Hearing Loss and Over the Counter Hearing Aids:

About 38 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, yet fewer than 20% of those who would benefit from hearing aids, have them.  Unfortunately Medicare excludes coverage for hearing aids, visual aids and dental care.  Medicare will cover a visit with an audiologist who can diagnose and treat a hearing problem.  If hearing aids are prescribed for an individual, they are not covered by Medicare; and hearing aids can cost $2,000-$12,000.  Cost is a huge deterrent for many senior citizens.  Untreated hearing loss can be serious, and is associated with cognitive decline, dementia and social isolation.

On October 19, 2021 the FDA agreed to approve a category of hearing aids that would not require a prescription and would be available for purchase,  perhaps for as little as a few hundred dollars.  Reading glasses have been widely available for over the counter purchase for decades.  It is hoped that non-prescription hearing aids will also become available in supermarkets and pharmacies, perhaps as early as next year.  It is best to prevent hearing loss in the first place, and to prevent further hearing loss from occurring.  

A third of all hearing loss is due to loud noises.  The louder and longer one is exposed to loud noises, the more likely hearing loss will become permanent. Loud noises can disrupt sleep.  To protect our hearing, avoid loud noises, turn down sound devices, move away from loud noises, wear hearing protectors, sleep in a cool dark quiet room, and use ‘white noise’ like a whirling fan to dampen loud noises at night.

For more information: Check out December 13th – HOCC on the Go’s featured discussion on “Hearing Health” .