First, THANK YOU to each of you who has helped me so far.

Nutshell: I am still about $1600 short.  I put it all on a credit card, which I am hoping to pay off within the next billing cycle so I am not paying interest.

I picked up my new hearing aids on August 2nd - Monday. They are AMAZING!  First, they are more powerful. Now I also have a transmitter I can give to a speaker to wear, or set on a table, and it picks up and transmits the nearest person speaking. The other day I saw some street musicians and I was able to use my new "music" setting, which opens up the tonal ranges rather than narrowing them to voice tones. And, the system works through my phone, sort of like ear buds!  It's great.

If you want to help but not go through GoFundMe, I can receive support via Cash, Check, Paypal, Venmo and Cashapp. Call or text or e-mail for more info. My contact info is below.

Paypal: @AbrahamBonowitz or https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AbrahamBonowitz
Venmo: Abraham-Bonowitz
CashApp: AbrahamBonowitz

Here's the whole story.

In case you missed when I shared about this, a few months ago I had my first comprehensive hearing examination since 2013 and confirmed a marked decline in word recognition, as well as in my overall hearing. My hearing deficiency stems from a birth defect. I've worn hearing aids since I was 13, but my hearing levels have been pretty stable since surgery gave me a 30 decibel increase in my left ear when I was about 20 or 21. Now it is in decline.

For the first time in decades, I saw an inner ear doctor, did imaging, etc. Eventually I may be a candidate for cochlear implants, but for now I just need more powerful hearing aids.

This testing came about because I was already seeing my audiologist and she noted that it had been a while. I had noted a harder time understanding what people are saying to me. But more to the immediate point, I had to repair one of my hearing aids. It was an unexpected bill. I invited support and enough friends & family contributed to help me pay that off. But in that process I was reminded that I had already extended the warrantee once, and that was expired and could not be renewed. 

In exploring what's next I learned that the latest technology is three (!) generations past my current aids. I can get the basic model for less, but I want the tools and programs that will help me be my best and have the best quality of life possible. That costs a little over $8K. I put my last set on a credit card and paid a ton of interest. I hope to avoid that this time around.

Debby, the audiologist I have been working with for well over 20 years, told me about a government program at an agency called Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). I went through the process and have been approved for what Medicaid would pay, so that helps a bit. That's $1794.50, (thank you very much, tax payers). I already put down a $400 deposit when they made my new ear molds, and that leaves $5785.50.

What about insurance? United Healthcare does not provide a hearing aid benefit. On a whim I called them again the other day. After getting registered, I learned that they use only in-network providers, and the benefit would only be about $2,000, so I'd still be out of pocket quite a bit. BUT, I would have to start from scratch with testing, and deal with a for-profit vendor rather than the teaching university speech and hearing clinic I have been with for over 40 years. I gave it careful consideration, but I'm not moving. Even if I could transfer the OOD money and my deposit, I'd still have to come up with nearly $4,000.

But Joe Biden recently said hearing aids will be covered! I asked my audiologist about this. Debby wrote back, "From what I’ve heard so far, over the counter hearing aids are not typically powerful enough for people with hearing loss like you. And, they don’t have the advanced features and accessories."

My reality is that I've failed to set myself up in life with proper savings, investments, or even employment that comes with a pension or a retirement plan. Yep. Stupid me, banking on faith that the universe will provide while I spend my life helping others. So here it is. I get to invite others to help me.

Now, those who know me know that I'm raising money all the time, but it's very rarely for me. It's other causes, individuals in need, and for my own work. It is rare that I don't donate for other causes and organizations - I don't give much, but I give what I can. Every day I wake up and the question is "How much money do I have to raise today?" My reality is that I have to raise an average of at least $700 a day to maintain my organization and pay everyone on the team, and they are all part-time. I'm excited when I hit that goal, and depressed for a minute when I don't, and keep it moving. There is some positive news coming as to my work, but again, I'm lucky when there is enough left over to pay me after I've covered all of the bills and paid all of my often very patient team members.

So there it is, all on the table. I invite your support to help me get my new set of hearing aids. They are ready now. I have to go out of town again on Tuesday, so my appointment is August 2nd. I've set my goal at my exact need. If you want to help but not go through GoFundMe, I can do Cash, Check, Paypal, Venmo and Cashapp. Call or text or e-mail if you need one of those portals.  [bonowitz at gmail dot com or 561 and 371 and 5204.

Thank you! I am grateful for your support.

--abe

Abraham J. Bonowitz

561 and 371 and 5204

[email redacted] (dot) com