>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON".

WE WILL HEAR FROM THE DE FACTO INCUMBENT CANDIDATE IN ARIZONA'S NEWLY DRAWN SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THAT AND MORE, NEXT, ON "ARIZONA HORIZON".

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON".

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE FDA TODAY GAVE EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION FOR NEW COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS THAT TARGET BOTH THE ORIGINAL VIRUS AND THE TWO LATEST VERSIONS OF THE NOW DOMINANT OMICRON VARIANT.

THE PFIZER BIONTECH BOOSTER WAS AUTHORIZED FOR ANYONE 12 YEARS OF AGE AND UP WITH MO DURING THOSE VACCINE AUTHORIZED FOR ADULTS ONLY.

TODAY'S AUTHORIZATIONS MEAN THAT THE BIVALENT VACCINES COULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN DAYS.

THE CDC FIRST NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THE BOOSTERS.

>>> THE ARIZONA SUPREME COURT TODAY RULED THAT THE STATE SENATE DOES NOT HAVE TO RELEASE ALL RECORDS FROM THE SELF-STYLED AUDIT OF MARICOPA COUNTY'S 2020 ELECTION RESULTS.

THE COURT DID RULE THAT THEY MUST RELEASE RECORDS CONCERNING ADMINISTRATIVE, POLITICAL OR OTHER NON-LEGISLATIVE MATTERS.

SENATE PRESIDENT KAREN FANN CALLED THE DECISION A HUGE VICTORY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BUT THERE STILL NEEDS TO EXPLAIN THE CLARIFICATION ON HOW EXACTLY ADMINISTRATIVE AND POLITICAL RECORDS NEED TO BE DEFINED BY THE COURT.

ACCORDING TO THE CONFERENCE BOARD LATEST REPORT WHICH SHOWS THAT THERE WASN'T MUCH OF AN INCREASE BUT AMERICANS ARE SLIGHTLY MORE OPTIMISTIC AND IT'S MOSTLY DUE TO GAS PRICES GOING DOWN.

ECONOMISTS WARNED THAT THE COULD TAKE A HIT IF THE HURRICANE DECEIVES AND DISRUPTS OIL PRODUCTION OR OF ACTIONS BY RUSSIA PROMPT ANOTHER ENERGY SHAKEUP.

>>> CONGRESSMAN TOM O'HALLERAN REPRESENTS ARIZONA'S FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

HE IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION TO CONGRESS IN THE NEWLY DRAWN SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

ALL HALLORAN AND HIS REPUBLICAN OPPONENT IN THE RACE WERE BOTH INVITED TO JOIN US FOR A DEBATE.

O HALLORAN ACCEPTED THE INVITATION.

HIS REPUBLICAN OPPONENT DECLINED .

WITH THAT, CONGRESS MEANT TOM O'HALLERAN JOINS US NOW TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE BIGGEST CONCERN FOR YOUR DISTRICT?

>> IF YOU ENTER IN ARIZONA YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WATER.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE IN A RURAL STATE, IT'S A SERIOUS ISSUE RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU'VE BEEN IN CONGRESS.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ADDRESS THAT?

>> I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON WATER ISSUES IN ARIZONA FOR 20 SOMETHING YEARS.

I PUT FORWARD STATEWIDE CONSERVATION PLANS, STATEWIDE DROUGHT MANAGEMENT PLANS AND A STATEWIDE PLAN IN 2005.

NOW WE HAVE TO GET THE PEOPLE IN THE COLORADO RIVER AND ALL THE BASIN STATES TO GET THEIR JOB DONE.

THAT IS TO COME TOGETHER, WORK TOGETHER WITH THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION.

WE SENT A LETTER TO THEM TO SAY TO KEEP THEM AT THE TABLE.

>> WHAT CAN YOU IN CONGRESS DO TO ENSURE ARIZONA GETS ITS FAIR ALLOTMENT OF COLORADO RIVER WATER?

>> 1922 IS WHEN THE COLORADO PACT WAS SIGNED BY THOSE STATES.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE DISCUSSED AGAIN IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

RIGHT NOW OUT OF FAIRNESS TO EVERYBODY ALL BASIN STATE'S DO WHAT ARIZONA IS DOING, CONSERVING AS MUCH WATER AS THEY CAN, RECOGNIZING THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM.

