The last 3 were at night while he slept. This time during the afternoon while he was resting in bed. He says he saw a male employee come in and take them.
All things considered, it might be time to be in touch with a VA Audiologist and ask if that person could determine whether he still NEEDS very expensive equipment (cost/outcomes ratio).
There are currently some very good devices that are priced at a fraction of the cost you’ve mentioned.
Naturally you want your dad to have the very best hearing possible, but his “very best” at present may be different from when his $5000 aids were necessary.
This must be an extremely frustrating situation for you. Perhaps it's time to think about setting up a nanny cam that has a view of his hearing aid charger. I wish you good luck.
Janijean, check under the bed as it is not unusual for such items like hearing aids or eyeglasses to fall and sit behind the criss-cross legs of a hospital bed.
My Mom's eyeglasses were missing. Sure enough, even through I couldn't see the eyeglasses, I felt them behind the large legs of the bed.
For my 93-yr old Mom, I use medical tape to secure them in place. She likes to go outdoors and is worried that when she takes off her hat and sunglasses, the hearing aids will go flying and get lost.
I'm kind of surprised no one else has mentioned this but here goes: if your dad has really had $5,000 hearing aids "disappear" (possibly stolen) 4 times in the last year, that amounts to a $20,000 loss. If this actually happened, then it seems to me it's definitely a police matter, and you should file a police report asap. If nothing else, if theft is afoot in his residence, a police investigation (if they do that) could deter theft of other valuable items from other vulnerable seniors. Yes, of course, as others have said, make sure they didn't slip down somewhere near his bed, chair, etc. And you are the only one who can ascertain if he has a habit of losing things (valuable things as in this case), which then turn up after he's claimed someone stole the valuable item. You + close family members are the only ones who can determine this. Good luck with sorting this all out. Not being able to hear well is an isolating handicap.
Yes ..good thought , I’d he has “lost” such expensive devices there might be a thief involved ..interesting to think there’d be a market for that kind of stolen goods. Would be also interesting to know whether other residents are missing items too- perhaps homes should have to keep a list available to those who inquire as to what is happening in their facilities. If your dad is competent , I’d pursue this idea.
You will no longer be able to buy such expensive devises. I don't know really how you could keep them safe. This is a common problem we see often on Forum.
It's probably time to buy the $25 ones on Amazon. They are less likely to get stolen and won't hurt as much to replace. I purchased these for my mother after she "lost" the expensive ones twice. She wore them once and then lost them, as I knew she would.
If he is in a VA hospital, isn't your parent eligible to get hearing aids provided through the VA audiology clinic? My husband received high quality hearing aids from the VA at almost no cost. I would think if they were having to replace them, they would take the issue a bit more seriously.
If he is capable, suggest he place them in a shoe under his bed or some other obscure place?
Sometimes it is only covered if considered a service-caused injury…though my dad was in denial despite a career in artillery and then weapons research so he wouldn’t file for it
A friend's spouse was the head of a large hearing department at a major university. He advised everyone to buy inexpensive hearing aids. Not much advantage to the others. I wish they had headsets for older people. These little buggers are hard for me, and so far I believe I am relatively cognizant.
I have to say my mom’s expensive hearing aids are completely fabulous. I don’t think she’d get as good results with cheap ones. Maybe it depends on how hard of hearing the person is. My mom us “profoundly deaf.” Anyway—this is a real problem and a serious one. If cheap ones work, great.
I am so so sorry!! Outrageous! Four times—something is afoot. I disagree with all the “cheap” hearing aid suggestions. If they worked for your dad, you’d be using them.
I suggest a written letter to “the top”, whomever that may be for this VA hospital, with as much detail as you can include, and copy everyone involved-local admin, your local political advocate, congressman. And ask what they recommend you do? This way they aren’t merely being accused but are able to give advice. The written papertrail may at least get some attention to this problem in which I am sure your dad is not the only victim. I am not tech savy, but maybe there is some tracking device.
Best practical solution is to get insurance against loss. When my mom’s disappeared (just one) in ALF, bc there was insurance on them thru manufacturer, she paid just a couple hundred for replacement of her aid which was originally thousands. Good luck!
Since high end hearing aids are custom moulded to an individual's ear canal and tuned to their hearing loss I can't see there being much practical resale value.
Unless you’ve personally seen someone take them, they’re likely not being stolen. Elders always blame items they lose on theft. Chances are he took them out, wrapped them in a tissue or napkin, then the napkin was thrown away. The same thing happens constantly with dentures.
When family resides in a memory care facility, it is virtually impossible to keep track of their things....clothing, hearing aides, dentures, etc. I literally watched one resident take out their hearing aide, place it on the table and another resident pick it up and swallow it. I also have heard of residents going into other residents rooms and putting teeth in their mouth that aren't theirs. It's awful.
Someone suggested getting insurance on the hearing aides. That's not a bad idea. The suggestion of buying a pair in a bright crazy color is also a good idea. At least if it's on the floor or in bedding it would be easier to spot.
It is very difficult in Memory Care to keep belonging personal - hearing aids are over the counter now so maybe that can help with replacement costs if necessary.
There are currently some very good devices that are priced at a fraction of the cost you’ve mentioned.
Naturally you want your dad to have the very best hearing possible, but his “very best” at present may be different from when his $5000 aids were necessary.
Good for you for being proactive on his behalf!
so sorry to hear that. it'll be hard to prove the theft. what we do is, when my LO goes to the hospital, we always leave the hearing aids at home.
My Mom's eyeglasses were missing. Sure enough, even through I couldn't see the eyeglasses, I felt them behind the large legs of the bed.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hearing+aid+leash+for+seniors&crid=2RFY6NN8K8S71&sprefix=hearing+aid+leash%2Caps%2C146&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_17
For my 93-yr old Mom, I use medical tape to secure them in place. She likes to go outdoors and is worried that when she takes off her hat and sunglasses, the hearing aids will go flying and get lost.
If he is capable, suggest he place them in a shoe under his bed or some other obscure place?
Anyway—this is a real problem and a serious one. If cheap ones work, great.
(copy and paste) Hearing Aids for veterans
https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/hearing_aids.asp
I disagree with all the “cheap” hearing aid suggestions. If they worked for your dad, you’d be using them.
I suggest a written letter to “the top”, whomever that may be for this VA hospital, with as much detail as you can include, and copy everyone involved-local admin, your local political advocate, congressman. And ask what they recommend you do? This way they aren’t merely being accused but are able to give advice. The written papertrail may at least get some attention to this problem in which I am sure your dad is not the only victim.
I am not tech savy, but maybe there is some tracking device.
Best practical solution is to get insurance against loss. When my mom’s disappeared (just one) in ALF, bc there was insurance on them thru manufacturer, she paid just a couple hundred for replacement of her aid which was originally thousands.
Good luck!
Someone suggested getting insurance on the hearing aides. That's not a bad idea. The suggestion of buying a pair in a bright crazy color is also a good idea. At least if it's on the floor or in bedding it would be easier to spot.
necessary.