2 Heritage Drive, 8th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171-2119
Tel: 800.336.0990 • Fax: 617.557.6687
No dues dollars are
ever used to market MTA
Benefits programs.
Editor: Elizabeth A. Bejoian
The MTA Advantage is published three times a year as
a supplement to MTA Today by MTA Benefits, Inc.
Hearing loss develops slowly and can often go
unnoticed for years.
One of the most important factors in correcting
a hearing problem is pinpointing the degree of
auditory deprivation and determining how well
the brain is able to understand sounds when it
receives them.
When hearing loss prevents some sounds from
reaching the brain over an extended period, the
brain literally “forgets” how to recognize the
meaning of those sounds and tries to fill in the
blanks. With hearing deprivation, an individual
may misunderstand the word “shoe” for “stew,”
for instance, even with the assistance of the best
hearing aids in the world.
In severe cases, “shoe” may sound like “pilgrim.”
The longer hearing loss progresses without
correction, the less improvement an individual
will experience from hearing aids. The loss is most
often permanent.
In some cases, however, wearing properly
fitted hearing aids consistently improves
understanding to a small degree. Over
several weeks to a few months, the brain
may be able to relearn some of the sounds it has
been missing. In most cases, consistent use can
help slow the damage.
Like regular exercise for any other part of the
body, exercising your ears and brain keeps
them functioning better for a longer period. The
greatest benefit is provided when an individual
with hearing loss in both ears wears two aids.
It bears repeating: The longer a
loss goes untreated, the more
permanent damage there is.
Now, members have a great reason to schedule a
screening. MTA Benefits has a new hearing plan
with Hear In America, whose mission is to make
it easy for members to get high-quality hearing
care and the best value on hearing aid purchases
and service through a nationwide network of
hearing centers.
MTA members not only receive discounts of up to
70 percent on hearing aids, they also receive free
annual screenings, a three-year repair warranty,
lifetime clean-and-check office service and three
years’ worth of batteries. All of this can add up to
thousands of dollars in savings. Members of your
extended family are also eligible for this program.
Don’t put off a hearing screening. Call
800.286.6149 today for more information or
to register for the Hear In America program.
Glasses for $29? Five things you should know about Optical Academy:
1. The mobile optical shop will come to your local to make it easy and convenient for
members to get eyewear, contact lenses and eye exams.
2. Optical Academy’s eyewear is a fraction of the usual cost.
• Single lens with frames – $29; average retail starts at $119
• Progressives (no-line bifocals) – $60; average retail starts at $200
• Bifocals (with line) – $20; average retail starts at $89.
3. If your prescription is out of date, you can get an eye exam for just $30.
4. The on-site shop includes digital eye exam equipment, a large display of frames and accessories
and a lab area.
5. Your family members can take advantage of this benefit!
The on-site shop can be scheduled during the week or on weekends, after school or in the evening. A local must
have 50 members/family members preregistered for an eye exam in order to hold the on-site event.
Reserve your date today! Call Abby Ayoub at 800.530.2730 or e-mail her at Abby@optical-academy.com
with the date, time (after school, in the evening or Saturday) and location you want.
Members can save hundreds of dollars!
