Health and Fitness
Could Diet Drinks Make Your Baby Fat?
Babies whose moms drank diet drinks every day while pregnant are more likely to be overweight, researchers reported on Monday.
It's not clear why — and the study doesn't show that the diet drinks cause the babies to gain too much weight.
But the study adds another piece to a growing picture that suggests what happens during pregnancy can have lifelong effects on the babies.
Image: A woman holds her stomach at the last stages of her pregnancy
A woman holds her stomach at the last stages of her pregnancy. Regis Duvignau / REUTERS file
The study — of more than 3,000 women and their babies — showed that the children of women who drank diet drinks every day during pregnancy were twice as likely to be overweight when they were a year old, as compared to babies of women who drank no artificially sweetened drinks.
"To our knowledge, our results provide the first human evidence that artificial sweetener consumption during pregnancy may increase the risk of early childhood overweight," Meghan Azad, of the Children's Hospital research Institute of Manitoba, and colleagues wrote in their report, published in the journal of the American Medical Association's JAMA Pediatrics.
Related: How Diet Drinks Could Make You Fat
"Given the current epidemic of childhood obesity and the widespread consumption of artificial sweeteners, further research is warranted is warranted to confirm our findings and investigate the underlying biological mechanisms, with the ultimate goal of informing evidence-based dietary recommendations for pregnant women."
Researchers know that too much weight gain during pregnancy can make babies overweight, also. Doctors recommend that pregnant women gain just enough, but not too much weight, while they're pregnant, and they say healthy diet and moderate exercise can help.
Women who rely on artificial sweeteners may continue to use them while pregnant to try to keep their weight down. In Azad's study, close to 30 percent of the pregnant women said they drank artificially sweetened drinks while pregnant, and about 5 percent said they drank them daily.
"OUR STUDY CONFIRMS PREVIOUS RESEARCH SHOWING THAT ARTIFICIALLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY, DIABETES, SMOKING, AND POOR DIET QUALITY."
And about 5 percent of the babies were overweight at the age of 1. The women who drank diet drinks every day were twice as likely to have an overweight baby.
The diet drinkers also often were overweight themselves, the researchers found, and many of them did not score well on a healthy eating index. But the effects on the babies still correlated with diet drinks even when these factors were accounted for, the researchers said.
"Our study confirms previous research showing that artificially sweetened beverage consumption is associated with obesity, diabetes, smoking, and poor diet quality, all of which are established maternal risk factors for obesity in offspring," they wrote.
Susan Groth, an associate professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, said the study was well done but she says there is not a clear message for any individual woman.
"The message is you need to be careful about drinking too much of these artificially sweetened beverages because it could affect your child down the road," Groth, who studies weight gain during pregnancy, told NBC News.
"It does give us evidence that maybe there is something going on that we should be paying attention to," added Groth, who was not involved in the study.
Studies on whether diet drinks help keep weight off often contradict one another, with some finding that people who drink lots of diet drinks are more likely to be obese, with others finding they are better than sugary drinks.
But many American women do tend to gain too much weight during pregnancy, and more studies are showing that has bad consequences for the babies.
What's missing, says Groth, are details on what the babies were fed once they started eating solid food. "And we don't know what mom's eating behavior was, other than the soft drinks," she added.
Visit the real page here : http://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/could-diet-drinks-make-your-baby-fat-n570716
It's not clear why — and the study doesn't show that the diet drinks cause the babies to gain too much weight.
But the study adds another piece to a growing picture that suggests what happens during pregnancy can have lifelong effects on the babies.
Image: A woman holds her stomach at the last stages of her pregnancy
A woman holds her stomach at the last stages of her pregnancy. Regis Duvignau / REUTERS file
The study — of more than 3,000 women and their babies — showed that the children of women who drank diet drinks every day during pregnancy were twice as likely to be overweight when they were a year old, as compared to babies of women who drank no artificially sweetened drinks.
"To our knowledge, our results provide the first human evidence that artificial sweetener consumption during pregnancy may increase the risk of early childhood overweight," Meghan Azad, of the Children's Hospital research Institute of Manitoba, and colleagues wrote in their report, published in the journal of the American Medical Association's JAMA Pediatrics.
Related: How Diet Drinks Could Make You Fat
"Given the current epidemic of childhood obesity and the widespread consumption of artificial sweeteners, further research is warranted is warranted to confirm our findings and investigate the underlying biological mechanisms, with the ultimate goal of informing evidence-based dietary recommendations for pregnant women."
Researchers know that too much weight gain during pregnancy can make babies overweight, also. Doctors recommend that pregnant women gain just enough, but not too much weight, while they're pregnant, and they say healthy diet and moderate exercise can help.
Women who rely on artificial sweeteners may continue to use them while pregnant to try to keep their weight down. In Azad's study, close to 30 percent of the pregnant women said they drank artificially sweetened drinks while pregnant, and about 5 percent said they drank them daily.
"OUR STUDY CONFIRMS PREVIOUS RESEARCH SHOWING THAT ARTIFICIALLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY, DIABETES, SMOKING, AND POOR DIET QUALITY."
And about 5 percent of the babies were overweight at the age of 1. The women who drank diet drinks every day were twice as likely to have an overweight baby.
The diet drinkers also often were overweight themselves, the researchers found, and many of them did not score well on a healthy eating index. But the effects on the babies still correlated with diet drinks even when these factors were accounted for, the researchers said.
"Our study confirms previous research showing that artificially sweetened beverage consumption is associated with obesity, diabetes, smoking, and poor diet quality, all of which are established maternal risk factors for obesity in offspring," they wrote.
Susan Groth, an associate professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, said the study was well done but she says there is not a clear message for any individual woman.
"The message is you need to be careful about drinking too much of these artificially sweetened beverages because it could affect your child down the road," Groth, who studies weight gain during pregnancy, told NBC News.
"It does give us evidence that maybe there is something going on that we should be paying attention to," added Groth, who was not involved in the study.
Studies on whether diet drinks help keep weight off often contradict one another, with some finding that people who drink lots of diet drinks are more likely to be obese, with others finding they are better than sugary drinks.
But many American women do tend to gain too much weight during pregnancy, and more studies are showing that has bad consequences for the babies.
What's missing, says Groth, are details on what the babies were fed once they started eating solid food. "And we don't know what mom's eating behavior was, other than the soft drinks," she added.
Visit the real page here : http://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/could-diet-drinks-make-your-baby-fat-n570716
Hiking Your Way to Better Health
Looking for a way to get in shape while enjoying the great outdoors? Just lace up a pair of sturdy shoes and start walking.
"Hiking is a wonderful way not only to participate in aerobic exercise, but also to clear your head," says board-certified family physician Ray Sahelian, MD, who not only recommends hiking to his patients but also practices what he preaches by hiking regularly in the mountains near his Southern California home.
Texas allergist William Howland, MD, who says he's "just a guy who likes to be outdoors," is another hiking enthusiast, both professionally and personally. "Hiking offers benefits for both the mind and body," he says.
In the first place, hiking (which can be as moderate as a walk around your block or as strenuous as a mountain climb) is a weight-bearing exercise, which helps prevent osteoporosis, Howland explains. Being outside in the sunshine, which provides the body with vitamin D, is another bone-healthy reason for putting one foot in front of the other.
Credits goes to : http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/hiking-better-health
"Hiking is a wonderful way not only to participate in aerobic exercise, but also to clear your head," says board-certified family physician Ray Sahelian, MD, who not only recommends hiking to his patients but also practices what he preaches by hiking regularly in the mountains near his Southern California home.
Texas allergist William Howland, MD, who says he's "just a guy who likes to be outdoors," is another hiking enthusiast, both professionally and personally. "Hiking offers benefits for both the mind and body," he says.
In the first place, hiking (which can be as moderate as a walk around your block or as strenuous as a mountain climb) is a weight-bearing exercise, which helps prevent osteoporosis, Howland explains. Being outside in the sunshine, which provides the body with vitamin D, is another bone-healthy reason for putting one foot in front of the other.
Credits goes to : http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/hiking-better-health
Factors Affecting Muscular Strength
I am often asked why one person develops strength and muscle faster than another when he or she is performing the same exercises and followong a similar strength training workout program. Many people feel that they must be doing something wrong because they aren’t getting the same results, muscular strength or muscular development as another person. It’s important to realize that there are six primary factors affecting every individual’s ability to achieve strength and muscle development, and we have little or no control over most of them.
