On October 17, 2022 the FDA’s OTC hearing aids ruling
went into effect, allowing the purchase of hearing aids without
a medical exam or prescription.
OTC hearing aids are designed to treat mild to moderate
hearing loss.
OTC hearing aids are true hearing aids that use the same
technology as prescription hearing aids. You now can buy
them at retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Walgreens
and CVS.
The federal government estimates Americans could save up
to $3,000 on hearing aids.
Even though hearing loss can be a significant burden, many
people wait an average of 10 years before buying hearing
aids.
Hearing loss is one of the leading risk factors
for dementia so hopefully the wide availability
of OTC hearing aids will enable more people to
afford quality hearing aids.
For more information, please read an in depth
article on OTC hearing aids from the National
Council on Aging here:
https://bit.ly/3IoQkM2