands age, nor if he is on any medications. Also, it would be helpful to know if he has any hobbies such as shooting guns, playing the drums, listening to loud music, etc. that may have contributed to this problem. Has he always been a trucker? Has he had any other jobs that required him to be around loud noises for extended peiods of time? If so, did they provide hearing protection? Hearing conservation programs in the workplace have only been around for 10 to 15 years and are mandated by OSHA, now. This means that anyone who had a job where noise exposure was a problem and hearing protection was not provided by the employer, The employer is responsible for the damage it caused. Even if the employee does not work there anymore. But it must be documented that there was a significant decrease in hearing in the years following the noise exposure.
If the only hearing tests your husband ever had were of the DOT type, that may be a problem as most are done using the whisper test. There are no actual hearing levels recorded, just whether or not the driver can hear a whispered voice at 5 feet. But if his DOT tests over the years were done with a machine that makes the beeps, actual levels have been recorded and it should show a decrease over the years. Obtain copies of all physicals in the last few years. Look for the area that addreses hearing and see if any numbers are recorded in that area. If so, compare the previous years and you may see a pattern of increased hearing loss. The numbers will get higher over the years.
Let me know what you find, and I may be able to help further.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
I guess I did forget to mention my husbands age he is 43.He does not take asprin and is on perscription meds but the doctor said that would not affect his hearing. He has driven truck for 25 years so it is about all he has ever done. I don't know if he can get copies of his physicals but I will look into it. hopefully mabe we can at least get him one hearing aide and that will help. I was shocked at the price of hearing aids I just assumed insurance paid for them. Guess I should not assume. It is bad enough he had to get all his top teeth pulled and is still waiting on the dentures and now his hearing is shot guess we are just getting old and are falling apart.
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If he has been with this last company for at least 6 years, they should have copies of his last 3 physicals. More if he was there longer than that as they are usually done every 2 years. One hearing aid is better than none. But di try the Kiwanis or Lion's clubs in your area. They are some great resources.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
There are 'hearing aids' for hunters and shooters that cost a lot less than prescribed hearing aids and have an added bonus in having the volume limited to prevent further damage from loud sound. Dillion's and Midway have them in old cataloges. Both kinds the earmuffs and the inserted ones. Sam's Club had them a year ago.
Answer
Now there's an option I had never considered.
I had thought about the "Miracle Ear" but do not know cost or capabilities of the equipment. But certainly more resources for this lady and her hubby to check out. Now, any suggestions about those teeth he needs too?
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
Thanks for the information I will look into that. At least our insurance paid for part of his teeth but we still have to pay $500.00 for them!! I don't think we would have so much trouble coming up with money for extras if his company would not screw up his pay check every week sure wish I knew where to turn them into for fleecing him of his money it makes me wonder how many other drivers they are doing that to.! I will let you know if I find any information on the hearing devices hope I do that could be an option for him at least for now.
Answer
May I suggest you take the issue of screwed up pay out to the Professional Driver's forum. The people there may have some ideas on how to make this company pay up. Medical stuff is my forte, the drivers themselves can help you with the pay issue, as I am sure many of them have been thru it. They are a reasourceful bunch of people.
Good luck to you and yours.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at