Over-the-counter hearing aids will bring relief, but with some confusion
A new FDA rule is being praised for making hearing aids more affordable. But Medicare doesn't cover them, and neither do most insurance policies.
Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids; neither do most insurance policies. That's why advocates are welcoming a new federal rule allowing over-the-counter sales of the devices, hoping the move cuts prices and makes it easier for people with hearing loss to improve their lives.
By mid-October, consumers could see over-the-counter devices in drug stores that are far more affordable than prescription aids that routinely cost thousands of dollars, thanks to the rule the Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday. But many people will likely have to bear that cost alone — and that's just one of the challenges still confronting people with hearing loss.
"We're really excited about the market,"
