With an estimated 27 million Americans over 50 with hearing loss, just one in seven uses a hearing aid.1 High price tags of recent years have been enough to make the knees wobbly leaving senior citizens struggling with this condition. Thankfully recent changes in subsidies have heavily discounted hearing aids for babyboomers and in some cases even being free!
“My hearing’s not that bad.” There is no need to fall victim to this excuse anymore, with hearing aid users typically waiting 10 years before getting the help they need to hear again. Difficulty hearing loved ones, isolation from awkward feelings and increased health risks you can finally make poor hearing a thing of the past.
Majority Of Seniors On Fixed Income
With the majority of senior citizens in America on fixed income the high cost of hearing aids has been simply unaffordable. Over 15 million Americans aged over 65 are economically insecure, that is living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) ($25,760 per year for a single person in 2021).2 With prices ranging anywhere from $1500 for basic models and upwards of $5000 for custom hearing aids its purely been a pipe dream for most.
How Free Hearing Aids Are Possible Now
There are multiple ways to save huge on hearing aids in 2021, and in some cases even getting them entirely for free. Such initiatives like The Veterans Health Administration, Medicaid, Vocational rehab and Medicare or Insurance policies can foot the bill for you.
Will Medicaid Cover Hearing Aids?
Now its important to understand Medicaid differs in policy from state to state level so there is no one answer fits all. However most states will cover hearing assessments and testing, whilst other states in the US will purchase the hearing aids entirely. Contacting your state level representatives from Medicaid can help you understand more about which options are available to you. A list of contacts is available on their website.
Veterans Health Administration Coverage
If you were in the service during your lifetime, hearing loss is the most common related injury heard by the Veterans Health Administration.3 To qualify for VA healthcare and receive free hearing aids (or a huge discount) you’ll need to apply or be a member already of the Veterans Health Administration. Depending on your income level an assessment from this department will indicate which level of coverage you can receive. The best thing about the VA hearing aid benefits is they cover many premium models like ReSound, Signia, Widex and Oticon. For more details on this process you can apply online at the US department of Veteran Affairs.
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
Depending on your plan hearing aid coverage will be offered by some and others won’t. Once again this is related mostly to the state you live in. Being on a medicare advantage plan is of benefit and if you’re under the right insurance policy hearing aids can be very affordable if not free.
Be Aware Of These Common Signs Of Hearing Loss
– Have trouble hearing when using the telephone
– Find it hard to follow conversations when two or more people are talking
– Often ask people to repeat what they are saying
– TV turned up so loud that you receive complaints from neighbours or family
– Have a problem hearing over background noise
– Feel like everyone is mumbling words to you
Types of Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss: One of the more common types of hearing loss this is damage to the auditory nerve inside the inner ear. It is usually a permanent issue and will require hearing aids to improve the patients hearing.
Conductive Hearing Loss: When sound waves can’t reach the inner ear its usually a form of conductive hearing loss. Earwax build up, fluid or bursted ear drums are the major components of this condition and medical treatment can help to restore this condition.
Benefits Of Hearing Aids For Seniors
Reduces Cognitive Decline: One of the biggest risks of leaving hearing loss untreated is that it leads to faster cognitive decline. Believe it or not, your brain and auditory system are closely related and work together as a synergy for the body. Recent studies from the University of Colorado has determined that cochlear implants and hearing aids can help reverse the damage.
Improved Social Life: Isolation is a very common biproduct of people with hearing loss conditions. Not being able to hear friends or family can be very awkward and make seniors with this condition feel like being alone. As an older person, you’ll see that wearing a hearing aid will have a really positive impact on your social life and daily experiences as you can finally interact like you were young again. This leads to an overall increase in wellbeing and many hearing aid beneficiaries speak of much higher levels of overall happiness.
Hearing Aids Look Ugly Is Yesteryear
One of the biggest myths of hearing aids for seniors is the aesthetic look of them. Big chunky, whistling earpieces of the past surely are hard to hide but advancements of technology have made hearing aids very discreet. In fact many designs available now are so discreet you would not even know they’re being worn and the quality of hearing is improved tremendously.
Find Premium Hearing Aids For Discounts (Or Free) Now!
In summary, hearing loss will affect the majority of senior citizens as we age over 50. Being aware of the common signs of hearing loss will help you understand if a hearing aid will benefit you. Being covered under different insurance or medical policies could in fact save you the entire hearing aid price so using a simple online search can reveal what’s available to you.
Find Hearing Aids Through Medicare
Reference:
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
- https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-economic-security-for-seniors
- https://www.research.va.gov/topics/hearing.cfm#more
