Many Insured Patients Still Can’t Afford Hearing Aids, Study Finds - Scorecard - MDSpire

Many Insured Patients Still Can’t Afford Hearing Aids, Study Finds

Keck Medicine of USC research reveals which types of health insurance are better at helping patients afford hearing aids — and which aren’t.

  • By

  • May 13, 2025

  • 6 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Many Insured Patients Still Can’t Afford Hearing Aids, Study Finds

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
Condition
Key Mechanisms
Target Population
Care SettingOutpatient settings, including private and government insurance; note that Medicare typically does not cover hearing aids.

Key Highlights

  • Only 51.3% of older adults aware of their hearing limitations use hearing aids, indicating a need for better awareness.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Assess hearing limitations through self-reporting and audiometric testing.
  • Regular hearing assessments for older adults.

Management

    Monitoring & Follow-up

      Risks

        Patient & Prescribing Data

        Older U.S. adults with hearing limitations.

        Improved insurance coverage may lead to increased hearing aid use.

        Clinical Best Practices

        • Advocate for comprehensive insurance coverage for hearing aids.
        • Utilize telehealth and remote audiology services to enhance access.
        • Educate patients on the importance of hearing aids for overall health.
        • Collaborate with audiologists for comprehensive care.

        References

        Original Source(s)

        Many Insured Patients Still Can’t Afford Hearing Aids, Study Finds

        • by

        • May 13, 2025

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