FDA Clears Way for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Sales
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids, a move that may make the devices cheaper and easier to access for millions of Americans.Consumers with mild to moderate hearing loss will be able to purchase hearing aids at retail stores and online without a medical exam, prescription, or fitting adjustment from an audiologist, the FDA said in an August 16 statement. Hearing aids could be in stores as early as mid-October, the FDA said.“Hearing loss is a critical public health issue that affects the ability of millions of Americans to effectively communicate in their daily social interactions,” said the FDA's commissioner, Robert M. Califf, MD, in the statement.“Establishing this new regulatory category will allow people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss to…