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<< Announcing >>
ACDHH is now partnering with the Speech and Hearing Clinics at the U of A, NAU, and ASU!
The ACDHH Hearing Healthcare Program is proud to announce the statewide expansion of our free Hearing Healthcare Assistance Project!
Low-income adults aged 21+ who do not have resources for hearing aids and hearing healthcare may be able to receive free hearing healthcare through the ACDHH Hearing Healthcare Assistance Project.
In the summer of 2021 we began a new partnership with the ASU Speech and Hearing Clinic. This small pilot project with ASU, designed to provide low-income adults with free hearing aids and aural rehabilitation, has now expanded to NAU and the U of A. ACDHH covers the entire cost of the hearing test, hearing aid fitting, supplies, follow up appointments and aural rehabilitation, while the universities provide the new hearing aids at no cost to the client.
If you are low-income and need hearing aids, please email Christy Abrams at [email protected] so she can assist you in finding hearing aids. You might qualify for this Project, or another hearing aid assistance program in Arizona.
If you have hearing aids to donate to this Project, please mail them to:
RECENT PRESS:
Arizona Daily Sun news story, February 2024
News from Northern Arizona University, January 2024
Digital Journal news story, January 2024
Arizona Public Media news story, January 2024
KOLD-TV Tucson news story, January 2024
KJZZ Arizona NPR news story, January 2024
News from the University of Arizona, January 2024
KJZZ interviewed Michele Michaels, Hearing Healthcare Program Manager, in October 2021 for an article about the latest research indicating treatment of hearing loss can help slow cognitive decline in older adults.
Read more here.
Arizona Horizon PBS September 2021
Ahwatukee Foothills News (page 9) July 2021
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Getting your hearing checked, affording and purchasing hearing aids, as well as selecting the right audiologist or hearing aid dispenser to assist you, is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your hearing healthcare. ACDHH has compiled the following resources to help guide you in this process. Understanding how we hear is the first step, en espanol.
Click here to access a list of audiologists and hearing aid dispensers who will gladly check your hearing for free.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids?
The Latest News:
New Forbes Health article about OTC Hearing Aids at Walgreens quotes Michele Michaels, ACDHH Hearing Healthcare Program Manager.
The FDA has released new guidance for consumers on buying Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids.
AZ Attorney General Offers Consumer Protection Tips When Considering Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Dr. Cliff, audiologist in AZ, has posted a YouTube review "What You Won't Get From Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids" and highlights the positives of these new devices.
ACDHH Executive Director Sherri Collins quoted in Cronkite News story and online article by Alyssa Munoz about the impact of OTC HA September 23, 2022.
ACDHH Hearing Healthcare Program Manager Michele Michaels quoted in KTAR news radio story and online article by Taylor Kinnerup about the impact of OTC HA September 12, 2022.
ACDHH Hearing Healthcare Program Manager Michele Michaels quoted in KJZZ/NPR radio story and online article by Kathy Ritchie about the impact of OTC HA August 23, 2022.
ASU Speech and Hearing Clinic Director Dr. Kristin Samuelson, Au.D., speaks with Ted Simons at Arizona PBS regarding concerns about OTC HA August 31, 2022.
The American Academy of Audiology has excellent guidance here: https://www.audiology.org/consumers-and-patients/managing-hearing-loss/consumers-and-otc-hearing-aids/
The Hearing Loss Association of America has published a Shopping Checklist to refer to before you buy over-the-counter hearing aids.
The Hearing Loss Association of America has published a Tip Sheet of things to consider before buying over-the-counter hearing aids.
Consumer Reports provides advice on some of the newest OTC Hearing Aids available right now.
The FDA has released final federal rules governing over-the-counter hearing aids.
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are available for sale on and after 10/17/22.
OTC Hearing Aids are available for sale on and after 10-17-22, they are not be for anyone under the age of 18. Anyone under the age of 18 must receive hearing healthcare from a licensed audiologist or hearing aid dispenser, preferably a pediatric audiologist, for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) hearing aids: There are hearing aids being sold direct-to-consumer under FDA approval (endorsement is not implied) but these are not considered over-the-counter hearing aids and you are not required to see a licensed professional.
Prescription Hearing Aids: The only other hearing aids currently being sold are those that are available by prescription and you must see an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser for those devices. They often, but not always, cost more than a hearing aid sold over-the-counter or direct-to-consumer, because you can receive a hearing test, professional fitting, trial period, refund, warranty, and other services and supplies for a period of time. Some audiologists and hearing aid dispensers might 'unbundle' meaning they charge for each service, but they are required by law to test your hearing and fit the prescription hearing aids.
Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids: Forbes Health article
Healthy Hearing article about OTC HA June 2022
The Hearing Review weighs in on the new draft rules.
Are there "FDA Registered" or "FDA Certified" Medical Devices? The FDA clarifies this question for you!
October, 2020: Arizona Attorney General Brnovich Warns Consumers About Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Read More Here: Hearing Tracker Reports on OTC HA Pros and Cons
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Ever wondered: what's the difference between a hearing aid and a personal sound amplifier product (PSAP)?
~ ~ ~ ~ A PSAP is not a Hearing Aid ~ ~ ~ ~
Before you purchase a PSAP or, in the future, an OTC hearing aid, take this short Consumer Ear Disease Risk Assessment (CEDRA) online to see if you should see a doctor first.
Hearing Aids and Personal Sound Amplifiers: Know the Difference! The Food and Drug Administration’s consumer health information series has some good info on this subject.
Karl Strom, editor-in-chief of the Hearing Review, has a review of various Direct-to-Consumer hearing aids as well as PSAP's.
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Click here to access a list of audiologists and hearing aid dispensers who will gladly check your hearing for free.
Click here to check the license of an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser.
In the market for a new hearing aid? What are "superfecta" hearing aids, and why do you want one? Click here to read more!
Here is an HLAA checklist to guide your purchase of hearing aids.
Consumer Reports publishes a Hearing Aid Buying Guide.
This article will help with Understanding the Cost of Hearing Aids.
How much do hearing aids cost? Hearing Tracker has the answer!
Curious about how to read your audiogram? This article explains how!
ALL ABOUT TELECOILS!!
Consumers Still Need Telecoils & Hearing Loops!
A telecoil in your hearing aid will allow you to hear with an inductive loop, whether it is a neckloop, a looped room, a countertop loop, or a looped clipboard. Read more on our website here and on the HLAA website here.
Dr. Cliff explains in this video why a telecoil is important!
BUT...
Does a hearing aid really help? Yes, hearing better improves a person's quality of life! Read more here about the health benefits of wearing a hearing aid!
Have hearing aids really improved over time? You bet! Visit the Hearing Aid Museum (online, free, virtual) to see how the technology has changed and improved since the 1800's!
Take a tour of the modern high-tech hearing aid at the Hearing Industries Association website.
Can a Hearing Aid help prevent dementia? Read the NY Times Magazine article here.
How does the brain change after using high quality, premium, professionally fit bilateral hearing aids?
Preparing to visit an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser for the first time? Work through this free online questionnaire to help you identify challenging hearing situations and possible solutions, then bring it with you to your visit.
MORE RESOURCES:
Seeking the latest in research and best practices? Check out these websites:
The American Academy of Audiology
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology
The International Hearing Society
The American-Speech-Hearing-Language Association
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head And Neck Surgery
The Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology