The past 18 months have been nothing if not interesting for our profession. Between PCAST, the FDA, and the National Academy of Sciences, there have been multiple recommendations and suggestions regarding improving the access to, and affordability of, hearing care. More recently, the FTC announced that they too would be reviewing the delivery of hearing care, from their perspective as a consumer protection agency. And a bill has just been introduced in Congress that directs the FDA to develop rules for an over-the-counter hearing device.
Topic(s): Patient care, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid devices, Advocacy, audiology
In recent months, many new stakeholders have emerged within the hearing health-care system, including retail chains, hearable and PSAP companies, and technology groups (e.g., Consumer Technology Association). The emergence of these new stakeholders suggests that there will be changes to the current model of delivery of that care, and that the consumer could experience greater confusion in the marketplace given the expanded technology options available.
Topic(s): Hearing Health Care, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid devices
