Today, Americans can buy cheaper hearing aids for mild-to-moderate hearing loss without a prescription from a range of common retailers, including Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart—finally making the critical health devices more affordable and accessible to the estimated 28.8 million adults who could benefit from them.
The US Food and Drug Administration estimates the change could lower the average cost of obtaining a hearing aid by as much as $3,000. As of today, Walgreens is selling an over-the-counter model similar to hearing aids that range from $2,000 to $8,000 per pair at specialty retailers for just $799 per pair on its shelves, the White House (no, apparently not ham radio lingo for a hospital) said Monday.
Goes to show though that market competition is always going to be a good thing for consumers. I think you're going to see 'real' hearing aid prices also falling a bit now.
Yes, consulting a professional is always going to be best, but many cannot afford that, and have zero way otherwise of getting hearing assistance. Basic hearing assistance should never have been a complicated, regulated issue.
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Cheaper hearing aids hit stores today, available over the counter for first time#
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They often cost thousands and by prescription only. Now they're as low as $199 at Walmart.
