U.S. News: Hearing Aids Can Be Sold Over the Counter

 

"This will transform hearing access globally," she said." [1]

In Lithuania, the elderly still need to run to a doctor, but the state compensates for the cost:

 

    "Compensation can only be granted by an otorhinolaryngologist who, after assessing the patient's health and determining the need for a hearing aid, issues an extract of the document proving this (form 027/a).

 

    If an adult patient is prescribed a hearing aid for the first time, then the degree of impairment is diagnosed and a compensatory hearing aid is prescribed by an otorhinolaryngologist working in a medical institution providing tertiary level outpatient and/or inpatient otorhinolaryngology services.

 

    If the device is not prescribed for the first time, then it can be prescribed by an otorhinolaryngologist working in a medical institution providing secondary level services.

 

    For children, the degree of hearing impairment is determined and a compensatory hearing aid is prescribed for the first time and repeatedly by an otorhinolaryngologist working in a medical institution providing third-level outpatient and/or inpatient otorhinolaryngology services."

 

1. U.S. News: Hearing Aids Can Be Sold Over the Counter
Mosbergen, Dominique; Jargon, Julie. 
Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 17 Aug 2022: A.3.