GAO Issues Report on Consumer Access to OTC Hearing Aids

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued a report on consumer access to hearing loss treatment following the market availability of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in October 2022. GAO reviewed literature and agency documents and interviewed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officials, and a selection of eight stakeholder groups representing consumers, audiologists, hearing professionals, and the hearing aid industry.

FDA officials and six of the eight stakeholder groups GAO interviewed said it was too early after implementation of the final rule to have data on its effects. In addition, research and external stakeholder groups reported that barriers to accessing hearing loss treatment continue to exist, even with the availability of OTC hearing aids. These barriers include consumer preferences, professional concerns, difficulty assessing hearing loss, and affordability.