During the heyday of sea travel, it was fairly common for ships to be lost at sea. Ships were vulnerable to the elements, and there are certainly a lot of dangers on the open water: A freak wave, a massive storm or even an iceberg. Now we have enormous cruise ships and it’s extremely rare to hear of one sinking. What makes these floating cities so unsinkable?
You can buy hearing aids over the counter - Should you?
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Life just got a little bit easier for people with hearing loss. Previously, you had to rely on a licensed physician to get hearing aids, which involved medical or audiological examinations. However, a new rule enables you to buy over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids as easily as a nasal spray or reading glasses.
You can thank Congress for passing the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017. This August, the FDA finalized this historic ruling, which means millions of Americans can get hearing aids more easily. No longer will you have to jump through hoops or come up with creative solutions, like turning your AirPods into makeshift hearing aids.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know. First, we’ll go into more detail about the ruling. Then, we’ll tell you how to get OTC hearing aids and the complications you need to know about.
Here’s the backstory
As of Oct. 17, 2022, American retailers began selling over-the-counter hearing aids. So if you have mild to moderate hearing issues, you no longer need to visit the doctor, get a prescription or schedule a fitting appointment with a hearing specialist. This could help 90% of the population with hearing loss.
Many health experts say this is a step towards a more accessible and affordable future for people who need hearing aids. Data from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reveals how beneficial this new law could be.
The institute found that 28.8 million American adults could benefit from hearing aids. However, only 16% of people with hearing loss use a device that helps them hear.
This may be because they’re so expensive. A 2020 study from JAMA, a medical journal, found that many people had to spend at least $4,000 out of pocket for hearing aids in both ears.
This could all change now. Although you shouldn’t get too excited since most Medicare plans won’t pay for your hearing aids, this law has emboldened tech companies to sell more affordable devices that help you hear.
How to get OTC hearing aids
You can now buy direct-to-consumer (DTC) hearing aids from online manufacturers like Eargo, Lexie, Audien and Audicus.
Here are a few examples. You can grab them now on Amazon:
40% off sale! The home security system you can set up yourself in 30 minutes
Think of the words “home security” and what comes to mind? An installation crew, pushy salespeople, an expensive monthly bill and, of course, shelling out a ton of money to get the whole thing set up.
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Get 40% off home security tech, like video doorbells, outdoor cameras and window sensors
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Now is the best time to protect your home with tech. Thanks to a home security sale from our sponsor SimpliSafe, you can get steep discounts on everything you need to stay secure. Grab motion sensors, security cameras, burglary alarms and more.
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You’re at your desk for half the day, and answering emails isn’t exactly riveting. It’s time to turn some tunes on while you work, but what do you reach for? Earbuds, headphones or your speaker knob?
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Cybercriminals often scour a website’s code, figuring out how to infiltrate the data. When they discover vulnerabilities or security weaknesses, they launch attacks with devastating consequences. Tap or click here to see how the personal details of 5.4M Twitter users leaked.
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It was the end of an era when Microsoft finally put Internet Explorer to pasture last week. After 11 versions and nearly 27 years, the tech giant pulled the plug on the internet browser in favor of Microsoft Edge.
Internet Explorer was the default web browser for millions throughout the late ’90s and peaked around 2003. Then Google’s Chrome came along in 2008 and slowly but surely chipped away until it became the market leader.
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Even the most reliable laptops have an expiration date. But it can be hard to tell whether your machine is dying or just in need of repair. Luckily, you can look out for a few surefire signs you need a new one.
Need a new laptop but can’t afford it? Just take my one-minute laptop quiz. You’ll answer a few questions about your needs and price range. Then, I’ll tell you which laptop is your best fit.
Tech tip: Use an Amazon Echo as an affordable Life Alert alternative
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Your smart speaker can remind you of appointments, give you a heads up on the weather, give you a wake-up call, tell a joke, set the mood for movie night, get the news and much more.
Add a video screen and you get access to many more cool features. Let’s start with a simple one. Did you know that you can turn your Amazon Echo Show into a digital photo frame? Tap or click here to find out how.