Are you looking forward to some sun and sand next October? Get out your sunscreen because #ALDAcon2022 is going to take place in sunny San Diego at the Four Points Sheraton from October 19-23. Book your flight! (If you … Read More
Special Announcement regarding vaccinations at ALDAcon 2021
Because we care about our ALDA family and in light of the current pandemic footing, the Board has implemented important protocols for all ALDAcon 2021 attendees, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, captioners, interpreters and other ALDAcon-related on-site support. As such, electronic or … Read More
Who are the appropriate users of OTC aids and how do you know?
Part one of this series was a discussion of the “unintended users” of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and how they should be anticipated and accounted for. But who are the appropriate users, and why might they benefit from OTC aids? Cost is generally thought to be the factor that prevents people with hearing loss from using hearing aids. However, hearing aid use is…
OTC Hearing Aids: Who Needs Them? (Hint: Maybe You!)
You may have heard that President Biden recently signed an Executive Order regarding “Over the Counter (OTC) hearing aids”. Why was this necessary? Don’t we already have OTC hearing aids? This is the first of two articles that will discuss this confusing issue. Unregulated amplifiers have been sold for many years. True hearing aids are classified as medical devices, regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and provided/adjusted by licensed professionals. Unregulated amplifiers must be labeled “Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs)”, and the quality varies greatly. Some are essentially like turning…
Call for nominations! ALDAcon 2021 Awards
Want to recognize a great volunteer or organization? Each year ALDA honors various people and organizations that have either improved the lives of people with hearing loss or significantly contributed to the activities and well-being of ALDA. This is your … Read More
How the Courts and Congress are Battling the ADA “Trolls”
This is the third in a four part series on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the problems with lawsuit abuse. Part one can be seen here. Part two can be seen here. As I’ve explained in prior posts, … Read More
Using the ADA Ethically and Responsibly
This is the third in a four part series on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the problems with lawsuit abuse. Part one can be seen here. Part two can be seen here. Part three can be seen here. … Read More
Hearing Aid Affordability
Hearing aids are expensive, and in most cases, the cost burden falls entirely on the consumer – Medicare does not cover hearing-aids, nor do most private insurance plans. This leads to the irony that the out-of-pocket cost for hearing aids … Read More
How the ADA Can and Has Been Abused
This is the second in a four part series on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the problems with lawsuit abuse. Part one can be seen here. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support … Read More
Lawsuits Seek Captions on Websites – Is This Good News Or Not?
This is the first in a four part series on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the problems with lawsuit abuse. In mid-June, I learned about lawsuits filed against medical clinics in the Silicon Valley area claiming that those … Read More