Key TakeawaysThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was expected to issue guidance in August on a law that would permit over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the response.In an article published in theNew England Journal of Medicine,experts are urging the FDA to prioritize releasing the guidance on OTC hearing aids.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was expected to issue guidance in August on a law that would permit over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the response.In an article published in theNew England Journal of Medicine,experts are urging the FDA to prioritize releasing the guidance on OTC hearing aids.

A Message To the FDA

“As medical providers, we fully appreciate the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on all sectors of health care. However, this inaction for OTC hearing aids is leaving millions of Americans without the necessary devices they were promised and will benefit from through implementation of this law,” Kevin Franck, PhD, a professor at the Harvard Medical School Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, said in the NEJM commentary.

Frank continued, writing: “We call on the FDA to make OTC hearing aids a priority for the American people and address the deafening silence that has occurred since the federal government heard the call from advocates and issued a legislative mandate over three years ago."

The FDA only regulates prescription hearing aids; it does not regulate personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), which can be purchased OTC.

Hearing aidsare intended to be used for treatinghearing loss, which is a medical condition. PSAPs are not intended to be used for medical conditions, according to the American Academy of Audiology (AAA).

You can get a PSAP without going to anaudiologist. However, the devices cannot be marketed as being able to help with hearing loss. Audiologists can sell PSAPs, according to the AAA.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), OTC hearing aids would be regulated as medical devices under the FDA.

Benefits of OTC Hearing Aids

Franck notes that making OTC hearing aids available could drive price reductions as well as innovation and that the industry has “remained relatively insulated from competition because of consolidation among manufacturers, state licensure laws restricting commercial distribution, and vertical integration among manufacturers and distributors.”

Untreated hearing loss has been linked to anxiety, depression, dementia, falls, and reduced mobility. The NIDCD says that only one in four adults who could benefit from hearing aids have actually used them.

On its website, the NIDCD states that “making hearing health care more accessible and affordable is a public health priority, especially as the number of older adults in the U.S. continues to grow."

Timeline of OTC Hearing Aids

The FDA’s proposed rule was due on August 18, 2020. The final rule was expected within six months of the comment period closing.

Benefits and ChallengesA 2018 study looked at the benefits and disadvantages of direct-to-consumer hearing devices (DCHD).While the study noted positive outcomes from existing research, it also identified many challenges surrounding device options, delivery method variables, trial data, long-term device outcomes, and clinician support.

Benefits and Challenges

A 2018 study looked at the benefits and disadvantages of direct-to-consumer hearing devices (DCHD).While the study noted positive outcomes from existing research, it also identified many challenges surrounding device options, delivery method variables, trial data, long-term device outcomes, and clinician support.

A 2018 study looked at the benefits and disadvantages of direct-to-consumer hearing devices (DCHD).

While the study noted positive outcomes from existing research, it also identified many challenges surrounding device options, delivery method variables, trial data, long-term device outcomes, and clinician support.

Are Disposable Hearing Aids Worth It?

Getting OTC Hearing Aids

Franck explains that OTC hearing aids have hardware that is similar to prescription hearing aids, “but the hardware will be more limited to lower output than prescription hearing devices.”

OTC hearing aids will also have user interfaces that are designed to let the wearer adjust the physical fit of the device inside the ear, as well as the acoustic fit of the device (how it processes sound according to the individual’s hearing loss).

The device packaging will be designed for self-use, but will guide the wearer to seek clinical help when needed. Companies that sell OTC devices will have customer service to handle device problems.

Franck notes that insurance may not cover OTC hearing aids, but people might be able to use health savings accounts to make the purchase. “The consumer market may make it more likely for insurance companies to only cover professional fit hearing aids for patients with more severe hearing losses," he says.

What This Means For YouIf you have hearing loss, you might benefit from a hearing aid. If the FDA provides the guidance necessary, you soon might be able to get one over-the-counter at your local pharmacy instead of having to go to an audiologist.

What This Means For You

If you have hearing loss, you might benefit from a hearing aid. If the FDA provides the guidance necessary, you soon might be able to get one over-the-counter at your local pharmacy instead of having to go to an audiologist.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Franck K, Rathi VK.Regulation of over-the-counter hearing aids — deafening siilence from the FDA.NEJM. Nov. 19, 2020. doi:10.1056/NEJMp2027050United States Senate.Letter to FDA on OTC hearing aids.American Academy of Audiology.The audiologist’s guide to hearing aids, PSAPs, hearables and OTC devices.American Academy of Audiology.The audiologist’s guide to hearing aids, PSAPs, hearables, and OTC devices.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Over-the-counter hearing aids.Tran NR, Manchaiah V.Outcomes of direct-to-consumer hearing devices for people with hearing loss: a review.J Audiol Otol. 2018. doi:10.7874/jao.2018.00248

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Franck K, Rathi VK.Regulation of over-the-counter hearing aids — deafening siilence from the FDA.NEJM. Nov. 19, 2020. doi:10.1056/NEJMp2027050United States Senate.Letter to FDA on OTC hearing aids.American Academy of Audiology.The audiologist’s guide to hearing aids, PSAPs, hearables and OTC devices.American Academy of Audiology.The audiologist’s guide to hearing aids, PSAPs, hearables, and OTC devices.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Over-the-counter hearing aids.Tran NR, Manchaiah V.Outcomes of direct-to-consumer hearing devices for people with hearing loss: a review.J Audiol Otol. 2018. doi:10.7874/jao.2018.00248

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Franck K, Rathi VK.Regulation of over-the-counter hearing aids — deafening siilence from the FDA.NEJM. Nov. 19, 2020. doi:10.1056/NEJMp2027050United States Senate.Letter to FDA on OTC hearing aids.American Academy of Audiology.The audiologist’s guide to hearing aids, PSAPs, hearables and OTC devices.American Academy of Audiology.The audiologist’s guide to hearing aids, PSAPs, hearables, and OTC devices.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Over-the-counter hearing aids.Tran NR, Manchaiah V.Outcomes of direct-to-consumer hearing devices for people with hearing loss: a review.J Audiol Otol. 2018. doi:10.7874/jao.2018.00248

Franck K, Rathi VK.Regulation of over-the-counter hearing aids — deafening siilence from the FDA.NEJM. Nov. 19, 2020. doi:10.1056/NEJMp2027050

United States Senate.Letter to FDA on OTC hearing aids.

American Academy of Audiology.The audiologist’s guide to hearing aids, PSAPs, hearables and OTC devices.

American Academy of Audiology.The audiologist’s guide to hearing aids, PSAPs, hearables, and OTC devices.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Over-the-counter hearing aids.

Tran NR, Manchaiah V.Outcomes of direct-to-consumer hearing devices for people with hearing loss: a review.J Audiol Otol. 2018. doi:10.7874/jao.2018.00248

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