Improving access to affordable, quality hearing aids is crucial to seniors’ overall health. According to the nonprofit Better Hearing Institute, hearing loss is linked to several negative health consequences, including:
via The Hill.
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Three Democratic congressmen have joined senior advocacy groups in calling for Medicare to cover hearing aids and other audiology services, backed by research that says impaired hearing can socially isolate seniors and may contribute to their risk of developing dementia.
Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Jim McDermott of Washington state and Debbie Dingell of Michigan have separately proposed legislation to remove the specific exclusion of hearing aids from the 1965 Medicare amendment to the Social Security Act. Some bills include vision and dental coverage as well. No estimate of the potential cost was given.
Related Reading:
- Why Silence Isn’t Golden for Millions in Medicare.
- Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from hearing loss yet a small percentage have hearing aids. Why? Many simply can’t afford the high cost…and Medicare does not cover hearing aids and related audiology services.
Prescription hearing aids can cost as much as $2,500 each (or $5,000 a pair). The hefty price tag can be a severe strain for seniors living on fixed incomes, especially since Medicare does not cover hearing aids. That’s why some 70% of Americans between age 65 and 84 with hearing loss are not using hearing aids. They simply cannot afford to.
via Entitled to Know.
Seniors suffering from hearing loss have good reason to cheer. They should soon be able to purchase quality hearing aids over the counter. The Over the Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act of 2017 is poised to become law. Passed by Congress this summer, the Act authorizes the FDA to create a new category of regulated, over the counter hearing aids. With 30 million Americans (and 4 in 5 seniors) experiencing hearing loss, this is sweet relief for seniors’ pocketbooks and overall health.
More on this issue can be found via Entitled to Know.
An estimated 70 percent of Americans with hearing loss between ages 65 and 84 are not using hearing aids, and cost is a factor for 46 percent of them, according to a 2009 study. Dingell notes that the average cost of a pair of the devices – $4,400 to $4,500 – is one few seniors on fixed incomes can afford.
The National Committee to Preserve Social Security, a grassroots group, last week endorsed her legislation, saying it would greatly improve the quality of life for many seniors.
via Detroit News.
Related Reading:
- Silence Isn’t Golden: The Case for Expanding Medicare.
- Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health condition facing
older adults. Yet an estimated 70% of Americans with hearing problems
between age 65 and 84 are not using hearing aids. With an average cost
of $3,000 - $7,000 and zero coverage from Medicare, it’s little surprise
that for a senior collecting an average monthly Social Security check
of $1,287, hearing aids are seen as a luxury they simply can’t afford.
Like nearly 30 million other Americans, I suffer from hearing loss. And like four of five seniors similarly impaired, I ignored it — at first. I tried to convince my wife that the problem was excess ear wax. But she kept after me to seek treatment and, eventually, I gave in. Fortunately, I was able to afford prescription hearing aids. Millions of other Americans cannot. Priced at an average $2400 each, hearing aids are not currently covered by Medicare or most private insurance policies — though they certainly should be.
More on this issue can be read here.
Improving access to affordable, quality hearing aids is crucial to seniors’ overall health. According to the nonprofit Better Hearing Institute, hearing loss is linked to several negative health consequences, including:
via The Hill.
It’s bad enough that U.S. healthcare prices are the highest in the world. That the healthcare industry routinely treats us as marks and suckers makes it infinitely worse.
San Juan Capistrano resident Dennis Ettlin, 70, was shopping in the most recent Medicare open enrollment for a new Medicare Advantage plan that would cover his hearing aids. A state-of-the-art pair, he knew, could run thousands of dollars.
via Los Angeles Times.
Related Reading:
Adding Dental, Vision and Hearing Coverage to Medicare.
- Hearing loss affects more than 40% of people over 60 years old, more than 60% of those over 70 years old, and almost 80% of those over 80 years old.
- Currently only 1 in 5 Americans diagnosed with hearing issues uses a hearing aid, and the vast majority of those who could benefit from one cite financial barriers to obtaining them.
ACTION ALERT! Call your Representative: 1-800-998-0180
And ask them to support HR 1653 which would add coverage for hearing aids and assessments which can save thousands of dollars for seniors.
For millions of American seniors and the Medicare program they depend on
it’s clear that silence is definitely not golden. As our nation marks
the 50th anniversary of Medicare in 2015, the time is now to expand the
Medicare program starting with coverage of hearing aids.
Investment in home and community-based care is popular and must be included in #infrastructure. Now it’s up to Congress to get it done. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/04/opinion/elder-care-congress.html #HCBS @nytimes