OSSEO, Minn. (FOX 9) - In mid-October, hearing aids could start to appear on store shelves without a prescription.
On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter
The FDA estimates that nearly 30 million adults could potentially benefit from a hearing aid
The commission told FOX 9 it hopes the FDA’s ruling also continues the trend of improved access to health care, including urging Medicare to cover the costs of hearing aids
The majority of people with hearing impairment wait at least 10 years until they treat their hearing loss, and that is way too long,
Adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment will be able to buy hearing aids directly from stores, pharmacies and online retailers
thanks to a final rule issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday
people ages 18 and older who experience mild to moderate hearing impairment, meaning those that are intended for pediatric use or severe hearing impairment will remain prescription devices
Hearing loss can complicate communication and contribute to social isolation, and researchers have also linked it to walking problems, falls, dementia and depression.
30 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aid use, according to the FDA