CALIFORNIA RIGHT NOW IS TRYING TO CONSERVE AT THE LEVELS THEY SHOULD BE CONCERNING.

THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA SAID BY 2040 WE WILL LOSE 10% OF OUR WATER.

THEY DON'T PUT ANY WATER IN THE COLORADO RIVER.

WE DO.

THE IDEA THAT WE ARE UP TO OVER 40% OF OUR WATER IS LESS RIGHT NOW.

>> ANOTHER FACTOR IN ALL OF THIS IS THE EXPLOSIVE GROWTH ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER BASIN STATES.

ARIZONA ESPECIALLY.

SHOULD ARIZONA'S GROWTH BE RECONSIDERED CONSIDERING THESE WATER CONCERNS?

>> IN 1922 WE WERE HARDLY ON THE RADAR.

NOW WE ARE A MAJOR STATE IN ABOUT 15TH OR 16TH LARGEST STATE IN THE UNION.

WE DESERVE TO HAVE A LARGER VOICE IN THIS PROCESS.

AND I WOULD HOPE WE DO.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO.

>> WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT ARIZONA'S GROWTH IN PARTICULAR.

WE HAVE EXPLODED IN THE PAST 10, 20 OR 30 YEARS.

IS THAT BEING CONSIDERED?

>> WE ALWAYS CONSIDER HOW WE ARE GOING TO GROW AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

THAT'S WHY I DID A JOB MANAGEMENT PLAN AND CONSERVATION PLAN AND STATEWIDE WATER PLAN.

THAT SHOULD BE AN ONGOING PROCESS OF WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TO LOOK INTO THE FUTURE, NOT DEAL WITH CRISIS TIME AFTERTIME.

>> WHEN YOU SAY YOU DID THOSE PLANS, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> I GOT THAT THROUGH LEGISLATURE IN ARIZONA AND LAW IN ARIZONA.

THE STATE IS OBLIGATED TO DO THAT.

>> YOU WERE PART OF THAT EFFORT?

>> IT WAS MY BILL.

>> YOUR BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> RIGHT NOW IN CONGRESS WE ARE CONTINUING TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOTHING AVAILABLE.

THE COLORADO RIVER IS RUN BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION AND THE SOUTHERN BASIN STATES.

THEY HAVE TO GET SERIOUS.

THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS 20 YEARS AGO.

>> HOW DO YOU GET THEM SERIOUS?

>> WHAT I DO IS KEEP WRITING LETTERS AND MAKING SURE I HAVE THE PUBLIC IN MY STATEMENT ON WHERE WE SHOULD BE.

I'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR 20 YEARS.

I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF WATER IN ARIZONA TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

WE STILL DO NOT GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT FROM A STANDPOINT OF HOW WE KEEP THE ECONOMY VIABLE, OUR HOMEOWNERS, OUR FARMERS VIABLE AND DOING IT INJURED AN APPROPRIATE WAY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND INFLATION IN PARTICULAR.

WHY IS IT GENERATIONAL?

>> IT'S A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

FIRST OF ALL, WE HAD A PANDEMIC.

THE PANDEMIC COST OF $.5 TRILLION.

THE PANDEMIC CONTINUED INTO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION WHERE WE SPENT MONEY ON THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TO ADDRESS MANY OF THE CONTINUING ISSUES UNDER THAT PROCESS.

INCLUDING SMALL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING MAKING SURE PEOPLE DID NOT LOSE THERE HOMES OR GET THROWN OUT OF THERE APARTMENT, INCLUDING PAYING PEOPLE.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS $10 BILLION TO FUND POLICE OFFICERS IN THAT PROPOSAL.

IT WORKED.

>> REPUBLICAN SAY THE GOVERNMENT CREATED INFLATION, CREATED THE PROBLEM AND CERTAINLY ENHANCED THE PROBLEM BY PRINTING MONEY AND JUST HANDING IT OUT.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, WHO DID WE HANDED OUT TO?

WE KNOW THE NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAVE TAKEN THE PPE MONEY AND HAVE VIEWS THAT.

SOME OF THEM TO A HIGH DEGREE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY WE PUT IT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SO THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO SURVIVE AND THE ECONOMY WOULD END UP AS THE STRONGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD.

