The New Normal: Hearing aids are now available over the counter. How this impacts consumers

News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by Dr. Deena Gupta-Adimoolam to talk about health topics.

News 12 Staff

Oct 18, 2022, 2:00 PM

Updated 717 days ago

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News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by Dr. Deena Gupta-Adimoolam to talk about health topics.
New Food and Drug Administration rules mean pharmacies and big-box stores can now sell hearing aids. The hope is that the move could help lower prices and usher in new technologies.
Hearing aids can cost more than $4,000 a pair and usually aren't covered by insurance. An estimated 30 million people see an audiologist.
New guidelines from the FDA may mean your bowl of cereal to start the day is no longer considered healthy. There are seven popular cereals that now don't qualify as healthy.
For a healthy stamp from the FDA, cereals have to contain .75 ounces of whole grains and no more than 1 gram of saturated fat, 230 milligrams of sodium and 2.5 grams of added sugars.
The seven cereals that do not qualify as healthy based on the FDA's new definition:
Raisin Bran (9g of added sugars)
Honey Nut Cheerios (12g of added sugars)
Corn Flakes (300mg of sodium; 4g of added sugars)
Honey Bunches of Oats, Honey Roasted (8g of added sugars)
Frosted Mini Wheats (12g of added sugars)
Life (8g of added sugars)
Special K (270mg of sodium; 4g of added sugars)
According to research published Monday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, over a million people with diabetes in the U.S. rationed their insulin in the past year. The study found that there are several factors underlying their findings, including that insulin prices in the U.S. are far higher than in other places.
New versions of Omicron keep popping up around the world - each different and better at getting around our immune systems. The virus is changing so quickly it could outpace fall booster shots designed to target Omicron variants, though they're still the best tool we have.
This fall and winter are expected to be different: Instead of a single ominous variant lurking on the horizon, experts are nervously eyeing a swarm of viruses - and a new evolutionary phase in the pandemic.
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a good time to schedule a mammogram (especially if the pandemic has delayed yours) and to talk to your doctor about any additional screening you may need. Below are some resources for mammograms: