According to statistics recently published in Healthy People 2010, a scant 17% of the adults aged 20-69 who suffer from hearing loss use aids. For those 70+, the number is better but still below 30%.
For many of those, finding an affordable hearing aid is the problem.
Cheap hearing aids are difficult to find, and expensive hearing aids are difficult for many to afford. It was this issue that took centerstage at a 3 day workshop run by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The workshop sought solutions for accessible, affordable hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Participants at the workshop discussed different emerging technologies and trends in hearing aids. These included self-adjusted hearing aids, which would cut down on audiologist visits; over the counter and convenient care clinics, which would make hearing aids accessible in retail stores; and telehealth, which would allow for people to receive advice and guidance about hearing aids remotely.
It’s encouraging to see that consumers aren’t the only ones worried about affordable hearing aids.
