No soapbox needed. This Medicare/Insurance issue is one that has been in the craw of HLAA and the entire hard of hearing population for decades. It's pretty obvious that the insurance companies have bever been willing to include hearing aids in their policies. Why is that? Is this about trust? Does it have something to do with the false advertising that has been out there for years referring to hearing aids as 'miracles'? We all know they don't cure hearing loss. When fit properly they help people hear better.

I've often asked if hearing instruments are medical devices or consumer products. Right now, with the Over the Counter (OTC) law having been enacted, it's pretty clear that those OTC devices that do not require a prescription are consumer products just like cell phones, headsets, etc.

Sorry there are no HLAA chapters in your area. Chapters happen when a group of people with hearing loss come together to share experiences and reach out to others. There's a ton of information on the HLAA website. Due to recent COVID protocols many chapters are holding hybrid meetings that allow people from outside the chapter's region to attend and participate. I encourage you to take time to listen to some of the podcasts on the website. http://www.hearingloss.org