Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Availability across the Spectrum of Human Skin Colors

Author:

Kirjava Shade Avery1ORCID,Faulkner Sam Jones2

Affiliation:

1. Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA

2. Program in Inclusive Design, OCAD University, Toronto, ON M5T 1W1, Canada

Abstract

Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids were recently approved for sale in the United States. Research has shown that consumers prefer hearing devices that match their skin color because these devices are less noticeable. Colorism is discrimination against individuals with relatively darker skin that manifests in “skin-color” product offerings as products being offered primarily in relatively lighter colors. Methods: This study compared images of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-registered over-the-counter hearing aids to a range of human skin colors. Results: Most over-the-counter hearing aids are only offered in relatively lighter beige colors. Few over-the-counter hearing aids are available in darker skin colors. Conclusions: These findings may represent structural bias, preventing equitable access to darker skin-color OTC hearing aids for individuals with darker skin.

Publisher

MDPI AG

Reference34 articles.

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2. Department of Health and Human Services (2024, January 08). Medical Devices; Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices; Establishing Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids; 2022; Code Number RIN 0910–AI21, Available online: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/17/2022-17230/medical-devices-ear-nose-and-throat-devices-establishing-over-the-counter-hearing-aids.

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