Petition: Support OTC Hearing Aids

If you need a pick-me-up, watch some of the heartwarming videos of people hearing for the first time: like this video of one-year-old Mia, or this story of Emersyn.  Hearing aids changed these children’s lives.

But hearing problems are highly prevalent throughout the United States.  According to the FDA, over 37 million adults age 18 and over report some trouble hearing.  That’s approximately 15% of American adults.  And only around 20% of these people use any kind of device to assist their hearing.

Recently, the FDA announced a “landmark proposal” that could change these statistics by improving access to hearing aid technology for millions of Americans.  As the FDA explains, the proposal follows the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on increasing economic growth through competition while increasing access to lower-cost health care. “The proposed rule aims to address barriers to use, including cost, access, social stigma related to hearing loss, perceived value of the devices or certain state and federal regulations.”  Currently, exams can cost up to $250, even with insurance, and hearing aids can run upwards of $5,000.

Sign this petition and Support the FDA’s landmark proposal.

To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:

• Demand Universal Healthcare and Funding for Mental Health in the U.S.
• Demand universal healthcare in the United States and to demand federal funding for mental health access for everyone!

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