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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsElizabeth Warren wants some hearing aids sold over the counter
Elizabeth Warren wants some hearing aids sold over the counter
Associated Press Saturday, December 03, 2016
BOSTON U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants to make some types of hearing aids available over the counter.
The Massachusetts Democrat has introduced a bill with Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley that would lift what she described as burdensome requirements needed to obtain hearing aids.
Warren said about 30 million Americans experience age-related hearing loss, but only 14 percent use hearing aids, often because they can't afford them.
The bill would allow hearing aids intended to be used by adults with mild to moderate hearing loss be sold over the counter and end the requirement that people get a medical evaluation or sign a waiver first.
Source:
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2016/12/elizabeth_warren_wants_some_hearing_aids_sold_over_the_counter
HassleCat
(6,409 posts)Right now, they are essentially price fixing. Some states allow this for dentures, and it saves money.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)without having to see an audiologist. Sadly, Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids.
In 33 states you can get an eyeglass prescription online except for higher refractions and serious eye disease in my state optometrists and ophthalmologists bribed the legislature.
leftyladyfrommo
(18,926 posts)The kind I need are $5,000. The next lower price was $3,200.
So I do without.
dflprincess
(28,145 posts)My friend's husband went there and saved a least a couple thousand (not sure what his final cost was) and Costco's hearing aids get good reviews.
Still not cheap though.
MineralMan
(146,441 posts)They're just not sold as hearing aids, but go by other names. The digital, orogrammablexones cost about $300, and can be adjusted with a cellphone app.
Same chips in them as the expensive aids. Adjusting them for your hearing loss is sort of trial and error, but the apps help.
Look for personal audio enhancers or similar terms. Skip the cheap ones. Look for digital programmable models.
Same chips and transducers as the prescription ones.
think
(11,641 posts)I wasn't aware of the costs & need for a prescription for regular hearing aides. I assumed they would be much cheaper but I've never looked into them.
Hopefully this legislation opens the door to lower prices for those that need them and aren't familiar with looking under the other terms.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Ilsa
(61,743 posts)Medicare or Medicaid? Does not having a prescription make it uncovered?
dflprincess
(28,145 posts)some Medicaid programs may cover them. My mom's income was low enough that she qualified for MSHO (Minnesota Senior Health Options) as a supplement to her Medicare and that covered the $7000 cost of her hearing aids (and that was probably 6 years ago now). All Medicare paid for was the hearing test.
JudyM
(29,409 posts)UTUSN
(71,106 posts)TheFrenchRazor
(2,116 posts)aikoaiko
(34,193 posts)Last edited Sun Dec 4, 2016, 05:16 AM - Edit history (1)
That has always baffled me. Is there some way to abuse or misuse them ?