Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

August 16, 2022

For millions of Americans, hearing aids and the doctor's visit to get them prescribed are too expensive. In the Executive order I issued last year to increase competition in key industries and lower costs, I called on the FDA to finally make hearing aids available over the counter.

Today the FDA is doing just that. As early as mid-October, Americans will be able to purchase more affordable hearing aids over the counter at pharmacies and stores across the country. This action makes good on my commitment to lower costs for American families, delivering nearly $3,000 in savings to American families for a pair of hearing aids and giving people more choices to improve their health and well-being. And it's the latest action we are taking to make our economy more competitive and less concentrated. When too few companies dominate, American consumers pay higher costs. We're finally building an economy that works for working families.

NOTE: The statement referred to Executive Order 14036.

Categories: Statements by the President : Hearing aids, Food and Drug Administration rule regarding over-the-counter purchase.

Subjects: Economy, national : Improvement; Health and Human Services, Department of : Food and Drug Administration; Health and medical care : Hearing aids, affordability and costs.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200713.

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