Amplifying the global issue of hearing loss
The Lancet Global Health
Abstract
Hearing aids will soon become available directly from retailers for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss in the USA, thanks to a long-awaited Food and Drug Administration rule that establishes a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The agency's announcement emphasised the expectation that the legislation would lower the price of hearing aids without sacrificing their safety and effectiveness. This overdue move represents a welcome step forward for people with hearing loss in the USA, and should provide impetus for the global community to address what is often a neglected disability.
Topics & Concepts
Hearing lossMedicinePopulationHealth careLegislationUnemploymentAudiologyGerontologyEnvironmental healthEconomic growthPolitical scienceEconomicsLawNoise Effects and Management