One Down, 11 to Go!

Implementation of the recommendations in the NAS report will take a great deal of time and effort, but the result will be worth it. Already we are seeing changes and tremendous visibility of the report and the issue of affordability and accessibility of hearing health care: *June 23, 2016 - Dan Blazer, M.D., Ph.D., the committee chair, presented a plenary session at HLAA Convention 2016 in Washington, DC to talk about the report, its outcomes and its importance. *Summer and Fall, 2016 - several calls were held with sponsors and stakeholders to discuss next steps and how to work together to most efficiently and expeditiously effect change. December 1, 2016 - One of the more hotly-debated recommendations (Recommendation 7) is to “Implement a new [FDA] device category for over-the-counter (OTC) wearable hearing devices.” Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced a bill to provide for the regulation of OTC hearing aids. The “Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016” would make certain types of hearing aids available over the counter and remove many of the barriers for consumers who could benefit from hearing aids. *December 7, 2016 - the first public meeting was held to discuss the report. The meeting was heavily attended, and included representatives from industry, government and other consumer groups. Eric Mann, M.D., Ph.D., clinical deputy director for the FDA, announced that the FDA would no longer enforce the requirement that individuals 18 years and older receive a medical evaluation or sign a waiver prior to purchasing most hearing aids. This directly addresses Recommendation 3, which seeks to “Remove the [FDA’s] regulation for medical evaluation or waiver.” It should be noted that the FDA did not remove the requirement for a medical waiver as the recommendation states, but that they will no longer enforce it. Also at the December 7 meeting, HLAA stated that it would take the lead on Recommendation 11: Improve Publicly Available Information on Hearing Health. HLAA has formed an informal coalition to work toward implementing this recommendation. *HLAA participated in a federal stakeholder meeting that was held on February 10. The meeting discussed strategies for a multi-pronged approach to improve hearing health care access and affordability; to identify needs, barriers, and opportunities for action; and to brainstorm about new and future actions and collaborations. The next public meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2017. Stay up to date on all the work that HLAA is doing by subscribing to our e-News; join HLAA for just $35 per year and receive Hearing Loss Magazine.