Abstract
Hearing loss (HL) becomes increasingly common with age and can lead to multiple negative outcomes, including isolation, falls, depression, altered social relationships, and altered cognitive functioning. HL also can aff ect patient-provider communication and lead to misunderstandings. Despite the negative eff ects that HL has on multiple domains, less than 20% to 25% of individuals who might benefi t from amplifi cation devices and/or hearing aids own them. Barriers to use include stigma, cost, and access. Nurses can play a critical role in promoting appropriate care for individuals with HL and providing access for those who need hearing aids. The current article (a) briefl y reviews how history and policies, especially Medicare and Medicaid, but also those defi ning the practice of audiology and dispensing of hearing aids, aff ect insurance coverage for hearing care; (b) reviews how a combination of forces brought the need for accessible and aff ordable hearing care to national attention and resulted in the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act; and (c) discusses the implications of the OTC Act for nurses and nursing practice.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 9-14 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Gerontological Nursing |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1 2018 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gerontology
Cite this
Implications of hearing care policy for nurses. / Wallhagen, Margaret I.; Reed, Nicholas.
In: Journal of Gerontological Nursing, Vol. 44, No. 9, 01.09.2018, p. 9-14.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Implications of hearing care policy for nurses
AU - Wallhagen, Margaret I.
AU - Reed, Nicholas
PY - 2018/9/1
Y1 - 2018/9/1
N2 - Hearing loss (HL) becomes increasingly common with age and can lead to multiple negative outcomes, including isolation, falls, depression, altered social relationships, and altered cognitive functioning. HL also can aff ect patient-provider communication and lead to misunderstandings. Despite the negative eff ects that HL has on multiple domains, less than 20% to 25% of individuals who might benefi t from amplifi cation devices and/or hearing aids own them. Barriers to use include stigma, cost, and access. Nurses can play a critical role in promoting appropriate care for individuals with HL and providing access for those who need hearing aids. The current article (a) briefl y reviews how history and policies, especially Medicare and Medicaid, but also those defi ning the practice of audiology and dispensing of hearing aids, aff ect insurance coverage for hearing care; (b) reviews how a combination of forces brought the need for accessible and aff ordable hearing care to national attention and resulted in the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act; and (c) discusses the implications of the OTC Act for nurses and nursing practice.
AB - Hearing loss (HL) becomes increasingly common with age and can lead to multiple negative outcomes, including isolation, falls, depression, altered social relationships, and altered cognitive functioning. HL also can aff ect patient-provider communication and lead to misunderstandings. Despite the negative eff ects that HL has on multiple domains, less than 20% to 25% of individuals who might benefi t from amplifi cation devices and/or hearing aids own them. Barriers to use include stigma, cost, and access. Nurses can play a critical role in promoting appropriate care for individuals with HL and providing access for those who need hearing aids. The current article (a) briefl y reviews how history and policies, especially Medicare and Medicaid, but also those defi ning the practice of audiology and dispensing of hearing aids, aff ect insurance coverage for hearing care; (b) reviews how a combination of forces brought the need for accessible and aff ordable hearing care to national attention and resulted in the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act; and (c) discusses the implications of the OTC Act for nurses and nursing practice.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85052406957&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3928/00989134-20180808-04
DO - 10.3928/00989134-20180808-04
M3 - Article
C2 - 30148527
AN - SCOPUS:85052406957
VL - 44
SP - 9
EP - 14
JO - Journal of Gerontological Nursing
JF - Journal of Gerontological Nursing
SN - 0098-9134
IS - 9
ER -