WEBINAR—OTC 101: Ask the Experts – Explore the Options for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

See the latest installment of our popular OTC 101: Ask the Experts Webinar Series, Explore the Options, which was held on January 29, 2025. Audiology professionals from Sony, Sonova and HearAdvisor answered consumer questions about over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in a lively discussion, moderated by HLAA Executive Director Barbara Kelley.

OTC hearing aids may provide an easier pathway to treatment for some adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Learn about top devices, valuable resources and the latest advances in this exciting, still-new class of products.

All webinars in this series share important information about OTC hearing aids from a range of perspectives for people who want to know more. Find additional information, series recordings and resource links at hearingloss.org/OTC.

Panelist: Annie Duchen, Au.D., F-AAA
Head of OTC Sales and Customer Service, WS Audiology

Dr. Annie Duchen is a clinical pediatric audiologist by background. She is currently the head of OTC sales and customer service at WS Audiology in partnership with Sony to offer Sony OTC Hearing Aids.

Panelist: Jessica Dancis
Senior Marketing Manager, Sonova

Jessica Dancis is a senior marketing manager at Sonova, where she manages the Sennheiser Hearing portfolio, an innovative lineup of off-the-shelf hearing devices. An experienced clinical audiologist, Jessica has more than 17 years of experience in various roles at Sonova.

Panelist: Steve Taddei, Au.D.
Co-Founder and Lab Director, HearAdvisor

Steve Taddei, Au.D., is the lab director at HearAdvisor, where he combines his background in audio engineering and audiology to advance hearing technologies and awareness. As a senior contributor at HearingTracker.com, he also provides detailed reviews of hearing aids and earplugs, while also serving as an adjunct faculty member at several colleges.

Moderator: Barbara Kelley
Executive Director, Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)

Barbara Kelley has been with HLAA since 1988 and has served as executive director for the past nine years, leading all of the organization’s efforts, including advocacy, programs and strategy. She sits on top health, communications and regulatory boards across the U.S. and globally, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Council of Councils (DPCPSI); Hearing Restoration Research Program panel (Congressionally directed medical research program) and Cochlear Implant International Community of Action (CIICA) board, among many others.

The mention or exclusion of goods or services is for educational purposes only and does not imply Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) endorsement or disapproval.