Hearing aid use associated with lower death rates
January 17, 2024
Source: Choi et al Lancet Healthy Longevity, January, 2024 LINK
Hearing loss is common, even among those under age 65. Two percent of those ages 45-54 have disabling hearing loss, as do 8.5% of those from ages 55-64. Hearing loss can lead to social isolation and the inability to communicate effectively in the workplace or at home.
Here’s some good news. Within the population, those who have hearing deficits and use hearing aids have substantially lower rates of death. This is true even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, since hearing aid use is likely more common in those who are well-off, and wealth is associated with longer longevity. Hearing aids have also gotten much better over the last decade, for instance incorporating Bluetooth to integrate with mobile phones.
Researchers looked at data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2012 and found hearing loss in 14.7% of those over 20 (of a sample of almost 10,000 had documented hearing loss by audiometry.) Of that group, those who used hearing aids were a third less likely to die compared to matched survey participants with similar hearing loss and demographics (first two bars), and about a quarter less likely (third bar) to die even after adjustment for medical conditions.
Previous research has shown that hearing aid use for those with hearing loss led to lower incidence of dementia in older adults. Hearing loss can also lead to social isolation and loneliness.
There’s more good news, too. Hearing aids are now available over the counter, and prices are much lower than prescribed hearing aids. Eliminating the requirement to use an audiologist will also decrease barriers to obtaining hearing aids, especially for healthy people who have not exhausted their plan deductibles.
Implications for employers:
Insurance coverage for hearing aids remains important because OTC hearing aids are not meant for children, and those with severe hearing loss might need prescribed hearing aids.
Most plans (82% according to WTW data) cover hearing aids, although average plan coverage is $750 and the median plan only covers replacements every five years.
Some employers have asked their carriers to provide coverage for OTC hearing aids. This can be done through reimbursement, and one of the major health carriers offers coverage limited to its own hearing aid company.
Those who suspect they have hearing loss can get their hearing tested formally through their medical plans, although there are many apps available for self-administered hearing tests, too
Thanks for reading. You can find previous posts in the Employer Coverage archive
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Tomorrow: Few people are vitamin D deficient