I am often asked why one person develops strength and muscle faster than another when he or she is performing the same exercises, following the same training program. Many people feel that they must be doing something wrong because they aren’t getting the same results as another person. It’s important to realize that there are six primary factors affecting every individual’s ability to achieve strength and muscle development, and we have little or no control over most of them.
Type of Muscle Fiber
One of the most influential factors is muscle fiber type. We have two basic types of muscle fibers, often referred to as “slow twitch” and “fast twitch.” Slow twitch muscle fibers are best used for cardiovascular (aerobic) activities. They produce small levels of force for long periods of time and thus are better suited for endurance activities. Fast twitch fibers are best used for anaerobic activities. They produce high levels of force for short periods of time and are best suited for power activities such as weightlifting.
Most men and women have an equal combination of both slow twitch and fast twitch fibers. However, some people inherit a high percentage of slow twitch fibers that enhance their performance in endurance activities, such as long distance runners. Most world class marathon runners have a very high amount of slow twitch fibers. World class sprinters or football players, for example, have relatively more fast twitch muscle fibers. Although both fiber types respond positively to strength training workouts, the fast twitch types experience greater increases in muscle size and strength, and thus may obtain greater and/or faster results from a strength training program.
Age
Another factor over which we have little control is age. Studies show that people of all ages can increase their muscle size and strength as a result of a safe and effective strength training program. However, the rate of strength and muscle gain appears to be greater from age 10-20, the years of rapid growth and development. After reaching normal physical maturity, muscular improvements usually don’t come as quickly.
Gender
Gender does not affect the quality of our muscle, but does influence the quantity. Although men’s and women’s muscle tissue are characteristically the same, men generally have more muscle tissue than women do because muscle size is increased by the presence of testosterone, the male sex hormone. The larger the muscles, the stronger the person; this is why most men are stronger than most women.
Limb and Muscle Length
Another strength factor that is naturally determined is limb length. Persons with short limbs tend to be able to lift more weight because of advantageous leverage factors (arms and legs). Similarly, differences in strength development may come about because of variation in muscle length. Some people have long muscles, and some people have short muscles. Persons with relatively long muscles have greater potential for developing size and strength than persons with relatively short muscles.
Point of Tendon Insertion
Muscle strength is also influenced by the point of tendon insertion. For example, let’s say Jim and John both have the same arm and muscle length. However, Jim’s biceps tendon attaches to his forearm farther from his elbow joint than John’s does. This gives Jim a biomechanical advantage: he is able to lift more weight than John in biceps exercises such as the Biceps Curl.
Other Important Factors
All of these factors affect our ability to gain strength and muscle development through training. Keep in mind, however, that the most influential factor in achieving good results is using a very slow, controlled lifting movement and lifting to the point of muscle fatigue.
In addition to using good lifting technique, it is absolutely imperative that you not only train with intensity on a well-balanced program, but also give your muscles enough resting time between training sessions. Overtraining is a common mistake people make; it happens not only when you don’t allow your muscles enough rest, but also when you train with too many sets and exercises for each muscle group.
Another mistake people make is doing the same program over and over again even after they have reached a plateau. Any time you 1) stop gaining strength or muscle size or 2) get bored, it is crucial that you change the program, so that you can go through a whole new phase achieving new results.
We inherit most of these factors affecting strength from our parents, and they have a big impact on our size, strength, and appearance. It is very important that you not become obsessed with trying to look like a world-class body builder–or any other body type that is not your own. We are not all meant to look the same. It is very important that you learn about and accept your own body’s characteristics and type, so you can develop a reasonable program specific to realistic goals and personal interests.
Genetics does clearly play a role in your health and appearance, but they certainly do not determine how often or well you train. Even if you are born with a genetic predisposition to being overweight or weak, the way you live is what will ultimately determine whether you become fit and strong or fat and weak.
Weightlifting provides many important benefits that cannot be achieved by any other exercise or activity. Physiologically, the benefits of consistent strength training include an increase in muscle size and tone, increased muscle strength, and increases in tendon, bone, and ligament strength. Strength-training has also been shown to improve psychological health as well, by increasing self-esteem, confidence and self-worth. If you understand and accept your body, you will be able to work with it, not against it. Everyone can improve their strength, appearance, and performance level by consistently implementing an effective strength training program.
