Hearing & Audiology articles, resources and resources provided by North Florida Speech & Hearing Center of Jacksonville, FL.

OTC Hearing Aids

Over The Counter Hearing Aid Regulations

Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center enthusiastically supports the concept of making hearing aids more accessible for those who need them. However, we want to ensure that regulations published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) governing the rollout of Over The Counter (OTC) hearing aids maximize patient safety and convenience.

The public comment stage for these regulations is now open and as a part of the hearing care community we must raise our voices regarding some of the regulations, or lack thereof. Together, we can ensure that over-the-counter hearing aids are safe and effective for all patients.

This is your chance to advocate for yourself and others in our community who deal with hearing loss. You will also be helping Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center advocate for our providers who work hard every day to ensure our patients receive the best possible care.

We ask that you please take 5 minutes, personalize the message below as much as possible and submit. Your voice will play a vital role in shaping the direction of this new form of hearing healthcare.

Step one:

Go to this site: http://www.hearabouthearing.org/act-now.html

Step two:

Submit your message.  You do this on by clicking the link above.  You can use the one that is there or the one that we recommended below:

Subject: Changes Needed to Proposed FDA Regulations

Acting Commissioner Woodcock:

[Insert your personal tie, including your journey with hearing loss, your experience with hearing aids, and the audiology services you have received]

There are portions of the FDA’s proposed rule on OTC hearing aids that are unworkable and possibly even illegal. According to the current law, the regulations for OTC hearing aids are intended for consumers with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The law says the FDA must provide reasonable assurances of safety and efficacy. The FDA’s proposed threshold of 115/120 dB output – as well as the lack of a proper gain limit – goes well beyond moderate hearing loss and has the potential to do serious additional damage to a patient’s hearing. I write to encourage the FDA to follow the law and adopt output and gain limits that conform to science- and evidence-based recommendations.

Additionally, there are no regulations regarding the locking of these devices.  If manufacturers are given the freedom to lock their OTC hearing aids, patients with challenges will not have access to the healthcare professionals who can best assist them.  It is the responsibility of the FDA to protect the patient by restricting the ability to lock OTC hearing aids.

More information regarding the proposed regulations can be found at:
http://www.hearabouthearing.org

Bold City Best 2021 Winner

Bold City Best 2021

Voting is now open for the Bold City Best Awards!

Help Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center continue our reign as Bold City Best “Best Local Non-Profit” and “Best Hearing Aid Center” by casting your vote here!

The category of “Best Hearing Aid Center” can be found under Beauty & Health and the category of “Best Local Non-Profit” can be found under People & Places.

Voting runs from June 11th – June 27th.

Thank you in advance for your support!

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Hearing Loss and Holiday Gatherings: Tips to Improve Your Conversations

The holidays are upon us! We look forward to the spirit of the season and the rituals of celebration. The way we celebrate has certainly changed over the course of this year! While some traditions (old and new) involve more personal interaction than others, for people with hearing loss, the anticipation of meeting people in a small group, one-on-one, or online can cause worry about being able to hear clearly and participate fully.

If you have hearing loss, it can be difficult to attend a gathering or talk to celebrating coworkers online unless you’ve opened up about your hearing loss and taken steps towards improved communications. This season, you can navigate holiday conversations successfully by following the 3 P’s: planning, preparation, and practice. Read more

speech hearing issues children

Hearing and Speech Issues in Children: FAQs

Hearing and Speech Issues are Common in Children

Hearing and speech issues are quite common in children, and can manifest in a number of ways. Understandably, this ambiguity can be concerning for parents, especially with all of the unknowns. 

But it’s important to remember that these issues are usually manageable and treatable, especially with early intervention. That’s why it’s vital for the parents of young children to be well-informed on hearing and speech issues so they know all of their options. 

After all, language is the basis of communication. Speech and language skills are essential to many areas in a child’s life, from interpersonal relationships to academic success. The ability to communicate, both with peers and adults, is essential for a child’s success. Read more

JSHC Receives IBCCES Telepractice Certification

IBCCES Telepractice Certification

JSHC Receives IBCCES Telepractice Certification!

We are proud to announce that the Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center (JSHC) is the first speech and hearing center in Florida to certify its staff in teletherapy through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

To earn Telepractice Certification, staff underwent comprehensive training on how to create a conducive teletherapy environment, protect patients’ online privacy, troubleshoot technological issues, and remotely collaborate with patients and their families.

By receiving virtual care from a Board Certified Telepractice Specialist, patients are able to receive the same quality care that they would otherwise receive in-office from the comfort of their homes. Both speech and audiology care are available through our telepractice program.

This certification also makes our team uniquely qualified to provide online care to patients with special needs that is in-compliance with the IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA. Such qualifications are essential when remotely serving students in the public school system who rely upon regular speech therapy sessions as part of their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

To learn more about our telepractice program and how you can receive healthcare at home, please click here.

Lauren Blunk - IBCCES Certification