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FDA and Hearing Aids


CHILLIN

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as read today in the Washington Post.

For the past three years the FDA has mandated that hearing aid providers must allow over the counter service for slight to moderate hearing loss. Today, Tuesday, they lost patience, and are now allow hearing aids to be sold in the U.S.A. without a doctors prescription, then filled by an Audiologist. Prices are expected to drop drastically from the current average of $5,000 per pair. The article did not mention this but I forsee sales over the internet and lots of try before you buy options.

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1 hour ago, CHILLIN said:

as read today in the Washington Post.

For the past three years the FDA has mandated that hearing aid providers must allow over the counter service for slight to moderate hearing loss. Today, Tuesday, they lost patience, and are now allow hearing aids to be sold in the U.S.A. without a doctors prescription, then filled by an Audiologist. Prices are expected to drop drastically from the current average of $5,000 per pair. The article did not mention this but I forsee sales over the internet and lots of try before you buy options.

Not quite yet.  

From the WaPo article, 

The agency’s move Tuesday to make hearing devices more accessible and affordable for millions of patients with mild to moderate hearing loss is the first step in a process that could make them available to consumers as soon as next fall. 

The FDA declined to set a timeline for finalizing and publishing the new rule, but officials said that enacting it quickly was a top priority. After the 90-day public comment period ends, the agency said it anticipates enacting the finalized rule within 60 days and will give companies that already have hearing aid-like devices on the market 180 days to come into compliance.

 

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1 minute ago, RickS said:

Yes, I'm a little puzzled. I got hearing aids years ago from Costco without my doctor's permission nor prescription.  What gives?

Me, too.  Been wearing them for 20 years.  Never had anyone but an audiologist involved.  

But yes, this device has been costing an outrageous amount.

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My latest Oticons were $1800US a piece recently.  They are really wonderful and worth every penny.  They continuously scan to give me the best hearing at any moment.  They are BlueTooth which is great with my phone in the car, truly hands-free.  And with my smart tv so no need for ear phones while watching.  My old ones were from Costco at $1000US each 10 years ago.  The audiologist at Costco initially did a good job fitting them and getting them programed.  But she moved to Mexico City and it seems that everyone since then has been a clerk and not very well trained.  And if I had a problem it was a trip to Costco--UUGGHH.

 

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The Audiologist at Quality Care gave me a hearing test. My left ear drum has some sort of swelling, which can be dangerous if left alone. He made an appointment with the ear doctor there. The ear specialist removed a bunch more wax in my left ear, which helped my hearing a lot. He wants an MRI at the hearing specialist in Guadalajara to make sure there are no underlying problems (tumours, growths, etc.). The company is DRI (Diagnostico Especializado por Imagen) in Zapopan. cell for Dr. Eduardo Soreda 33 3121 9913. https://www.deidiagnostico.com/

My other symptom is ever increasing loss of balance, leading to many falls, bruises, and scars. I look like a retired UFC fighter. That is actually my main concern, more than minor loss of hearing in one ear. So I might as well get the best diagnosis possible. After the diagnosis, I go to the audiologist for a free hearing aid fitting.

I know the difference between an amplifier and tuning band model but the market is very confusing. I am interested in trying an amplifier model because of the low cost, but so far, I am finding no vendors willing to break up a pair.

The doctor's prescripition is for a Tomografia de oido y mastoides.

The specialist at Quality Care is Dr Luis Garcia Nogueira, he is an Otorrinolaringologia. So there! Say that five times in a row.

A lot of info here, hope it helps someone now or down the road.

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