CHINA IS GOING DOWN.

EUROPE'S INFLATION RATE IS HIGHER THAN OURS.

WE ARE ALMOST AT FULL EMPLOYMENT .

THERE IS A LOT OF PLUSES.

PLUS THE REPUBLICANS DO NOT DO THEIR VERY WELL.

OTHER THAN $1 TRILLION ON THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, THEY VOTED FOR ALMOST EVERY OTHER BILL THAT HAS BEEN THERE.

>> ARE YOU SAYING THAT INFLATION IS LITERALLY THE PRICE WE ARE PAYING FOR GETTING THROUGH THE COVID PANDEMIC AS WE DID?

>> THE PANDEMIC, THE WAR, SUPPLY CHAIN FROM CHINA WHICH IS NOW STILL IMPACTED.

THEY HAVE PORTS CLOSED DOWN AND CITIES CLOSE THE DOWN.

IT'S A PROCESS THAT MOVES TOGETHER IN THE FEDERAL RESERVE NOT MOVING FAST ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THAT.

>> REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING CONGRESS KEEP SPENDING MONEY WE DON'T HAVE AND THAT DRIVES INFLATION.

ARE THEY WRONG?

>> I WOULD ASK THEM TO IDENTIFY WHAT THEY WOULD DO, WHAT THEY WOULD NOT SPEND AND STOP SAYING WE ARE JUST DOING THIS.

I AM A BIPARTISAN MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

I.

WITH REPUBLICANS ALL THE TIME, WHETHER IT'S IN MY BILLS.

PART OF MY BILLS ARE BIPARTISAN BILLS.

OR IF IT IS ONE OF THEIR BILLS.

I AM IN A PROBLEM SOLVERS GROUP.

I AM IN THE BLUE DOGS WHICH IS A MODERATE WING OF THE PARTY.

WE ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT HOW WE ADDRESS THE ISSUES.

BUT WE HAVE DECADES OF NOT ADDRESSING INFLATION.

DECADES OF NOT ADDRESSING HEALTH CARE IN THIS COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

I COULD GO ON AND ON.

>> ONE THING REPUBLICANS WOULD NOT AGREE WITH IS STUDENT DEBT FORGIVENESS.

DID YOU THINK THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA?

DO YOU THINK THAT IS A FACTOR OR COULD BE A FACTOR IN DRIVING INFLATION IN THE FUTURE?

>> I DISAGREE WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN THAT HE DID NOT GO THROUGH CONGRESS.

THAT IS OUR JOB TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY.

HE SHOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH CONGRESS.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE VOTED FOR IT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BILL LOOK LIKE.

I AM IN FAVOR OF MAKING SURE WE HAVE A WORKFORCE FOR TOMORROW AND HAVE PEOPLE THAT CAN BE ABLE TO BUY PRODUCTS IN THE AMERICAN MARKETPLACE.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO.

SOME OF WHAT THEY ARE SAYING DON'T SEND IS MONEY WE ARE SPENDING TO BRING BACK OUR MARKET SHARE, TO BRING BACK OUR ECONOMY TO AMERICA AND BRING BACK THOSE JOBS THAT WERE LOST.

>> AS FAR AS THE STUDENT DEBT, YOU WOULD VOTE ON WHAT HAPPENED RIGHT NOW WITH THE PRESIDENT BASICALLY ORDERED.

THAT IS $10,000 FORGIVENESS, AN EXTRA 10000 FOR A PELL GRANT.

WOULD YOU VOTE FOR THAT?

>> I WOULD WANT TO SEE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN TECHNICAL SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS IT.

PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING TRAINED FOR OUR LABOR FORCE IN THE FUTURE.

I WOULD LOOK AT THAT.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN YESTERDAY DEFENDED LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HE SAID HE'S AGAINST DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

HE'S AGAINST DEFUNDING THE FBI.

DEFUNDING THE POLICE WAS A BIG SAYING IN SOME DEMOCRATIC CIRCLES.

HOW DID YOU TAKE THAT?

>> IT SURE WASN'T IN MY CIRCLE.

I AM A FORMER DETECTIVE IN CHICAGO.

I WROTE THE PRESIDENT AND HE HAS IDENTIFIED $32 BILLION TO BE ABLE TO SPEND ON TRAINING AND EVERYTHING ELSE FOR POLICE OFFICERS.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS.

