B.C. group wants better provincial programs to help pay for hearing aids

Medical professionals who work with people with hearing loss are hoping to see a universal program to help British Columbians pay for hearing aids.

A petition by the Help BC Hear Better group — which consists of audiologists, otolaryngologists, and those with hearing loss — says a “large and growing” proportion of those in the province have hearing loss. Of those, they say only a quarter of people who would benefit from hearing aids can afford them.

Heather Ritchie, an audiologist who works in Vancouver, says while there are some government programs in place to help pay for hearing aids, they are mostly for those who lose their hearing in a work setting.

“If you’re not working, you’re not necessarily eligible for the work-related programs that are available right now,” she told CityNews.

“A lot of these programs are tailored to specific groups within the population. But the vast majority of seniors and people I see at my clinic are relying on maybe a little bit of extended health benefits funding, which is maybe $500 if they’re lucky.

“Unfortunately, the vast majority of the population is not eligible to receive funding to cover hearing aid services.”

Ritchie says on average, hearing aids can cost around $4,500 per pair.

“That price tag can really scare away a lot of people who are maybe questioning their ability to hear or maybe are struggling in certain situations and could really benefit,” she said.

The audiologist says having hearing loss go unaddressed not only affects people physically but also mentally.

“The social withdrawal and the isolation that we often see in people as they lose their independence, they lose the ability to take care of themselves and volunteer and be the dynamic members of the society that we want them to be, just because they are having trouble with hearing,” Ritchie explained.

Ritchie and Help BC Hear Better maintain that a universal government program to help people afford hearing aids would essentially pay for itself.

“From our research, the costs incurred by a provincial hearing aid program would really be offset by the savings realized through the reduced burden on the health care system that we’re seeing currently,” she said.

According to Speech and Hearing BC, hearing loss affects about one in three adults between the ages of 20 and 69, and about three-quarters of those over 70.

CityNews has reached out to the B.C. government for comment.