On August 16, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued their final rule for over-the-counter hearing aids. What does this mean for listeners with hearing loss? Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are approved for adults with mild or moderate hearing loss, and can be purchased by consumers without seeing an audiologist or physician. The aids may be adjustable with a volume control or cell phone app. Over the coming months, OTC aids will become available for purchase in stores or online. And there is much to learn: which products are best for individuals with specific hearing or communication needs; how these aids compare to prescribed (audiologist-fit) hearing aids; and what additional support or adjustments could improve performance over “out of the box” use. As hearing aid researchers, we’re excited to learn more and share that information.
