The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) has released a report urging significant changes in how the federal government addresses hearing loss, highlighting that age-related hearing loss is a major national issue with low adoption of hearing aids due to cost and stigma. The report recommends: enabling an over-the-counter (OTC) market for basic hearing aids to reduce prices and increase accessibility; simplifying the prescription process akin to eyewear to empower consumers with more choices; and revising guidelines for Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) to allow truthful claims about their benefits. Audicus supports these initiatives, emphasizing its commitment to making high-tech, affordable hearing aids more accessible. The report calls for swift action from the President to tackle this critical health issue.
There’s momentum building in Washington in regard to innovation in the hearing aid industry. Last week, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a report to the President recommending major changes in the way the Federal Government addresses the issue of hearing loss. The report outlines what we already know: Age-related hearing loss is a significant national problem, and there is low adoption of hearing aids due to price and stigma. It goes on to list a few recommendations to promote access to hearing aids and innovation within the industry: -The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should enable a hearing-aid prescription process similar to what is available for eyeglasses and contact lenses, giving consumers a greater diversity of choices and the opportunity to shop around without being locked into the cost of a particular device or service.-The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should create a new category for “basic” hearing aids and associated hearing tests that are meant for sale over-the-counter. This would allow entrepreneurs and innovators to enter the market and open a space for creative solutions to improve mild-to-moderate, age-related hearing loss with devices that can be sold widely, allowing consumers to buy a basic hearing aid at the local pharmacy, online, or at a retail store for significantly less.-The FDA should rescind its previous draft guidance about Personal Sound Amplification Products and allow these devices to make truthful claims about capabilities like improving hearing or understanding in situations where environmental noise or crowded rooms might interfere with speech intelligibility.Audicus strongly supports these recommendations and appreciates the effort PCAST took to bring this major health issue to the forefront. Our mission has always been to create better access to affordable, high-tech hearing aids through innovative means. We hope the President takes action!Do you have any additional suggestions? Write them in the comment section below! The above is the interpretation of What is the Government Doing About Hearing Aids? provided by Chinese hearing aid supplier Shenrui Medical. Link https://www.srmcm.com/Blog/What_is_the_Government_Doing_About_Hearing_Aids.html of this article is welcome to share and forward. For more hearing aid related information, please visit Blog or take a look at our Hearing aids products
