In August 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a rule allowing the sale of hearing aids over the counter. This new rule will increase access to hearing health for adults ages 18 and older.
What are Over the Counter (OTC) hearing aids?
Over the counter hearing aids are a new category of hearing device that a consumer can purchase without needing a prescription from a healthcare provider. Like prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids make sounds louder so that individuals wearing them can hear better & communicate more effectively.
Who will benefit from OTC hearing aids?
Over the counter hearing aids are intended for use by adults who have mild to moderate hearing loss. They are not meant for children and are not meant for individuals with severe hearing loss.
What are symptoms of mild to moderate hearing loss?
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, you may have mild to moderate hearing loss if,
- Speech or other sounds seem muffled.
- You have trouble hearing when you’re in a group, in a noisy area, on the phone, or when you can’t see who is talking.
- You have to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly, to talk louder, or to repeat what they said.
- You turn up the volume higher than other people prefer when watching TV or listening to the radio or music.
When are OTC hearing aids available?
OTC hearing aids will be available for purchase as soon as mid-October, 2022.
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