Karl E. Strom

A new study published in the July 9 edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggests that older adults with poorer hearing are more likely to show signs of frailty—but that relationship appears to be weaker among people who use hearing aids. The study, “Hearing Aid Use Attenuates the Association Between Hearing Loss and Frailty,” analyzed data from 2,644 adults aged 65 and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 to 2018.

Lack of insurance coverage makes hearing aids unaffordable for many people suffering from hearing loss. We spoke with audiologists to understand why coverage is limited and what might change in the future. Medicare's 1965 statutory exclusion set the precedent.

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