A Broad Examination of Health Policy Barriers to Access and Affordability of Hearing Treatment for Medicare Beneficiaries

Clarice Myers; Nicholas S. Reed; Frank R. Lin; Amber Willink

doi:10.1055/s-0042-1743122

A Broad Examination of Health Policy Barriers to Access and Affordability of Hearing Treatment for Medicare Beneficiaries

Clarice Myers, Nicholas S. Reed, Frank R. Lin, Amber Willink

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

In 2016, the National Academies on Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released a report titled, Hearing Health Care for Adults, which detailed the challenges and provided recommendations for improving the access to affordable hearing care for adults in the United States. Arguably the most significant outcome from this report was the subsequent passage of the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act in 2017, which requires the Food and Drug Administration to develop regulations for a class of hearing aids that address mild to moderate hearing loss to be available for sale over the counter (OTC). While this presents an important step toward improving access and affordability of hearing treatment, it does not represent a complete solution. In fact, optimizing the new landscape of hearing care for individuals with hearing loss also may require new policy solutions. This article reflects on the progress achieved since the NASEM report and the policy issues that remain to improve accessibility and affordability of hearing care among older adults.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	13-19
Number of pages	7
Journal	Seminars in Hearing
Volume	43
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1743122
State	Published - 2022

Keywords

Medicare
access to care
costs of care
health policy
hearing care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Speech and Hearing

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10.1055/s-0042-1743122

Cite this

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abstract = "In 2016, the National Academies on Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released a report titled, Hearing Health Care for Adults, which detailed the challenges and provided recommendations for improving the access to affordable hearing care for adults in the United States. Arguably the most significant outcome from this report was the subsequent passage of the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act in 2017, which requires the Food and Drug Administration to develop regulations for a class of hearing aids that address mild to moderate hearing loss to be available for sale over the counter (OTC). While this presents an important step toward improving access and affordability of hearing treatment, it does not represent a complete solution. In fact, optimizing the new landscape of hearing care for individuals with hearing loss also may require new policy solutions. This article reflects on the progress achieved since the NASEM report and the policy issues that remain to improve accessibility and affordability of hearing care among older adults.",

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A Broad Examination of Health Policy Barriers to Access and Affordability of Hearing Treatment for Medicare Beneficiaries

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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