Essay
Bill HF1480 Essay
My bill, known as an act relating to hearing aid coverage specified, would be helpful for so many people. There is a health plan that must cover hearing aids for all individuals for hearing loss that isn’t correctable by other procedures.
The main reason for this bill is to help individuals get the help they need, hearing issues can be caused naturally and can be caught at an early age.
According to cbsnews.com, this family was told their new baby daughter’s hearing impairment would prevent her from acquiring age-appropriate language skills meaning it will affect her education.
The earpiece that their baby needs cost six thousand dollars, and she is required to get a new hearing aid every three years as her ear grows. The family’s work-based insurance does not cover those costs. Cbsnews.com also stated that California and 17 other states don’t require private insurance plans to cover hearing aids for kids, so many don’t.
Approximately 37 million people suffer some form of hearing loss, the coverage of insurance has a tremendous impact on the communication ability of so many.
Hearing loss has profound effects on safety issues, isolation, social anxiety, and can possibly contribute to dementia.
There are currently 20 states that require health insurance to cover hearing aids, but this is mostly for children. New Hampshire, Arkansas, Connecticut, and Rhode Island all have some coverage for adults. We do not know for sure why insurance doesn't cover the cost of hearing aids, but since there are over forty million people with hearing loss, we can guess it’s a financial reason.
A negative about hearing loss may contribute to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain. The average cost of a hearing aid can cost up to one to three thousand dollars. A good hearing aid costs up to two to four thousand dollars. Getting a new one every three years can cost up to about a hundred thousand dollars with no insurance coverage.
Asha.org claims that 19 states require health benefit plans in their state for hearing aids for children.
If my bill is passed, it would help so many people understand and get the education and knowledge they need, it will also improve hearing and speech comprehension.
References
Hearing Aids: Uses & How They Work - Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org › health › treatments › 24...
The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Johns Hopkins Medicine
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org › health › the-hidden-r...
Hearing aid prices in 2024 [comparison table] - HearingLife
HearingLife
https://www.hearinglife.com › Hearing aids
Hearing aid prices in 2024 [comparison table]
https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/state-insurance-mandates-for-hearing-aids/?srsltid=AfmBOorhf7c_mIV5V3Jd5i4f222M23m8AJqBB2DcF6p_YvSh7bRtIvql
https://www.professionalhearingkc.com/blog/why-dont-insurance-companies-cover-hearing-aids