here for hearing (aids)

Kia ora

If you know me, you'll know my hearing isn't great!

I finally decided to have my hearing tested, and was told its time for hearing aids!

after coming to terms with the fact that, for my 30th I was getting hearing aids I was on board with it.

I don't socialise in restaurants and bars because I can't hear anything (turns out I'm missing upto 80% of words) so I was looking forward to getting back to being social.

I assumed that hearing aids in New Zealand would be funded, and I'd be on my way

how wrong was I?!

you get a $522 subsidy per hearing aid, leaving me with a $4500 bill for the 2.

the criteria for funded hearing aids is strict, you have to have a community services card (under $27000), or have lost your hearing through work to get them fully funded, so I have to pay for hearing aids, aat $4500 for both

you have to earn under $37000 to be able to get loan from WINZ.

I'm not in a position to be able to take a loan out, I'm heading back to study and can't afford to be paying back $150 a month, so I'm here asking for some help to be able to hear better!

anything is a massive help, I feel so Whakamā about asking for help, but I've exhausted every other option.