Hearing Aids Stave Off Cognitive Decline

Science Quickly

Scientific American

Science

4.3 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 16 August 2023

⏱️ 12 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Hearing aids may help maintain better brain functions in older people, and better health overall.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, this is Your Health Quickly, a Scientific American podcast series.
0:05.5	We highlight the latest vital health news, discoveries that affect your body and your mind.
0:11.0	And we break down the medical research to help you stay healthy.
0:14.0	I'm Tanya Lewis.
0:15.4	I'm Josh Fishman.
0:16.8	We are Scientific American Senior Health Editors.
0:19.6	On today's show, we're talking about a surprising way to slow cognitive decline, hearing aids.
0:25.4	And unfortunately, most people who need them don't get them.
0:32.4	Hey, Tanya, I learned a new weird thing about the screwy US health insurance system this week.
0:38.4	Oh yeah?
0:39.4	What's that?
0:40.4	Health insurance doesn't cover hearing aids.
0:42.4	Not at all.
0:43.4	No, not at all.
0:44.4	It often doesn't cover hearing exams either.
0:47.4	That's weird.
0:48.4	Since hearing loss is a medical problem.
0:50.4	I know, but I was talking with Lydia Danworth, who writes Scientific American Science of Health column.
0:56.4	And here's what she told me.
0:57.4	So the average pair of hearing aids that you would get through an audiologist will run you $4,700.
1:05.4	Most private insurance doesn't cover it.
1:07.4	And Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids.
	...

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