- D
In October of 1987, I was born with a birth defect known as bilateral atresia or microtia , which (quite simply) means that I do not have any external ears.
Due to this abnormality, for me to hear I have to wear a hearing aid. More specifically, in 2008 I underwent a surgery to be able to use a hearing aid that allows me to hear significantly better than I ever had before: a BAHA (Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid).
Currently, I am without a hearing aid and cannot afford the replacement. Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover BAHAs for individuals over the age of 22, even though it is a medical necessity. {I don’t understand it either, apparently deafness is something we outgrow?} I have also tried to receive help from outside organizations, but do not qualify due to age - again - or because they consider my teacher’s salary to be “excess income.”
As a teacher, my case is especially urgent because our Open House is August 22 and the first day of school is August 27, which gives me about two weeks to acquire the funds and order a new BAHA.
With a hearing aid I will be able to be my most effective as an educator: engaging in classroom discussions, having one-on-one conferences with students, hearing the morning announcements (and lockdown drills...), answering the phone (for administrator, secretary, and parent phone calls), and facilitating good classroom management by being able to hear when cellphones go off or music is playing or students are otherwise engaged in off-task behaviors.
Please help as much as you are able, share with others as much as you can, and know that all your help in resolving this issue is greatly appreciated!
Due to this abnormality, for me to hear I have to wear a hearing aid. More specifically, in 2008 I underwent a surgery to be able to use a hearing aid that allows me to hear significantly better than I ever had before: a BAHA (Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid).
Currently, I am without a hearing aid and cannot afford the replacement. Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover BAHAs for individuals over the age of 22, even though it is a medical necessity. {I don’t understand it either, apparently deafness is something we outgrow?} I have also tried to receive help from outside organizations, but do not qualify due to age - again - or because they consider my teacher’s salary to be “excess income.”
As a teacher, my case is especially urgent because our Open House is August 22 and the first day of school is August 27, which gives me about two weeks to acquire the funds and order a new BAHA.
With a hearing aid I will be able to be my most effective as an educator: engaging in classroom discussions, having one-on-one conferences with students, hearing the morning announcements (and lockdown drills...), answering the phone (for administrator, secretary, and parent phone calls), and facilitating good classroom management by being able to hear when cellphones go off or music is playing or students are otherwise engaged in off-task behaviors.
Please help as much as you are able, share with others as much as you can, and know that all your help in resolving this issue is greatly appreciated!