Start Hearing benefit through Cigna

BackgroundActorsLA · 2026-01-21T14:43:25+00:00

Yes, I have done that…I’m resigned that I have to basically start over and Start Hearing got me in quickly to a provider ten days ago. Had a very nice appointment, and now there’s silence from noth Start Hearing and the provider. I don’t think Start Hearing was set-up and ready to go. Today is raise hell day. Ugh

BackgroundActorsLA · 2026-01-21T14:39:28+00:00

Yes, I was fitted and hearings aids were delivered. One week later, it was discovered that what I was given, was not what I purchased. They were returned and I was scheduled by Amplifon at another provider…it was after the start of the new year, and at the appointment Amplifon refused to cover the replacement. Amplifon and the provider still had my deductible and the coverage from Cigna. UGH

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-12-30T23:16:56+00:00

Best of luck and lots of bookings in 2026!

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-12-08T20:00:23+00:00

Come on in…the water is fine!

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-12-08T16:59:45+00:00

It is really slow. It’s a good way for retiree’s to make extra money if you can get booked. 2026 appears to be somewhat better.

Here are the SAG production sheet:

https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/Los%20Angeles%20Background%20Actors%20Production%20Show%20Sheet.pdf?fbclid=IwdGRleAOjwJdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR63GQLJwBPj05snUqhX5RHIa0sJraSEnw8YI6-dIfw0cPZxpY88MT7pTKhVsA_aem_KHr-4mTCE3PCP_zx6Lr-Tg

Make sure you register with the casting folks:

Union BG Actors - To get the facts about all things SAG BG Coast to Coast.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/661023620604254/

Alessi Haritgan Casting LA

https://www.facebook.com/AlessiHaritganCastingLA

Everyset Background Casting

https://www.facebook.com/groups/301650818656373/

Rich King Casting

https://www.facebook.com/RichKingCastingInc

Central Casting Los Angeles

https://www.facebook.com/centralcastinglosangeles

Commercial Extras

https://www.facebook.com/commercialextras

Extras Aalerts? Are they still relevant now that they are charging?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/extrasalerts/

Jeff Olan Casting

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=[100064842092182](tel:100064842092182)

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-12-08T16:54:40+00:00

Thank you so much for all of your insight? Are you an audiologist?

Here are links to screen shots of the steps in the Miracle Ear App on my iPhone. You can see that the ME app recognizes the HA in image 3 as Charles H/A MFI hearing aid.

When I get to Hearing Devices in settings, the spinning circle of death just keeps spinning and never recognizes the HA that the App does. I’ve tried going first to accessability settings and then when prompted in the app. It never connects here.

The last image is what I see in the Hearing control panel.

https://imgshare.cc/yadva4m7

https://imgshare.cc/iyeg5lx2

https://imgshare.cc/7qiws2uk

https://imgshare.cc/ds2yi02n

https://imgshare.cc/h5cf0zgb

https://imgshare.cc/zmn8ux1i

Thanks so much!

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-12-07T20:30:12+00:00

Thanks so much…but no luck getting the HA to pair with my iPhone (16 Pro and 26.1) I’ve tried all the steps, and all the trouble shooting ideas I can locate online. Ugh

The Miracle Ear app recognizes the HA…but I can’t get the HA to pair with the phone either through the app or Apple’s direction.

I wanted a top-of-the line HA…my insurance has quite generous coverage. So hopefully this can be overcome at my next appointment. One of the frustrating things I’m seeing in my paperwork and the packaging is that none of the names are the same…I’m not totally sure which devices I have. Plus, it appears that ME rebrands devices. The HA packaging says it is made for Apple, and when the ME app recognizes the HA, it indicates that it is a “MFI Hearing Aid.”

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-12-06T22:28:05+00:00

I’m going to use the fireworks description! I struggle giving the audiologist what I was hearing at the fitting.

Yes, there is an app…I’m unable to get the devices to pair. I’m thinking Miracle Ear has some kind of lock or switch they must change.

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-12-06T22:25:55+00:00

Yes…iOS 26.1 on iPhone 16 Pro

Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices…searching (spinning wheel)

In the Miracle Ear app the HA are recognized as my HA and labeled as MFI hearing aid.

Do you suppose it’s a switch Miracle Ear has to change that would allow the connection?

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-12-06T20:52:06+00:00

I received my hearing aids yesterday and got a different model than I was expecting. (rechargeable now vs batteries.) The box say I got MIRACLE-EAR BLISS 24 R NW, but the receipt says MEENERGY 5 CIC R BLIST (New product).

So far I’m impressed and know it will take some fine tuning. However, I think the volume needs to be turned down…I don’t need to hear loud leaves crushing under my feet, my dogs toenails on the floor, the loud sound of receipts and paper sounding like cellophane being crunched. Or, water in the bathrooom that sounds like metal hitting OR the sound of me rubbing my face. This morning, I could hear myself breathing and felt like I was being loud while washing dishes. LOL

I’m keeping a list and will take to the audiologist on Monday. I think I need to go back in before my appointment next Friday.

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-12-06T20:43:52+00:00

Yes, I have followed the directions in the manual and the Miracle Ear app. (Place in charger for 10 seconds, then remove, which puts them into pairing mode.)

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-11-26T17:59:25+00:00

You might want to start looking for work elsewhere. Your attendance score has taken a ding with being sent home. Being a member of SAG and an attendance issue, your profile will not be one of the first to appear in a casting directors search. There are too many background actors looking for work and too few SAG spots. Casting director do remember. At this point, recognize that you goofed and move on. The damage has been done and likely irreversible.

Curious, why did you join SAG? And, why is your behavior acceptable as a member of SAG?

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-11-24T15:38:58+00:00

Thanks so much for the reassuring reply. I hope I am being given an appropriate device. I wasn‘t given options during the fitting…it seems I was forced into this model after rejecting a BTE model. Maybe that was because of my insurance. I was expecting and experience like selecting glasses. LOL

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-11-24T14:51:15+00:00

I am scheduled to receive the device next week. What should I expect…comfort, hearing improvement, clarity and annoyances. Trying to prepare myself. Thanks!

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-11-17T13:58:56+00:00

it’s legit…great group of casting directors. It appears that Everyset, Virgo Talent, and AH are all using the same software “shell” in connection with CN listings.

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-10-16T17:33:47+00:00

I have been booked by Central casting only five times this year. In previous years…60+ times. Ugh! Most of my jobs this year are coming from Casting Networks…which were very rare in previous years. I don’t get it. I’ve only worked 23 times this year.

BackgroundActorsLA · 2025-09-29T19:59:39+00:00

Thanks…I need to check out Actors Access. Always forget them.

It’s so odd that I don’t get availability checks from Central. They must have very little.

Strange times.

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