Dr. Cliff Olson, Military Veteran and Audiologist from Anthem Arizona, discusses how to get hearing aids from the VA (Veterans Administration).

Website: https://www.DrCliffAuD.com

Clinic Website: https://www.AppliedHearingAZ.com

The process of getting hearing aids from the VA can be confusing. Especially because there are two separate departments, the VHA and VBA that do hearing tests. However, only one of these departments can get you hearing aids.

Here are the 6 things you need to know about getting hearing aids from the VA:

1. Find out if you are Eligible for Hearing Aids To be eligible, you must NOT be Dishonorably Discharged, Must have been activated during your time in the Reserves or National Guard, or on Active Duty for 24 months. Your hearing loss does not have to be caused by the military to get hearing aids from the VA. Note: there are exceptions to these criteria so I recommend applying for Health Benefits Regardless.

2. Apply for VA Health Benefits To apply for health benefits, you need to either Call Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 1877222Vets (Monday – Friday 8am8pm ET).
Go Online https://www.vets.gov/healthcare/apply/.
Or, print out the Form 1010 EZ https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pd... and Mail it to: Health Eligibility Center
2957 Clairmont Rd., Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30329, or take it into your closest VA facility.
If you need help applying find a Veterans Service Officer to help FREE of charge at (888)7774443.

3. Make an appointment with audiology You can request an appointment during the application process, or you can call or visit your local VA facility to schedule an appointment. Some facilities you can schedule on line through your MyHealth Portal.

4. Appointments for "Hearing Aids" and "Compensation" are different things If you want hearing aids, you need to go through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), if you want compensation due to a hearing disability suffered while serving, you need to go through the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The contact # for the VBA is (800)8271000.

5. All VA facilities are separate You can't just walk into or call any VA clinic and get serviced. If you are moving to a different state, you must contact your Enrollment Coordinator or Health Benefits Advisor at your current VA facility to change your preferred VA location. If you are travelling or are a "snow bird", you must contact your Traveling Vets Coordinator to be seen at a different VA location. Do this before you travel. 30 days notice is recommended.

6. Don't expect to get your hearing aids on the same day as your hearing test It takes time to order hearing aids. There are also many other Vets who are scheduled for hearing aid fitting so you must wait your turn. Hearing aid fittings usually occur 2 weeks to 4 weeks from the testing date. Just be patient!

Special thanks to Dr. Emily Raway, audiologist from Minneapolis Minnesota VA, and Dr. Paige Tatge, audiologist from the Phoenix Arizona VA.