I look forward to this. I will be interested to see if I can end up saving any money.
MEDICAL NEWS | PHYSICIAN'S FIRST WATCH
December 8, 2016
Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Could Be on the Way
By Kristin J. Kelley
Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
The FDA announced plans on Wednesday to consider making over-the-counter hearing aids available.
In addition, the FDA put out guidance that says that it doesn't intend to enforce its rule requiring adults to sign a waiver or receive a medical evaluation before purchasing hearing aids.
The actions follow recommendations made in 2015 by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and results of a study published over the summer by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Additionally, two senators — Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) — have sponsored new legislation to make some types of hearing aids available over the counter at a lower cost. Individual hearing aids currently on the market can run over $2000.
LINK(S):
FDA news release (Free)
Sen. Warren's news release (Free)
President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report (Free PDF)
NAS report (Free)
Background: Physician's First Watch coverage of hearing loss and diabetes (Free)
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