Bad economy affects our heath and hearing because many people who need hearing aids just can't afford them.
Since neither Medicare nor most private insurance plans cover hearing aids, in most cases consumers have to bear the entire cost - ranging in average from $1,000 to $4,000 - by themselves.
In various surveys, two out of three adults with hearing loss cite financial constraints as a reason they do not wear hearing aids, even though they need them. A lot of those impacted are seniors ages 65 and over, who live on a limited fixed income.
Given the cost of a hearing aid, many people think of it as a luxury rather than an essential necessity that not only improves their quality of life, but also alerts them to possible hazards such as fire or oncoming traffic.
With the new Administration set to take power in January 2009, hearing health advocacy groups are urging citizens to lobby their legislators in Washington to pass the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, which would offer a tax credit of up to $500 per ear to cover costs of a hearing aid. Congressional and Senate representatives can be reached through the following website: www.hearingaidtaxcredit.org/, which also provides detailed information about the bill.
In addition, Healthy Hearing offers a comprehensive funding guide which provides funding resources for hearing aids and cochlear implants. In order to obtain this exclusive funding guide, visit Healthy Hearing and get HAPPYTM!
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