I WROTE HIM A LETTER AND A LOT OF HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER ON THIS STUFF IS IN MY LETTER.

I AM ENRAGED THAT WE WOULD THINK THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS CLEARLY VOTED THAT THEY WANT SAFE FAMILIES AND FAMILIES PROTECTED AND THAT WE ARE STILL GOING DOWN THIS PATH OF SOMEBODY SPREADING RUMORS THAT WE SHOULD DEFUND THE POLICE.

I DIDN'T SEE THAT DISCUSSION AT ALL IN CONGRESS.

>> THE PRESIDENT ALSO JUST YESTERDAY SAID HE IS STILL DETERMINED TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS.

WHEN YOU BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS?

>> WE VOTED TO NOT SELL THEM.

WE VOTED TO NOT TAKE THE BELT BINS AWAY FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE THEM ALREADY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS BILL LOOKS LIKE.

>> THERE ONCE WAS A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS AND THAT WAS REPEALED.

SHOULD IT BE REPEALED TO BE REPEALED?

>> I HAVE NO IDEA.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET.

I VOTED FOR WHAT WAS PUT ON BY THE WHITE HOUSE AND BY THE CONGRESS.

>> SHOULD CITIZENS HAVE THE- SHOULD ASSAULT WEAPONS BE AVAILABLE TO NONMILITARY NONLAW ENFORCEMENT CITIZENS?

ASSAULT WEAPONS THAT WERE ONCE BANNED?

>> I THINK THEY ARE TERRIBLE WEAPONS.

MY PROJECTION IS THAT IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY.

IF WE WANT SAFETY IN OUR STREETS , WHICH I KNOW THE REPUBLICANS WANT, THEN WE SHOULD PUT IT IN A POSITION THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THESE AUTOMATIC TYPE WEAPONS AVAILABLE OUT THERE, OTHER THAN MAYBE SOME OTHER COUNTRIES DO LOCK THEM UP SOMEWHERE IF YOU WANT TO FIRE THEM.

YOU HAVE TO DO IT AT A CERTAIN LOCATION.

>> YOUR OPPONENT SAYS THE BORDER SITUATION IS AN INVASION.

IS THAT THE PROPER WORD FOR WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> IT IS NOT AN INVASION.

THE COUNTRY SOUTH OF OUR COUNTRY IS IN SHAMBLES POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY.

PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO ESCAPE.

I LANDED IN HONDURAS MAYBE THREE YEARS AGO.

WE WEREN'T ALLOWED ON THE MILITARY BASE IN AN ARMORED VEHICLE TO VIEW THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE DANGERS WITHIN THE COUNTRY.

I THINK THEY ARE EXPOUNDING ON SOMETHING.

THEY THROW SOMETHING OUT AND SAY THIS IS WHAT IS OCCURRING AND THERE IS NO FOLLOW-UP ON IT.

>> WHAT SHOULD THE FOLLOW-UP BE?

DO YOU SEE A CRISIS DOWN AT THE BORDER?

>> I DO.

I HAVE WRITTEN FOUR LETTERS TO THE HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY IDENTIFYING CLEARLY WHERE IS THIS PLAN.

WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT.

I'VE LET THE WHITE HOUSE KNOW MY FEELINGS.

I'VE MADE IT PUBLIC MANY TIMES.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AND FEELINGS?

>> BEEF OF THE BORDER CONTROL AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE COURTS TO ADDRESS THE AMNESTY ISSUE.

IDENTIFY HOW THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE HELD ON THIS SIDE OF THE BORDER.

IF THERE IS ANY HUMANITY OVER THERE THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING OVER HERE.

I WAS DOWN THERE JUST RECENTLY.

THERE IS TOO MANY PEOPLE ESCAPING.

50% OF THE PEOPLE HAVE COME ACROSS RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS OUR COUNTRY.

WE HAVE TO CONTROL OUR BORDERS.

BUT THERE IS MORE WAYS TO DO IT THAN JUST ONE IDEA.

WE NEED TO PUT MORE ELECTRONICS.

WE NEED TO BE UP IN THE AIR.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE PERSONNEL AND WE DEFINITELY NEED TO HAVE A COURT SYSTEM THAT WORKS.

