Location: Shure Incorporated, 5800 W. Touhy Ave, Niles, IL 60714
Speaker(s): Mead C. Killion, PhD, ScD(hon), Founder, Etymotic Research & Stavros Basseas, PhD, Founder, Sound World Solutions
DESCRIPTION:
Starting in the early 1990s, FDA received repeated requests to create a category of OTC hearing aids. Mounting pressure came from consumers, consumer-advocate organizations, Institute Of Medicine (Now part of National Academy of Science), President’s Council of Advisors, several task forces, and concerned hearing professionals. Even among those adults who saw a medical or hearing professional, a recent study by Northwestern University MBA students found that 55% left the office with nothing: Eighty percent said hearing aids were too expensive and 60% said cost was the primary reason for non purchase. Finally, in August 2017 a bill establishing OTC hearing aids was signed into law.
This talk will cover the efforts of two manufacturers to bring OTC hearing aids to market, the difficulties in honestly labeling Personal Sound Amplifier Products (PSAPs) that "are not intended for hearing loss" according to FDA, and the extensive experimental evidence that the better quality one-size-fits-most PSAPs can perform nearly as well as much more expensive hearing aids for many persons. In some cases, do-it-yourself hearing aids can be easily programmed by the purchaser. At the same time, the professional input can often be as important to satisfaction with hearing aids as the doctor can be in the success of medication.
Other Business: Dinner (optional, but please RSVP) will begin at 6:30pm. Contact Ross Penniman ([email protected]) by Tuesday, September 11 if you would like to join us. Pizza and salad from Lou Malnati's will be provided. Please let Ross know if you have a preference for vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. Price is $10 for non-members and $8 for members and students (please bring cash). -- Post-Meeting Reception: Please join us immediately following the meeting at Wildwood Tavern (6480 W Touhy Ave, Niles, IL 60714)
Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2018
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