Hi Eloise. I hope Florida is being good to you. We will miss you in Wisconsin. Hey, it's really important to make certain people know that the telecoil in a hearing aid isn't just for the telephone. It's for many other audio devices that project sound, including large room public address systems, portable radios, TVs computers, iPads, etc. If it has an audio input jack it will take a neckloop that will use that telecoil to bring sound direct to you. In a room with a hearing loop you don't even need to plug in to anything...just flip the switch and the sound is right there for you.

Yes, there are many ways to buy hearing aids, but I go back to my number one suggestion. Act like a consumer when you buy a product. Ask questions. Read the fine print. Talk to other people who use the product you are considering. It's very easy to be taken advantage of whether we are buying computers, cars, hearing aids or refrigerators!

OTC hearing aids will help people with mild hearing loss. It is good that option will be available, but still...people will be buying a product like a consumer. Buyer beware.