Harder Announces New Availability of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Josh Harder announced that more affordable over-the-counter hearing aids are now available across the Central Valley and online without a prescription, exam, or audiologist fitting after a new policy was implemented by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA estimates this new policy will lower average costs by as much as $3,000 per pair—providing significant savings for the nearly 30 million Americans with hearing loss, including nearly 10 million adults under age 60.

“I’m proud to announce that affordable hearing aids are finally available for ever family in our community,” said Rep. Harder. “Every grandparent should know they’ll be able to hear their grandchild’s first words and the crack of the bat at their tee ball game without wondering how much it will cost them. Today, we’re making that a reality by ensuring hearing aids are available to everyone for a price they can actually afford.”

Retailers across the country are now selling over-the-counter hearing aids. Options available today or coming soon include: 

• Starting today, Walgreens is selling hearings aids at stores nationwide and online for $799 per pair. According to Walgreens, comparable models sold by specialists range from $2,000 to $8,000 a pair.

• Starting today, CVS will start selling over-the-counter hearing aids on CVS.com, with varying options on model and price point. CVS will also offer hearing aids in select CVS Pharmacy locations beginning in November.

• Starting today, Walmart will offer an assortment of over-the-counter hearing aids on Walmart.com, SamsClub.com, and in over 1,000 Vision Centers in Walmart stores across Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as 474 Sam’s Club Hearing Aid Center locations. Available products will range in price from $199 to $999 per pair, while according to Walmart, comparable prescription hearing aids are priced at $4,400 to $5,500 per pair.

• Starting this week, Best Buy will offer nearly 20 different hearing devices online. By the end of October, it will offer hearing aids in nearly 300 stores across the country. Devices will range in price between $200 and $3,000.

• Starting this week, Hy-Vee will sell over-the-counter hearing aids online and in 34 locations across Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Hy-Vee plans to offer hearing aids in 100 locations by the end of the year. Hy-Vee will offer four models ranging in price from $499.99 to $999.99.

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