Over-the-counter hearing aids have been in the news recently following President Joe Biden’s executive order designed to improve public accessibility and affordability of the devices.

Dr. Ann DePaolo Wietsma of The Audiology Offices, with office locations in Kilmarnock, Gloucester and Warsaw, said she supports the use of over-the-counter hearing aids and shared some current consumer information.

On July 9, Biden issued an executive order aimed at improving competition and updating anti-trust guidance in a wide range of sectors including health care, technology, banking and labor. Hearing aids were specifically identified in the order. The summary material of the EO does not elaborate on any details regarding the OTC hearing aids other than to suggest significant cost savings to the American public with their release.

The order directs federal agencies to promulgate official rulemaking to implement the policies outlined in the document. The EO notes that the U.S. Food and Drug...