Canadian Academy of Audiology Position Statement on Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Date: November 15, 2022

Committee Members: Marlene Bagatto, Steve Armstrong, Steve Aiken

This position statement represents the Canadian Academy of Audiology’s (CAA) position on a particular topic or area of practice. It provides a time-limited viewpoint that will be reviewed and revised as new information arises.

Position

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized legislation creating a category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids (FDA, 2022). These medical devices are subject to regulations designed to ensure safety and reasonable quality, while aiming to relieve the negative impact of perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss in adults.

It is the position of the Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) that OTC devices may improve hearing access for some adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. However, the lack of similar legislation in Canada may allow underperforming and hazardous technology to enter the market, with significant risks for Canadians with hearing loss…

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