Mom wants state to listen about son's hearing aids
Jaren Stansell, 12, looks like any other 7th grader, but without his battery powered hearing devices, it's a nearly silent world. "I don't like that because everything around me seems too quiet," says the Madison Middle School student. By Tom Adams KVAL NewsEUGENE, Ore. - The insurance companies say no. The Oregon Health Plan says no. Her son, Jaren Stansell, 12, looks like any other 7th grader, but without his battery powered hearing devices, it's a nearly silent world. "I don't like that because everything around me seems too quiet," says the Madison Middle School student. Jaren gets tumors in his ears. It's been a battle for the past 3 years. He's had two surgeries already, but major surgery to repair his hearing has to wait until he turns 16. Until then, Fox says her son has to have these hearing devices. They are loaners until next month -- and time is running out.
She says private insurance companies Providence and Blue Cross denied coverage for Jaren's hearing aids because his hearing loss is natural. The divorced single mom says if her appeal to the state is turned down, so be it. Fox just wants someone to listen about her son's need for hearing aids. "I've never relied on the state before, so I don't need to rely on them now, but something needs to change. There are people in our community that are falling |
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"Oregon is one of only 13 states that mandates state insurance for hearing devices for children," Fox says. "It's qualifying that's the tricky part."
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