This is an important shout-out to all my Australian friends and
acquaintances with a hearing loss, or to people who know someone who
is deaf
The Australian Federal Government has launched a full Senate Inquiry
into deafness!
Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that
frustrates you?
* Have you ever felt frustrated at the cost of your or your
families hearing loss?
* Have you ever been upset by the difficulty of getting access to
a hearing service or audiologist?
* If you have been deaf since a kid, have you ever wished you
could stay with Australian Hearing after you were 21 years old?
The Australian Federal Government want to hear from EVERYONE in
Australia about what issues they face when they have to deal with a
hearing loss.
They are planning on using your input to change the way hearing health
is dealt with in Australia.
It is so important that you email them to let them know what it is
like for YOU personally.
All you have to do is send a short email to
community.affairs....@aph.gov.au by 9 October 2009, letting them know
what frustrates you most, and what you would like to change.
I have done one already. If you need help in knowing what to write,
have a look here:
This is your chance to finally let your Government know how difficult
it can be being deaf or hearing impaired, and to tell them how you
think it can be changed.
Don't miss this chance.
Please email the Government with your thoughts before 9 October, and
send this to your friends too.
Discussion subject changed to "{SHHH Support Group} Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?" by Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty. Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that there should be national disability services not state based ones but its run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different criteria!!!
----- Original Message ----- From: "Christian" <christian...@gmail.com>
To: "SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)" <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 3:52 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> From our regular contibutor Kate.
> This is an important shout-out to all my Australian friends and
> acquaintances with a hearing loss, or to people who know someone who
> is deaf
> The Australian Federal Government has launched a full Senate Inquiry
> into deafness!
> Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that
> frustrates you?
> * Have you ever felt frustrated at the cost of your or your
> families hearing loss?
> * Have you ever been upset by the difficulty of getting access to
> a hearing service or audiologist?
> * If you have been deaf since a kid, have you ever wished you
> could stay with Australian Hearing after you were 21 years old?
> The Australian Federal Government want to hear from EVERYONE in
> Australia about what issues they face when they have to deal with a
> hearing loss.
> They are planning on using your input to change the way hearing health
> is dealt with in Australia.
> It is so important that you email them to let them know what it is
> like for YOU personally.
> All you have to do is send a short email to
> community.affairs....@aph.gov.au by 9 October 2009, letting them know
> what frustrates you most, and what you would like to change.
> I have done one already. If you need help in knowing what to write,
> have a look here:
> This is your chance to finally let your Government know how difficult
> it can be being deaf or hearing impaired, and to tell them how you
> think it can be changed.
> Don't miss this chance.
> Please email the Government with your thoughts before 9 October, and
> send this to your friends too.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.14.0/2406 - Release Date: 09/30/09 18:56:00
This month, at the Australian Web Access Review - www.aware.org.au , you can make your voice count by reviewing government tourism websites, including the Opera House and Uluru for accessibility, including captions.
Help us make Australian websites accessible for all by reviewing these websites at www.aware.org.au
Don't forget to also share your ideas in our community forum, and tell your friends!
Thank you to all those who have contributed so far.
Discussion subject changed to "{SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?" by Andrew Stewart
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications.
Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments
(e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified
that you have received this email in error and any use, review,
dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received
this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email.
Your assistance would be appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing
loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a
big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive
and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some
kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty. Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance
which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that there should be national disability services not state based ones but its run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different criteria!!!
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: "Christian" <christian...@gmail.com>
To: "SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)" <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 3:52 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> From our regular contibutor Kate.
> This is an important shout-out to all my Australian friends and
> acquaintances with a hearing loss, or to people who know someone who
> is deaf
> The Australian Federal Government has launched a full Senate Inquiry
> into deafness!
> Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that
> frustrates you?
> * Have you ever felt frustrated at the cost of your or your
> families hearing loss?
> * Have you ever been upset by the difficulty of getting access to
> a hearing service or audiologist?
> * If you have been deaf since a kid, have you ever wished you
> could stay with Australian Hearing after you were 21 years old?
> The Australian Federal Government want to hear from EVERYONE in
> Australia about what issues they face when they have to deal with a
> hearing loss.
> They are planning on using your input to change the way hearing health
> is dealt with in Australia.
> It is so important that you email them to let them know what it is
> like for YOU personally.
> All you have to do is send a short email to
> community.affairs....@aph.gov.au by 9 October 2009, letting them know
> what frustrates you most, and what you would like to change.
> I have done one already. If you need help in knowing what to write,
> have a look here:
> This is your chance to finally let your Government know how difficult
> it can be being deaf or hearing impaired, and to tell them how you
> think it can be changed.
> Don't miss this chance.
> Please email the Government with your thoughts before 9 October, and
> send this to your friends too.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.14.0/2406 - Release Date: 09/30/09 18:56:00
Then how come when I rang companies including optus they had NO idea what I was talking about and said sorry we dont do that you have to go through telstra???
Thanks for the info though
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Stewart To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 9:46 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hi Erin,
You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and Primus.
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I
didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability
pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a
big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats
whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I
was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a
Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out
this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive
and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if
we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment
service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I
have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and
have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I
am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous
clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about
other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't
they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some
kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists
charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty.
Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with
only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply
because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in
that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance
which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under
ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be
deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change
would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing
a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state
governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the
federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and
where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that
there should be national disability services not state based ones but its
run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.2/2408 - Release Date: 10/01/09 18:23:00
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications.
Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments
(e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified
that you have received this email in error and any use, review,
dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received
this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email.
Your assistance would be appreciated.
_____
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 12:25 AM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing
loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Then how come when I rang companies including optus they had NO idea what I
was talking about and said sorry we dont do that you have to go through
telstra???
Thanks for the info though
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Stewart <mailto:astew...@printacall.com.au>
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 9:46 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing
loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hi Erin,
You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and
Primus.
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications.
Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments
(e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified
that you have received this email in error and any use, review,
dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received
this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email.
Your assistance would be appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing
loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a
big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive
and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some
kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty. Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance
which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that there should be national disability services not state based ones but its run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different criteria!!!
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: "Christian" <christian...@gmail.com>
To: "SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)" <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 3:52 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> From our regular contibutor Kate.
> This is an important shout-out to all my Australian friends and
> acquaintances with a hearing loss, or to people who know someone who
> is deaf
> The Australian Federal Government has launched a full Senate Inquiry
> into deafness!
> Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that
> frustrates you?
> * Have you ever felt frustrated at the cost of your or your
> families hearing loss?
> * Have you ever been upset by the difficulty of getting access to
> a hearing service or audiologist?
> * If you have been deaf since a kid, have you ever wished you
> could stay with Australian Hearing after you were 21 years old?
> The Australian Federal Government want to hear from EVERYONE in
> Australia about what issues they face when they have to deal with a
> hearing loss.
> They are planning on using your input to change the way hearing health
> is dealt with in Australia.
> It is so important that you email them to let them know what it is
> like for YOU personally.
> All you have to do is send a short email to
> community.affairs....@aph.gov.au by 9 October 2009, letting them know
> what frustrates you most, and what you would like to change.
> I have done one already. If you need help in knowing what to write,
> have a look here:
> This is your chance to finally let your Government know how difficult
> it can be being deaf or hearing impaired, and to tell them how you
> think it can be changed.
> Don't miss this chance.
> Please email the Government with your thoughts before 9 October, and
> send this to your friends too.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.14.0/2406 - Release Date: 09/30/09 18:56:00
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.2/2408 - Release Date: 10/01/09
18:23:00
Well in March 2010 we will be looking for a new ISP and my friend had good luck with Optus there was some package which included all STD, mobile to any carrier and local calls plus heaps of internet download (much more than 2GB anyway) and she said it was good (this was under $100 a month) which we were paying almost double for which is why we got the VOIP phone line which I attached the big button phone to. Works great except for the drop outs which are apparently related to slow internet upload. The other thing I dislike because I am in wheelchair and slow to get to the phone is that you cant transfer the call so if I am in the bedroom at the opposite end of the house and I want to be able to hear I have to race (which usually means I miss it) to the other end of the house to get the big button one or mishear every word on the other phone but with a normal carrier I could transfer the call which would be useful- a bit difficult maybe cause the phone in the bedroom and the big button one are both connected to the wall but at least possible.
So I will leave it til then to contact them and see what they say and then get into contact with you if I need to I thought I had to buy the big button phone and extension ringer - I know the phone is less than $100 but the extension ringer which makes the phone ring louder and flashes i dont know how much they are? Is the phone from optus or another carrier to telstra the same as the big button phone? I like the big buttons they are easier to press and see and the volume control is terrific
Thanks for the info andrew this email list is very useful From Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Stewart To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 1:28 AM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
You try again, and if that fails, send me your story and contact details, and I will forward to my contacts in Optus - who will then contact you.
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 12:25 AM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Then how come when I rang companies including optus they had NO idea what I was talking about and said sorry we dont do that you have to go through telstra???
Thanks for the info though
Erin
----- Original Message -----
From: Andrew Stewart
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 9:46 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hi Erin,
You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and Primus.
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I
didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability
pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a
big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats
whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I
was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a
Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out
this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive
and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if
we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment
service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I
have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and
have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I
am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous
clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about
other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't
they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some
kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists
charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty.
Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with
only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply
because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in
that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance
which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under
ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be
deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change
would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing
a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state
governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the
federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and
where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that
there should be national disability services not state based ones but its
run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different
I suspect the answer to the subject question should be self evident. Otherwise the most frustrating thing is for me the cost of the Aids! I know people who live of the dole with nothing wrong with them other than a dislike for working. Where, I work to the best of my ability, at somewhat measly wages, feed the kids, pay the rent, the car, the fuel, the usual living costs. And I know my earning capacity is hampered by being profoundly deaf. Whereas, if I had access (financial) to the latest technology then I may then be able to earn more. A catch 22. Why can't we get the Aids as a Tax deduction? Pete
--- On Mon, 5/10/09, Erin Mckenzie-Christensen <erin...@bigpond.com> wrote:
From: Erin Mckenzie-Christensen <erin...@bigpond.com>
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Received: Monday, 5 October, 2009, 1:31 PM
Well in March 2010 we will be looking for a new ISP and my friend had good luck with Optus there was some package which included all STD, mobile to any carrier and local calls plus heaps of internet download (much more than 2GB anyway) and she said it was good (this was under $100 a month) which we were paying almost double for which is why we got the VOIP phone line which I attached the big button phone to. Works great except for the drop outs which are apparently related to slow internet upload. The other thing I dislike because I am in wheelchair and slow to get to the phone is that you cant transfer the call so if I am in the bedroom at the opposite end of the house and I want to be able to hear I have to race (which usually means I miss it) to the other end of the house to get the big button one or mishear every word on the other phone but with a normal carrier I could transfer the call which would be useful- a bit difficult maybe cause the phone in
the bedroom and the big button one are both connected to the wall but at least possible.
So I will leave it til then to contact them and see what they say and then get into contact with you if I need to I thought I had to buy the big button phone and extension ringer - I know the phone is less than $100 but the extension ringer which makes the phone ring louder and flashes i dont know how much they are? Is the phone from optus or another carrier to telstra the same as the big button phone? I like the big buttons they are easier to press and see and the volume control is terrific
Thanks for the info andrew this email list is very useful From Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Stewart To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 1:28 AM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
You try again, and if that fails, send me your story and contact details, and I will forward to my contacts in Optus – who will then contact you.
Regards
Andrew Stewart
Technical Manager
Printacall Communications Technology
2 Doig Ave, Denistone East 2112 Sydney, NSW Tel: (02) 9809 2392 Fax: (02) 9809 2345 TTY: (02) 9809 1283
Mobile : 0411 757 622
astew...@printacall.com.au
www.printacall.com.au
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 12:25 AM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Then how come when I rang companies including optus they had NO idea what I was talking about and said sorry we dont do that you have to go through telstra???
Thanks for the info though
Erin
----- Original Message -----
From: Andrew Stewart
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 9:46 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hi Erin,
You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and Primus.
Regards
Andrew Stewart
Technical Manager
Printacall Communications Technology
2 Doig Ave, Denistone East 2112 Sydney, NSW Tel: (02) 9809 2392 Fax: (02) 9809 2345 TTY: (02) 9809 1283
Mobile : 0411 757 622
astew...@printacall.com.au
www.printacall.com.au
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty. Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that there should be national disability services not state based ones but its run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different criteria!!!
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: "Christian" < christian...@gmail.com >
To: "SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)" <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 3:52 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
>
> From our regular contibutor Kate.
>
> This is an important shout-out to all my Australian friends and
> acquaintances with a hearing loss, or to people who know someone who
> is deaf
>
> The Australian Federal Government has launched a full Senate Inquiry
> into deafness!
>
> Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that
> frustrates you?
>
> * Have you ever felt frustrated at the cost of your or your
> families hearing loss?
> * Have you ever been upset by the difficulty of getting access to
> a hearing service or audiologist?
> * If you have been deaf since a kid, have you ever wished you
> could stay with Australian Hearing after you were 21 years old?
>
> The Australian Federal Government want to hear from EVERYONE in
> Australia about what issues they face when they have to deal with a
> hearing loss.
>
> They are planning on using your input to change the way hearing health
> is dealt with in Australia .
>
> It is so important that you email them to let them know what it
Re Andrew's email you can rent TTY phone from Telstra (I paid $17 a
month for home - I do make about 5 calls a week?) - which I have one
each for home and work which I find it very useful. The company I work
for - got me an extra telephone line for my TTY Phone because of the TTY
service etc...) ? If the reception wish to contact me they do email me.
Regards
Lizzie
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of Andrew Stewart
Sent: Friday, 2 October 2009 10:16 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a
hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hi Erin,
You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT
and Primus.
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications.
Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any
attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If
you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you
are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any
use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If
you have received this email message in error, please notify our office
and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a
hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things
I
didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a
disability
pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to
hire a
big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats
whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing
I
was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a
Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent
out
this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is
expensive
and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than
if
we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment
service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I
have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound
and
have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence
currently I
am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only
previous
clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what
about
other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21?
Shouldn't
they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be
some
kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists
charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty.
Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with
only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years
simply
because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people
in
that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health
insurance
which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not
under
ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be
deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the
change
would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't
ageing
a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state
governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and
the
federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding
and
where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services
that
there should be national disability services not state based ones but
its
run through the states so everywhere has a different program with
different
Only Telstra have it the special phones and they were very helpful,
informative and gave me the details and options of the phone to suit my
needs (as I am profound deaf - I rely on the TTY service and do lots of
Sms don't we all !). . I did try Optus they had no idea ...
Good luck with the phone.
Regards
Lizzie
Elizabeth Mathias Team Assistant
Level 1, 60 Miller Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
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From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Saturday, 3 October 2009 12:25 AM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a
hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Then how come when I rang companies including optus they had NO idea
what I was talking about and said sorry we dont do that you have to go
through telstra???
