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Rossen Reports: Answering your questions about over-the-counter hearing aids
Jeff Rossen
Rossen Reports: Answering your questions about over-the-counter hearing aids
Hi, let's get right to the rundown first. The FDA is giving the green light for over the counter hearing aids. But what does that mean for you and your wallet? I'm diving deep to get answers. Then more ads coming to the apps on your phone. Just when you thought there were too many, there are more find out just where they're gonna be. And finally, Tiktok is getting ready for the elections were going to tell you about the new tool you'll be seeing first. The FDA is allowing *** new class of hearing aids that can be sold online or over the counter at pharmacies and retail stores. But *** lot of you are asking me what that means. So let's break down some of your questions real quick. Getting this one *** lot. Who is this new rule for basically any adult that has mild to moderate hearing problems. You used to have to go to *** doctor, get tess Done, then get *** prescription now you don't have to do any of that. You just go to the store. If you have more severe hearing loss, you're gonna have to still get *** prescription though. Next question, how much will they cost? Always the big one. Right, well right now insurance coverage is limited. Medicare doesn't even pay for hearing AIDS. So you could spend more than $5,000 on them. Currently with this new plan, it's going to cut the cost down by about $3,000. You're gonna save 3000 on that. Next up you could be seeing even more ads on your iphone. Apple is reportedly planning to put more ads in its own apps like the books, the podcast apps. There's also been reports that it's discussing placing ads on Apple maps to. So when you're searching for restaurants or stores, you could potentially see businesses that have paid to appear right at the top. Apple already generates. Look at this $4 billion dollars in revenue from its ad business, but it's looking to grow that into double digits. Why not? Finally, Tiktok is preparing for the 2022 elections bringing back the election center feature six weeks earlier than it did back in 2020. It lets you find election information for your particular state like polling locations, candidate information, even details on how to register to vote. The election center will appear on anything related to elections. From videos to hashtags like elections 2022 like this. Tiktok says it will also work to combat misinformation on its platform monitoring videos that have bad information on how to vote or have deep fakes of the candidates which are out there. To the new feature is going live right now, that's all for today. Back to you
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Rossen Reports: Answering your questions about over-the-counter hearing aids
Jeff Rossen
The FDA is allowing a new class of hearing aids that can be sold online or over-the-counter at pharmacies and retail stores. A lot of you are still reaching out with questions about it, so we’re answering them now!Who’s this new rule for? Any adult (18 years of age or older) that has mild to moderate hearing problems. The normal procedure is to go to the doctor or audiologist, get tests and exams done and then receive a prescription to get the hearing aids. Now, those adults don’t need that prescription. Those with more severe hearing loss will have to get a prescription still. Experts say, people who need hearing aids are those who struggle to hear conversations on the phone or in crowded places, turn up the volume on televisions constantly, have trouble distinguishing between voices when people all speak at once, etc. How much will they cost?At this time, hearing aids are expensive. Experts say they can run up to $5,000 or more. Insurance coverage is limited and Medicare doesn’t even pay for them. Now, this new rule will cut that cost down by hundreds and thousands of dollars. They say it could cut hearing aid costs down by about $3,000.Who will be making these hearing aids and when will they be available? Once the rule takes effect in mid-October, manufacturers will start selling the direct-to-consumer models. We should be seeing them relatively soon this fall. If you’re thinking they won’t be as good as prescribed ones, that’s not totally true. These aids will be both behind the ear and in the ear. The FDA did issue rules for the over-the-counter hearing aids, like they have to have volume controls and have a lower maximum sound output. That means you won’t be able to accidentally over-amplify sounds around you. The FDA says 30 million adults have hearing problems but only one-fifth actually use hearing aids. It’s largely in part because of the lack of access to them. This new rule will make hearing aids cheaper and easier to get for everyone.

The FDA is allowing a new class of hearing aids that can be sold online or over-the-counter at pharmacies and retail stores. A lot of you are still reaching out with questions about it, so we’re answering them now!

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Who’s this new rule for?

Any adult (18 years of age or older) that has mild to moderate hearing problems. The normal procedure is to go to the doctor or audiologist, get tests and exams done and then receive a prescription to get the hearing aids. Now, those adults don’t need that prescription. Those with more severe hearing loss will have to get a prescription still. Experts say, people who need hearing aids are those who struggle to hear conversations on the phone or in crowded places, turn up the volume on televisions constantly, have trouble distinguishing between voices when people all speak at once, etc.

How much will they cost?

At this time, hearing aids are expensive. Experts say they can run up to $5,000 or more. Insurance coverage is limited and Medicare doesn’t even pay for them. Now, this new rule will cut that cost down by hundreds and thousands of dollars. They say it could cut hearing aid costs down by about $3,000.

Who will be making these hearing aids and when will they be available?

Once the rule takes effect in mid-October, manufacturers will start selling the direct-to-consumer models. We should be seeing them relatively soon this fall. If you’re thinking they won’t be as good as prescribed ones, that’s not totally true. These aids will be both behind the ear and in the ear. The FDA did issue rules for the over-the-counter hearing aids, like they have to have volume controls and have a lower maximum sound output. That means you won’t be able to accidentally over-amplify sounds around you.

The FDA says 30 million adults have hearing problems but only one-fifth actually use hearing aids. It’s largely in part because of the lack of access to them. This new rule will make hearing aids cheaper and easier to get for everyone.