Veterans Affairs Canada

[KathyLauren]

A while back, I submitted an application to Veterans Affairs for support for hearing loss.  My audiologist figured I had a good case, having been around jet engines for several years. Today, the benefits package brochure arrived in the mail.

 

I now have coverage for hearing services and devices.  I will be ordering a pair of hearing aids soon.

 

It also covers prescription drugs.  I had been claiming my HRT under my wife's civil service pension plan.  It covered about 75% of the generic patches, but only about 30% of the brand name patches that I prefer.  The Veterans Affairs package covers 100%, including for the brand name patches - I already checked!

 

And there could also be a small pension on the way for the hearing loss.  I hope to hear about that soon.  And there are various other benefits I could become entitled to in future.

 

The requirements to be considered a veteran are pretty simple.  You have to have completed Basic Training and have an houourable discharge.

 

I had heard that Veterans Affairs was pretty generous (my wife used to work for them, so she gave me the scoop), and I am happy to find out that it is true.  I need the hearing aids, and the full ride on my HRT is a nice bonus.

[Jani]

This is good news Kathy. 

[Astrid]

Excellent news.  Very nice that your system is working on your behalf without undue hassle!

 

Astrid

[Lydia_R]

I was around those jet engines in the military too.  Certainly not every day.  There was all the loud amplified music as well.  Luckily my hearing is still in decent shape.  I'm more concerned about my eyesight.

 

I came out as transgender to my primary care physician at the VA last month.  It went over very well and it turns out he is very experienced with it.  I'm still getting my transgender care privately and paying full price for HRT.  I'm sure the VA will be there for me when I decide to use them.

 

It was interesting wearing my feminine clothing for the first time in the VA clinic waiting room!  And showing off my neon yellow bra when I got shots!

[Marcie Jensen]

Congrats @KathyLauren! On both the hearing coverage and the full ride for HRT! 

 

And, @Lydia_R, your VA experience mirrors mine.  I found they were very receptive to me for HRT, so go for it! The worst they can do is decline, but that isn't very likely.

[Ivy]

That's great @KathyLauren

 

17 hours ago, Lydia_R said:

It was interesting wearing my feminine clothing for the first time in the VA clinic waiting room! 

I was kinda nervous about that at first myself.  I worked into it in increments.  I don't think I need to worry though.  

[KathyLauren]

On 12/5/2022 at 7:43 PM, KathyLauren said:

And there could also be a small pension on the way for the hearing loss.  I hope to hear about that soon.

 

Got the letter today.  Yes, they officially recognize that my hearing loss was caused by my military service, and I will be getting a small monthly payment as compensation.  Nice!  Well, not nice that I am losing my hearing, but nice to get compensated.

[Ivy]

1 hour ago, KathyLauren said:

I will be getting a small monthly payment as compensation

Better than nothing 

[KathyLauren]

Well, I found out that my coverage doesn't include 100% of prescriptions.  It's only hearing-related prescriptions.  Oh well, better than a kick in the head.  The fully-subsidized hearing aids are something I hadn't even hoped for.

 

My hearing aids arrived yesterday.  They make a big difference!  I'll have to re-learn what treble sounds like: I haven't heard much for years, and there's lots of it now!  Everything sounds like it's playing through a cheap transistor radio.  Still, I can hear conversation in noisy environments.  On my walk yesterday, I heard birds chirping, which I haven't heard in a long time.

[Marcie Jensen]

So glad you could hear the birds. Just out of curiosity can they perhaps tune the hearing aids for you so it's clearer?

[Ivy]

1 hour ago, KathyLauren said:

On my walk yesterday, I heard birds chirping, which I haven't heard in a long time.

That must have been nice.

[KathyLauren]

37 minutes ago, Marcie Jensen said:

So glad you could hear the birds. Just out of curiosity can they perhaps tune the hearing aids for you so it's clearer?

 

Yes, they can adjust the hearing aid's response.  Right now, it is adjusted to give me back 75% of what my audiogram says I have lost.  It is plenty clear!

 

The "excess" treble is just my brain noticing what it hasn't noticed in years.  My audiologist told me that he routinely gets clients complaining about the "excess" treble and asking for it to be adjusted out.  He adjusts it until the client says it sounds good.  At which point, he points out that the hearing aid is essentially off!

 

I will just have to get used to the new sound.  It is what I was supposed to be hearing all along.

[KathyLauren]

42 minutes ago, Ivy said:

That must have been nice.

 

It was!

[Jani]

Sounds good!  (no pun intended)

[_Kira_]

Hi KathyLauren, I just wanted to confirm that you had the hearing tests done prior to your approaching Veterans Affairs. I am also a former CAF member, have been suffering from severe tinnitus and deteriorating hearing. I definitely want to look into this matter. 

 

Thank you for making this post. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KathyLauren]

Hi, @_Kira_.

 

Yes.  I knew I needed hearing aids, and my wife persuaded me to get my hearing tested.  In the interview, the audiologist asked if I had had any past exposure to loud noises, and I mentioned my air force service.  That's when he suggested applying to Veterans' Affairs.

 

I called their 800 number and asked them to send me an application package for hearing loss benefits.  When I submitted the application, I included a photocopy of my audiogram.  They ask you to describe how hearing loss affects your life, and why you think it was related to your military service.  I mentioned constant exposure to jet engines over six years, as well as weapons training on Basic, and a couple of exceptional incidents of exposure to painfully loud sounds.

 

Independently, my audiologist sent my records directly to them.  They needed the file number from my application for reference, so they couldn't send it in until I had the application in my hands. 

 

After that, it took a few weeks and I got a letter accepting that my hearing loss was service-related, and saying that I had 100% coverage for treatment relating to hearing loss.

 

Good luck with your application!

[KathyLauren]

By the way, being trans was a non-issue to Veterans' Affairs.  I gave the phone guy my dead name as well as my current name, just to make finding my file easier.  But all my correspondence has been under my current name.  It helps that my surname and initials have not changed.  Linking to my service file was done through my SIN, of course, and all my new correspondence is by my new Veterans' Affairs number.