I am so frustrated right now. Abby and Carter both had ABR's done in mid-December and because of a drastic drop in hearing, they both need hearing aid adjustments. Our ENT told us that his audiologist on staff was getting the technology to adjust hearing aids and both he and the audiologist said it would be up and ready by the beginning of the year. Our audi said that she needed to get a hook ups and a contract from Unitron (their hearing aid manufacturer) and then she could start adjusting Abby and Carter. We came two weeks later for a follow up and the audi said that it might be a little big longer than she thought and so maybe we should go see our old Audi for one last adjustment and she would have it all ready for us in a week or so.
So I send the ABR results to our old audi (who is an hour away from us) and she called me and said that she REFUSED to adjust their hearing because of the drastic changes. She wanted to do futher testing, which means more time and money, and a delay in getting their adjustments.
So then I called the new Audi with our ENT and it took a WEEK of phone tag (which meant I was calling her almost every day and she never called back) for us to finally talk. (SO frustrating!!!) and I told her what was going on. She said she didn't understand why she wouldn't accept the changes in their hearing considering they have Pendred's and EVA. She also said that when she called the Hearing aid manufacturer they said they never received her contract and so she was going to have to re-submit it which might take another two weeks or so, but she was going to call Unitron and tell them the situation and hope they would rush it. She told me to stick with her and we would get this taken care of quickly. Well that was over two weeks ago. Haven't heard from her.
I am so unimpressed with the way BOTH of the audiologist have handled this, and even more frustrated that the audi we WANT to go to is being unprofessional by not returning phone calls and getting the gear for their hearing aids fast enough. Our ENT is one of the best in the state. You'd think he would have a more professional audi on staff. It makes me want to look for a new one all together, but our insurance doesn't have ANY other pediatric audiologists in the Cigna network, and if there are, they are hiding under different names or categories or something.
My kids desperately NEED their hearing aids adjusted and we can't get it done. WHY do medical professionals and insurance companies have to make it so difficut for us? I mean, Isn't enough that I have two kids with hearing loss?!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
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11 comments:
You poor girl! I know how frustrating things like this can be. When we were trying to get Ian's swallowing under control, it seemed like we went through 100's of doctors and hours on the phone to try to get things figured out! By the way, who is your ENT? We ended up finding a pretty good one, but he's not close either. Hang in there! Call if you want to vent, I can offer a listening ear! (But not until I get back from Ian's doc appt! He's sick again....)
I was wondering if you ever got that taken care of. Let me see what I can check for you.
This is the perfect communication you need our ENT to read/hear. He's been very professional with us before on a separate issue, so I'm sure he'd be willing to listen again. I'm praying with you on this.
Ugggh, I am so sorry. It has got to be super frustrating. Hang in there. You are such a good Mom for always putting your kids first.
I am so sorry you are having to deal with this on top of an already hard situation. We love you and pray that everything will get worked out. Let me know if you need anything.
I so sorry that you are having such problems. I hope everything works out soon.
So frustrating! You would think that with them all being in the professional/communicating business they would be more professional and communicative. Don't let them wear you down. You're doing your part exactly right. Something will open up soon. We're praying for you and your kids.
oh Mandie:( I can't imagine! I would be in tears too:( I hate it when we have to fight the system and everyone else out there just to get what we need done for our kids! You are amazing....cry and then keep bugging them to DEATH!
Oh, my! I would be beyond frustration. I can't BELIEVE the audiologist won't adjust the aids because of a significant drop. Our audi adjusts first, then asks questions later (unless it is an obvious conductive loss). She adjusts Nolan's aids after each and every hearing test. I wish I could send her in the mail to you.
I wonder if you could call the audiologist and have her send the reason she won't adjust the aids IN WRITING. Knowing that the kids have a progressive loss and are in key speech development years, adjustment would seem paramount.
I wish I could help more- I wish your insurance company had more options!!
I feel your pain! We have few pediatric audiologist's in our area, and the one I really like, and trust, will only test hearing. They do NO hearing aid adjustments (which, what good is that???). Which means we have to drive 40-45 minutes each way, to visit and Audiologist who is always booked way out. Why do they make it so hard??? Hang in there, and definitely talk to your ENT! Maybe he can help get things going w/ the new audiologist.
Just wanted you to know you are NOT alone. Many audiologists really do not 'get' Pendred/LVAS- they don't understand the fluctuations at all.
I'm sorry Mandie! That would be so frustrating! I hate getting the run around. I hope they are more helpful REAL soon!
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