Insurance Coverage After the CI: Auditory Training
I am personally aware of at least one deaf adult who is not receiving auditory training after getting an implant. Are there others? Today I talked to Karen (who writes the DeafMom blog on Disaboom) during my commute home, and she said she knew of several others in the same boat, not getting any training because of lack of insurance coverage. Karen also told me that it costs about $100 a session for auditory training, and if you go twice a week, that's $200 a week.
I am also aware that some adult implantees try to train themselves, using a variety of methods such as audio books. At the Celebrate Communication event recently, I talked to a Cochlear representative who told me they had a training kit (I put my name on the list to be contacted about that). Is that enough or is professional auditory training necessary? Can an adult cochlear implantee successfully train themselves?
Before you ask, at the moment I am getting some auditory training temporarily. After that ends, either I'll have to take on a major expense, or try to fight the insurance company to get them to pay for auditory training. (Karen suggested that I get an AVT therapist to write a letter to the insurance company to back me up when I contact the insurance company).
Last but not least, I'm aware that efforts are underway to try to get legislation to require insurance companies to cover auditory training. I have heard that this effort has been successful in one state?
Comments
Excellent Question! That is something we need to think about before receiving a cochlear implant? Please educate everyone about insurance because of risk in side effects. Thanks!
Some non for profit clinics may be willing to reduce their fees for those without sufficient insurance coverage. It’s worth exploring that possibility
I asked for auditory therapy, but my comprehension scores were too high at my 3 month testing. I did so much on my own. Since I am a teacher, I do have the benefit of a wonderful speech language teacher in my school. She allowed me to use her tapes of sounds and even did a few sessions for sounds I have had trouble with.
I do agree that we need more therapy after cochlear implant activation. It really makes a differences between enjoyment and fustration.
I discuss on my blog using music as auditory therapy. It worked for me. I put in at least 30- 1 hours a night during the first 6 months. Now I do it during my gym time and only about an hour a week. It has paid off. I have increased my comprehension of CNT sentences in my left ear from 1% (per surgery) to 89% now. My right ear was 17%(per surgery) to 93%. I’m sure it would have been a benefit for professional assistance instead of just “make it up as you therapy.”
Valerie
Buyer Beware… read the insurance policy and ask questions BEFORE you get the CI surgery… That is what I did before I went under the knife. There is some cd’s availble for auditory training.. I personally feel it should be a package deal, surgery, devices, and training all in one package.. I use my old music cds, I know the songs , so my brain is learning to identify the words.
Hi,
Unfortunately, at least in the first any Implantee must receiving some auditory training program to aware of voices and other sound and their related meanings, respectively. Because the processor of CI prosthesis works according to a special algorithm and necessary not working according to processing in the normal cochlear or even hearing aid, so the electrical signal the CI would be produced not resembling to the normal way and has very unnatural quality. After receiving the training program he subjects may use self training materials including auditory training soft wares.
About the insurance coverage for the CI,it is good that they even cover the claim for the Implant and pay the cost. In my country, they dont even acknowledge people with hearing loss. While everyone with hearing loss is not interested in a surgery for the CI. Those who are interested are on their own, and must fund the cost of the CI personally, what a shame. But if you all know of private funding to cover the cost of the CI, then do let me know. I have been without hearing sounds now for the past 17 years. I truely would like to get these sounds back into my ears. Thank you