No Prescription Required???

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 26, 2018 5:12 am

There are no laws that prevent an individual from selling a CPAP machine he owns.

MarkDeLange wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 25, 2018 5:50 pm

I’ve been wearing hearing aids now for 18 years
They cost nothing to manufacture and sell for 5000 per pair.

Something new is coming. Audio companies who make hearing devices for listening to music want to enter the market.

"You can imagine a $5000 hearing aid has no more than $300 worth of components, and there's not many products with that kind of markeup in the US at all,” Dr. Cherukuri said. ... "The vast majority of customers have a very similar configuration of hearing loss,” the doctor said. “So we programmed our hearing aids to have two, three or four different configuration settings along with a volume dial."

These hearing aids sell for $200 to $550 a piece. His newest is a rechargeable hearing aid that doesn't require batteries.

Dr. Cherukuri says ‘MD Hearing Aids’ are FDA registered as a class one medical device and are made of high quality components that you will find in more expensive, traditional hearing aids. He recommends patients first get a hearing exam to make sure they find the right fit.

Now, the hard part is to get our oppressive government to drop the prescription requirement for hearing aids. Instead of $5000, you go to the doc and get a simple hearing test. The test will show which of four hearing aid configurations are appropriate for your condition. You get a note show the configuration number. Then, you stop at Walmart and buy a very good hearing aid for $300. As more competitors enter the market, the price will fall to the $100 - $150 range.

I've been following this for several years now. Very exciting news for those of us who suffer from hearing loss. I have total hearing loss in both ears between 4khz - 7.5khz range due to the military. As a result, I also have very bad tinnitus. I'm patiently waiting for new technological breakthroughs to filter down and be affordable that will quiet down the tinnitus.

MarkDeLange wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 25, 2018 5:50 pm

I’ve been wearing hearing aids now for 18 years
They cost nothing to manufacture and sell for 5000 per pair

There certainly is a cost to manufacture, and develop... Not 5000 though... Costco's are ”only" 1600 or so.

Just got a hearing aid. My thanks to everybody who pm'd with recommendations and suggestions last year since this is such a huge money drop. I'll get the second one next year. Yep, the tinnitus ones are still pretty expensive. $1700 per aid was the least expensive).

Wanted to comment that in my state, no prescription is required to get hearing aids. That was eliminated in Jan. 2017. Dispensers have strict guidelines when they are to refer a client to a doctor first. During the next year, those lower cost hearing aids will be available, even through your ENT. CNN had a story on PSAPs and they are usable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. These are already available for sale but can't be called 'hearing aids'. Bose just got FDA approval the other day for their Hearphones. I already tried the Bose ones (great for TV, but not too great for other stuff because of my tinnitus).

FWIW, much of the cost of hearing aids is the service that comes afterwards. Hearing aids have to work in a high moisture environment and as a result need more care or they won't last 6-8 years*. My contract includes replacement for loss or damage as well as cleanings, batteries, annual servicing and audiology test, and reprogramming for 3 years. This is what the ENT office offers as well. What happens AFTER 3 years is a question to ask (in my case, no coverage for loss, but $250 for repair, and some of the other services continue for the life of the unit). Hearing aid insurance can be purchased separately and my investigation shows that it is $300 annually for EACH hearing aid, so something to think about after warranty ends. Homeowners covers it but we have a $2,500 deductible, so a no-go.

My late uncle bought his online. He had mild loss with no tinnitus and it worked very well for him except in crowds. He used https://www.hearingdirect.com/us/hd-250 ... gJyDfD_BwE and was very satisfied with his hearing. The seller specifically mentions that their hearing aids are for those with mild to moderate loss. The price includes programming only - no services such as cleaning, testing, servicing, which may be perfectly fine for many. So if you have uncomplicated hearing issues, an online place may be the way to go.
*6-8 years is based on my particular hearing aid. According to various sources, the lifespan of a hearing aid depends on the type of hearing aid and can range from 3-8 years. However, just like a cpap, this is an average - some will last much longer depending on the unit and care.

I have gotten at least 4 years, since using a hearing aid dryer box.
My first unit needed refurb after only 2 years--the box pays for itself.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 09, 2018 4:22 pm

I have gotten at least 4 years, since using a hearing aid dryer box.
My first unit needed refurb after only 2 years--the box pays for itself.

Thanks for the tip. I had no idea about these dryer boxes!

I recommend the little LED one sold at Costco. PerfectDry-Lux, I think.
Had some others--expensive, noisy, and require consumables.
(bulb $$, dessicant pacs $)
Yes, I had a Global brand that was louder than my cpap.