"A comparison between lessexpensive overthecounter hearing assistance devices and a conventional hearing aid found that some of these devices were associated with improvements in hearing similar to the hearing aid according to a study published by JAMA. Presently hearing aids can only be purchased in the United States through a licensed professional with an average cost of  for two hearing aids uncovered by Medicare. According to nationally representative estimates less than  percent of adults with hearing loss report hearing aid use. Personal sound amplification products PSAPs are lessexpensive overthecounter devices not specifically labeled for hearing loss treatment but some are technologically comparable with hearing aids and may be appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss. Nicholas S. Reed Au.D. of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore and colleagues compared five of these devices costs approximately  to  with a conventional hearing aid cost  among  adults average age  years with mild to moderate hearing loss. The researchers found that the change in accuracy in speech understanding from unaided to aided varied by device. Three of the PSAPs were associated with improvements in speech understanding that were similar to results obtained with the hearing aid one demonstrated little improvement and speech understanding was worse with one PSAP. Results lend support to current national initiatives from the National Academies White House and bipartisan legislation requesting that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration create a new regulatory classification for hearing devices meeting appropriate specifications to be available over the counter the authors write. A limitation of the study was the modest number of participants.  For more details and to read the full study please visit the For The Media website. doi.jama.. Editors Note Please see the article for additional information including other authors author contributions and affiliations financial disclosures funding and support etc. To place an electronic embedded link to this study in your story This link will be live at the embargo time httpjamanetwork.comjournalsjamafullarticle.jama.."