OTC Flashcards
(30 cards)
Chien & Lin (2012)
Currently, only about 14% of people with HL use a hearing aid
Blustein & Weinstein (2016) #1
OTC model can foster competition in the hearing aid market, broaden consumer choice- Vigorous competition might spur the development of more appealing, less prosthetic-looking devices-an innovation that has largely eluded the hearing aid industry to date
President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2015)
Identified cost as the key barrier to ownership and linked high cost to two interrelated institutional factors: (1) the noncompetitive hearing aid market & (2) inefficient hearing aid distribution channels
Bainbridge & Ramachandran (2014)
Ownership of hearing aids is lowest among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, including minorities and those with the lowest income and education
Blustein & Weinstein (2016) #2
o Without Medicare or most other insurance plans covering hearing aids, consumers typically pay for aids and fittings out of pocket, and a pair of aids up to $8,000, a sum beyond the reach of many seniors
Fischer & Cruickshanks (2011)
o In a recent population-based prospective study, a majority of participants cited cost as a major deterrent to buying a hearing aid
Dalton, Cruickshanks, & Klein (2003); Mick, Kawachi, & Lin (2014); Mener, Betz, Genther (2013)
” Ultimately, age-related hearing loss reduces quality of life and is associated with social isolation and depression
Davis et al. (2007) #1
” Typically, people wait close to 10 years from the time that they notice hearing loss to the time that they acquire an aid, and by this time, their loss has often progressed to a moderate to severe level
Blustein & Weinstein (2016) #3
” Hearing loss can be caused by underlying medical conditions such as acoustic neuroma (tumor of the hearing nerve), chronic otitis media, or impacted ear wax
Davis et al. (2007) #2
” In the United Kingdom, for instance, aids are provided by the National Health Service, but uptake and use are not substantially higher there than are uptake and use reported in the United States
Wallhagan (2010)
” Stigma profoundly influences acceptance of hearing loss, readiness to have hearing tested, and the decision to use an aid
Blustein & Weinstein (2016) #4
” Likewise, many people who own hearing aids do not use them, perhaps because of the incorrect expectation that hearing aids will restore hearing or communication to normal levels
Callaway and Punch (2008)
” Used electroacoustic analysis to evaluate eight OTC hearing devices that were priced at a “low-range” which they identified as costing less than $100.
o All of the eight “low-range” devices had a low-frequency emphasis of output.
o Additionally, the low-range devices also had high equivalent input noise levels and potentially posed a residual hearing safety hazard.
o Ultimately, the authors of the study concluded the low-range devices were electroacoustically inadequate to meet the needs of people with age-related hearing loss based on the spectral shape and levels of gain and output levels.
Chan and McPherson (2015)
” Another study used test box measures with laboratory ANSI S3.22-2009 standards and real-ear measurements in a simulated condition to determine if the amplification characteristics of low- cost (less than or equal to $115) OTC hearing aids
o This research indicated that some of the OTC devices were able to match the target gains in simulated conditions, however, the authors note that other factors such as ineffective volume control function, high internal noise levels, and irregular frequency responses may limit the benefit of the devices for people with hearing loss.
Aarts and Caffee (2005)
” Examined how well hearing aid software from the manufacturer was able to predict the real ear aided responses (REAR) for a digital behind-the-ear hearing aid in 41 adults.
o These results suggest highlight the importance of on-ear verification of ear canal acoustics using real-ear measures for all hearing aid fittings. The alternative to an audiologist-fit hearing aid will be self-fit devices.
Convery et al. (2017)
” evaluated the success rate of a self-fitting process for a commercially available OTC hearing aid in a group of 40 adults with mild-moderately severe hearing loss.
o The authors concluded that although more than half of participants were able to complete the self-fitting task without error, the provision of knowledgeable support by trained personnel, rather than a fellow layperson, would most certainly increase the proportion of users who are able to achieve success.
Humes et al. (2017)
” Conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial with three parallel branches: audiology best practices (AB), consumer decides O-T-C model (CD), and placebo devices (P).
o The AB service-delivery model was found to be efficacious for most of the outcome measures, with moderate or large effect sizes.
Kochkin et al. (2010)
” Additionally, professional services provided by audiologists are found to be one of the biggest differentiating factors in terms of hearing aid success, as indicated by the MarkeTrak VIII report
Tedeschi and Kihm (2017)
” Investigated the implications of an Over-the-Counter Approach to Hearing Healthcare and observed two significant results
o Approximately ⅙ consumers of OTC hearing aids were not able to self-identify the red flag conditions that would require medical consultation and nearly half were not able to correctly self-assess their degree of hearing loss.
o This study also noted that individuals supported by hearing health care professionals experienced better outcomes in terms of daily device usage, expectations, overall satisfaction, willingness to recommend hearing aids, and perceived success.
Chandra & Searchfield (2016)
” Another recent qualitative study evaluated the Internet-based delivery of hearing aids and showed that a large number of study participants reported to have missed the building of trust, value guidance, and expertise of hearing health care professionals
Manchaiah et al. (2017)
” Medicare and most third-party payers do not cover this critical aspect of patient care. This is an area where stronger evidence on effectiveness of audiologist-fit devices in addition to counseling and patient support by the audiologist could drive changes in practice and reimbursement, leading to greatly improved patient care at reduced costs to the consumer.
The ability to normalize hearing loss and wearing hearing aids ….
o Currently, only about 14% of people with HL use a hearing aid (Chien & Lin, 2012)
o OTC devices may function as a gateway to traditional hearing aids, when hearing degree progresses or optimal performance is not achievable with OTC devices
Foster competition in the hearing aid market …
o At the moment, there is a closed hearing aid market driven by about six companies.
Broaden consumer choice …
o Ideally, the bill will allow for expansion of access to innovative hearing technology
o Currently, bundled pricing makes it difficult for people with hearing loss to compare costs and shop for best value
o Vigorous competition might spur the development of more appealing, less prosthetic-looking devices-an innovation that has largely eluded the hearing aid industry to date (Blustein & Weinstein, 2016).
