Professional Hearing Organizations Release Consensus Recommendations for OTC Hearing Aid Classification
WASHINGTON, DC — It was announced today that all four of the major US professional hearing healthcare organizations have released a consensus paper for the new over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid classification , “Regulatory Recommendations for OTC Hearing Aids: Safety and Effectiveness.” The consensus paper, which outlines five evidence-based recommendations related to the safety and effectiveness,…
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Is AAA Thwarting Efforts for Audiologists to Obtain Professional Autonomy, as Some Claim?
The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) is, by far, the largest professional organization in Audiology, but the much smaller Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) is gaining members at a record pace. According to ADA, the group has gained more than 120 new members this year. A probable cause of this sudden growth in ADA…
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American Academy of Audiology Issues Dithering Response to Direct Access Bill
After what was, by several accounts, a contentious membership meeting to discuss the Audiology Patient Choice Act, the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) issued the following statement: The Academy strongly supports streamlining access to audiology services and being recognized and reimbursed for performing our full scope of practice under the Medicare program and across…
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American Academy of Audiology Board Meets with FDA, Congress, and Private-Payer Representatives
WASHINGTON, DC — Members of the board of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) conducted meetings last week with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), members of Congress, and representatives from the private-payer community. According to an announcement to its membership on October 30th, AAA said its board used the meetings to represent audiology’s…
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US Senate Passes OTC Hearing Aid Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC — The US Senate passed the FDA Reauthorization Act today. The legislation, as reported previously, contains a provision that directs the FDA to develop a category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. A House version of the bill was passed last month. The OTC provision of…
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UPDATE: OTC Hearing Aid Legislation Merged with FDA Bill, Now “Much More Likely” to Pass
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and International Hearing Society (IHS) learned yesterday afternoon that the Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Act legislation has now been attached to the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act (MDUFA). According to AAA President Ian Windmill, the MDUFA bill is considered “must-pass” and is scheduled to…
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California Legislation Would Authorize Hearing Aid Dispensers to Conduct Cerumen Management and Tympanometry
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — If a bill recently introduced into the California state senate by senator Cathleen Galgiani (District 05) becomes law, hearing aid dispensers in the state will be allowed to conduct cerumen management (earwax removal) and tympanometry. The bill, SB-198, is said to only authorize cerumen management for hearing aid dispensers under physician and/or…
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AAA Leaders Meet With US Senate Health Policy Staff to Discuss Audiology and OTC Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC — In a message sent to Academy members this morning, the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) announced that Academy President Ian Windmill, PhD and President-Elect Jackie Clark, PhD met with health policy staff in Senator Elizabeth Warren’s (D-MA) office on March 15th. According to the announcement, the focus of the meeting was to…
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New Best Practice Guidelines Issued for BPPV, One of the Most Common Causes of Vertigo
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA — On March 1st, the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) published an updated clinical practice guideline for healthcare providers on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The updated guideline, Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, provides evidence-based recommendations to healthcare providers on diagnosis and treatment of BPPV. Additionally, the…
Read MoreAmerican Academy of Audiology Adds “Audiology Technician Affiliate” as New Membership Category
RESTON, VIRGINIA — The American Academy of Audiology (AAA), acknowledging the increasing roles for support personnel in the audiology clinic, has announced the creation of a new membership category: Audiology Technician Affiliate. The new membership option was decided upon after the Academy’s Audiology Assistant Subcommittee evaluated member feedback over the past two years, examining the…
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