Help: How to Demonstrate to Insurance Company That You Suffer from Tinnitus?

Discussion in 'Support' started by Noun, Jun 30, 2017.

    1. Noun

      Noun Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Switzerland
      Tinnitus Since:
      10/2015
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      MRI
      Hello,

      My insurance company refused to reimburse me all cost related to my tinnitus treatment.

      Indeed, they asked me to do a full medical expertise at the hospital in order to have a proof I got tinnitus...
      The medical expertise done by the ENT shows that my hearing look good (ear-drum, hair cell, etc...)...

      So my insurance company concluded that because there is no visible element and my hear is not damaged there is no proof I got tinnitus.
      Whereas I got severe tinnitus.

      So how can I demonstrate/show I got tinnitus to my insurance company? More on the medical side.

      Many thanks for your advice.

      Noun
       
    2. Ambassador
      Cool

      Ambassador Member

      Location:
      USA
      Tinnitus Since:
      June 2015
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      High frequency hearing loss and lifetime noise exposure
      We have the same problems in the US, no benefits for tinnitus treatments but they will cover the phycological aspect. They will cover mental health services.
       
    3. Michael Leigh

      Michael Leigh Member Benefactor Hall of Fame

      Location:
      Brighton, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      04/1996
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise induced
      Tinnitus is a common condition that many people habituate to . It usually becomes a problem when a person finds it loud, distressing and difficult to habituate. The way a person can demonstrate this is as follows:

      A person would have to be under the care of an ENT department at hospital or clinic that specialises in Tinnitus treatment and management and receiving the following below.

      1. Counselling with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist trained in the management and treatment of tinnitus.
      2. TRT (Tinnitus retraining therapy)
      3. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
      4. MBCT (Mindfulness based cognitive therapy) that are usually class based.
      5. Relaxation therapy.
      6. The wearing of white noise generators or wearing hearing aid/s due to hearing loss. Using sound therapy such as a "sound machine"
      7. Taking prescription medication such as: antidepressants. Clonazepam or night sedation.

      The above information backed up with a letter from your consultant, regarding your treatment and assessment of your tinnitus should be proof that you have tinnitus.

      Michael
       
    4. AUTHOR
      AUTHOR
      Noun

      Noun Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Switzerland
      Tinnitus Since:
      10/2015
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      MRI
      Thanks Michael for your answer.
      The insurance company understand that I went through multiple therapy (like you mentioned) but they still want to see proof that I got tinnitus such like an "organ damage" or something else. Because going to therapist is not a proof for them...
       
    5. Michael Leigh

      Michael Leigh Member Benefactor Hall of Fame

      Location:
      Brighton, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      04/1996
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise induced
      Ask your GP to send a letter to your Insurance company about your tinnitus and the treatment you have had. Also, a letter from your ENT doctor/consultant about the treatment you've had for tinnitus. I believe this should be sufficient.

      As I said, tinnitus is a common condition that many people habituate to. It looks like your insurance company want an up to date medical assessment of your condition and it's severity and whether you are still having treatment.
      Michael
       
      • Informative Informative x 1
    6. Michael Leigh

      Michael Leigh Member Benefactor Hall of Fame

      Location:
      Brighton, UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      04/1996
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Noise induced
      If you were medically retired from your job because of tinnitus ( hopefully not) this would be proof that your tinnitus is very severe and debilitating.
      Michael
       
    7. TuneOut

      TuneOut Member

      Location:
      El Dorado Hills, CA
      Tinnitus Since:
      Worsened 2016
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Concert
      Hi. What treatments did you get for tinnitus? And did they test for high frequency hearing loss? I would think that the fact that you had treatments for tinnitus is a pretty strong indication that you have tinnitus.
       
    8. GregCA
      Jaded

      GregCA Member Benefactor Hall of Fame

      Tinnitus Since:
      03/2016
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Otosclerosis
      I watched a video that showed fMRIs from people suffering from T vs healthy, and they were showing that there were materially significant differences such that you could tell apart a T sufferer from a non T sufferer.
       
      • Agree Agree x 1
    9. Applejuice

      Applejuice Member

      Tinnitus Since:
      20-3-2017
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Unknown
      There are a lot of people with T but without other hearing loss. My hearing is great and my ears throw in extra sounds as a bonus aswell.
       
Loading...

Share This Page