Big Val
as much as I agree with the point of a run around,

With impeded hearing, they have to be sure it is not

caused by a medical condition and whether a hearing aid is

viable. My experience was the Doc having me checked out by an

audio specialist, In the meanwhile the Doc had applied on my behalf,

for a voucher so on next visit was given both report and voucher.

which I gave to the hearing people and then fitted with hearing aids.

Maybe my experience with the DVA was different but like all things

as we get older , even when neccessary, they becomes a hassle.

Hope your friend is now doing well.

She told me she has finally received a voucher and is now going to have her test at the end of September Seth.

I think those on DVA get a lot better deal then ordinary folk even the wives.

If her hearing is bad, this should give her a boost.

You could be right about the D.V.A.

Can sympathise music for instance these days on the drama series on TV is so loud at times it drowns out the dialogue.

I find I am adjusting the aid whenever an add comes on,

they seem that loud it irritates you.

especially a husband and wife who just seem to yell.

Hi all, I thank the government assitance every day with the hearing program.I have had to wear aides for a very long time and they are extremely expensive. I used to buy my own and as they only last about 5 years I was forever paying them off. Now that I am on a pension they are provided for me as I do not have a great deal of hearing without them, so I didn,t mind the initial run arround at all .Cheers all

Nice to see a person grateful Sandra.

We should remember seniors in Australia (although could

do with a little more in their pay packerts :))  are still living in

"The Lucky Country"

Most of those on the pension earned the right to draw it by paying in their 7% income tax levy for it over the years and none carp at the little extra's they need help with like hearing aids, glasses and dental - because the pension is below poverty levels and always lagging behind the rises in cost of living by months. Most Aussies have no resentment as did we when we were working for the help needed by our elderly to aid hearing, sight and also dentures. After all one day they too may need that same help.

I suspect any one person who carps that pensioners are not grateful for what they consider is a handout and not a right,  is NOT themselves reliant on the age pension at all.

And lets face it-  it is not that much for a married couple since Juliar got her teeth into stopping anyone married getting the $30 and with percentage rises it means the wide gap is wider still. 

$36 a day married against $48 a day if single, divorced or widowed and pensions we all paid into by way of our income tax levy should be equitable and same rate regardless of marital status.

And seeing as Juliar's own parents both draw the age pension - one wonders why she has gone against them - never see her with them do we? Who knows someone who lives in Adelaide maybe? Will they appear in the Lodge real or as shown in the ongoing saga tonight on ABC 1?

Many age pensioners - couples usually - trying to pay their energy bills, food and meds -  are going without one or the other because they need the extra, what $84 each less a week,  they should be getting.

Cant say it often enough only difference between a couple and a single pensioner is the cost of the roof over their heads

-and any number of so called single pensioners can share a roof and live a lot better.

So why not be fair and equitable and pay every person the same rate and then adjust for those who need help with rent and also what is not paid out, rates for those owning their home who did the hard yards to pay for it instead of merely renting.

Gets my goat to see useful idiots like the Minister Tanya ? saying renters are disadvantaged - their choice!

Eh what ya say....speakup