The Impact of Financial Coverage on Hearing Aid Utilization Rates Within the Military Health System

Objectives: To investigate hearing aid utilization rates among populations with varying hearing aid insurance benefits. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. A total of 377 patients were included in the study after being identified through consecutive, hearing loss-related otology clinic visits. With respect to hearing aid benefits, patients were separated into full, partial, and no coverage populations. Chart reviews identified if a patient underwent hearing aid evaluation and fitting. Audiometric data were collected. Chi-square tests of independence and two-sided Z-tests were used for statistical analysis. ANOVA single-factor analysis testing was used to analyze pure tone averages (PTA) and word recognition scores (WRS) data. Results: The 377 patients who met criteria included: full insurance coverage (n = 210, mean age = 45 years), partial coverage (n = 82, mean age = 65 years), and no coverage (n = 85, mean age = 54 years). The full- and partial-coverage populations each had significantly higher hearing aid utilization rates (78% and 79%, respectively) than the no-coverage population (49%, p < 0.001). No statistical difference in mean PTA or WRS was noted among the three coverage categories. Conclusion: Patients with at least partial financial coverage are more likely to acquire hearing aids than those without despite similar degrees of hearing loss. This implies that the out-of-pocket cost of hearing aids is a primary impediment to hearing aid adoption and provides a useful road map for public and private insurers considering hearing aid coverage. Level of Evidence: Level III (retrospective cohort study) Laryngoscope, 2025.