Barbara Kelley
Executive Director
Hearing Loss Association of America.
Follow Barbara on Twitter:
@BKelley_HLAA

There are many questions about the cost of hearing aids. This blog post, “Understanding the Cost of Hearing Aids,” by Thomas Powers, Ph.D. provides some excellent information on this issue to help protect consumers who are evaluating their options.

President Biden released an executive order on July 9 urging the FDA to issue the proposed rules for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids. These devices will be for adults only with mild to moderate hearing loss. While we wait for these rules, people are confounded by the array of products available. Without rules in place, how do consumers know which products will work? Without rules, who will consumers turn to if some of these products are not safe or effective?

As Dr. Powers states in his blog post, “In recent months, 16 State Attorneys General have issued consumer alerts urging citizens to exercise caution when purchasing Direct-to- Consumer hearing products given the growing popularity, availability and confusion about the products. It is important to remember that hearing aids are medical devices that currently must meet FDA standards/regulations to be safe and effective for the wearer.”

Helpful Resources to Further Understand the Issue

Rules are Long Overdue by Lise Hamlin

Are There “FDA Registered” or “FDA Certified” Medical Devices? How Do I Know What is FDA Approved?  From the FDA website

Hearing Aids: Over-the-Counter, Direct-to-Consumer and Connectivity, an HLAA Virtual Convention 2021 workshop with Thomas Powers, Ph.D.

Over-the-Counter Hearing Devices from the HLAA website

Hear well. Stay vital. 8 out of 10 say hearing aids improve quality of life. Stay engaged and do what you love. Check your hearing wellness every year. (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine) Learn more at HearWellStayVital.org.

For questions or more information, email HLAA at inquiries@hearingloss.org.

Follow HLAA and “Like” us on Facebook today!