A cochlear implant is considered a prosthesis by private insurance companies, but hearing aids are not. For example, Aetna’s policy number 0013 says “Aetna considers uniaural (monaural) or binaural (bilateral) cochlear implantation a medically necessary prosthetic for adults aged 18 years and older” when meeting certain criteria for hearing loss. At the same time, their website notes that most Aetna benefit plans exlude coverage of hearing aids.
Medicare also does not cover hearing aids (to view Medicare’s full statement on non-coverage of routine hearing exams and hearing aids, go to Medicare.gov’s Coverage Page).
Why Hearing Aids Are Not Covered
One reason hearing aids are not covered is because of sheer numbers. There are more hard of hearing people than deaf people who can benefit from cochlear implants. People may lose their hearing as they age and need hearing aids. Things could change because of cochlear implant technology improvements allowing hard of hearing people to use implants.
Many Unable to Afford Hearing Aids
The problem is that our hearing aids can be quite expensive. An array of hearing aids are available today, and the better-performing ones are the most expensive. Every now and then, someone emails me asking for help getting hearing aids for themselves or for a child. I have met parents of hard of hearing children who are bitter about the fact that cochlear implants are often covered by insurance while hearing aids are not.
Senior Citizens Without Hearing Aids
A 2020 SeniorLiving.org study found that more than 38 percent of older adults with hearing loss who don’t use hearing aids say that cost is the biggest reason. With 17 million seniors with hearing loss not using hearing aids, that 38 percent would equate to about 6 million people.
Limited Help for Hearing Aids
Nonprofits and some service organizations (such as the Lions Clubs) help people, especially children, obtain hearing aids. There are also hearing aid banks for used hearing aids.
Basic analog hearing aids have also become more affordable as the technology wanes, but many people whose hearing losses require the advanced technology of more expensive hearing aids can not afford them. Some people have turned to the Internet to buy new and used hearing aids at their own risk.
My View on Hearing Aid Costs
Deaf and hard of hearing people, as well as parents of deaf and hard of hearing children, should not have to turn to charitable organizations for a basic device that is so essential to functioning. If cochlear implants are covered by insurance, hearing aids should be, too. A cochlear implant is essentially a surgically implanted hearing aid. While a cochlear implant functions differently than a hearing aid, both cochlear implants and hearing aids serve a similar purpose—helping their users hear. Manufacturers have a right to recoup their research and development costs, but hearing aids need to be priced more reasonably.
