[mikaraento]

To be fair, in the case of hearing aids you are both in the right.

Excessive regulation has created oligopolies and kept prices high in the US. The OTC hearing aid category is meant to help. Before that, low-cost devices tended to remain niche.

OTOH the regulation(s) were introduced due to blatant sales of substandard devices, esp in the 1970s. A high-amplification device runs the risk of further damaging your hearing. Many hearing aid users are vulnerable elderly.