Members of Congress Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make
Hearing Aids Available Over the Counter
Washington, D.C., March 21, 2017: - U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), today reintroduced legislation to make hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss available over the counter (OTC). A companion bill led by Representatives Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) was also introduced in the House.
The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 would make certain types of hearing aids available over the counter to Americans with mild to moderate hearing loss. In addition, the proposed legislation would require the FDA to write regulations ensuring that this new category of OTC hearing aids meets the same high standards for safety, consumer labeling and manufacturing protections as all medical devices, providing consumers the option of an FDA-regulated device at lower cost.
HLAA Supports the Bill
"Our consumer voices are powerful. HLAA has led the way for affordable and accessible hearing health care and applauds this historic effort," said Barbara Kelley, HLAA executive director. “I urge you to write your representatives. Answer this HLAA Call to Action for yourselves or for someone you care about who might need hearing aids in the future.”