Disruptive Hearing Technologies and Mild Sensorineural Hearing Loss I: Accessibility and Affordability Issues

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Health Economics
• Health Policy

Background:

• Hearing health care (HHC) and hearing aids (HAs) face accessibility and affordability challenges.
• These barriers prevent individuals from seeking timely treatment for hearing loss.
• The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 represents a significant policy shift.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss affordability issues in HHC, including billing, cost-effectiveness, insurance, and reimbursement.
• To provide historical context for the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017.
• To introduce ethical considerations and evidence-based practice guidelines for HHC.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and policy analysis.
• Examination of historical legislative developments.
• Discussion of economic and ethical factors influencing HHC.

Main Results:

• The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 facilitates a new class of HAs, potentially lowering device costs.
• Affordability remains a key barrier to HHC access.
• The legislation may disrupt the traditional HHC market.

Conclusions:

• The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 is a pivotal development in addressing HA affordability.
• Further examination of HHC affordability and accessibility is warranted.
• Ethical practice and evidence-based guidelines are crucial for future HHC development.