“Consider that about 40 percent of Americans age 60 and older live with hearing loss,” said Senator Grassley. “And yet, of those, less than 20 percent use a hearing aid. Why would millions of American adults with impaired hearing avoid assistive medical technology?”
Last week, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Grassley (R-Iowa) applauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement that it will take steps to improve consumer access to hearing aids, including by not enforcing the requirement for a medical evaluation or waiver in order to acquire hearing aids. Earlier this month, Warren and Grassley introduced the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016, which would make certain types of hearing aids available over the counter (OTC) and remove unnecessary and burdensome requirements that would pose barriers for consumers who could benefit from hearing aids.
“I’m very glad to see the FDA recognize that over-the-counter hearing aids can improve access to millions of Americans with untreated hearing loss,” said Senator Warren. “This announcement by the FDA will implement one of the provisions in the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016, which I introduced with Senator Grassley earlier this Congress. Our bill will make additional simple changes to help adults with hearing loss get access to hearing aids and make it easier for consumers to shop for the best value.”
“This is a very good first step,” Senator Grassley said. “The FDA is right to help consumers take advantage of innovative products. Making certain hearing aids are available over the counter is meant to increase competition and help bring down costs. The agency move clears a hurdle that people now face in getting hearing aids. It reflects one of the provisions of our legislation. Still, even with this positive step, introducing our legislation in the next Congress will be important. Administrations shift and legal challenges occur. Getting the law on the books would ensure that those who could benefit from over-the-counter hearing aids would have certainty going forward.”
I have been trying for 3 years to get a hearing aid thru the VA – some people breeze right thru and the rest go thru the meat grinder and unqualified individuals who are not the sharpest tack in the box and interpret the requirements to match their interpretation of the requirement which is not always correct.
It was government regulations paid for by these big companies that prevented us from shopping for one at Target in the first place. That’s like in Iowa – the mega car dealers don’t want to be open on Sundays so they lobby the Niada to pass a law saying NO car dealership can be open on Sunday. Also passing a law that used car dealers have to attend a 2 hr. class every other year to keep their license but exempt the Mega New Car Dealers. ?????
I have contacted Grassley several times as well as Joni about the high cost of prescription medications. I heard back from both but have not seen anything proposed to stop it yet. The hearing aid proposal is a good one. They are artificially high. The damn batteries cost as much as a car. Most retired people do not have $2,000 to $3,000 laying around to spend on hearing aids.
Now grow some real balls Chuck and take a stand on the cost of medications. Its less politically popular and you would need to break from the rest of the herd of your cronies while all the time getting excellent drug benefits for yourself paid for by us workings slobs.
If you need hearing aids now go to Costco, the closest one is in Rochester. Good products at a reasonable price and they have full services. If you want to buy locally go to Hearing Associates. Be careful and shop wisely, there are some crummy brands out there.
This step by Grassley is a great thing, there is no need for hearing aids to cost as much as they do. Typical cost to manufacture a hearing aid is $50 or less yet it can cost you as much as $3000 each. I know, I have bought many different ones over the years.
wish our insurance would cover a part of it, it is begining to affect my work, and i have 5 years left to work before i can retire