>> DO WE NEED TO KEEP TITLE 42 IN PLACE?

>> I DON'T KNOW YET.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THE PLAN.

THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT.

>> THE PLAN IS TO KEEP IT OR DON'T KEEP IT.

>> THE PLAN IS IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP IT TO HAVE SOMETHING SET UP IN PLACE BEFORE YOU DO AWAY WITH IT.

>> IF SOMETHING ISN'T SET UP BEFORE?

>> I HAVE BEEN AGAINST IT ALL ALONG.

>> AGAINST GETTING RID OF IT?

>> EXACTLY.

>> LAST QUESTION.

DU SUPPORT NANCY PELOSI TO STAY AS SPEAKER IF DEMOCRATS CONTAIN CONTROL?

>> THAT IS A FAR OFF DECISION.

I AM NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON THAT.

>> NOT AT ALL?

>> NOT AT ALL.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TOM O'HALLERAN.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>>> UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON" , CONCERNS OVER THE RECENT FEDERAL APPROVAL OF SAIL OF OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS .

/FLUSH//.

>>> THE FDA RECENTLY APPROVED THE SALE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS.

THE MOVE IS EXPECTED TO MAKE HEARING AIDS MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE AND EVEN SPUR INNOVATION IN ADDRESSING HEARING LOSS.

AUDIOLOGIST HAVE A SPECIFIC CONCERN OVER ALL OF THIS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT IS DOCTOR KRISTIN SAMUELSON, DIRECTOR OF ASU'S SPEECH AND HEARING CLINIC.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

THE FDA APPROVED THESE OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS.

WHEN DOES THIS TAKE PLACE?

WHEN DOES THIS ACTUALLY OCCUR?

>> THE FINAL RULING CAME OUT TWO WEEKS AGO.

THE COMPANIES THAT ARE GOING TO SUBMIT THESE HEARING AIDS HAVE A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO MEET THE REGULATIONS AND SO WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE THEM ON SHELVES AND PROBABLY MID-TO-LATE OCTOBER .

>> WHICH MEANS NO PRESCRIPTION NEEDED?

NO REASON TO GO OTHER ANYWHERE TO PICK UP A HEARING AID AT THE DRUGSTORE?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

>> THERE ARE CONCERNS BECAUSE GETTING HEARING AIDS IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS PUTTING ON GLASSES OR READING GLASSES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> EXACTLY.

AUDIOLOGY IS A PART OF THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH SOLUTIONS AT ASU BECAUSE IT'S A HEALTH CONDITION.

IT'S A SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION.

AUDIOLOGIST ARE A LITTLE BIT WORRIED THAT THIS NEW RULING IS GOING TO TURN IT INTO A KIND OF DO-IT-YOURSELF PROJECT.

HEARING LOSS UNTREATED HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL ISOLATION AND DEPRESSION AND EVEN COGNITIVE DECLINE.

EVEN A MILD LOSS.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE TAKING THIS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS AND NOT GETTING PROPERLY DIAGNOSED.

>> TALK ABOUT BEING PROPERLY DIAGNOSED.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

>> COMING INTO AN AUDIOLOGIST'S OFFICE HE WOULD BE TESTED IN A TESTING BOOTH AND WE CAN DETERMINE SPECIFICALLY WHAT TYPE OF HEARING LOSS YOU HAVE.

THAT INVOLVES, FIRST OF ALL, LOOKING IN A PERSON HEARS.

HEARING LOSS COULD BE SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS JUST HAVING A BUILDUP OF EARWAX OR A PIECE OF COTTON OR AN OBJECT OR SOMETHING IN YOUR EAR.

IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE OF AS THAT .

IT COULD BE A HOLE IN THE EARDRUM.

THAT'S WHAT WE SEE BY LOOKING IN SOMEONE'S EAR.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE BUYING A HEARING AID OVER-THE-COUNTER WILL NOT HAVE THAT DONE.

AND THEN WE TEST THEIR HEARING TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A SENSORINEURAL TYPE LOSS OR A CONDUCTIVE TYPE LOSS WITH MARITAL MIDDLE EAR CONDITION THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE SEEN BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR.

THEY COULD HAVE SOMETHING AS COMPLICATED AS A BRAIN TUMOR.

