Nowhere in my post did I suggest that I do not bear legal responsibility for losing the HA. I signed a contract, and knew what I was doing. Indeed, the minute I reached into my pocket and realized it was gone, that was the first thing I thought of. I feel like an idiot.
But, let’s talk about reasonableness. Yes, after I thought about the cost and put it into my budget spreadsheet I realized I couldn’t afford it. I should have taken it back then, yes. But is it reasonable to think that a person would continue to try them after hearing how it would change their life, and that one just had to get used to the weird noises? Change your life: man, those are powerful words.
Let’s talk about reasonableness. Is the “vendor” (funny how they don’t advertise themselves as vendors, but as life-changers) really out $2300 for a used loaner HA that is insured?
Look, I wasn’t suggesting that I be absolved of any responsibility. I was just asking for suggestions as to how to resolve this matter, short of trying to dig up $2300 for a product that doesn’t seem to work for me and is used and depreciated in value. The suggestions re: offer to pay for the deductible and their trouble (although I have already paid one bill to them) seem reasonable to me. I am deeply grateful for everyone’s thoughts, and that I found this resource.
Finally, I guess this post betrays my growing frustration and, I’m afraid, cynicism, over the HA business (or, to be fair, this one particular clinic). Did the audi really need to send me to the MD in the clinic to remove wax from my ear, to the tune of $75 (or something like that, I don’t have the bill in front of me)? Perhaps she did, but I’m becoming a cynic. Is she more interested in selling hardware than “changing my life”? Maybe not, but I’m getting cynical. Why did she tell me that there is no surgery that can fix this problem, when a friend with a similar profile got a middle ear implant in the neighboring city - and it appears that it was very successful? Perhaps I’m not a candidate for the surgery, but I’m becoming a cynic.
OK, sorry for the rant, I know that it probably gets old on this forum, but I’m just surprised at this whole business. I wish it were more like real health care.
Thanks again, all of you.