Is there a difference between hearing professionals that only perform first fit without verification versus patients that forgo hearing tests and purchase over the counter (OTC)?

This article written by Huch, an audiologist and president of Oro Valley and Grace Hearing Center, discusses the implications of OTC hearing aids and how it will ultimately impact consumers with hearing loss.

Patients who see an audiologist for a hearing aid fitting, but do not return to continue care, may have similar consequences as a patient going out and purchasing an OTC hearing aid without seeing a hearing professional.

Huch provides an overview of how OTC hearing aids will do more harm than good as well as concerns for the field of audiology.

Reference

Huch J. (2019) The attempt to save money will hurt the hearing impaired. The Hill, January 5.

Share this

Related Posts

A New Era in Hearing Care: FDA Approves OTOF Gene Therapy

Sleep Routines and Tiredness in US Children

New Evidence on Swimming and Tympanostomy Tube Outcomes

Recent Posts

Academy Advocacy on Capitol Hill for Student Loan Reform and EHDI Support

Last week, Joanne Zurcher, MPP, and Academy member Melissa Heche, AuD, traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for two important Academy priorities: protecting access to…

Read More

A New Era in Hearing Care: FDA Approves OTOF Gene Therapy

In the United States, mutations in the OTOF-gene (otoferlin gene) account for between one percent and eight percent of non-syndromic congenital hearing loss (Ford et…

Read More

Academy Board Election Results 2026

We are pleased to announce the newly elected members-at-large and president-elect who will join your Academy Board of Directors. President-Elect The president-elect will serve a…

Read More