Over-the-counter Hearing Devices. A solution?

NCRGEA Staff on July 10, 2018

Over-the-counter Hearing Devices.   A solution?

Independence is a great thing – we love being able to snap our fingers and have the solution to our problem.  Unfortunately, when it comes to our health – we should take a less direct approach. Our hearing deserves the best attention it can receive – once we lose it, we cannot every fully get it back.

You may have heard news the last few years around solutions to improve the affordability and access for hearing aids and hearing healthcare.  Our very own Dr. Tom Tedeschi along with Janette Kihm conducted a study, “Implications of an Over-the-Counter Approach to Hearing Healthcare: A Consumer Study”.  The proposed solution to increasing accessibility while lowering cost is to develop a “separate category of ‘basic hearing aids’ approved for over-the-counter (OTC) sales for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.”

In order for the OTC model to be successful, individuals require tools to properly and accurately self-diagnose and classify their level of hearing loss and selecting and using a Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP) or ready-to-wear hearing aid.  The first part of this study was for the participants to do exactly that.  The second phase was for each participant to go to a provider to be professionally tested and have a product recommendation provided, if applicable.

The results were not surprising with only 1 in 4 being able to correctly self-diagnose their degree of hearing loss. Even with correct diagnosis, the overall satisfaction rates of the device quality and the overall benefits participants received from the devices was very low. Secondarily, it was quite clear that participants were not clear on important technical features to maximize the personalized benefits of the devices.

Here’s some Q&A of common questions we receive:

Q: Why are your hearing aids so much more expensive?
A: OTC devices typically amplify sound but can’t actually help your brain process sound which is the most important part of addressing hearing loss.

Q: OTC hearing devices are going to work for me the same way that my old ones do so why would I pay more?
A: OTC hearing aids can be extremely uncomfortable in the ear, and for many patients they’re difficult to manage because they are not properly fit by the hearing professional.

Q: OTC hearing devices are more convenient to get a hold of and will help me be able to hear again for a lot cheaper.
A: OTC hearing aids can actually be the cause of hearing damage or make existing damage even worse with improper use and adjustment.

Q: The new OTC bill says I don’t need to see a licensed audiologist/hearing professional so why would I?
A: OTC hearing aids bypass the crucial steps of professional testing, programming, fitting and follow-up to rule out hearing problems and ensure the device is appropriate for your ears which is what our program offers.

Q: I just don’t understand why I would go through your program when OTC devices are less expensive and do the same thing.
A: When you factor in office visits such as fittings, adjustments and cleanings that would not be included with OTC devices – our discounted pricing would prove to be more than cost effective and more effective in addressing both short term and long term hearing loss.

You can check to see if your insurance covers hearing aids and services or you can find a clinic near you and get a hearing test.

Read the full study report here.

Amplifon’s Hearing Health Care Program is an NCRGEA member benefit. 

Understanding COLAs: North Carolina Cost of Living Adjustments for State and Local Government Retirees Not Keeping Pace with Inflation

NCRGEA Staff on May 18, 2016

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 17, 2016) – North Carolina’s strong retirement benefits system brings great value to 300,000 deserving local and state government retirees. However, as lawmakers debate the state budget, many current and future government retirees worry that their benefits could be at risk. The North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees’ Association (NCRGEA) helps to protect these benefits, and a key priority for NCRGEA is Cost of Living Adjustments, or COLAs. In 2015, some local government retirees received a small COLA, while state government retirees did not receive any. It is confusing, and now, NCRGEA wants to help both local and state government retirees understand what this decision means for them.

“A COLA is designed to provide retirement security by protecting purchasing power from the effects of inflation,” explains Richard Rogers, Executive Director of NCRGEA. “If COLAs do not keep pace with inflation, many retirees are forced to make difficult choices between necessities such as food and medicine.”

During the 2015 legislative session in North Carolina, the House unsuccessfully proposed a two percent COLA for the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) and a one percent COLA for the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (LGERS) via House Bill 616, however it has yet to be passed. Just this week, the House budget proposed a 1.6 percent COLA for teachers and state government retirees.