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of
communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email
and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally
privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the
recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in
error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is
prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please
notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be
appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
[mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin
Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having
a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple
of things I
didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a
disability
pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their
doctor to hire a
big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone
if thats
whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it.
The thing I
was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had
to be a
Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT
rent out
this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra
is expensive
and we are actually with two companies which ends up being
cheaper than if
we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability
equipment
service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why
should I
have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair
bound and
have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence
currently I
am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only
previous
clients of australian hearing should have continued services but
what about
other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after
21? Shouldn't
they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there
should be some
kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much
audiologists
charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my
aunty.
Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension
age with
only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for
years simply
because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for
people in
that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private
health insurance
which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under
health not under
ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only
be
deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and
the change
would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is
isn't ageing
a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the
state
governments would all provide a different set of "hearing
services" and the
federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about
funding and
where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability
services that
there should be national disability services not state based
ones but its
run through the states so everywhere has a different program
with different
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications.
Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments
(e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified
that you have received this email in error and any use, review,
dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received
this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email.
Your assistance would be appreciated.
_____
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 12:31 AM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing
loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Well in March 2010 we will be looking for a new ISP and my friend had good
luck with Optus there was some package which included all STD, mobile to any
carrier and local calls plus heaps of internet download (much more than 2GB
anyway) and she said it was good (this was under $100 a month) which we were
paying almost double for which is why we got the VOIP phone line which I
attached the big button phone to. Works great except for the drop outs which
are apparently related to slow internet upload. The other thing I dislike
because I am in wheelchair and slow to get to the phone is that you cant
transfer the call so if I am in the bedroom at the opposite end of the house
and I want to be able to hear I have to race (which usually means I miss it)
to the other end of the house to get the big button one or mishear every
word on the other phone but with a normal carrier I could transfer the call
which would be useful- a bit difficult maybe cause the phone in the bedroom
and the big button one are both connected to the wall but at least possible.
So I will leave it til then to contact them and see what they say and then
get into contact with you if I need to I thought I had to buy the big
button phone and extension ringer - I know the phone is less than $100 but
the extension ringer which makes the phone ring louder and flashes i dont
know how much they are? Is the phone from optus or another carrier to
telstra the same as the big button phone? I like the big buttons they are
easier to press and see and the volume control is terrific
Thanks for the info andrew this email list is very useful From Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Stewart <mailto:astew...@printacall.com.au>
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 1:28 AM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing
loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
You try again, and if that fails, send me your story and contact details,
and I will forward to my contacts in Optus - who will then contact you.
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications.
Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments
(e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified
that you have received this email in error and any use, review,
dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received
this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email.
Your assistance would be appreciated.
_____
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 12:25 AM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing
loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Then how come when I rang companies including optus they had NO idea what I
was talking about and said sorry we dont do that you have to go through
telstra???
Thanks for the info though
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Stewart <mailto:astew...@printacall.com.au>
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 9:46 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing
loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hi Erin,
You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and
Primus.
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications.
Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments
(e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified
that you have received this email in error and any use, review,
dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received
this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email.
Your assistance would be appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing
loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a
big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive
and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some
kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty. Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance
which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that there should be national disability services not state based ones but its run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different criteria!!!
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: "Christian" <christian...@gmail.com>
To: "SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)" <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 3:52 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> From our regular contibutor Kate.
> This is an important shout-out to all my Australian friends and
> acquaintances with a hearing loss, or to people who know someone who
> is deaf
> The Australian Federal Government has launched a full Senate Inquiry
> into deafness!
> Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that
> frustrates you?
> * Have you ever felt frustrated at the cost of your or your
> families hearing loss?
> * Have you ever been upset by
I dont know if this helps you or not but my husband is working for the ATO (tax office) and I asked him your question and the answer is that aids are a personal expense thats why they are not tax deductible however you can use them as part of the medical expenses rebate (hope I got the name right) basically up to $1500 (for household) you get nothing back what for the amount above $1500 you get 20% of that amount back. So if your aids were $4000 then you paid $2500 above the $1500 so you would get 20% of $2500 back in the rebate. Dont know all the details but I thought it may help you for the future. Its done by household so if your kids are under 21 or students under 25 and their income is less than some figure and you maintain them then all their expenses count as well. I am assuming if you ring the ATO they will be able to explain it better than me
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: peter gunness To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 8:56 AM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I suspect the answer to the subject question should be self evident. Otherwise the most frustrating thing is for me the cost of the Aids! I know people who live of the dole with nothing wrong with them other than a dislike for working. Where, I work to the best of my ability, at somewhat measly wages, feed the kids, pay the rent, the car, the fuel, the usual living costs. And I know my earning capacity is hampered by being profoundly deaf. Whereas, if I had access (financial) to the latest technology then I may then be able to earn more. A catch 22. Why can't we get the Aids as a Tax deduction? Pete
--- On Mon, 5/10/09, Erin Mckenzie-Christensen <erin...@bigpond.com> wrote:
From: Erin Mckenzie-Christensen <erin...@bigpond.com>
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Received: Monday, 5 October, 2009, 1:31 PM
Well in March 2010 we will be looking for a new ISP and my friend had good luck with Optus there was some package which included all STD, mobile to any carrier and local calls plus heaps of internet download (much more than 2GB anyway) and she said it was good (this was under $100 a month) which we were paying almost double for which is why we got the VOIP phone line which I attached the big button phone to. Works great except for the drop outs which are apparently related to slow internet upload. The other thing I dislike because I am in wheelchair and slow to get to the phone is that you cant transfer the call so if I am in the bedroom at the opposite end of the house and I want to be able to hear I have to race (which usually means I miss it) to the other end of the house to get the big button one or mishear every word on the other phone but with a normal carrier I could transfer the call which would be useful- a bit difficult maybe cause the phone in the bedroom and the big button one are both connected to the wall but at least possible.
