Walgreens selects hearing aid supplier

DEERFIELD - Walgreens and Lexie Hearing said Thursday that Lexie Lumen hearing aids will be available over-the-counter at Walgreens stores nationwide for adults 18 and older with mild-to-moderate hearing loss starting Oct. 17.

This announcement follows the recent passage of the OTC (over-the-counter) Hearing Aid Act by the Food and Drug Administration, which allows people to purchase hearing aids directly at retail stores and online, without a prescription. Previously, people had to buy hearing aids through doctors.

Lexie Hearing is based in DeKalb.

"Together with Lexie Hearing, we are making it easy for customers nationwide to purchase high-quality hearing aids directly from their neighborhood Walgreens, both online and in-store," said Luke Rauch, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer, Walgreens.

Lexie Lumen hearing aids will be available at Walgreens stores nationwide, including Puerto Rico, for $799. Customers can also purchase them online through Walgreens Find Care program for $39 per month for 24 months.

Approximately 37.5 million American adults report some trouble hearing, yet only about 20% of those who could benefit from hearing aids have used them, the drugstore chain said.