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As the 50th anniversary of Medicare approaches on June 30th, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today joined Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and more than 50 seniors and advocates in Washington to call for expanded coverage for hearing loss treatments. 

“The reality is that while Medicare provides critical health coverage to millions of beneficiaries there are very serious gaps which exist,” said Dingell. “Today more than 70 percent of seniors between the ages of 65 and 84 who need hearing aids don’t get them. This leads to isolation, depression and some studies have documented early dementia. We need to fix this, and the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2015, the first bill I introduced as a member of Congress, would allow Medicare to cover hearing aids. No one should feel isolated, confused or shut out from the world because they can’t afford the treatment they need. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

“This is a really serious issue,” said Schakowsky. “It costs thousands of dollars for hearing aids yet the vast majority of seniors who need them don’t have them because they simply can’t afford it. That comes with a high cost to society and healthcare costs in Medicare.”

“I’ve been on both sides of the coin,” said Ann Liming, former Hard of Hearing Specialist for the Michigan Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, who also suffers from hearing loss. “I’ve seen the frustration, I’ve shared the tears. I know how badly we all want to hear. We’re not, as we get older, put on a shelf…we still want to be involved, we still want to make a contribution, we still want to be a meaningful part of our family’s lives. So it’s fantastic to have this bill, to hear these people and to hear their strong commitment to getting this bill passed.”

“The number one call Hearing Loss Association of America receives is about the cost of hearing aids. Seniors who cannot afford two $2000  hearing aids on a fixed income are scared they will no longer be able to hear,” said Lise Hamlin, director of public policy at Hearing Loss Association of America. “ We are  thrilled that Representative Debbie Dingell has introduced this important legislation that will fill a huge gap in Medicare benefits.”

Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in the United States, affecting nearly 48 million Americans. Left untreated, it has serious emotional, social and medical consequences for older adults. Research has shown older adults with hearing loss are 32% more likely to require hospitalization, face a 24% increased risk for cognitive impairment and increasingly suffer from isolation and depression.

“We are beginning to understand now that there are direct biological pathways through which age-related hearing loss, which all of us will experience to some degree, directly contributes to even more serious critical outcomes which are incredibly expensive. Hearing loss reaches far beyond quality of life issues,” said Dr. Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

“Allowing Medicare to cover the cost of hearing aids would not only improve the health and independence of millions of seniors, it makes good economic and policy sense by potentially preventing the costly effects of hearing loss through increased hospitalizations, cases of depression and cognitive decline,” said Max Richtman, President/CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. “Not covering routine hearing exams, hearing aids, or exams for fitting hearing aids leaves far too many seniors vulnerable. Medicare covers testing strips for diabetics and wheelchairs for people who can no longer walk, there’s no reason people suffering from hearing loss should be denied coverage for hearing aids.”

For more information on Congresswoman Dingell’s bill, HR 1653, the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2015, please click here. Today, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare Foundation also issued a comprehensive Hearing Loss and Medicare Issue Brief detailing the research findings on hearing loss impacts and the policy prescriptions needed to address the challenges hearing loss poses for millions of seniors and the Medicare program itself.