HS205 - Future Forecast Session – the Hearing Aid Industry and Audiologists: shaping the Future for Treating Hearing Loss

Thursday, March 31, 2022

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM CT

Location: HearTECH Hub

Earn 0.1 CEUs

Moderator(s)

LW

Liz White, AuD

Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Presenter(s)

Mikkel Knudsen

President, ReSound US Commercial

Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Soren Nielsen

President, Widex USA, Inc.

Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Mike O'Neil

President
Signia USA

Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Shannon Basham, AuD

Senior Director of Audiology and Education, Sonova USA

Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Gary Rosenblum, MBA

President, Oticon, Inc
Oticon Inc

Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

In the United States, approximately 29 million out of 38 million adults with hearing loss are untreated or undertreated; frequently, there is a delay of 10 years or more when addressing hearing loss. As we know, it is critical to close the gap, as hearing loss has been associated with communication difficulties, lower health-related quality of life, and decreased physical and cognitive function. Congress passed legislation to increase availability of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, and while this may help some, a more comprehensive solution is needed. Medicare coverage for services provided by audiologists and Medicare coverage for hearing aids are two issues policy makers are currently considering.

During our Future Forecast session, leaders from the hearing aid industry will discuss challenges and opportunities pertaining to hearing health care and accessibility of hearing aids. The panel will also discuss the future relationship between manufacturers and audiologists and how the introduction of OTCs may affect the relationship. Finally, the panel will examine the technological innovations and the future of the industry in the United States.

Learning Objectives:

Describe how the audiology profession and hearing aid manufacturers can partner to advance innovations in technology and best practices in care delivery.
Describe how Medicare coverage of hearing aids and the introduction of OTC devices may impact patients, audiologists, and manufacturers.
Discuss how audiologists and manufactures can work together to educate consumers on hearing loss treatments and the connection between hearing loss and other comorbidities.