Hearing loss is a growing problem with many people being diagnosed at earlier ages, usually in their 40s and 50s. The Baby Boomer generation, one of the largest generations, will soon be reaching the age where many people will be diagnosed with hearing loss.

Is technology to blame?

Many think this technology is going to continue to make the problem worse. While technology certainly has its benefits, it's had a major drawback--playing a large factor in the increased occurrences of hearing loss. Products like iPods and smartphones, as well as amplified music at concerts can cause damage to the ears that later results in hearing loss. As more and more generations are exposed to louder technology, more will have hearing problems.

Can insurance help?

In the U.S., an estimated 36 million people have problems hearing. Unfortunately, the majority of those people-around 28 million of them-will not seek treatment. With diagnoses coming in earlier, the cost of long-term care is becoming more prohibitive.

As these Baby Boomers approach retirement, they usually have limited options available for health insurance or have none at all. In fact, a large amount of insurance plans will only cover the cost of an exam and not the cost of the devices themselves. This results in 77% of people with hearing loss not getting treatment for their condition. For those who do have insurance, they will frequently find that their insurance only covers some, or a very small amount, of the cost of their care.

So what's the solution?

Luckily, technology can mend the problem it helped cause. Dr. Sreekant Cherukuri, a Chicago based ear, nose and throat specialist, noticed that many of his patients with hearing loss left without getting the care they need. The custom made devices required to fix their problem could sometimes cost many thousands of dollars.

That's when Dr. Cherukuri decided to create a low-cost option for people who did not have medical insurance or were underinsured. His mission was to develop the best quality hearing aid at the lowest possible price. He started by doing quality control tests of dozens of different low-cost, one-size-fits-all hearing aids.

All the products he tested were under $200 and had one thing in common. They simply amplified everything, making it difficult to hear in areas with a lot of background noise. Dr. Cherukuri decided to improve on these failings by creating the MDHearingAid line of hearing aids.

What is MDHearingAid?

MDHearingAid, which offers both analog and digital hearing aids, was developed with a focus on cost effectiveness and quality. The aids amplify voice frequencies rather than all frequencies, resulting in a clearer sound. They're designed to be as discreet, comfortable, and functional as possible. In addition, they are much more affordable than the custom-made sets, but many clients say they work just as well.

Since Dr. Cherukuri created this line of hearing aids to combat the high cost of lost hearing, no one should go without the care they need. MDHearingAid makes getting that care easier and more affordable than ever.