So I will leave it til then to contact them and see what they say and then get into contact with you if I need to I thought I had to buy the big button phone and extension ringer - I know the phone is less than $100 but the extension ringer which makes the phone ring louder and flashes i dont know how much they are? Is the phone from optus or another carrier to telstra the same as the big button phone? I like the big buttons they are easier to press and see and the volume control is terrific
Thanks for the info andrew this email list is very useful From Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Stewart To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 1:28 AM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
You try again, and if that fails, send me your story and contact details, and I will forward to my contacts in Optus – who will then contact you.
Regards
Andrew Stewart
Technical Manager
Printacall Communications Technology
2 Doig Ave, Denistone East 2112 Sydney, NSW Tel: (02) 9809 2392 Fax: (02) 9809 2345 TTY: (02) 9809 1283
Mobile : 0411 757 622
astew...@printacall.com.au
www.printacall.com.au
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 12:25 AM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Then how come when I rang companies including optus they had NO idea what I was talking about and said sorry we dont do that you have to go through telstra???
Thanks for the info though
Erin
----- Original Message -----
From: Andrew Stewart
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 9:46 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hi Erin,
You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and Primus.
Regards
Andrew Stewart
Technical Manager
Printacall Communications Technology
2 Doig Ave, Denistone East 2112 Sydney, NSW Tel: (02) 9809 2392 Fax: (02) 9809 2345 TTY: (02) 9809 1283
Mobile : 0411 757 622
astew...@printacall.com.au
www.printacall.com.au
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I
didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability
pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a
big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats
whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I
was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a
Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out
this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive
and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if
we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment
service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I
have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and
have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I
am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous
clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about
other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't
they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some
kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists
charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty.
Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with
only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply
because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in
that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance
Thanks I am not ready for TTY just yet I want to use a big button one as long as I can manage. If you know what I mean - I am not working yet so I dont have to worry about that I make heaps more than 5 calls a week probably more like 5 a day!!!
are you saying it cost $17 month to rent the TTY? or $17 a month total? We are on the lowest plan with telstra as a backup in case the VOIP phone breaks down and that costs us $22 month not including internet.
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: Elizabeth Mathias To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 9:23 AM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hi Erin
Re Andrew's email you can rent TTY phone from Telstra (I paid $17 a month for home - I do make about 5 calls a week?) - which I have one each for home and work which I find it very useful. The company I work for - got me an extra telephone line for my TTY Phone because of the TTY service etc.) ? If the reception wish to contact me they do email me.
Regards
Lizzie
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Andrew Stewart
Sent: Friday, 2 October 2009 10:16 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hi Erin,
You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and Primus.
Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I
didn't understand
I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability
pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a
big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats
whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I
was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a
Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out
this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive
and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if
we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment
service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I
have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and
have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I
am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous
clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about
other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't
they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some
kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists
charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty.
Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with
only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply
because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in
that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance
which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under
ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be
deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change
would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing
a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state
governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the
federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and
where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that
there should be national disability services not state based ones but its
run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.4/2416 - Release Date: 10/05/09 18:23:00
I hope you were able to find time to email the Government and tell
them what you find difficult about hearing aid costs - even my mum has
done a submission now.
Apparently the Govt have not received many submissions and the closing
date is tomorrow ... Unless they get more, they will think we are all
happy with the current situation, and nothing will change.
Also - I went to do my tax today, and my hearing aid costs for last
financial year only came to just over $1,535 - the accountant told me
it was not even worth entering it in as a medical expense on my tax
return, because I would only get a few dollars back.
I hate being deaf in Australia! it already SUCKS but it's also bloody
expensive!
On Oct 6, 1:19 pm, "Erin Mckenzie-Christensen" <erin...@bigpond.com>
wrote:
> Thanks I am not ready for TTY just yet I want to use a big button one as long as I can manage. If you know what I mean - I am not working yet so I dont have to worry about that I make heaps more than 5 calls a week probably more like 5 a day!!!
> are you saying it cost $17 month to rent the TTY? or $17 a month total? We are on the lowest plan with telstra as a backup in case the VOIP phone breaks down and that costs us $22 month not including internet.
