Persons with impaired hearing (in the US) might be able to get OTC hearing aids soon

[agate]

This is just a bill working its way through the process but it's one of the best ideas I've heard about in a while. Given the skyhigh price of hearing aids, it's a shame that so many people with impaired hearing are being cut off from the world of sound just because they're unable to afford these assistive devices.

The bill would make OTC hearing aids available to persons with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. They would cost much less than the thousands of dollars currently being charged.

The bipartisan bill was introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Chuck Grassley.

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[Howie]

What a good idea. especially if they can keep the cost down.

[agate]

Even pricey hearing aids typically last only about 5 years.

[Howie]

WOW! I always thought they were a one time purchase that lasted a lifetime. Does Medicare, or someone pay, or partly pay the cost?

[agate]

Medicare doesn't cover them so far as I know though some of the Medicare Advantage plans are covering inferior hearing aids that are mail-ordered and comparatively cheap. Under United Health Care, for instance, I could get hearing aids that way but they'd still cost me $800. And from what I've been able to find out, they don't work well.

Yes, I thought they ought to last a lifetime, given the cost, but no. My first set lasted about 10 years (a record of some kind), and I've had the new set a couple of years now. Both of them were "free" through the Hear Now Foundation, though I did pay a processing fee of $400 each time.

It's the best program I could find for low-cost or "free" hearing aids.

[Howie]

That's not right. You pay into a system your whole life, and who knew you would need help on something as important as that, and help is restricted.

[Catdancer]

Medicare does not pay for hearing aids. Only pays one time for eyeglasses--after cataract surgery. Both quality of life issues, both ignored. Some health plans pay something toward hearing exams (and vision exams), but that benefit is being dropped from several plans in 2017, as I discovered while shopping for new insurance this year to come.

[Sunshine]

And, I just got notice that Medicare premium is going up 10% for me. And my daily med is switching from Tier one to tier two, thus increasing cost to me substantially. Not a problem for me, but huge problem for those who can't afford that increase.

[Lazarus]

And, I just got notice that Medicare premium is going up 10% for me. And my daily med is switching from Tier one to tier two, thus increasing cost to me substantially. Not a problem for me, but huge problem for those who can't afford that increase.

I just got my quarterly Medicare bill. Cost was up $40.00 which would mean $160 for the y,ear. Still a great benefit but I was surprised today when I got the bill.