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A new study reveals that if you are poor, your hearing aid will probably be less effective.
A survey of more than 1,100 Medicare recipients with hearing aids found that 27% of low-income users still had a hard time hearing. This compared to only 11% of the richest users.
The authors of the study suggested that the reason is that the poorest seniors do not have enough access to ongoing care for the devices to continue to function properly.
Continuous maintenance and advice
According to the study, while 42% of the most affluent patients used an audiology expert, only about 30% of the poorest users did so.
"Medicare does not cover hearing aids or hearing care services, so recipients must pay for them," said lead author Amber Willink. "The cost of these services is a significant barrier to access, especially for low-income beneficiaries."
But even for resource patients, "the value of hearing care services is not widely known or appreciated," said Willink, an badistant scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.
Given the complexity of the use of hearing aids, hearing care services offer "necessary added value". They offer proper fit and customization of the devices, as well as ongoing maintenance and guidance to ensure continued use, she explained.
Two-thirds of Americans over the age of 70 suffer from some hearing loss, which affects their quality of life, the researchers noted. But most do not use hearing aids, often because of the price.
New law
The Willink team estimates the expense at about $ 2,000 (± 28,000 rand) for a single unit. However, a study published last July estimated the total amount at about $ 7,000 (± 98,000 rand). This report, led by Dr. Michael McKee of the University of Michigan, suggested that high prices (along with the shame of hearing-impaired people) prevented many seniors from looking for hearing aids.
Some low-income seniors may obtain partial coverage of Medicaid, but this is only available in 28 states, the researchers reported.
The situation could ease somewhat in 2020 when a new law comes into force, allowing consumers to purchase hearing aids directly from licensed manufacturers instead of an audiologist or a doctor. Authorized Distributor.
However, although hearing aids may become more affordable, McKee cautioned that "this could also exacerbate hearing health disparities among those who can not afford them at first or who may not be as knowledgeable as they are in hearing. other technologically ".
It will be important for audiologists to guide consumers in these choices, he said.
Jackie Clark, former president of the American Academy of Audiology, said that making sure Medicare fully covers its costs would go a long way towards ensuring that people of all income levels get the devices and devices they need. ongoing care they need.
Optimum performance
"It would definitely be a brand new match if Medicare covered hearing aids," said Clark, also a clinical professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Willink and his colleagues also suggested that the federal government expand coverage of Medicare and / or Medicaid hearing care services.
But with or without such a large funding change, Clark said hearing aid users need to be made aware of the importance of regular consultations.
The audiologist is essential in determining which technology is the best and how to program the device to ensure optimal performance, she explained.
The study participants were aged 65 and over and were selected from a 2013 survey pool of nearly 9,100 Medicare beneficiaries.
The report was published in Health Affairs.
Image credit: iStock
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