THAT COULD BE DIAGNOSED OR DETECTED BY HAVING A PROPER HEARING TEST.

>> NONE OF THAT HAPPENS IF YOU WALK INTO WALGREENS TO PICK UP A HEARING AID AND THINK THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED.

IN TERMS OF SELF-DIAGNOSIS OR SELF TESTING, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A HEARING AID TO TRY THEM ON AND SAY THIS IS GOOD, THIS IS NOT?

CAN YOU SELF-DIAGNOSIS THERE?

>> THE OVER-THE-COUNTER RULING STATES THAT THIS TYPE OF HEARING AID IS ONLY DESIGNED FOR ADULTS, FIRST OF ALL, WITH A PERCEIVED MILD TO MODERATE LOSS.

NOT ALL HEARING AIDS ARE GOING TO BE OVER-THE-COUNTER.

THIS RULING CREATED A NEW CLASS OF HEARING AIDS.

THERE ARE STILL PRESCRIPTION HEARING AIDS FROM AN AUDIOLOGIST 'S OFFICE.

THE OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS, LIKE I SAID, ARE PERCEIVED FOR MILD AND MODERATE LOSS.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

THE AVERAGE PERSON DOESN'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE A MILD OR MODERATE LOSS UNLESS THEY'VE BEEN TESTED.

>> DEFINED MILD OR MODERATE.

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

>> THAT'S THE DILEMMA.

YOU NEED TO GO IN AND HAVE A HEARING TEST.

AUDIOLOGISTS AGREE THAT THERE IS A PLACE FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS.

ANYTHING THAT CREATES MORE AWARENESS AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR HEARING HEALTHCARE IS A HUGE THING.

>> OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE ARE NOT QUITE READY YET THERE IS A FEW WEEKS TO GO.

ONCE THIS HAPPENS, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE HEARING AID IS WORKING OR ARE THERE SIGNS THAT THE FITTING ISN'T JUST QUITE WRITE?

>> THAT IS GOING TO BE THE DILEMMA WITH THE ONES THAT PEOPLE BUY THEMSELVES.

MOST PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST THEIR HEARING HAVE LOST IT OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND THEY OFTENTIMES CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT NORMAL HEARING IS LIKE.

THE HOPE IS THAT IF THEY TRY THEM OUT AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE IMPROVING THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY WERE HAVING WITH THEIR HEARING THAT THEY WOULD GO TO AN AUDIOLOGIST AND GET TESTED.

>> JUST THE WIDESPREAD MEANING OF THE NEED FOR PEOPLE, DOES THAT OUTSTRIP THE FACT THAT SOME OF THEM JUST MIGHT NOT BE FIT PERFECTLY?

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

BEFORE OTC YOU HAD ASKED.

WITH OTC YOU HAVE X PLUS Y.

IS IT OKAY IF IT BECOMES SUPERFLUOUS?

>> IF ANYTHING, IT BRINGS AWARENESS AND ACCESSIBILITY TO THE HEARING IMPAIRED.

IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD THING IF IT'S USED PROPERLY.

IF PEOPLE-OUR MANTRA IS SHOP FOR AN AUDIOLOGIST, NOT A HEARING AID.

GO AND GET A TEST FIRST AND I WILL TELL YOU IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE FOR AN OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AID.

IF YOU ARE, YOU CAN TRY THEM OUT .

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT MANUFACTURERS ARE GOING TO BE OUT THERE YET.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO GET OUR HANDS ON THESE TO SEE HOW GOOD THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY AREN'T REALLY LEGAL YET.

>> HOW DO YOU TRY THEM OUT?

YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYONE WALKING IN AND PUTTING THINGS IN THEIR EARS.

THAT'S NOT SANITARY.

>> I DO BELIEVE THEY WILL HAVE A RETURN POLICY ON THEM.

PEOPLE CAN TRY THEM AND RETURN THEM, BUT THEY AREN'T GOING TO GET FITTED.

>> WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, BUT I AM CURIOUS.

IT'S LIKE A BRAVE NEW WORLD.

HOW MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEARING AIDS ARE OUT THERE AND WHAT DO THEY OFFER?

>> THERE ARE SIX SORT OF MAJOR MANUFACTURERS THAT WE.

