The action comes nearly 5 years after Congress passed a law to allow over-the-counter sales for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Those with severe hearing loss or people under 18 years old would still need to see a doctor or specialist for a hearing device.
In the United States, access to hearing aids can be difficult and expensive. Usually, patients have to go see their health care providers for a prescription. Then, they go to an audiologist, or a hearing aid specialist, to get the devices fitted.
With the proposed rule, patients could skip both of those steps and buy hearing aids in retail stores or online. This would make the process easier and more cost-friendly, as well increase access to specialists for many Americans who don’t have it.
“This allows us to put hearing devices more in reach of communities that have often been left out. Communities of color and the underserved typically and traditionally lacked access to hearing aids,” Xavier Becerra, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said at a news briefing.
The FDA says it’s unclear exactly when the new products will be in stores, but finalizing the ruling is a top priority.
For new products, the ruling is expected to go into effect 60 days after it is finalized. Current products would have 180 days to make changes, according to the FDA.
The American Academy of Audiology said in a statement that it is reviewing the proposed rules and will provide comments to the FDA. But in July, Angela Shoup, PhD, a professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas, wrote to Mr. Becerra with concerns about over-the-counter sales of hearing aids.
“While we certainly support efforts to lower costs and improve access to hearing aids, we have grave concerns about the oversimplification of hearing loss and treatment in the advancement of OTC devices,” she wrote.
“It is through involvement of an audiologist that consumers will achieve the best possible outcomes with OTC hearing aids and avoid the risks of under- or untreated hearing loss,” Dr. Shoup said.
This new category would apply to certain air conduction hearing aids, which are worn inside of the ear and improve hearing by boosting sound into the ear canal.
The FDA is proposing labeling requirements for the hearing devices, including warnings, age restrictions, and information on severe hearing loss and other medical conditions that would prompt patients to seek treatment from their doctors.
The FDA said that it would closely monitor the marketplace to make sure companies advertising hearing loss products follow federal regulations.
There are a number of reasons for hearing loss, including exposure to extremely loud noises, aging, and various medical conditions. Approximately 38 million Americans 18 years old and older report having hearing trouble, said Janet Woodcock, MD, acting commissioner of the FDA.
About 20% of people who could benefit from hearing aids are using them, with barriers to access being a major factor, she added.
“Hearing loss can have a profound impact on daily communication, social interaction, and overall health and quality of life for millions of Americans,” Dr. Woodcock said.
The FDA has updated its guidance on hearing devices and personal sound amplification products.
Personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) are nonmedical devices designed to amplify sounds for people with normal hearing and are usually used for activities such as bird-watching and hunting.
Amplification devices are not regulated by the FDA.
A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com.