Retired at cost hearing aid program available Published June 5, 2009 Retiree Activities Office WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Retirees and their dependents are eligible to purchase hearing aids through the Retired At-Cost Hearing Aid Program at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Retirees receiving Veterans Administration disability payments may be eligible to receive free hearing aids through the VA and should contact them first. Patients not in the immediate vicinity of a VA office should arrange for local initial hearing evaluations through TriWest, or if 65 years or older, with a Medicare approved audiologist. To schedule an appointment, call TriWest at 1-866-299-4234. After the initial evaluation, have the providing audiologist contact either Dr. Phyllis Trotter or Mr. James Wax at (573) 596-0048 to arrange for purchasing and dispensing of the hearing aids locally. The local dispensing audiologist will charge a dispensing fee of $400 to $500 in addition to the cost of hearing aids. The dispensing will include prescribing and programming the hearing aids, instruction and fitting, and follow-up evaluations. Hearing aids through RACHAP cost between $750 and $1050 and come with a two-year warranty.