WITH AS AUDIOLOGISTS CURRENTLY.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO WILL JUMP INTO THE FRAY WHEN THESE OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS COME OUT.

BUT A PERSON WOULD COME INTO AN AUDIOLOGIST'S OFFICE AND GET TESTED.

THEN WE HAVE ACCESS, FOR INSTANCE AT ASU WE HAVE ACCESS TO ALL THE MAJOR MANUFACTURERS.

WE CAN DEMONSTRATE THE HEARING AIDS AND THEN DO REAL EAR MEASUREMENT TESTING WHICH IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR PATIENCE.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS.

>> THESE THINGS DO ALLOW YOU TO PICK UP TO LISTEN TO MUSIC AND MAKE PHONE CALLS WITH THESE THINGS.

>> NOWADAYS MOST HEARING AIDS ARE BLUETOOTH COMPATIBLE.

YOU CAN STREAM YOUR CELL PHONE INTO YOUR HEARING AID AND CONTROL YOUR HEARING AID WITH YOUR SMART PHONE.

>> I GUESS IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT FITTING IS IMPORTANT AND IS NOT JUST SOMETHING YOU CAN WALK IN AND DO NECESSARILY.

WE WILL SEE HOW THE FALLOUT OCCURS ONCE I GET STARTED.

DOCTOR KRISTIN SAMUELSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

/.

/.

>>> MATERIAL COSTS AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES HAVE PUSHED COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING HOMES.

JESSICA HERRERO OF CRONKITE NEWS REPORTS ON HOW BUILDERS ARE USING ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.

>> Reporter: USING FOAM TO BUILD A HEALTH SOUNDS SURPRISING, BUT ONE LOCAL BUILDING SUPPLY COMPANY DECIDED TO SUSPEND THE USE OF WOOD ALTOGETHER.

>> WE USE COMPOSITE CONSISTING OF FOAM.

ALL THREE LAYERS COMBINED CREATE THIS NANOTECHNOLOGY WHICH CREATES SUPERIOR POWER AND STRUCTURAL STREAM.

>> IT REDUCE OFF-SITE LABOR COST .

THE CONSTRUCTION TIMEFRAME IS A LOT FASTER.

>> YOU ARE NOT LOOKING AT CREATING ANY TYPE OF EXTRA MATERIAL.

YOU PUT IT WHEN THE STRUCTURE IS COMPLETED.

>> Reporter: THE SOFTCORE ACTS AS INSULATION WHILE THE OUTER LAYER ADDS STRENGTH AND STABILITY TO THE FRAME.

>> IT'S LIKE LIVING IN AN A GLUE .

>> Reporter: AN EXPERIENCED HOMEBUILDER SAID CONSTRUCTING A HOME HAS CHALLENGES BUT HE LOOKS FORWARD TO ENERGY SAVING COSTS.

>> IT'S AT LEAST 20 OR 30 DEGREES COOLER ON THE INSIDE SURFACE THEN IT IS ON THE OUTSIDE SURFACE.

THAT WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE .

>> Reporter: THE CURRENT STATE OF THE HOUSING MARKET AND TECHNOLOGY ARE MOTIVATING COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO RETHINK THE TRADITIONAL WAYS TO BUILD HOMES.

>> NEW TECHNOLOGY ISN'T JUST FOR HIGH HIGH-END HOMEOWNERS.

>> IT COULD BE TECHNOLOGY FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> Reporter: NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAY THEY ARE ALREADY USING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS 3-D CENTERS TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

>> EVERYBODY NEEDS A PLACE TO CALL HOME.

WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE IT MORE SUSTAINABLE, WHICH WAS ONE OF OUR GOALS FOR MORE AFFORDABLE, MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE SUSTAINABLE.

WE HAVE TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN BRING THE COST DOWN.

WE THINK TECHNOLOGY LIKE THIS WILL ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE AGREES THAT THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO MAKE A HOUSE A HOME.

IN PHOENIX, JESSICA HERRERO, CRONKITE NEWS.

>>> A PROGRAMMING NOTE.

TOMORROW'S "ARIZONA HORIZON" WILL FEATURE A DEBATE ON PROPOSITION 129 WHICH REQUIRES BALLOT INITIATIVES TO BE LIMITED TO A SUBJECT.

THAT IS TOMORROW ON "ARIZONA HORIZON".

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I AM TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.