The US have taken a step forward in making hearing aids more accessible by allowing them to be sold over the counter.
"it previously could take five to seven years for someone to get a hearing aid after they find out they have hearing loss. "
With the changes, hearing aids can be purchased from stores including Walgreens and Walmart at a lower cost.
It is important to remove imposed barriers to accessing assistive technology, with many having a natural reluctance to seek out assistive technology as the come to terms with their loss. Barriers add delay to an emotional and difficult journey.
“It previously could take five to seven years for someone to get a hearing aid after they find out they have hearing loss.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/18/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-walgreens-walmart