JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery
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JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jun 2018
Association Between Hearing Aid Use and Health Care Use and Cost Among Older Adults With Hearing Loss.
Hearing loss (HL) is common among older adults and is associated with poorer health and impeded communication. Hearing aids (HAs), while helpful in addressing some of the outcomes of HL, are not covered by Medicare. ⋯ This study demonstrates the beneficial outcomes of use of HAs in reducing the probability of any ED visits and any hospitalizations and in reducing the number of nights in the hospital. Although use of HAs reduced total Medicare costs, it significantly increased total and out-of-pocket health care spending. This information may have implications for Medicare regarding covering HAs for patients with HL.