Hearing Aid

I don't get it.

In this country, there is insurance available for the general population, at least for those of us in good health or who are lucky enough to have insurance offered through their employers, for medical, dental and vision care, but no insurance covers hearing loss unless it is the result of an accident or illness. Granted, most young people do not suffer from hearing loss. It is a degenerative"disease" of the older adults among us. Actually, according to Medicare, gradual hearing loss not a disease at all, but part of the aging process. But so is arthritis; should we not treat people for osteoarthritis because it is "part of the aging process"? What about gum disease; maybe that shouldn't be covered either, because it is also part of the aging process. Or reading glasses for those under 65? What about podiatry visits for ingrown toenails, which largely affects the elderly? Ingrown toenails are not a disease either. Let's be fair; I say "out" with these ailments that are considered "part of the aging process"! Eliminate them from our insurance policies! Covered no longer! (Why the insurance companies don't hire me as their PR agent, I have no idea.)

Wait until the majority of the baby boomer generation, my generation, hits 70 or 75. Old enough to suffer significant hearing loss, still young enough to do something about it. I am 56. Lets see if any changes occur in our health insurance system in another 10-15 years. We should be clamoring for change now, as our parents shrivel before our eyes, many no longer mobile enough play golf, or even drive down the street to the grocery store. Every year for the past five years, when I return from the West coast to visit my family, my dad has shrunk a little bit more. He is still very active; he volunteers for several different organizations, is active in his church, and is the oldest active golfer in his club, still playing in tournaments at 84. He's one of the lucky ones. Many of his friends are seriously crippled or have a major illness, if they are not already dead. But, my dad's hearing is failing in a significant way. I have to repeat myself two, and sometimes three times, before he understands what I am saying. If his back is turned to me, he doesn't hear me at all.

My dad has no major illness, has never had any major illness, and he is now 84. Shouldn't he somehow rack up "points" for his good health and be allowed a subsidy for the very expensive hearing aid he needs? Can't we compromise on this issue? Anyone with a hearing loss greater than 50% (or 40% or 60%; this is negotiable) in one or both ears should be covered for a hearing aid once every three years up to a maximum of $XXXX . Hearing aids should be covered like glasses are covered for young people. Medicare should cover eyeglasses, and dental care, and hearing aids, none of which are currently covered. But wait, I forget, this is the government we are talking about. Getting Medicare to cover prescription drugs took YEARS.

Most of us do not need to use our insurance on a regular basis. Health insurance was originally designed to be used in case catastrophe strikes in the form of major illness or accident. Yet, when our elders need it most for eye care, dental care, and hearing care, they do not have it. We spend millions on premature babies, many of whom don't make it, and we ignore the needs our our older population, who have built our communities with their blood, sweat and tears.

I don't get it.