Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids Expected This Fall in US
SnopesMAY 2022
This is a breakthrough for eliminating market consolidation as just five companies control 90% of the global hearing aid market. It also increases the number of options for consumers when the competition brings down costs and leads to greater innovation. This is a win for millions of Americans who will benefit from these devices.
Over-the-counter hearing aids aren't the panaceas they're being made out to be. Skipping the audiologist can lead to ill-fitting or even malfunctioning devices that could hurt the user's health. Advertising could promote stereotypes of the hearing impaired. And the financial cost could still be steep if these new devices need to be maintained and replaced frequently.