Press Releases

November 6, 2023
10 Things We Learned About OTC Hearing Aids in the Last Year
It has been just over one year since the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made hearing aids an over-the-counter (OTC) product. The wait for the final regulation of OTC hearing aids was long, somewhat stressful, and uncertain. This article provides a review of the goals of the OTC hearing aid rule and what we have observed in the market since.

October 30, 2023 
Hearing Industries Association Announces Bridget Dobyan as Incoming Executive Director, Succeeding Kate Carr
Hearing Industries Association (HIA), the only American association to represent hearing aid technology, announces the selection of Bridget Dobyan to serve as Executive Director, effective January 1, 2024, succeeding current President, Kate Carr, who will retire on December 31, 2023.

June 29, 2023 
Sandy Brandmeier to Serve as Hearing Industries Association Chair, Succeeding Gary Rosenblum
The Hearing Industries Association (HIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sandy Brandmeier, President of Hearing Instruments Wholesale for Sonova USA, as the new Chair of the Board of Directors, effective July 1. Board members of HIA elected Ms. Brandmeier unanimously to this position.

March 3, 2023
Introducing The “Take 3 For Me Hearing Challenge"
In recognition of World Hearing Day on March 3, 2023, the Hearing Industries Association launched a new initiative as part of the Hear Well campaign that encourages Americans to get their hearing screened. The “Take 3 for Me Hearing Challenge” urges people to take 3 simple steps that could changes their lives for the better.

August 16, 2022
Hearing Industries Association Supports FDA Final Rule on the Sale of Prescribed and Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids
The Hearing Industries Association (HIA), which represents hearing aid manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and hearing health professionals, strongly supports broader access to safe and effective hearing aids, both OTC and prescription, for the estimated 38 million Americans with some degree of hearing loss for whom a hearing aid would help.

June 2, 2022
Hearing Health Advocates Launch National Campaign Promoting the Value and Expertise of Hearing Professionals
A group of leading consumer organizations, hearing health professional organizations, hearing aid manufacturers and retailers launched a new nationwide campaign, “Hear Well,” to educate the public on hearing loss and the critical role hearing professionals play in the identification and treatment of this common medical condition.

March 3, 2022
As the US Gets Closer to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids, Experts Urge Consumers to See a Hearing Care Professional First
In recognition of World Hearing Day on March 3, the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) is releasing results of a recent survey of 1,000 adults that helps us understand consumer perspectives regarding hearing health.

January 18, 2022
HIA Responds to Proposed FDA OTC Hearing Aid Rule
HIA supports the FDA’s position that it is critical to adequately balance accessibility and affordability with safety and effectiveness under the proposed OTC rules. To that end, HIA believes that the best way to accomplish these goals is to ensure the continued application of FDA regulatory oversight to hearing aids – OTC or otherwise – and provided several recommendations to the FDA to protect consumers and safely and effectively provide access to hearing loss solutions.

October 19, 2021

FDA Releases Draft Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Regulation
New Hearing Aid Options are Coming in 2022
When the rule is finalized, adults 18 and older will be able to purchase OTC hearing aids online or at retail outlets without a medical exam or fitting by a hearing care professional. While final regulations and the first OTC products are still months away, now is an opportune time to educate ourselves on the various types of hearing devices that will be available.

July 1, 2021
Gary Rosenblum assumes HIA Chairmanship, succeeding Brandon Sawalich
Elected in the spring of 2017, Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO, Starkey, now hands over the Chairmanship of the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) to Gary Rosenblum, President, Oticon, Inc. The members of HIA elected Mr. Rosenblum unanimously to this position.

March 3, 2021
World Hearing Day is Today, March 3
New Research Shows 80% of Us Consider Hearing Loss Serious, So Why Do We Ignore It?
New research from the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) reveals that four out of five Americans consider hearing loss serious, but ignoring the problem is more common than you may think. Fewer than 16% of adults ages 20-69 who need a hearing aid use one. That number almost doubles to 30% for adults over age 70 who need a hearing aid but don’t use one

February 25, 2021
HIA Sends Position Statement to Florida Legislators on SB 700 Bill, Direct Mail Hearing Aids
Amendment # 302884 to Florida Senate Bill 700 abruptly discards this important protection and removes the state’s existing ban on direct-to-consumer (DTC) hearing aid sales. The amendment fails to thoughtfully differentiate between those for whom this opportunity is appropriate and those who could be harmed.

March 24, 2020
A Message from HIA Leadership Regarding Hearing Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The hearing healthcare industry, like many businesses in the United States and around the world, is facing an unprecedented challenge. As always, our priority is the safety of the patients we serve, the hearing healthcare professionals, and our employees and families.

January 16, 2020
Over 50? Resolve to Check Your Hearing
Americans Agree Hearing Checks Are Important, But New Survey Also Highlights Challenges

August 14, 2018
HIA Endorses the Hearing Professional Association's Consensus Paper
Today, a consensus paper developed by the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and International Hearing Society (IHS) was released in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Congressional mandate to create new regulations for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices.

May 1, 2018
Hearing Industries Association Announces Kate Carr as its New President
Carr brings over 25 years of not for profit, patient advocacy experience and government experience to HIA. She has worked in executive roles with global patient organizations and has extensive White House and federal agency experience as well.