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Semin Hear 2022; 43(01): 013-019
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1743122
Review Article

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

Clarice Myers
1   Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
2   Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Nicholas S. Reed
1   Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
3   Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Frank R. Lin
1   Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
2   Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Amber Willink
1   Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
4   Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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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.

Keywords

Medicare - health policy - access to care - costs of care - hearing care


Publication History

Article published online:
15 June 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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