23 08 2025

 

My Thai wife has a hearing problem not solved by the 200 baht devices she tries out.  ChatGPT  tells me that help can be found through Social Security (section 33 / 39)  and is based on insurable status under social security.  Behind the ear type qualify for 12,000 baht per ear according to ChatGPT.

 

Does anyone know where and how this works?  We are in Buriram and would not travel to BKK except under duress.

 

Any suggestions for hearing doctors and supply of devices in this area please?

 

Thanks in advance for your help🙏

Is she covered under Social Security? This would be if she is employed and making monthly contributions to the SS Fund, or was previously so employed and then continued the contributions on a self pay basis after leaving employment.

 

Otherwise, she is not covered under SS but rather under the "universal" or "30 baht" scheme -- and can get a hearing aid under that if tests confirm the need. 

 

With both SS and the "universal" scheme  only certain hospitals can be used. Need to start at the hospital or primary care facility where she is registered under the relevant scheme. They will refer her onward as needed. 

25 08 2025

 

Thank you Sheryl,  It may sound a bit odd but my wife is in denial (reads lips, ignores) about her inability to hear.  This has caused significant problems in our relationship and so I am researching this on my own and will gently provide her with options.  (I cannot speak Thai over the phone, btw.)

 

We are not really speaking at the moment and she has a tendency to imagine counter arguments/suggestion that are made to her.  In order to get to 'No' about an idea.  I am attempting to inform myself about possibilities here in Thailand to counter a negative response.

 

We are in the northern tip of Buriram province and I regularly use the Buriram government hospital in the city for various ailments but do not know about support for disabilities such as hearing loss.  I am very familiar with the process of signing in, going from station to station, then seeing the doctor for treatment or referral so no (few) mysteries there.

 

Kru Mueang Hospital is nearer and I have heard that it provides 'social support' more than other local hospitals might do.

 

My wife is nearly 60 and had worked for the same construction company in Bangkok for about 20 years so I assume that she made her payments then.  She registered for retirement a couple of years ago so I suppose that she is in the system.  She does not disclose her financial position to me.

 

She had a test at a clinic several years ago and it was confirmed that she could not hear, not a problem of cleaning out wax buildup.  Nothing went further at the time but now I realize the importance, I am keen to do the test and get the equipment tuned to her needs.

 

Do you have an idea of the costs of current devices that can be programmed?  Do you know anything about the type of hearing aid that can be programmed with an app at home?  The prices that I have seen on some US YT sites are frightening and hope we can find an affordable solution here in Thailand.

 

Any other bits of information that you may be able to share will be gratefully received.

 

Thanks for your comments Sheryl.  You may recall advising me to go to the eye hospital in BKK, which I did, thank you.  I went to a local doctor here in Buriram and had 2 cataract operations there.  100%.  Thank you for all of that.  Very helpful.  😊💛💙🙏

Chances are that your wife is no longer under SS but rather under the universal system. Thais seldom continue to make SS payments on their own after retirement  since they can get free cover under the universal system automatically.

 

As explained, she has to go (at least intitially) to the hospital where she is registered under that scheme. Usually the one that covers the district where she is listed in a tabian ban (housebook). They may refer her onward.

 

I don't know anything about hearing aids that can be programmed with an app, and doubt this is what the government system would provide. But what it does provide, she can get for free, through the universal system as described. 

Thank you Sheryl, off to the hospital for a test.  Will let you know how it turns out.🙏