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Now Americans can buy hearing aids without a prescription over the counter

Healthcare

CIO Bulletin
2022-10-18

People with hearing loss in America can now purchase hearing aids without a medical exam or prescription from Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and Best Buy

Walgreens started selling hearing aids over-the-counter at its stores and online nationwide for $799 a pair. According to the company, it is much lesser compared to the prescribed hearing aid, which on average costs between $2,000 and $8,000.

CVS is selling hearing aid over-the-counter devices with prices ranging from $199 to $999 on its website. Walmart is also offering over-the-counter hearing aids with the same price range in stores and online in Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Missouri, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Best Buy is selling 20 different types of them online with prices ranging from $200 to $3,000.

According to FDA, about 30 million people in the U.S. have hearing problem but only about one-fifth of them have and use hearing aids. FDA said that many individuals who could be benefited from the devices either can’t access them due to high cost while other people do not use them due to perceived stigma.