Marietta, GA — Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule to make hearing aids available over the counter. This rule is a direct result of President Biden’s Executive Order calling for more competition and lowered costs for health care. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) has been a long-time champion of legislative efforts to bring down the cost of hearing aids for those who need them. In 2019, she led legislation to provide coverage for hearing aids and services for seniors under Part B of the Medicare program. In response to the Food and Drug Administration’s final rule, McBath released the following statement:

“This is a major victory for seniors and for millions of Americans who rely on hearing aids,” McBath said. “Lack of access to hearing aids can result in devastating consequences for the health and wellbeing of those who suffer from hearing loss. I am proud that President Biden and the FDA have taken this important step to make this critical component of health care more affordable and accessible.”

Recent research from the National Institutes of Health has indicated that 1 in 8 people in America over the age of 12 have hearing loss in both ears, meaning nearly 30 million Americans could benefit from the use of hearing aids. This final rule by the FDA is expected to deliver nearly $3,000 in savings to American families for each pair of hearing aids purchased.