The Ada Town Hall began with an introduction by Dr. Kristin Davis, President of the ADA, welcoming attendees and setting the tone for an informative session. The presentation featured a panel of experts, including Dr. David Eck Barrie, Dr. Victor Bray, Stephanie Czuhajewski (Executive Director), Dr. Alicia Spoor, and Dr. Davis herself. The focus of the discussion was the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription hearing aids, an issue the ADA has been involved with for nearly a decade.
The agenda included a historical overview of federal actions, notably the FDA’s final rule on hearing aid classification. Key topics covered were the distinctions and regulatory provisions for OTC vs. prescription hearing aids, implications for audiologists, and unintended consequences of reclassifying restricted devices. The speakers emphasized both critical “must-do” and “must-not” guidelines for practitioners to uphold patient care and professional standards in light of the regulatory changes.
A central theme was the importance of advocacy and informed engagement by professionals to navigate these new frameworks. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, where panelists extended their availability to ensure all participant concerns were addressed.