Overcoming Barriers to Hearing Health Care: The Promise of Over-the-Counter Devices
Hearing loss is a prevalent issue in the United States, affecting an estimated 37 to 48 million people. However, only 14% of those with hearing loss use a hearing aid. The primary reason is the high cost of hearing aids. Rachel White, a public school teacher in Minnesota, is one such individual. She suffers from severe hearing loss and cannot afford pricey hearing aids. This problem is not unique to Rachel; many Americans cannot afford to purchase a hearing aid. In the fall of 2022, the FDA allowed the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids, which could improve access to hearing healthcare for millions of people.
Barriers to Hearing Healthcare
While hearing loss is a common issue in the US, many people still face significant barriers to hearing healthcare. One of the significant obstacles is the high cost of hearing aids. For some, the cost is not affordable, and they cannot purchase hearing aids even if they wanted to. Some insurance plans cover the cost of hearing aids, but this coverage varies, and not everyone has insurance. Additionally, hearing aids are expensive to maintain, and the cost of replacement batteries can add up over time.
A Look Inside the World of Hearing Aid Manufacturing and the Future of Hearing Health
Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids: An Affordable Solution
The FDA ruling in the fall of 2022, allowing the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids, could change everything. The new devices are for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss and cost as little as $199. Retailers such as Best Buy, CVS, and Walmart sell these devices. Hearing aid manufacturers, such as Starkey, have also joined the market. However, Starkey has stated that they will sell over-the-counter hearing aids through their hearing healthcare professionals, rather than selling directly to consumers.
Impact on Younger Demographic
Hearing loss is no longer only an issue affecting America's aging population. It is impacting an even younger demographic, with one in six US teens having measurable hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is a significant factor in the younger generation's hearing loss, likely due to excessive noise exposure from listening to music, watching videos, and tethering themselves to their smartphones with devices in their ears.
Causes of Hearing Loss
The primary causes of hearing loss are loud noise and aging. Our cochlea has around 16,000 tiny hair cells that allow our brain to detect sounds. However, loud noises can cause wear and tear in these hair cells, which results in permanent hearing loss. Damaged hair cells do not regenerate, leading to a permanent loss of hearing. Other factors, such as disease and head injuries, can also cause hearing loss.
View it in VIDEO [Why Hearing Aids Are So Expensive And How That's Changing]
Rachel White's Story
Rachel White, a teacher with almost two decades of experience, grew up in Minnesota with a father who was deaf in one ear and a mother who was also hard of hearing. White compensated for her hearing difficulties by turning up the volume of her television, radio, and music. However, attending concerts in her teens and early twenties further impacted her hearing. With the resumption of in-person classes with masked students, White realized how quickly her hearing had declined. She contemplated quitting her job because she could not afford the high cost of hearing aids.
White's story received attention on social media, and hearing aid manufacturer Starkey offered her a pair of hearing aids. White's new hearing aids not only amplified her students' voices but also provided her with the ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking parents using the device's translation mode.
Final Words
The introduction of over-the-counter hearing aids could potentially revolutionize access to hearing health care for millions of Americans with impaired hearing. The cost of hearing aids has been a significant barrier for many people, with only a small percentage of those with hearing loss actually using a hearing aid. The story of Rachel White, a teacher who was struggling with hearing loss, illustrates the impact that hearing aids can have on a person's life. However, the high cost of these devices has made them unaffordable for many. The new over-the-counter devices are a promising solution to this problem, as they are much more affordable and accessible. While the impact of these devices remains to be seen, they have the potential to improve the lives of millions of Americans who are currently struggling with hearing loss.