Happy New Year greetings from all of us at Conejo Hearing Center! The past two years have been challenging for everyone and we hope this new year brings healthier times for all of us! We have been able to stay open throughout this pandemic and continue to provide hearing solutions for our existing and new patients.
As we look ahead to changes in hearing aid regulations, there is a 2017 FTC ruling that is scheduled to be in effect by September 2022. This ruling is to allow consumers access to over-the-counter, or OTC, hearing aids. This ruling has been an ongoing discussion amongst government officials, hearing care professionals, manufacturers and consumers about what technology innovations will be available, the cost of the devices, and most importantly, that there is reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of these devices to protect the consumer.
The reason for the ruling is that only a small percentage of the population who have a mild to moderate hearing loss currently use amplification devices. On average people wait 7 to 10 years before getting help after a hearing impairment has been identified. Many people argue it was due to cost and therefore the OTC model was felt to make a more affordable product available to this population. Currently consumers have access to some products via retail and mail order that are classified as personal sound amplifiers. These are not regulated and have not produced successful outcomes for the hearing impaired.
With the new OTC hearing aids, there is potential for the consumer to get help sooner than they might have with better quality than what is available in the current personal sound amplifiers. Care must be taken to ensure that these devices provide effective solutions for hearing, but do not harm an individual by overamplifying sounds. These OTC devices should not be considered equal to the reader glasses that are a one-time purchase.
Hearing is a complex system and what is also important to remember is that hearing loss should not be self-diagnosed and that an audiological diagnosis should always be done before any treatment options are taken. Audiologists and the hearing care professionals provide a prescriptive fitting for your specific hearing configuration and the benefits are then verified.
We are partners with you in the hearing journey and we are there for the patient for guidance, counseling and support.
Whatever may come about this year and in the future, Conejo Hearing Center and staff will always be here to provide a variety of hearing solutions for everyone.
HAPPY NEW YEAR and NEW EARS!
For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact Conejo Hearing Center at 818.214.8397 or learn more at ConejoHearingCenter.com.
