Health-Insurance: Medicare and Hearing Aids

While approximately .08% of children born in the U.S. have some
degree of hearing impairment, the vast majority of audio-impaired
people are over age 50. Because the people in this age range often
have limited resources for health coverage, purchasing hearing aids
can be financially difficult.

It is not unusual for older people to procrastinate about going to
hearing evaluations. They usually know if they are losing their
hearing and know that hearing aids are expensive. If they are
uninsured or underinsured, they may have trouble making such a
purchase.

Unfortunately for those without private health insurance, hearing
aids may have to be purchased out-of-pocket. The debate of the issue
of Medicare and hearing aids has been a lengthy and ongoing battle.
With only a few exceptions, Medicare continues to exclude hearing
aid coverage in both of the plans: A & B. Even people who purchase
additional Medigap policies through private insurance companies will
not receive hearing aid coverage.