Can’t fill your prescription? Here’s why, and what you can do about it.
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: