Eden Prairie, Minnesota (January 26, 2022) – Starkey President and CEO, Brandon Sawalich, issued a statement to President Biden and his Administration reiterating that hearing aids are a medical device and should be regulated as such. Starkey has, and will continue to, support an increased access to hearing healthcare. Since 2017, when Congress created this new category of OTC hearing aids, Starkey has worked tirelessly to ensure these new devices protect patient safety and satisfaction.
“Hearing aids are a medical device. They are built with the technology of a medical device and regulated as such by the FDA. I have been in the hearing healthcare industry for nearly 30 years, and competition in this market has never been stronger. Hearing aids are manufactured by more than 80 FDA registered companies, and manufacturers continue to not only push the limits of hearing aid technology for the betterment of the patient, but each offers devices at a variety of price points. Starkey has, and will continue to, support an increased access to hearing healthcare. Since 2017, when Congress created this new category of OTC hearing aids, Starkey has worked tirelessly to ensure these new devices protect patient safety and satisfaction.
“Unfortunately, at the behest of a few consumer electronics companies putting profit over patients, this administration is trying to commoditize a hearing aid as a consumer electronics device.
“I would welcome the opportunity to meet with President Biden and his team on this issue. As a leader in the hearing industry for more than 50 years, all of us at Starkey look forward to working with his administration toward one common goal of helping people hear better.”
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About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Owned by Bill Austin since 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led today by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey has more than 5,000 employees, operates 28 facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com.