Credit : https://www.afpafitness.com/research-articles/factors-affecting-muscular-strength
I am often asked why one person develops strength and muscle faster than another when he or she is performing the same exercises, following the same training program. Many people feel that they must be doing something wrong because they aren’t getting the same results as another person. It’s important to realize that there are six primary factors affecting every individual’s ability to achieve strength and muscle development, and we have little or no control over most of them.
Type of Muscle Fiber
One of the most influential factors is muscle fiber type. We have two basic types of muscle fibers, often referred to as “slow twitch” and “fast twitch.” Slow twitch muscle fibers are best used for cardiovascular (aerobic) activities. They produce small levels of force for long periods of time and thus are better suited for endurance activities. Fast twitch fibers are best used for anaerobic activities. They produce high levels of force for short periods of time and are best suited for power activities such as weightlifting.
Most men and women have an equal combination of both slow twitch and fast twitch fibers. However, some people inherit a high percentage of slow twitch fibers that enhance their performance in endurance activities, such as long distance runners. Most world class marathon runners have a very high amount of slow twitch fibers. World class sprinters or football players, for example, have relatively more fast twitch muscle fibers. Although both fiber types respond positively to strength training workouts, the fast twitch types experience greater increases in muscle size and strength, and thus may obtain greater and/or faster results from a strength training program.
Age
Another factor over which we have little control is age. Studies show that people of all ages can increase their muscle size and strength as a result of a safe and effective strength training program. However, the rate of strength and muscle gain appears to be greater from age 10-20, the years of rapid growth and development. After reaching normal physical maturity, muscular improvements usually don’t come as quickly.
Gender
Gender does not affect the quality of our muscle, but does influence the quantity. Although men’s and women’s muscle tissue are characteristically the same, men generally have more muscle tissue than women do because muscle size is increased by the presence of testosterone, the male sex hormone. The larger the muscles, the stronger the person; this is why most men are stronger than most women.
Limb and Muscle Length
Another strength factor that is naturally determined is limb length. Persons with short limbs tend to be able to lift more weight because of advantageous leverage factors (arms and legs). Similarly, differences in strength development may come about because of variation in muscle length. Some people have long muscles, and some people have short muscles. Persons with relatively long muscles have greater potential for developing size and strength than persons with relatively short muscles.
Point of Tendon Insertion
Muscle strength is also influenced by the point of tendon insertion. For example, let’s say Jim and John both have the same arm and muscle length. However, Jim’s biceps tendon attaches to his forearm farther from his elbow joint than John’s does. This gives Jim a biomechanical advantage: he is able to lift more weight than John in biceps exercises such as the Biceps Curl.
Other Important Factors
All of these factors affect our ability to gain strength and muscle development through training. Keep in mind, however, that the most influential factor in achieving good results is using a very slow, controlled lifting movement and lifting to the point of muscle fatigue.
In addition to using good lifting technique, it is absolutely imperative that you not only train with intensity on a well-balanced program, but also give your muscles enough resting time between training sessions. Overtraining is a common mistake people make; it happens not only when you don’t allow your muscles enough rest, but also when you train with too many sets and exercises for each muscle group.
Another mistake people make is doing the same program over and over again even after they have reached a plateau. Any time you 1) stop gaining strength or muscle size or 2) get bored, it is crucial that you change the program, so that you can go through a whole new phase achieving new results.
We inherit most of these factors affecting strength from our parents, and they have a big impact on our size, strength, and appearance. It is very important that you not become obsessed with trying to look like a world-class body builder–or any other body type that is not your own. We are not all meant to look the same. It is very important that you learn about and accept your own body’s characteristics and type, so you can develop a reasonable program specific to realistic goals and personal interests.
Genetics does clearly play a role in your health and appearance, but they certainly do not determine how often or well you train. Even if you are born with a genetic predisposition to being overweight or weak, the way you live is what will ultimately determine whether you become fit and strong or fat and weak.
