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FDA Proposed Rules for OTC Hearing Aids Extend Beyond OTC

The 114-page rules document published today in the Federal Register covers most aspects related to OTC hearing aid manufacturing, electroacoustic requirements, packaging and labeling, returns, and conditions for sale. In an effort to promote more consistency in the regulations and enforcement of hearing aid manufacturing and distribution, the FDA is also proposing several important changes that could affect the industry and state-wide hearing aid dispensing.

All

Signia Launches Insio Charge&Go AX Custom Hearing Aids

Signia announced the general availability of its Insio Charge&Go AX custom hearing aids, the newest device built upon Signia’s Augmented Xperience (AX) platform.

All

Widex Announces Upgrade to Moment App

Widex USA Inc announced that wearers of the company’s Widex MOMENT family of hearing aids can now stream music, calls, and other content from Android smartphones, thanks to an upgrade to its Widex MOMENT App.

Hearing Loss

NIOSH Study Tracks Usage of Hearing Protection

Among all workers exposed to noise in 2014, NIOSH researchers found the majority (53%) did not wear hearing protection consistently. Industries with the highest HPD non-use among noise-exposed workers included accommodation and food services (90%), health care and social assistance (83%), and education services (82%). Additionally, some of the industries where noise is a well-recognized hazard, were found to have high prevalences of HPD non-use, including agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (74%), and construction (52%).

Prevention

AARP Article Details Noise Level of Popular Activities

Research shows that prolonged exposure to loud noise exceeding 85 dB can degrade hearing over time, and can occur in places that you might not expect, according to an article on the AARP website.

Tinnitus

Cicadas’ Buzzing Sound Could Worsen Tinnitus

With this year’s return of cicadas, many will view the mostly harmless insects as an annoyance. However, the bugs’ high-pitched buzzing sound — which can be loud enough to drown out a jet plane flying overhead — could potentially worsen tinnitus.

Practice Building

Weave, Sycle Announce Partnership

Weave, an all-in-one customer communication platform for small business, and Sycle, a provider of audiology practice management software, announced the launch of an integration to bring more products and services direct to practices in a simple, streamlined solution.

Hearing Aids

‘Seminars in Hearing’ Open Issue Focuses on Speech in Noise

Guest-edited by Josh Alexander, the 2021 Fall issue of “Seminars in Hearing” features 9 open-access articles.

Inside Hearing

Audiology Unleashed to Be Featured at ADA 2021 Convention

The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) AuDACITY convention is scheduled for October 25-27 at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront in Portland, Ore, and will highlight the many growth areas in audiology today, as well as those on the near horizon.