Elizabeth Warren wants some hearing aids sold over the counter

[think]

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]

1. That might be good.

Right now, they are essentially price fixing. Some states allow this for dentures, and it saves money.

[Hoyt]

2. I think with today's smart phones, programming for moderate hearing loss is possible

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]

3. I need hearing aids.

The kind I need are $5,000. The next lower price was $3,200.

So I do without.

[dflprincess]

10. Did you check Costco?

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]

4. Oh, they exist.

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]

5. That's very helpful information. It's good to know there are alternatives under those other terms.

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]

7. "hearing enhancement aids" on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Sports-Outdoors-Hearing-Enhancement-Aids/zgbs/sporting-goods/3225974011

In sporting good yet!

[Ilsa]

6. Are hearing aids covered by insurance?

Medicare or Medicaid? Does not having a prescription make it uncovered?

[dflprincess]

11. They are not covered by Medicare

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]

8. Yes! Good move!

[UTUSN]

9. Good move/yes, but we need to go bigger than an issue

[TheFrenchRazor]

12. good; i'm so sick and tired of doctors standing between people and necessary meds/health care. nt

[aikoaiko]

13. That would make sense. Also, why are diabetes testing strips by Rx only?

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 ?

[WillowTree]

14. They're not. You can even buy them.......legally.......on ebay.