Study Examines Role of Various Factors in Hearing Aid Use

A study published in The Gerontologist analyzed factors related to hearing aid use that play into the gap between users and those with hearing loss, reports AAFP News . The researchers studied the records of more than 35,000 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, and interviewed 21 older adults with hearing loss who lived in the surrounding community. Among the factors determined to have an influence on hearing aid use were insurance coverage, cost, personal wealth, veteran status, personal stigma, and relationship with significant others. Among the recommendations the study authors provided to boost the population of hearing aid users was for policymakers such as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to consider covering hearing aids for beneficiaries. They also suggested additional training for primary care health professionals on the importance of addressing hearing loss, as well as augmented education to reduce stigma associated with the condition. Their final recommendation was to implement personalized public service campaigns to improve overall acceptance of hearing aids.