UK professional bodies issue new guidance on OTC hearing aids

A January 2025 policy statement on hearing aids by the UK's Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has drawn joint initial guidance on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids from several of the domestic professional associations in audiology. The Government's policy effectively refers many with hearing loss to over-the-counter options including earphones with hearing aid test software available online, but this new statement approved by representatives from the BAA, BSA, BSHAA, and NCHA (see below for full names of groups) stresses that the DHSC makes clear that its statement should be read in conjunction with existing regulations –  Health Professions Order 2001 as amended by the Health...