Download ADA Issue Documentation Form Related to Third

November 11, 2011
Contact: Stephanie Czuhajewski
[email protected]
866-493-5544
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE ACADEMY OF DOCTORS OF AUDIOLOGY WARNS CONSUMERS AGAINST OBTAINING HEARING
AIDS WITHOUT PROPER DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COUNSELING
(Lexington, Ky.)--The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) urges consumers who suspect that they
have hearing loss to seek treatment from a licensed audiologist or other hearing healthcare professional
to ensure the proper diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, and to identify potentially serious
underlying medical conditions. Further, ADA reminds consumers that hearing aids are not always the
recommended course of treatment for hearing loss.
“Even when hearing loss is detected through a comprehensive examination, hearing aids are not always
a recommended course of treatment,” said ADA President Eric Hagberg, Au.D., “The purchase and use of
a hearing aid without a proper examination, diagnosis and counseling is a recipe for poor treatment
outcomes and increased risks.”
Key risks of omitting an evaluation and treatment by a licensed audiologist or hearing healthcare
professional include the missed diagnosis of a serious underlying health condition that requires medical
intervention and subsequent hearing loss as a result of improper fitting and/or programming of hearing
aids.
According to the ADA, there are many possible causes of hearing loss including:








Aging – Hair cell loss from the nerve endings in the cochlea, stiffening of the cochlear structure,
or loss of nerve endings on the acoustic nerve, may be age-related causes of diminished hearing.
Blockages in the outer ear – Almost anything can block the ear canal and cause hearing loss.
Common blockages include earwax, foreign bodies, swelling from allergies or infections, injuries,
and birth defects.
Ear infections – Generally, ear infections cause swelling in the middle ear, which in turn causes a
build up of fluid behind the eardrum .
Fistula – A fistula is an abnormal opening between the middle and inner ear that causes fluid to
leak from the inner ear. Symptoms include dizziness, as well as hearing loss.
Head injury – A head injury can damage nerves in the hearing centers of the brain.
Medication – Some medications have been identified as ototoxic and can cause hearing loss.
Meniere’s Disease – Pressure in the inner ear may cause fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus
(ringing sensation), dizziness and nausea.
Noise – The single most common cause of hearing loss is exposure to loud noise.


Otosclerosis – This is a hereditary disease. New bone grows around one of the small bones that
transmits sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. This new growth of bone disrupts sound
transmission.
Tumors – Tumors can be benign or malignant. Depending on where the tumor is located, the
resulting hearing loss may be either conductive or sensorineural.
Many of these conditions cannot be treated with a hearing aid—and several require immediate medical
intervention for treatment.
United Healthcare (UHC), the largest U.S. insurer by revenue, announced on October 3, 2011, that it will
provide subscribers and the general public with online hearing testing and allow the
purchase/obtainment of hearing aids via the Internet through its subsidiary hi Health Innovations.
This announcement came on the same day that UHC’s parent company, United Health Group,
introduced its 2012 Medicare Plans and began marketing to elderly subscribers. The announcement also
ironically coincided with United Health Group’s (United Health Foundation) announcement that it would
provide a $50,000 grant to the National Council on Aging (NCOA) so that NCOA can “expand outreach
efforts to seniors and aging services organizations, reminding them to work with health care
professionals for appropriate (hearing) screening.”
The announcement by United Healthcare to offer an online diagnostic, treatment and distribution
model for hearing healthcare has prompted growing concerns within the health community.
“This undermines every good practice with regard to hearing healthcare as this diagnosis and delivery
model is unsound, unsafe and unreliable,” said Dr. Hagberg. “Without the proper diagnosis, counseling,
hearing aid fitting and follow-up evaluations, successful treatment for hearing loss cannot be achieved.”
On October 26, 2011, the Minnesota Department of Health released a statement stressing the
importance of seeing a hearing health practitioner for hearing loss and advising that failure to do so
“skirts state and federal legal protections and could result in harm.” Read the full release here:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2011/hearing102611.html . United Healthcare,
UnitedHealth Group, and hi Health Innovations are all based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
On October 12, 2011, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) released a press release warning consumers
against “Do it Yourself Hearing Care.” Read the full release here:
http://www.betterhearing.org/press/news/Internet_direct_mail_hearing_aids_pr10122011.cfm
On October 26, 2011, an attorney retained by the International Hearing Society (IHS) sent a letter to hi
Health Innovations requesting that the company cease and desist selling hearing aids through its
website. Read the full letter here: http://ihsinfo.org/pdf/IHS_Letter_to_HealthInnovations.pdf
On October 31, 2011, ADA and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) sent joint letters to Lisa
Tseng, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of hi Health Innovations and Rhonda Medows, M.D., Chief Medical
Officer of United Health Group, expressing concerns and requesting additional information regarding
the insurer’s plans for an online hearing healthcare delivery system. Read the letters here:
http://www.audiologist.org/_resources/documents/UHC%20letter%20Oct%2011%20Tseng.pdf
http://www.audiologist.org/_resources/documents/UHC%20letter%20Oct%2011%20Medows.pdf
Intricon Corporation, headquartered in Arden Hills, Minnesota, has been contracted to manufacture the
hearing aids sold by hi Health Innovations, whose parent company is UnitedHealth Group. This goes
against the common practice within the hearing aid manufacturing community. In fact, most hearing aid
manufacturers have made public statements that they will not allow their hearing aids to be sold online.
“Thankfully most hearing aid manufacturers will not allow their hearing aids to be sold or purchased
without a face-to-face consultation with a licensed practitioner, because they too recognize the inherent
risks associated with the purchase and use of hearing aids without the proper counseling and fitting that
only a licensed hearing healthcare professional can provide.”
Hearing aids are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and must be
recommended, sold and fit by qualified health professionals.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=801.420
Further, all 50 states require licensure for the dispensing of hearing aids.
http://www.audiologist.org/resources/state-licensure.html
The ADA urges consumers to seek proper diagnosis, treatment and counseling for suspected hearing
loss. To find a licensed ADA member in your area, visit http://www.audiologist.org/audiologistdirectory.html.
Other Useful Resources
 Consumer Reports Hearing Aid Checklist: http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthyliving/home-medical-supplies/hearing/hearing-aids/buying-tips-a-checklist/hearing-aids-beforeyou-buy.htm
 National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD):
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/hearingaid.aspx
 Better Hearing Institute (BHI): http://www.betterhearing.org/
 Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Position Statement on Hearing Aids for People with
Hearing Loss:
http://hlaaleaderswiki.wikispaces.com/file/view/Position+Statement+on+Hearing+Aids+for+Peo
ple+with+Hearing+Loss.pdf
About ADA
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) is a leading national organization of practicing audiologists.
ADA is dedicated to the advancement of practitioner excellence, high ethical standards, professional
autonomy and sound business practices in the provision of quality audiologic care. For more
information, visit www.audiologist.org.
###