> Erin
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Elizabeth Mathias
> To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 9:23 AM
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> Hi Erin
> Re Andrew's email you can rent TTY phone from Telstra (I paid $17 a month for home - I do make about 5 calls a week?) - which I have one each for home and work which I find it very useful. The company I work for - got me an extra telephone line for my TTY Phone because of the TTY service etc.) ? If the reception wish to contact me they do email me.
> Regards
> Lizzie
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Andrew Stewart
> Sent: Friday, 2 October 2009 10:16 PM
> To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> Hi Erin,
> You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and Primus.
> Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
> Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
> To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I
> didn't understand
> I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability
> pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a
> big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats
> whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I
> was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a
> Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out
> this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive
> and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if
> we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment
> service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I
> have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
> My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and
> have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I
> am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous
> clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about
> other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't
> they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some
> kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists
> charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty.
> Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with
> only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply
> because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in
> that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance
> which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
> I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under
> ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be
> deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change
> would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing
> a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state
> governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the
> federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and
> where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that
> there should be national disability services not state based ones but its
> run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG -www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.4/2416 - Release Date: 10/05/09 18:23:00
Did he explain why? If your medical expenses are above $1500 then you get 20% above $1500 back. But it includes all medical expenses not just aids. Sorry this didn't help you.
Erin
PS I did send a submission
----- Original Message ----- From: "Kate" <kate.lo...@gmail.com>
To: "SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)" <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 2:46 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
Hey there guys!
I hope you were able to find time to email the Government and tell
them what you find difficult about hearing aid costs - even my mum has
done a submission now.
Apparently the Govt have not received many submissions and the closing
date is tomorrow ... Unless they get more, they will think we are all
happy with the current situation, and nothing will change.
Also - I went to do my tax today, and my hearing aid costs for last
financial year only came to just over $1,535 - the accountant told me
it was not even worth entering it in as a medical expense on my tax
return, because I would only get a few dollars back.
I hate being deaf in Australia! it already SUCKS but it's also bloody
expensive!
On Oct 6, 1:19 pm, "Erin Mckenzie-Christensen" <erin...@bigpond.com>
wrote:
> Thanks I am not ready for TTY just yet I want to use a big button one as > long as I can manage. If you know what I mean - I am not working yet so I > dont have to worry about that I make heaps more than 5 calls a week > probably more like 5 a day!!!
> are you saying it cost $17 month to rent the TTY? or $17 a month total? We > are on the lowest plan with telstra as a backup in case the VOIP phone > breaks down and that costs us $22 month not including internet.
> Erin
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Elizabeth Mathias
> To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 9:23 AM
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing > loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> Hi Erin
> Re Andrew's email you can rent TTY phone from Telstra (I paid $17 a month > for home - I do make about 5 calls a week?) - which I have one each for > home and work which I find it very useful. The company I work for - got me > an extra telephone line for my TTY Phone because of the TTY service etc.) > ? If the reception wish to contact me they do email me.
> Regards
> Lizzie
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On > Behalf Of Andrew Stewart
> Sent: Friday, 2 October 2009 10:16 PM
> To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing > loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> Hi Erin,
> You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and > Primus.
> Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. > Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments > (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not > the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby > notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, > dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received > this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the > email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On > Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
> Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
> To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing > loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I
> didn't understand
> I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability
> pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire > a
> big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats
> whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I
> was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a
> Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out
> this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is > expensive
> and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if
> we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment
> service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I
> have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
> My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and
> have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently > I
> am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous
> clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what > about
> other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? > Shouldn't
> they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be > some
> kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists
> charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty.
> Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with
> only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years > simply
> because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in
> that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health > insurance
> which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
> I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not > under
> ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be
> deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change
> would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't > ageing
> a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state
> governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and > the
> federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding > and
> where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services > that
> there should be national disability services not state based ones but its
> run through the states so everywhere has a different program with > different
I have submitted two submissions last week. Its a worry that they are
not being inundated with millions of submissions. If we dont get more
in, we will miss this chance of having any significant changes made to
our hearing struggles.
I have just started trialling a pair of siemens pure 500 hearing aids
that cost $5500 a pair. My current aids are more than 6 years old and
are on their way out. I cant afford to pay $5500 for something so
necessary that without them i cannot work. This is the price of a
small car yet sadly i wont be able to afford this AND hearing aids.
Right now im relying on a scheme called JobAccess to fund the cost of
these new aids for work purposes. For those who do not know about
this, if you have some sort of 'disability' that makes it difficult
for you in your work envioronment, you can apply for funding from the
government in this respect to pay for the things that benefit you and
your position at work. Providing you are eligible, and your employer
agrees to pay out the cost before having the full amount
reinbusted..this may just be the only hope we have at obtaining free
hearing aids while doing paid work. I am yet to find out if im
eligible but i have my fingers crossed. I cant imagine what i would do
if my claim was rejected. What i am also most unimpressed by is that i
had to do my own research to find out about this. I would have at
least expected Australian Hearing to suggest this scheme when i turned
21. Instead they just handed me my audio report and waved me goodbye.
I think the Australian Hearing lacks the information and support we
need. As soon as your 21 they dont even so much as want to point you
in the right direction. Once i needed urgent help with batteries and
all the chemist had ran out of my batterie sizes. An Australian
Hearing office was nearby. I was willing to pay for the batteries but
instead of being able to help me with an urgent need she said 'thats
life'. I was deeply offended by her response. I was upset and my
morning was ruined. Of course i made a complaint which they agreed i
should have been assisted. The manager apologised and so kindly gave
me some batteries.
