Hear me out: Fund Ren’s Access to Hearing Aids

Dear Community,

I’m raising funds to cover the cost of new hearing aids for myself. I am currently using my eight-year-old pair of hearing aids, which are outdated and have been out of warranty since 2020. Often with hearing aids, the guidance is to replace or upgrade your aids every 4-5 years.

I was diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss at age five and have used and relied heavily on hearing aids since that age. I grew up being incredibly familiar with regular audiograms and hearing aid mold fittings. Hearing aids have always been a critical tool as I was mainstreamed, grew up “perfecting” my speech, and attended a public hearing school. Growing up, I was lucky enough to have received financial support through Shriners Children’s Hospital. Hearing aids are incredibly expensive, especially when you are a young person using them. Hearing aids cost around 6,000 dollars for a pair. My scholarship through Shriners applied to me throughout my youth until I turned 18. Prior to turning 18, we upgraded to the pair I am still clinging to. A new pair is unattainable without finding significant support in funds. I really wish this was a thing I could fund on my own, but it really isn’t.

I currently work full-time in healthcare, working hard as a case manager in reproductive healthcare. I love the work I get to do, to try to show up in my community and offer support, guidance, care, and a space for my patients to be heard. Unfortunately, the insurance I receive through my employer says that hearing aids are entirely out of network, which is exhausting. I desperately am overdue for a new pair - it is a critical part of the work I do to be able to rely on them. Years ago, I started learning American Sign Language, connecting with my Deaf community outside of the aspects of wearing hearing aids and fitting into the world of sound. Which has been a gift to me and finding security in my Deaf Identity.

Upon my recent hearing test (audiogram), my doctors discovered the level of hearing loss I have sustained since 2017 is concerningly significant. My audiologist is deeply concerned with how low my speech recognition scores have dropped in the years. I rely heavily on lip reading, and it is always jarring to realize how much of that is a crutch when I lose access to it.

I have lived with severe hearing loss for ages. I wasn’t expecting the news I received yesterday already. It’s strange to receive such massive information on a random Wednesday. My audiogram slopes now from severe loss ranging into profound levels of Deafness, and bilaterally at that. My doctors are expecting this trend to continue. With momentum. I am currently on the cusp of qualifying for Cochlear Implants, but we’re going the route of new hearing aids for now until things progress further.

I am not scared of being fully Deaf; it has always been a hypothetical possibility in my near or distant future. I adore the aspects of community I’ve built through language acquisition of ASL - it’s been empowering and centering. To relay my fears though with transparency, the reality where I lose access to communities I’ve built, sit in, or the work I do is terrifying.

Helping fund a new pair for myself can help me hold onto the work I do and be better equipped for the road ahead. One full of changes for certain, but what’s life without a little Deafness.

Thank you for reading and for considering helping me fund and crowdsource - I am so eternally grateful even if you can share.

With gratitude,

-Ren