Bridging the Hearing Divide: Policy Solutions for Aging Americans.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Gerontology

Background:

• Hearing loss impacts two-thirds of US adults over 70, often untreated.
• Untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline, caregiver burden, and increased healthcare costs.
• Access to quality hearing care is hindered by fragmented insurance coverage (Medicare, Medicaid, VA, private plans).

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine major barriers to high-quality hearing care access in the US.
• To review legislative/regulatory developments, including Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids.
• To propose reforms for improved hearing care access and affordability.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of insurance coverage landscape (Medicare, Medicaid, VA, private, OTC).
• Review of legislative and regulatory changes over the past decade.
• Proposal of policy reforms and a technology-driven framework.

Main Results:

• Significant barriers exist in accessing and affording hearing care due to insurance fragmentation.
• The 2022 establishment of OTC hearing aids presents new opportunities and challenges.
• Current system has gaps in consistent benefits and consumer protections.

Conclusions:

• Reforms needed: consistent Medicaid benefits, Medicare expansion, teleaudiology integration, and OTC device oversight.
• A technology-driven framework (AI, teleaudiology, real-time verification, transparent marketplace) can modernize hearing health.
• Fundamental rethinking of hearing health prioritization within the US healthcare ecosystem is essential.