Hearing Health Matters: A Call for Medical Recognition

Hearing Loss Is a Medical Condition—So Why Isn’t It Treated Like One?

Hearing loss is permanent, yet it’s often overlooked as a medical priority. Unlike heart disease or diabetes, treatment is limited, and access remains inconsistent, despite the growing number of individuals affected. By 2050, the population of those aged 60 and older will double, increasing the demand for hearing care that remains financially out of reach for many.

Industry Challenges: Cost, Accessibility & Market Domination

Hearing aids restore access to sound but remain prohibitively expensive, ranging from $1,000 to $7,000 per pair—with minimal insurance coverage. Medicare has excluded hearing aids since 1965, leaving millions to pay out-of-pocket.

One of the biggest reasons prices remain high is market control. Just five companies dominate the global hearing aid industry, meaning:

• Limited competition – Without pressure to lower costs, pricing remains steep, restricting accessibility.
• Slow innovation – Alternative solutions like implantable hearing devices struggle to gain traction due to the industry's reliance on traditional hearing aids
• Restricted distribution – Premium hearing aids are only sold through audiologists, limiting consumer access and keeping costs inflated.

This concentration of control shapes the industry more like a consumer market than a medical field, prioritizing profit over widespread healthcare access.

The Health Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss

Ignoring hearing loss doesn’t just affect communication—it impacts overall health:

• Cognitive Decline & Dementia – Linked to increased risk due to the brain’s strain in processing impaired sound.
• Social Isolation & Depression – Withdrawal from conversation leads to loneliness and mental health challenges.
• Higher Risk of Falls – Hearing contributes to balance; untreated loss increases fall risks, especially in older adults.
• Physical Strain – Associated with stress, sleep disruptions, and cardiovascular issues.

A Call for Urgent Change

Hearing healthcare must be prioritized with immediate action. Older adults—the group most affected—often struggle to manage hearing aids due to cognitive decline, dexterity issues, and cost barriers. Without reform, hearing loss will remain an overlooked health crisis.

To address these challenges, three key steps must be taken:

1. Expanded Insurance Coverage – Hearing aids and implantable hearing devices should be recognized as essential healthcare tools and covered more comprehensively under insurance policies. The Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act seeks to clarify that fully implanted active middle ear implants are prosthetics and not subject to the current Medicare hearing aid coverage exclusion. Audiologists are also advocating for the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act, which would remove barriers to reimbursement, allowing audiologists to provide more accessible hearing healthcare under Medicare.
2. Routine Hearing Screenings & Referral Pathways – Primary care providers must actively screen for hearing loss and refer patients to audiologists, ensuring early intervention. Legislative efforts like the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act seek to classify audiologists as medical providers under Medicare, which would make it easier for patients to get covered hearing evaluations and treatment.
3. Transparent Pricing Models & Industry Accountability – The industry needs transparent pricing, more competition, and stronger regulations. Patients should have a clear breakdown of costs, including manufacturing and service fees. Encouraging new manufacturers and alternative technologies would drive innovation and lower prices. Finally, government policies must prevent excessive markups, ensuring fair pricing so hearing aids are treated as essential healthcare tools rather than luxury items.

The stakes are high—hearing healthcare must evolve now to ensure millions receive the support they deserve. Legislative efforts, including the Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act and the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act, represent a crucial step toward making hearing care affordable, accessible, and fully integrated into the healthcare system.