Barry West

Have been a fan for yeas but the piece tonight about the FAD finally approving over-the-counter hearing aids ended on a very negative and misleading comment. Lester saying that the OTC process excludes "expensive examinations" sets the wrong tone regarding the importance of medical and audiological examinations. As an audiologist with over 50 years of clinical experience, I have lost track to the number of patients I have evaluated who were sold hearing aids that didn't fit their needs or were priced at a mark-up- that makes almost all other products look like a bargain. Would Lester Holt skip his annual eye exam and buy glasses at a chain store?