Hearing Matters Podcast Listen Carefully feat. Brandon Sawalich | CEO of Starkey
About the Hearing Matters Podcast
The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S. - HIS and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CC, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA. C-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services.
Over-the-Counter (OTC)
President Biden recently signed an executive order calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider issuing proposed rules for hearing aids to be OTC within 120 days. These devices are a new category of hearing aids that consumers will be able to buy directly, without visiting a hearing health professional. They are intended to help adults who believe they have mild-to-moderate hearing loss, at budget friendly prices. However, lower prices often result in lower quality of care.
Hearing loss is unique to each individual, which is why it’s important that licensed, trained hearing health professionals continue to play a key role in a patient’s hearing loss journey.
It is critical OTC hearing aids are properly regulated and labeled to protect Americans’ long-term hearing health.
In the absence of proper regulations, companies are currently marketing unregulated, low-quality amplification devices as hearing aids. This has prompted more than 17 states’ attorneys general (AGs) – both Democrats and Republicans – to warn consumers about these harmful products.
Listen Carefully
A person’s hearing affects all aspects of their life — whether it is listening to the bustling city or cherishing a birthday song from loved ones. Protecting this vital gift should be done with care. If it is damaged, people should be able to access effective, safe devices that help them.
Listen Carefully is committed to facilitating greater connection between hearing health professionals and lawmakers to ensure thoughtful, quality solutions for the over 44 million Americans suffering from some degree of hearing loss. Life is loud, so you must listen carefully.
Why Now?
Recent conversations in Washington discussing access to, and utilization of, hearing aids have narrowly focused on cost, rather than the many factors that keep people from seeking help, such as they believe they can hear well enough, believe they are too young to need hearing aids, or are embarrassed to wear them.
Listen Carefully aims to shed a light on all aspects of hearing loss to better inform our leaders as they formulate solutions directly impacting the long-term health of millions of Americans living with hearing loss.
Hearing Healthcare Model
Getting your hearing checked should be routine, like getting your teeth cleaned. Because each ear is unique, hearing loss requires personalized care through a trained, licensed hearing health professional.
With an abundance of hearing health options coming to market and varied information being shared, it is important that individuals affected by hearing loss are provided the right tools to make informed decisions. After all, hearing health is directly connected to overall health and well-being.
Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast Team
Email: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast
Twitter: @hearing_mattas
Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast