However, anyone with any level of hearing loss can benefit from prescription hearing aids. Although they are more expensive, prescription devices offer the most sophisticated technology and can better treat the nuances of different types of hearing loss. They also include the built-in help of a hearing professional to adjust and adjust them, making them a good choice for someone who has tried an over-the-counter option without success. Over-the-counter hearing aids are intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, a market in which tens of millions of people participate, many of whom have so far avoided receiving help because the devices were so expensive.
The Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule to improve access to hearing aids, which in turn could reduce costs for millions of Americans. We compare hearing amplifiers and hearing aids, allowing you to make an informed decision and buy the device that's right for you. Frank Lin, director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. On Monday, consumers can buy hearing aids without a prescription, which could save thousands of dollars per pair.
The American Academy of Audiology, a professional organization of audiologists, published online information for consumers about over-the-counter hearing aids, and the U.S. Hearing Loss Association, a consumer advocacy group, also offers online advice. For hearing aids that have not been released before the effective date, new or revised requirements must be met before the device is marketed, including obtaining 510 (k) authorization, if applicable. The standard is expected to reduce the cost of hearing aids, which will further the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of expanding access to high-quality health care and reducing healthcare costs for the U.S.
public. However, there are still absolutely valid reasons to see a hearing health professional, Lewis says. Over-the-counter hearing aids cost less, in part because they don't include the services of an audiologist to test the hearing, adjust and adjust the device. Leading experts in hearing science, technology and health care have been working with researchers, health professionals and consumers to find safe and effective ways to improve adult access to hearing health care.
There are many requirements related to hearing aids, such as maximum sound output, the depth at which the hearing aid can be inserted into the ear canal, the need for user-adjustable volume control, and the inclusion of clear and simple operating instructions. Manufacturers of hearing aids sold before the effective date of the final standard will have 240 days after its publication to comply with the new or revised requirements. More than 37 million American adults have hearing problems, and only 1 in 4 adults who could benefit from a hearing aid has used it, federal health authorities estimate. While for decades it cost thousands of dollars to get a device that could only be purchased with a prescription from an audiologist or other hearing professional, now a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids sells for hundreds of dollars.
