New option for buying Hearing Aids soon if proposed regulations adopted

The FDA has issued new proposed guidelines on the sale of hearing aids.

If adopted the new federal rules would make them available in stores or online without a prescription or even a medical exam as soon as next fall. The proposed change would help people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America, talked about the options in a news release.

The FDA says the goal in creating a regulatory category for over-the-counter hearing aids is to:

"..provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness for these devices as well as foster access to, and innovation in, hearing aid technology, thereby protecting and promoting the public health."

Read more from the FDA here and the proposed regulations here.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement:

“Reducing health care costs for everyone in America is a top priority. Today’s move by FDA takes us one step closer to the goal of making hearing aids more accessible and affordable for the tens of millions of people who experience mild to moderate hearing loss.”

Some manufacturers who dominate the existing market have opposed the lan for direct to consumer sales.