In the article, Sawalich says, “Like a thumb print, every ear and hearing loss is unique,” and stresses the vital role that hearing care professionals play in the diagnosis and evaluation of hearing loss.
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There is much to be learned from the recent IU study on OTC hearing aids. However, as its authors state, the findings are specific to that study and should not be generalized to the population of hearing-impaired individuals at large. A comparison is offered here to an audiology clinic using best practices. Results indicate that removing the professional from the fitting and follow-up process yields significantly lower levels of benefit, satisfaction, and use. If OTC hearing aids become a reality, this should be clearly stated on advertising and packaging; consumers should be informed that research has shown 45% of individuals returned hearing aids that were self-fit. Improving accessibility and affordability is only worthwhile if use and satisfaction are not sacrificed in the process.
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The new logo and standard will help consumers in the future, distinguish high-quality hearing enhancement devices for mild to moderate hearing loss from what the CTA says are “ineffective” personal amplifiers commonly found today.
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The Academy of Doctors of Audiology will host a 3-part online Audiology Hackathon series to bring audiologists, students, consumers, and other experts together virtually, for the purpose of addressing specific issues and to foster greater awareness and action around hearing health as a public health concern. The series starts on July 23.
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The argument that a new FDA class of OTC hearing aids will dramatically expand the hearing healthcare market by making hearing aids more affordable is often taken as a “given.” However, research into what economists call “price elasticity”—or how much growth occurs in terms of market penetration when the cost of a product is reduced/increased—tend to suggest otherwise when it comes to hearing aids.
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The June 9 Dissemination Meeting featured a wide menu of possible regulations for a new OTC category of hearing devices, and the meeting concentrated on safety and quality control, as well as packaging and labeling requirements. The NASEM meeting’s proposals are not part of the FDA’s formal rule-making process, but they could serve as a starting point for considerations by FDA and discussions with stakeholders in hearing hearing healthcare when formulating a possible new OTC hearing device category.
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Gary Shapiro of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) praised the House Energy and Commerce Committee for approving the Medical Device User Fee Amendments (MDUFA) user fee package that included the over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid provision.
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Those of us who have chosen to earn a living serving those who have difficulty hearing also have an obligation: a duty to do what is right for the patient.
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The AudiologyNOW! 2017 convention theme, “Connect, Reconnect, and Innovate in INDY!” reflected the Academy’s desire for its members to forge new relationships, strengthen existing ties, and learn about new technology during the 4-day conference in Indianapolis. However, talk about over-the-counter hearing aids and potential changes in hearing healthcare dominated discussion at the event.
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According to industry sources, the June 9 dissemination meeting of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is expected to include a “strawman” proposal that could serve as a starting point for discussions that lead to an OTC hearing aid category by the FDA.
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iHEAR Medical—a venture-backed firm dedicated to addressing the global need for affordable and accessible hearing solutions—announced that it supports the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act of 2017, which was recently introduced in Congress to improve access and affordability of hearing aids.
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The Hearing Industries Association (HIA) has issued a position paper in response to what the organization sees as several inaccurate statements made at the recent April 18 FTC Workshop titled, “Now Hear This.”
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The Over the Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 is expected to pass through the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee as part of the much larger Medical Device User Fee Amendments (MDUFA) package. Although the current bill continues to allow OTC devices to apply to “mild-to-moderate” hearing losses, the severity of hearing loss remains a primary sticking point for the bill.
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In a signal of growing support for the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), Consumers Union, and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare have released letters endorsing the legislation, according to a blog post on Sen Elizabeth Warren’s webpage.
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The FTC held the workshop, “Now Hear This” looking at a myriad of issues surrounding technology and competition in hearing healthcare, as well as how over-the-counter hearing aids might impact customer satisfaction, the use of amplification products, consumer safety, and professional care.
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