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Hearing Aid Direct-To-Consumer
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Hearing Aid Direct-To-Consumer
, Crystal Ear
See Also
Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Heaing Loss
Presbycusis
Home Adaptations for the Elderly
Indications
Consult Audiology before any
Hearing Aid
purchase
Background
Various
Hearing Aid
products have been available OTC
FDA Reauthorization Act (2017) allows for direct-to-consumer sales of
Hearing Aid
s
Indicated for mild
Hearing Loss
Best outcomes with a complete audiology evaluation and rehabilitation
Crystal Ear was available as a mail order product from TechnoBrands (Comtrad) in the 1990s
Linear conventional analog
Hearing Aid
(most simple
Hearing Aid
type_
Weak amplification in speech range (200-6000 Hz)
One-size-fits-all device (came with 2 sleeves to help fit to ear canal)
Court settlement regarding false advertising
Was not recommended by Medical Letter
(1998) Med Lett Drugs Ther 40(1028): 62 [PubMed]
Advantages
Inexpensive ($200-1000 contrasted with $800-$4000)
Disadvantages
Direct-To_Consumer
Hearing Aid
s
May be difficult to handle and place in ear canal
May not prevent acoustic feedback (occurs when air escapes ear canal)
Inadequate in noisy environments
Helps only a minority of persons with
Hearing Loss
Those with mild, flat
Hearing Loss
References
Michels (2019) Am Fam Physician 100(2): 98-108 [PubMed]
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