Introduction
hearing loss, sensorineural, Deafness
HEARING LOSS, AIDS, DISORDERS
A person with hearing loss can benefit from a range of interventions to curtail detriment to quality of life. Most adults experience hearing loss that is sensorineural and permanent, leaving hearing aids as the most common intervention option.A working group for accessible and affordable hearing care was established by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. They identified priority research areas for progressing hearing care access, including the development of self-testing, self-fitting hearing aids.The concept of self-fitting hearing aids was introduced more than a decade ago.Preliminary data provided to the FDA from various device manufacturers suggest that OTC hearing aids may be an acceptable intervention for mild to moderate hearing loss. However, there are limited well-controlled clinical studies reporting on OTC efficacy and effectiveness, especially using devices on the market. The few published trials available support relatively equivalent performance outcomes,