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Food And Drug Administration Reauthorization Act : Case Analysis

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As of August 18, 2017, “President Donald Trump signed into law the Food and
Drug Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017, Legislation that includes the Over the Counter Hearing Aid Act designed to provide greater public accessibility and affordability with over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids” (The Hearing review). In the United states today there is “an estimated 30 million to 48 million Americans who have some sort of hearing loss that diminishes the quality of their lives” (Jane Brody). As a future Audiologist it is easy to see why this a big deal. Audiology is “the science of hearing, balance, and related disorders” (ASHA) and Audiologist are the professionals who help individuals with mild to serve hearing loss, gain access to the …show more content…

The US Congress has left the decision completely up to the FDA as shown from the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017
(Sec. 709) The FDA must categorize certain hearing aids as over-the-counter hearing aids and issue regulations regarding those hearing aids. The regulations for over-the-counter hearing aids must: (1) provide reasonable assurances of safety and efficacy; (2) establish output limits and labeling requirements; and (3) describe requirements for the sale of hearing aids in-person, by mail, or online, without a prescription. The FDA must determine whether premarket notification is required for over-the-counter hearing aids to provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness (Greg Walden).
This just goes to show that there really are no restrictions yet for these hearing devices. Because of the FDA not having requirements in the beginning, people who already have the devices already can be severely at risk for damaging what is left of their hearing.
Even with all the negatives to OTCs, there are still some positives having the concept of OTCs. Over the Counter Hearing Aids are on average going to cost about 300-350 dollars a pair. Whereas, the custom fitted hearing aids made specially for the clients’ ears to give them the best clarity possible can cost about 3500 dollars a pair or more. That is a big difference in prices, but while looking at the data shown in figure two, those with moderate-serve to profound hearing loss well

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