Over 41 million Americans experience some level of hearing loss. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that 28.8 million adults in the U.S. could benefit from hearing aids. And yet these devices are not covered by any health insurance because it’s not considered “essential.” This puts the financial burden on the individual and most hearing aids can cost $1000-$8000!!!  Most Americans are middle class or lower and are already struggling financially so finding a way to pay thousands of dollars for something that will help them hear better is a daunting task.

If insurance companies were to be required to cover hearing aids, tests and fittings, it would not only take a huge financial burden off of the patient but it would give them the ability to improve their quality of life. To be able to hear the world around them again without worrying about cost. Otherwise, millions of people are faced with the choice between hearing better but going into massive debt or slowly losing their hearing completely so they don’t go into debt.  This is an unfair choice to put on the American people. As a result, millions of Americans don’t use hearing aids because they just can’t afford it. 

This is why immediate action must be taken to require insurance companies to change their policies and cover the cost of hearing aids, tests and fittings. It’s time to take the burden OFF the patient who’s already stressed about losing a part of their livelihood and put it where it belongs.