How to Increase the Use of Hearing Aids Among Older Americans

Having relied on hearing aids for almost 30 years, it is surprising that the majority of older Americans who need them do not use them. With nearly two-thirds of Americans over 70 experiencing some level of hearing loss, and over half of those 75 and older facing disabling impairment, the lack of Medicare coverage for hearing aids is a significant barrier to their use. It is essential to address this issue to enable older Americans to maintain meaningful social connections and overall quality of life.

The invisible barrier of hearing loss affects basic communication and relationships, leading many older individuals to avoid social gatherings altogether. This not only impacts their social interactions but also has implications for their health, as the ability to hear and understand healthcare conversations is crucial for preventive services and overall well-being.

While the FDA has made some progress in improving access to hearing aids by allowing over-the-counter devices in 2022, these may not be sufficient for serious hearing loss cases. Private health insurance coverage for hearing aids, although limited, is still better than the lack of coverage under traditional Medicare.

Furthermore, the cost of hearing aids poses a significant financial burden for many older adults, especially those from lower-income backgrounds or with noisy workplace exposure. Legislation with bipartisan support aims to address this issue by removing the hearing aid exclusion from Medicare coverage, a crucial step towards ensuring older adults have access to necessary treatments. It is time for action to be taken to bridge this gap and provide better support for older Americans with hearing loss.