Weightlifting provides many important benefits that cannot be achieved by any other exercise or activity. Physiologically, the benefits of consistent strength training include an increase in muscle size and tone, increased muscle strength, and increases in tendon, bone, and ligament strength. Strength-training has also been shown to improve psychological health as well, by increasing self-esteem, confidence and self-worth. If you understand and accept your body, you will be able to work with it, not against it. Everyone can improve their strength, appearance, and performance level by consistently implementing an effective strength training program.
Credit : https://www.afpafitness.com/research-articles/factors-affecting-muscular-strength
The Workout That Burns 346 Calories In 13 Minutes
Over the years, Men’s Health has sifted through dozens of studies about how many calories you’ll burn with various workouts. But the routine detailed in new research from North Dakota State University is one of the most efficient calorie cookers we’ve ever seen.
In just 13 minutes, the study participants fried 346 calories, according to the research, which was presented yesterday at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Boston, Mass.
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Compare that to running at a 10-minute mile pace for the same amount of time, which burns 146 calories, according to California State University research. Or CrossFit’s notorious Cindy workout, which burns 261 calories but takes 20 minutes, scientists at Kennesaw State University found.
For the study, men did as many reps of a resistance exercise at 50 percent of their one-rep max as they could bang out in 30 seconds, then rested for 15 seconds.
They followed that protocol for three sets of six different weight-lifting exercises, like bench presses and leg extensions.
The researchers tracked both aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure during the 13-minute routine, and the average total tallied up to 346 calories.
Related: 10 Exercises That Burn More Calories Than Running
That’s 51 more than the guys burned while doing a similar workout that used the same exercises, but with longer rests and heavier weights.
Those results suggest that there’s something about the super-short, 15-second rests that leads to an astronomical calorie burn, says study author Jake Erickson, a graduate assistant at North Dakota State University. You use up more energy—a.k.a. calories—when you give your body less time to recover between bouts of intense effort.
Men’s Health Fitness Director B.J. Gaddour, C.S.C.S., uses this same strategy to maximize fat burning with THE 21-DAY METASHRED, Men’s Health’s all-new at-home workout DVD. That may help explain how the program helped one guy lose 25 pounds in 6 weeks!
Want to try the exact workout used in the study? Here’s how:
Perform as many reps as you can of the first exercise in 30 seconds, using a weight that is 50 percent of your one-rep max. Rest 15 seconds.
That’s 1 set. Do 3. Repeat with exercises 2 through 6.
Visit : http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/346-calories-in-13-minutes
In just 13 minutes, the study participants fried 346 calories, according to the research, which was presented yesterday at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Boston, Mass.
ADVERTISEMENT
MEN'S HEALTH RECOMMENDS
23 Ab Excercises Guaranteed To Eliminate Any Trace Of Belly fat
HEALTH WEEKLY
The Best Exercises to Blast Belly Fat
MEN'S HEALTH
17 Hottest Wellness Trends of 2016
DIET TREND
4 Daily Exercises Every Navy SEAL (and Every Fit Guy) Should Do
MEN'S HEALTH
10 Super Fit Stars Who Swear by Pilates
FAME FOCUS
Why the Body You Want Won't Happen Overnight
MEN'S HEALTH
Recommended by
DAILY DOSE
your email address
SIGN UP
YOU MAY UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
PRIVACY POLICY | ABOUT US
Compare that to running at a 10-minute mile pace for the same amount of time, which burns 146 calories, according to California State University research. Or CrossFit’s notorious Cindy workout, which burns 261 calories but takes 20 minutes, scientists at Kennesaw State University found.
For the study, men did as many reps of a resistance exercise at 50 percent of their one-rep max as they could bang out in 30 seconds, then rested for 15 seconds.
They followed that protocol for three sets of six different weight-lifting exercises, like bench presses and leg extensions.
The researchers tracked both aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure during the 13-minute routine, and the average total tallied up to 346 calories.
Related: 10 Exercises That Burn More Calories Than Running
That’s 51 more than the guys burned while doing a similar workout that used the same exercises, but with longer rests and heavier weights.
Those results suggest that there’s something about the super-short, 15-second rests that leads to an astronomical calorie burn, says study author Jake Erickson, a graduate assistant at North Dakota State University. You use up more energy—a.k.a. calories—when you give your body less time to recover between bouts of intense effort.
