HAWAII
Conversations are happening across the country to ensure safe, quality hearing assistance is available to those who need it. Check out the below to see what’s happening in Hawaii.
Did You Know?
Roughly 14.5% of Hawaii’s population suffers from some form of hearing loss.
LATEST CONSUMER PROTECTION ACTION
January 20, 2022.
Hawaiʻi Attorney General urges FDA to preserve state protections of over-the-counter hearing aids.
“Attorney General Shikada said: 'Although we support more affordable and accessible options for hearing aids, it shouldn’t be at the expense of the public’s safety and well-being. It is key to maintain the State’s ability to regulate hearing professional licensing requirements, so the people of Hawai‘i have important protections for its hearing aid consumers.'”
January 14, 2022.
NAAG Responds to FDA’s Comment Request on New Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Rules.
“In response to a request for comments from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding new rules regulating over-the-counter hearing aids, NAAG submitted comments encouraging the FDA to take the below steps to ensure that states maintain a role as regulators in this emerging market.”
LATEST 2022 LEGISLATIVE NEWS
SB 2022.
Sponsor: Senator Jarrett Keohokalole (D)
This measure alters the hearing and vision program at schools. It removes the original text laying out the purpose of the program while also removing technical language in regards to the requirements for the resources needed to implement the plan.
The measure introduces amended language to simplify the purpose of the program but now adds in that the department of health sets new standards such as protocol for evidence-based hearing and vision screening, including ages or grades for screening, screening tools, instruments, and criteria for screening. The Department will also be required to create standards for the training, certification, and qualifications of personnel who conduct the screenings, and how the program will have to collect and report data.
HB 986.
Sponsor: Rep. Scott Saiki (D)
This measure amends the newborn hearing screening statute to mandate reporting of diagnostic audiologic evaluation results to improve hearing follow-up of infants. This measure also updates definitions and terminology.
This measure is applicable to audiology screenings.