Let's Help Kirin Get Her Sight and Hearing Back

Team Pete, one of our own could use some help.

Kirin is a classical musician and editor by profession. She has developed both cataracts in both eyes that now mean she can't legally drive in dim or dark hours; she can't see street signs, has difficulty reading music or text in printed music, and struggles with reading a computer screen (through which she does freelance work).

Additionally, she has significant hearing loss related to recent sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in one ear (with loud tinnitus) that has an unknown cause. This condition has a significant impact on her ability to perform the classical music that is the foundation of her musical career. The fact that she has had more than one episode of SSNHL is rare, and the hearing specialist said if today's steroid shot into the inner ear doesn't restore her previous level of hearing, it's unlikely to improve. It will be her "new normal," according to the doctor. Even if the SSNHL is restored, she already has normal hearing loss that requires hearing aids. Her doctor has just concluded that she has either cochlear hydrops or Meniere's disease; no cure for either. The 1st eventually leads to the 2nd.

Kirin needs cataract surgeries and specialized hearing aids (not the kinds that can be purchased over the counter). Unfortunately, her insurance will not cover the vast majority of the cost of cataract surgery and customized hearing aids.

She estimates that her out of pocket cost for cataract surgery will be $3,200, not including follow-up visits and new glasses. Likewise, the kind of hearing aids that she needs as a musician will cost approximately $7000.

From past uncovered-by-insurance medical treatments, Kirin also has accumulated $7100 in medical debt with which she is seeking help. (She lost her full-time employment and medical insurance because of the effect of the pandemic on the finances of her prior employer that resulted in five people being laid off.) Let’s help Kirin get her sight and hearing back!

Anything you can contribute will be a huge help to getting her the care and treatment that she needs.