hearing aids

A recent study by the Alzheimer’s Association says hearing aids can reduce the onset of dementia in older adults with some kind of hearing loss by almost 50%.

Roughly 40 million adults in the U.S. have hearing loss, but most don't use hearing aids. This increases the risk of social isolation, physical and cognitive decline and may lead to premature death.

Falling is the top cause of injury for older adults and even mild hearing loss can increase the risk. But consistently wearing hearing aids may improve balance and prevent falls, a study finds.

An analysis of 31 other studies concludes that, for people with hearing loss, hearing aids reduce their risk of long-term cognitive decline by 19%.

The devices are for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss — a market of tens of millions of people, many of whom have until now been priced out because prescription devices can cost thousands of dollars.

The shift in hearing health care is due to a recent rule change by the FDA, which recently cleared the way for the devices to be sold in retail stores without the need for buyers to see a doctor.

Frank Jones didn't see the truck that just missed him. Didn't hear it either. Though he has gone to an audiologist, he says cost has held him back from getting hearing aids. A new FDA policy could change that.

A new FDA rule is being praised for making hearing aids more affordable. But Medicare doesn't cover them, and neither do most insurance policies.

A new FDA rule allows adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss to buy hearing aids over the counter. Efforts to make them more affordable and accessible have been in the works for years.

For decades, the FDA has regulated hearing aids as prescription medical devices — an arrangement that adds to the cost and effort people must invest to get them.