Brandon Sawalich Pens Letter to President Biden on OTC Hearing Aids

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HHTM
July 23, 2021

U.S. President Joe Biden recently released a comprehensive executive order detailing many initiatives related to the U.S. economy. Among these was a section that addresses the rules on the classification of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.

Brandon Sawalich

The President directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to “consider issuing proposed rules within 120 days for allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter.” Earlier this week, Starkey President & CEO Brandon Sawalich issued a letter to President Biden and members of Congress in response to the July 09 executive order. 

Text from the letter is shown below.

Dear President Biden,


With the passage of “The Over-the-counter Hearing Aid Act” in 2017 and the FDA missing their statutory deadline to promulgate proposed OTC rules by August of 2020, a vacuum of confusion has been created and many companies have been selling hearing devices “over the-counter” even before they are legally permitted to do so. Since the beginning of 2021, more than 15 state Attorneys General – both Democrats and Republicans – have warned consumers about “companies misleading them about OTC hearing aids.” In fact, individuals with hearing loss can cause greater damage to their hearing by purchasing devices that claim to be “OTC hearing aids,” but are simply low-quality unregulated consumer electronic amplification devices.


That is why, as President and CEO of Starkey, the largest American-owned hearing aid manufacturer, I am writing in support of your efforts to require the Department of Health and Human Services to publish for notice and comment a proposed rule on over-the counter hearing aids. Not until the FDA finalizes these rules will consumers clearly understand the difference between professionally fit custom hearing aids and OTC hearing aids.


The FDA has meticulously followed a process of open dialogue with every stakeholder: manufacturers, hearing professionals, industry groups and, most importantly, patients and their families. The FDA is required to spell out technological and labeling requirements to ensure OTC products are safe, effective, and are only sold to patients with mild to moderate hearing loss. Starkey and the hearing industry will continue to work with the FDA to ensure all stakeholders are heard, their questions answered, and their concerns accounted for.


Even after the FDA finalizes a new category of OTC hearing aids, it has and will continue to be Starkey’s belief that individuals with hearing loss are best served by FDA regulated hearing aids that are fit and adjusted by licensed and trained hearing health professionals. Like a fingerprint, each ear is unique to the individual. Each person’s hearing loss requires the convergence of art and science to ensure proper use and to ultimately help them live a healthier life.


Our industry consists of more than 20 hearing aid manufacturers who have made tremendous technological advancements in the last ten years. Hearing aids can now reconnect you back to life with superior sound, feedback cancellation, language translation, audio streaming, alert a loved one or care giver of a fall, and can even measure your social engagement and physical activity.

All of the above goes into the pricing consideration and, while we do not dispute this is a considerable purchase for many, recent insinuations that the only reason individuals don’t get hearing help is due to cost is simply inaccurate. Manufactures sell hearing aids to hearing health professionals, who then professionally fit the patient who has hearing loss. On average, an entry-level hearing aid fit by a hearing health professional is around $900 and an advanced hearing aid averages $1,600. This bundled cost, payed to the hearing health professional, can include clinical evaluations, ear impressions, hearing aid fitting, three-year care and warranty plans, follow up consultations and adjustments, and ear and hearing aid cleanings. Cost can play a factor in utilization but research shows that many other factors impact individual utilization of hearing aids, including but not limited to: individuals believing they can hear well enough, too embarrassing to wear, they do not know where to get tested and fit, and too young to have hearing aids. In addition, 30 states provide Medicaid coverage of hearing aids and another 23 states require insurance to cover some portion of hearing aid costs. We continue to encourage all those who want hearing help to seek access.


I look forward to working with your administration, members of congress, and the entire hearing industry to find solutions that ensure those with hearing loss get the proper help they need.


Sincerely,


Brandon Sawalich

President and CEO, Starkey


CC: Members of the United States Senate
Members of the United States House of Representatives Ronald Klain, White House Chief of Staff Brian Deese, Director of the National Economic Council

 

Source: Starkey

  1. I am curious on how Brandon came up with that dollar amount for the average cost of a hearing aid. The amount of $1600 for a high end is NOT true. He is not being truthful

    1. I think he’s referring to what an Audiologist or hearing professional will pay for it from a manufacture, not what a patient pays. Just referencing to the previous sentence “Manufactures sell hearing aids to hearing health professionals, who then professionally fit the patient who has hearing loss”

    2. I believe he is referring to what the manufacturer sells to the hearing healthcare professional for that amount. The statement after reflects to what the cost the healthcare professional might charge as the bundled cost to the patient. “This bundled cost, payed to the hearing health professional, can include clinical evaluations, ear impressions, hearing aid fitting, three-year care and warranty plans, follow up consultations and adjustments, and ear and hearing aid cleanings. “

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