Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1439655
Patsy M. Iannolo, MD, PhD, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Auburn Community Hospital has been recognized as the "2021 EMS Physician of Excellence" by The Central New York Regional Emergency Management Services Council (CNYEMS). Dr. Iannolo was nominated by TLC Emergency Medical Services as a physician who shows tremendous dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, and insight in the prehospital environment. "Dr. Iannolo is a brilliant physician with multi-faceted experience who has dedicated himself to emergency medicine for more than 35 years. He is a great teacher, and has developed a very talented team of ER professionals who care for our community 247." Scott A. Berlucchi, President and CEO, Auburn Community Hospital I N 2 0 17, C O N G R E S S pa s s e d t he bipartisan Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act requiring the FDA to "categorize certain hearing aids as over-the-counter hea r i n g a id s a nd i ssue reg u lat ion s regarding those hearing aids." However, the regulations had stalled until fa ll 2021, when the FDA f ina lly proposed a new rule to allow for hearing aids without a prescription. Given that most hearing aids aren't covered by insurance, this action has long been welcomed by consumers. However, a recent survey by the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association shows that most consumers won't be ditching their ENTs or audiologists for testing or advice anytime soon. According to the resea rch, 87% of sur vey pa r ticipa nts — a ll adults over 40 — sa id they would wa nt to have a me d ic a l d i a g nosi s b efore buy i n g a hea ring aid, a nd 83% said they would want to find out which kind of hearing aid technolog y would be most appropriate for their hearing loss. These gaps in knowledge, combined w ith a li kely f lood of OTC products, mean physicians should expect a lot of questions in the coming months. n Are Now in the Budget BY CARI WADE GERVIN AF TER FOUR YE ARS OF INACTION, THE FDA IS FINALIZING A RULE TO ALLOW HE ARING AIDS WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION. OTC Hearing Aids