“The House budget’s proposed COLA is a step in the right direction. However, with COLAs below the pace of inflation since 2008, we still have a lot of work to do to guarantee security for our retirees,” explains Rogers. He points out there are several key factors influencing the need for a COLA in 2016:

  • Once retired, the majority of North Carolina’s former government employees’ pension is on average $17,000 for LGERS and $20,500 for TSERS per year. Small changes in consumer prices can have a substantial negative impact on these fixed-income retirees.
  • Retirees have different spending patterns than those in the workforce, yet COLAs are calculated based on the costs-of-goods frequently purchased by current workers. For example, many current workers have benefitted from the recent drop in oil prices; however, retirees tend to spend significantly less on gas, so it does not greatly impact their finances. Therefore, the calculation used to determine a COLA does not necessarily reflect retirees’ purchasing needs.
  • These retired men and women taught our children, built our roads, maintained our parks and protected us from crime. They worked hard to earn their retirement benefits.For these reasons, securing a COLA remains a goal for NCRGEA’s membership of over 66,000 local and state government retirees. “Public servants provide an important and valued service for our state, and they deserve financial security in their retirement,” says Rogers. “A COLA for both state and local government retirees would be a strong step in the right direction.”

About NCRGEA

The North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees’ Association (NCRGEA) is a private non-profit association of local and state governmental retirees that focuses on helping you enjoy your retirement years by keeping you informed about retirement benefits, programs, and services. With membership over 66,000, NCRGEA is the largest lobbying Association in the nation for retired state and local governmental employees. The objectives and mission of this Association have been and will continue to advance, promote and defend by any lawful means the rights, interests and welfare of retired employees of the local governments and the State of North Carolina. For more information visit www.rgea.info.

Adult Care Homes

NCRGEA Staff on January 19, 2016

Adult Care Homes

Adult care homes are residences for aged and disabled adults who may require 24-hour supervision and help with activities of daily living.

  • There are over 1,200 adult care homes in North Carolina
  • Adult care homes vary in size from family care homes with 2-6 residents, to adult care homes with more than 100 residents

Adult care homes are licensed by the state Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) under state regulations and are monitored by Adult Home Specialists within local Departments of Social Services. Homes must respect the rights of residents as outlined in the North Carolina General Statutes.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates on behalf of adult care home residents and provides assistance with informal grievance resolution upon request of a resident/legal representative.

North Carolina operates the State-County Special Assistance Program to help low-income families pay for the cost of care in adult care homes.

Contact

For more information, contact your local Department of Social Services.

Fire Safety Check List

NCRGEA Staff on January 6, 2016

Fire Safety Check List

In Pamlico County yesterday, an elderly woman lost her life in a house fire and her daughter was badly burned trying to help her get out. According to fire department officials, the blaze was ultimately blamed on an electrical heater that was in close proximity to combustibles in the house.

NCRGEA would like to remind you to be safe from fire as the winter temperatures get colder.

To help you, here is a Fire Safety Checklist provided by the Raleigh Fire Department. Please read and be safe. If you have any questions or concerns about issues in your home, you can call your local fire department.

Raleigh Fire Department
Fire Safety Checklist

  • Baseboard and portable heaters are away from anything that can burn; furniture, curtains, papers, clothing, etc.
  • The fireplace is equipped with a sturdy metal screen. The chimney is checked before each heating season and repairs are made as necessary.
  • Extension cords and multi-plug adapters are used as little as possible. Extension cords are not tacked to walls, under rugs or through doorways.
  • Cooking food is never left unattended while on the stove or in the oven. If you have to leave the kitchen for a short time while cooking, set a timer or take something with you to remind you that the stove or oven is on.
  • The stove and oven are kept clean of grease and spilt food. In the event of a fire, you know to cover the flame and turn off the stove
  • Matches, lighters and other smoking materials are kept out of the reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
  • Always place candles in non-tip candleholders before you light them. Keep them out of the reach of children. Extinguish candles before you leave a room or go to bed.
  • No smoking in bed is a rule in your home. Drowsy or medicated people may forget lit materials and start a fire.
  • Be sure Smoke Alarms are installed on a ceiling or high on a wall outside of the bedroom(s) on each level of your home.
  • No smoking in bed is a rule in your home. Drowsy or medicated people may forget lit materials and start a fire.
  • Twice a year you install new batteries in your smoke alarms and they are tested once each month.

Be sure your family knows what to do if there is a fire. Prepare an Escape Plan and have a Home Fire Drill so your family can practice their escape. To learn more about escape plans visit:   http://www.nfpa.org

Discussing how to respond to an emergency can help reduce fear. It is critical that everyone recognizes the sound of the smoke alarms and knows two safe ways out of each room. When the smoke alarm sounds, there is no time to lose!
For an additional checklist please visit http://www.nfpa.org/sparky/PDF/SparkyChecklist.pdf