Connect
Hearing Aids Without a Prescription - What Does This Mean?
In 2017 then President Trump signed legislation that would allow hearing aids to be sold without a prescription. The FDA was to write the regulations for this within 3 years. Now, five years later, the regulations have been written and approved. The devices will be on the market this coming week. What does this mean for people who need/use hearing aids? Most likely you will see a variety of articles on this topic in the next few weeks.
These non-prescriptive devices are meant only for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. While they will be far less costly than prescriptive devices, there are no guarantees they will work well.
Buyer beware. Make sure there is information on the package that explains if there is a return policy. That was not regulated although advocates strongly fought for it.
It is likely they will help many people, but the jury will be out for a while.
If you decide to purchase OTC hearing aids, please share your experience with them. Prescriptive hearing aids cost a great deal more than these new devices. ($3000 - $7000/pair). Professionals who fit those prescriptive devices have training on how to fit them to a person's audiogram. Are you a candidate for hearing aids? What will you choose to do?
Here is an article on this topic.
https://news.yahoo.com/frontier-hearing-aids-181814746.html
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.
Connect
Welcome to the hearing loss support group babs37.
Hearing loss is complicated and there is no 'one size fits all'. What works well for one person may not work for another. With all hearing aids, OTC or prescriptive it's very important to know what kind of trial period is granted with that product before you buy it. You should have the right to try the device(s) in all the situations where you want to use them. Some of the OTC products have very short trial times; others don't. That information should be written on the box of the product.
It's important to understand that "FDA approval" basically means these devices are safe to use. It doesn't not guarantee their effectiveness.
OTC devices are being developed by a variety of companies; some are well known while others are not. Prices range from under $100 to over $1000. Some of the places that sell them have staff trained to help, others do not.
A solution for some is to purchase hearing aids at a big box store like Sam's Club or Costco. They do train their hearing instrument specialists. Their products are prescriptive for the most part and are priced in the $1500 range for a pair which is substantially lower than those sold by clinical providers.
It's also important to keep in mind that OTC devices are not intended for people who have severe hearing loss. The prescriptive kind may be your best bet regardless of price. It would not hurt to try them. Know they can be returned, but understand the provider's policy.
It's a shame that hearing instruments are so rarely insured. The OTC movement is a result of that.
The website of the Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA) has a great deal of information. Are you aware of HLAA? http://www.hearingloss.org
Thank you Julie for your input, it was very helpful. I was thinking about Costco as well.
Thank you for your reply, I surely will check it out.
I would start out at a good ENT doctor. Having your ears checked regularly for wax buildup is essential. Hearing aid wearing can cause this problem, and affect your hearing. Usually the doctor will recommend a good audiologist for a hearing test, and proper programming of your aids.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions