OTC hearing aids now available at select Hy-Vee stores

(ABC 6 News) – Hy-Vee announced on Friday that over-the-counter hearing aids are now available at select stores with no exam or prescription necessary.

In August, the FDA announced that individuals ages 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss can purchase hearing aids in stores or online without a medical exam, prescription or a fitting adjustment by an audiologist.

RELATED: FDA finalizes rule enabling access for over-the-counter hearing aids

The new FDA ruling went into effect on October 17.

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Customers can now find several affordable over-the-counter hearing aid options at select Hy-Vee stores, starting at less than $500. Hearing aid varieties available at Hy-Vee include receiver-in-the-canal and earbuds, along with other accessories.

Each designated store also offers a hearing kiosk within its Hy-Vee Pharmacy department that provides individuals with a free hearing test to measure their level of hearing loss. A list of Minnesota stores offering hearing aid products can be found below.

  • Cottage Grove Hy-Vee 7280 E. Point Douglas Road S., Cottage Grove MN 55016
  • Eagan Hy-Vee 1500 Central Park Commons Drive, Eagan, MN 55121
  • Maple Grove Hy-Vee 18755 70th Way N., Maple Grove, MN 55311
  • Circle Drive Hy-Vee 4221 W. Circle Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901
  • Savage Hy-Vee 6150 Egan Drive, Savage, MN 55378
  • Worthington Hy-Vee 1235 Oxford St., Worthington, MN 56187

“By offering low-cost, over-the-counter hearing aids, we continue to make health care more accessible to improve the health outcomes of our patients,” said Aaron Wiese, CEO of Hy-Vee Health and Innovation and president of Hy-Vee Healthcare, LLC. “The latest FDA ruling complements Hy-Vee’s mission of making lives easier, healthier and happier.”

The FDA cited reports that estimate 30 million Americans experience hearing loss, but only about one-fifth seek treatment.

Hy-Vee says they plan to expand over-the-counter hearing aids to 100 total stores by the end of 2022.

To learn more about hearing aid products offered by Hy-Vee, CLICK HERE.