Clarke Freed is getting his hearing tested at the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center in Lakeland.
“I’ve developed hearing loss over time for a couple of different reasons. I spent some time in the military, so loud noises on airplanes has created some high frequency hearing loss,” Freed said.
A few years ago, he began noticing his hearing was deteriorating. “Procrastinated constantly about getting my hearing checked and doing anything about it,” he said.
Beginning mid-October Freed will be able to buy hearing aids without a medical exam, prescription or fitting.
The Food and Drug Administration is allowing the sale of online and over-the-counter hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing impairment. The FDA says its new rule will improve access and bring down the cost of hearing aids for millions of Americans.
“Establishing this new regulatory category will allow people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss to have convenient access to an array of safe, effective and affordable hearing aids from their neighborhood store or online," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf.
The FDA estimates that nearly 30 million adults could benefit from hearing aid use, but only about one-fifth of people with hearing problems use the devices.
“Hearing loss has been one of those problems that people don’t treat because they don’t understand what the effects of even a mild hearing loss has on their balance, their overall health and certainly with people living longer,” said President/CEO of Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center Roxann Bonta.
Bonta said because Medicare does not pay for hearing aids and insurance coverage is limited, people can spend more than $5,000 to get a pair.
“The earlier people start hearing as they lose their hearing the better off they are. So, giving people access at an earlier age because it's easier to do and also less expensive is fantastic,” Bonta said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 40 million adults aged 20-69 have noise-induced hearing loss. Advocates predict the hearing aid market will resemble eye care, where consumers can choose between drugstore reading glasses or prescription bifocals.
The new rule only applies to air-conduction hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. A prescription is still needed for hearing aids to treat severe hearing loss.
