Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!343!71!Gerry.Grimm
From: Gerry.Grimm@f71.n343.z1.fidonet.org (Gerry Grimm)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Hi
Message-ID: <16358@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 11 Dec 90 05:10:47 GMT
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Index Number: 12439

Hi...saw your note on our Seattle Hearing Impaired BBS and your situation is 
one that I can relate to...sounds like you're being readied for a cochlear 
implant by your doctors.  If that is the case, it may very well work well for 
you.  It does for me and several others I know here in the Seattle area.  I 
have a Nucleus Corp. cochlear implant and am able to understand most speech in 
a one on one situation.  Like most hearing aids, it's not of much use when 
there is a lot of background noise, but it has an adjustablevolume level which 
can help to filter out some of the background sound.  It works well enough for 
me that with some people, I can understand some speech over the phone.
It's not an inexpensive treatment however...the cost for the implant device 
and for the surgery and followup work with an audiologist can easily reach $20-
25,000.  Most major insurance plans cover the cost to about 80% of the total.

As for your son, I suggest that you start contacting as many funding sources 
as possible.  Many cities have community groups such as Lion's Club, Elk's 
clubs, and so on that devote much of their fund raising activity to supporting 
people in situations like yours.  I suggest you contact the service agencies 
in your city that service the hearing impaired.  These are non-profit groups 
specifically set up to service the hearing impaired...if nothing else, they 
may be able to direct you to sources that could help finance the cost of the 
care for your son.  Other sources of funding might be available from donors of 
money to various causes (ie. public and corporate foundations) or to 
individuals in need...ie. the Minneapolis millionaire who writes a newspaper 
column about his gifts to people...I forget his name at the moment, but you 
should be able to find his name and address from your local newspaper.
 
In any event, it will require some effort on your part to find the funding for 
your son (and perhaps yourself as well), but I think you'll agree, it's worth 
it.  Best of luck....

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