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Health & Fitness

Insurances mandated to pay for children's hearing aids

The bill became law in Massachusetts in 2012. But, many families are still unaware of the help that their insurance companies must provide for their children with hearing loss. This law is an important step to help children under the age of 21if they are hearing impaired. All insurances in Massachusetts are required to pay up to $2000 every 36 months per ear for hearing aids. That means children will have a benefit of $4000 for two hearing aids every three years. 

 

If the family chooses to purchase more expensive hearing aids they must pay the difference. Many families have the option of withholding pre-tax money for medical necessities. These are called Flexible spending plans and many employers offer them to their employees. Other options for paying the difference on more expensive hearing aids are no-interest credit cards. Some audiology and hearing instrument dispensers offer payment plans.

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Hearing aids have a life of about 3-5 years. Technology changes quickly since every hearing aid manufactured today is digital. However, components wear out.

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Microphones become clogged with dirt and debris. Receivers or speakers become clogged with wax. Wires wear out.

It is great news that children will be able to be fitted with new hearing aids every three years in Massachusetts. The insurance companies now are required to cover at least part of the hearing aids until age 21.

Hearing aids now connect via Bluetooth to cell phones and to the television. There are systems that give one-to-one connectivity to teachers and students with hearing aids. These systems are available in the newer models.

 

Children are learning and growing. As an audiologist, I believe it is important to fit a child with the best technology available. True, it is the most expensive, but the time in classroom learning and relationship building is key to success in life. Children with hearing loss need as many advantages as possible.

 

Hearing impaired children often wear the same hearing aids too long. It is good to have a spare set of hearing aids if the newer ones need to be sent in for repair. It is like keeping your old glasses, just in case. Purchasing newer hearing aids when the older ones are still functioning gives children the option to wear the older ones for sport activities or outdoor activities.

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