Men’s Health Fitness Director B.J. Gaddour, C.S.C.S., uses this same strategy to maximize fat burning with THE 21-DAY METASHRED, Men’s Health’s all-new at-home workout DVD. That may help explain how the program helped one guy lose 25 pounds in 6 weeks!
Want to try the exact workout used in the study? Here’s how:
Perform as many reps as you can of the first exercise in 30 seconds, using a weight that is 50 percent of your one-rep max. Rest 15 seconds.
That’s 1 set. Do 3. Repeat with exercises 2 through 6.
Visit : http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/346-calories-in-13-minutes
12 Myths About Hearing Loss
You can only treat hearing loss with a hearing aid, one of many myths and misunderstandings about the deaf and those with hearing loss. — Getty Images
May is Better Hearing Month and a good time to dispel some myths and misunderstandings about the deaf and those with hearing loss.
1. Hearing loss comes with age and there's nothing you can do about it.
False. This may have been true many years ago for some conditions, but with today's advances, nearly 95 percent of people with hearing loss caused by problems with the inner ear can be helped with hearing aids, according to the Better Hearing Institute.
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2. A little trouble hearing is normal. But wait until it really gets bad before going to a specialist.
False. The longer you wait, the harder it is to treat hearing loss. That's because the auditory system in the brain stops recognizing sound as your hearing worsens. If you wear hearing aids regularly, your brain can learn to reprogram itself once its auditory system begins getting the proper nerve stimulation.
3. People with hearing loss will understand you better if you speak loudly.
False. I titled my book about hearing loss Shouting Won't Help. It won't. Shouting distorts the mouth and makes lip reading difficult. Speak in a normal tone of voice, look at the listener, and articulate clearly.
4. My primary care doctor will tell me if I need hearing aids and refer me to a specialist.
False, mostly. Studies show that only between 17 and 30 percent of primary care doctors do even a cursory hearing screening, even with elderly patients. Almost none do a full hearing test.
5. Providing a sign-language interpreter is helpful to people with hearing loss.
True, but only to a very small proportion of them. Of the 48 million Americans with hearing loss, only 500,000 use sign language. But because signing is a visual expression of deafness, and because plain old hearing loss is invisible, the perception is that most people who can't hear are sign language users. And they're not.
6. Classes in sign language can be very helpful for those with severe hearing loss.
True, but only in the way that learning the basics of any language is helpful. The truth is, to become fluent in sign language as an adult is very hard work. American Sign Language is a complex structure of images and letters. There is no direct translation of spoken English to signed English. This makes it especially difficult to learn later in life.
7. People with hearing loss can read lips.
True, to some extent. Some of us do it much better than others. Nevertheless, when speaking to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, always make sure they can see your lips.
8. Hearing aids don't work. Better to hold out for a high-tech cochlear implant.
False. Hearing aids work well for most people with moderate to severe hearing loss, and they are considered far more effective than a cochlear implant for these people. Experts recommend a cochlear implant only when hearing aids are no longer effective. If you're holding off on getting a hearing aid thinking you'll simply jump to a cochlear implant when necessary, don't do it. The longer you delay getting your hearing treated, the harder it is to correct.
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9. Hearing loss is most common in the elderly.
Wrong again. Hearing loss is most visible in the elderly because this is the group most likely to have severe hearing loss and to wear a visible hearing aid. But 65 percent of those with hearing loss are under the age of 65, and 60 percent are still in school or in the workplace.
10. The only way to treat hearing loss is with a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
False. A hearing aid may be effective, but it's expensive, averaging $2,400. For some people a $300 consumer electronics device called a PSAP (personal sound amplification program) sold over the counter may be sufficient. If your hearing worsens, you can then move on to a hearing aid.
11. If hearing aids are needed, my insurance will cover it, right?
Unfortunately, no. Some insurers are beginning to include hearing coverage in their plans, but the majority of private and company-sponsored plans do not cover hearing aids for adults, nor do most state Medicaid programs or the Affordable Care Act.
12. Medicare understands the challenge that hearing loss poses to healthy aging and pays for tests and devices.
Hahaha. So wrong. By statute — which would have to be changed by Congress — Medicare does not cover hearing aids or services related to them.
Read more : http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2016/hearing-loss-myths-information-kb.html?intcmp=-FLXSLDR-SLIDE-MAIN