Im sure there are many of you who have had a similar story where
having a severe hearing loss is a constant struggle emotionally and
financially. Please tell your experiences and needs so the government
can help us.
For those who do not know about JobAccess the website is www.jobaccess.gov.au I will let you know how my application goes and hope for the best.
cheers
On Oct 8, 3:16 pm, Kate <kate.lo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I hope you were able to find time to email the Government and tell
> them what you find difficult about hearing aid costs - even my mum has
> done a submission now.
> Apparently the Govt have not received many submissions and the closing
> date is tomorrow ... Unless they get more, they will think we are all
> happy with the current situation, and nothing will change.
> Also - I went to do my tax today, and my hearing aid costs for last
> financial year only came to just over $1,535 - the accountant told me
> it was not even worth entering it in as a medical expense on my tax
> return, because I would only get a few dollars back.
> I hate being deaf in Australia! it already SUCKS but it's also bloody
> expensive!
> On Oct 6, 1:19 pm, "Erin Mckenzie-Christensen" <erin...@bigpond.com>
> wrote:
> > Thanks I am not ready for TTY just yet I want to use a big button one as long as I can manage. If you know what I mean - I am not working yet so I dont have to worry about that I make heaps more than 5 calls a week probably more like 5 a day!!!
> > are you saying it cost $17 month to rent the TTY? or $17 a month total? We are on the lowest plan with telstra as a backup in case the VOIP phone breaks down and that costs us $22 month not including internet.
> > Erin
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Elizabeth Mathias
> > To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 9:23 AM
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> > Hi Erin
> > Re Andrew's email you can rent TTY phone from Telstra (I paid $17 a month for home - I do make about 5 calls a week?) - which I have one each for home and work which I find it very useful. The company I work for - got me an extra telephone line for my TTY Phone because of the TTY service etc.) ? If the reception wish to contact me they do email me.
> > Regards
> > Lizzie
> > From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Andrew Stewart
> > Sent: Friday, 2 October 2009 10:16 PM
> > To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> > Hi Erin,
> > You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT and Primus.
> > Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please notify our office and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
> > Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
> > To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> > I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things I
> > didn't understand
> > I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a disability
> > pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to hire a
> > big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats
> > whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing I
> > was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a
> > Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent out
> > this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is expensive
> > and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than if
> > we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment
> > service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I
> > have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
> > My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound and
> > have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence currently I
> > am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only previous
> > clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what about
> > other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? Shouldn't
> > they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be some
> > kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists
> > charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty.
> > Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with
> > only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years simply
> > because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people in
> > that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health insurance
> > which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
> > I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not under
> > ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be
> > deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the change
> > would better reflect the population who are deaf. The thing is isn't ageing
> > a federal thing but health a state thing??? This means that the state
> > governments would all provide a different set of "hearing services" and the
> > federal government would not have to cover it???? Its all about funding and
> > where it comes from. I think a similar thing about disability services that
> > there should be national disability services not state based ones but its
> > run through the states so everywhere has a different program with different
I have already done a submission but agree that its terrible the way that disability (and not just hearing services) is drastically underfunded. there are rules that make teenagers and elderly people and partners who are in fulltime work become carers which means that the person with the disability gets a very small if any amount of help from the government or has to pay $20+ an hour for support ie personal care shopping cleaning etc for a private agency in comparison to $20 a month for government services. I wonder if you have read the Shut Out document? You would be astounded at the amount of submissions and I believe that one was made by deafness forum about the very things that you are talking about. If you want I can send the internet website or you can google shut out and you can find it.
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: "Suzieq23" <scar...@voip.com.au>
To: "SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)" <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 9:36 AM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
HI,
I have submitted two submissions last week. Its a worry that they are
not being inundated with millions of submissions. If we dont get more
in, we will miss this chance of having any significant changes made to
our hearing struggles.
I have just started trialling a pair of siemens pure 500 hearing aids
that cost $5500 a pair. My current aids are more than 6 years old and
are on their way out. I cant afford to pay $5500 for something so
necessary that without them i cannot work. This is the price of a
small car yet sadly i wont be able to afford this AND hearing aids.
Right now im relying on a scheme called JobAccess to fund the cost of
these new aids for work purposes. For those who do not know about
this, if you have some sort of 'disability' that makes it difficult
for you in your work envioronment, you can apply for funding from the
government in this respect to pay for the things that benefit you and
your position at work. Providing you are eligible, and your employer
agrees to pay out the cost before having the full amount
reinbusted..this may just be the only hope we have at obtaining free
hearing aids while doing paid work. I am yet to find out if im
eligible but i have my fingers crossed. I cant imagine what i would do
if my claim was rejected. What i am also most unimpressed by is that i
had to do my own research to find out about this. I would have at
least expected Australian Hearing to suggest this scheme when i turned
21. Instead they just handed me my audio report and waved me goodbye.
I think the Australian Hearing lacks the information and support we
need. As soon as your 21 they dont even so much as want to point you
in the right direction. Once i needed urgent help with batteries and
all the chemist had ran out of my batterie sizes. An Australian
Hearing office was nearby. I was willing to pay for the batteries but
instead of being able to help me with an urgent need she said 'thats
life'. I was deeply offended by her response. I was upset and my
morning was ruined. Of course i made a complaint which they agreed i
should have been assisted. The manager apologised and so kindly gave
me some batteries.
