A Distinguished Professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Indiana University, Larry Humes is the author of a study published March 2 in the American Journal of Audiology that provides support for providing access to hearing aids over the counter.
The study reports a clinical trial of 154 adults ages 55- to 79- with mild to moderate hearing loss who were given access to either over-the-counter hearing or prescription hearing aids. It found little difference in clinical outcomes between these two groups. Lack of access and cost -- estimated at $2,000 per ear -- are common reasons many people do not use hearing aids, which are only used by 1 in 6 adults who could benefit from the technology.
For more information about the study, visit
- https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/news/2017/humes-otc-hearing-aids
- http://www.asha.org/About/news/Press-Releases/2017/Unprecedented-Study-of-Hearing-Aid-Outcomes/
To contact Dr. Humes, email [email protected].