Im sure there are many of you who have had a similar story where
having a severe hearing loss is a constant struggle emotionally and
financially. Please tell your experiences and needs so the government
can help us.
For those who do not know about JobAccess the website is www.jobaccess.gov.au I will let you know how my application goes and hope for the best.
cheers
On Oct 8, 3:16 pm, Kate <kate.lo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey there guys!
> I hope you were able to find time to email the Government and tell
> them what you find difficult about hearing aid costs - even my mum has
> done a submission now.
> Apparently the Govt have not received many submissions and the closing
> date is tomorrow ... Unless they get more, they will think we are all
> happy with the current situation, and nothing will change.
> Also - I went to do my tax today, and my hearing aid costs for last
> financial year only came to just over $1,535 - the accountant told me
> it was not even worth entering it in as a medical expense on my tax
> return, because I would only get a few dollars back.
> I hate being deaf in Australia! it already SUCKS but it's also bloody
> expensive!
> On Oct 6, 1:19 pm, "Erin Mckenzie-Christensen" <erin...@bigpond.com>
> wrote:
> > Thanks I am not ready for TTY just yet I want to use a big button one as > > long as I can manage. If you know what I mean - I am not working yet so > > I dont have to worry about that I make heaps more than 5 calls a week > > probably more like 5 a day!!!
> > are you saying it cost $17 month to rent the TTY? or $17 a month total? > > We are on the lowest plan with telstra as a backup in case the VOIP > > phone breaks down and that costs us $22 month not including internet.
> > Erin
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Elizabeth Mathias
> > To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 9:23 AM
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a > > hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> > Hi Erin
> > Re Andrew's email you can rent TTY phone from Telstra (I paid $17 a > > month for home - I do make about 5 calls a week?) - which I have one > > each for home and work which I find it very useful. The company I work > > for - got me an extra telephone line for my TTY Phone because of the TTY > > service etc.) ? If the reception wish to contact me they do email me.
> > Regards
> > Lizzie
> > From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] > > On Behalf Of Andrew Stewart
> > Sent: Friday, 2 October 2009 10:16 PM
> > To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a > > hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> > Hi Erin,
> > You can rent TTYs and volume control phones from Telstra, Optus, AAPT > > and Primus.
> > Printacall does not endorse email as a secure method of communications. > > Nevertheless, the information contained in this email and any > > attachments (e-mail) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If > > you are not the intended recipient and/or agent for the recipient, you > > are hereby notified that you have received this email in error and any > > use, review, dissemination or copying of this email is prohibited. If > > you have received this email message in error, please notify our office > > and destroy the email. Your assistance would be appreciated.
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] > > On Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
> > Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:07 PM
> > To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Is there anything about having a > > hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?
> > I agree with a lot of things Kate says but there were a couple of things > > I
> > didn't understand
> > I was under the impression that anyone (not just people with a > > disability
> > pension or concession) could apply to Telstra through their doctor to > > hire a
> > big button phone/extension ringer (like I have) or a TTY phone if thats
> > whats needed. I pay $3 month extra for this and its worth it. The thing > > I
> > was frustrated with is that in order to get it per month I had to be a
> > Telstra customer. Optus or anyone other telephone company do NOT rent > > out
> > this equipment only telstra do. This sucks cause I find telstra is > > expensive
> > and we are actually with two companies which ends up being cheaper than > > if
> > we were solely with telstra!!! Through the telstra disability equipment
> > service you can buy (apparently) this kind of equipment but why should I
> > have to do that when I can rent it for $3 month.
> > My situation is a lot different to Kates because I am wheelchair bound > > and
> > have lots of other disabilities/conditions and as a consequence > > currently I
> > am unable to work because of this. However I agree that not only > > previous
> > clients of australian hearing should have continued services but what > > about
> > other people who are students/unemployed who ecome deaf after 21? > > Shouldn't
> > they be provided with services too.. Also I think that there should be > > some
> > kind of help available and some kind of watch on how much audiologists
> > charge people for hearing aids - in light of what happened to my aunty.
> > Thing is she is married with 4 children but not of aged pension age with
> > only her husbands wage and shes gone without a hearing aid for years > > simply
> > because they cant afford it!!! I think there should be help for people > > in
> > that situation too. She gets a whole $600 back from private health > > insurance
> > which doesn't cover half of one aid they are so expensive.
> > I definately agree that hearing health should be put under health not > > under
> > ageing. Its like theres some kind of sterotype that you can only be
> > deaf/sick/disabled if you are over 65. This is NOT the case and the > > change
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