RCA OTC Hearing Aids to improve access to
safe, effective and affordable hearing aids for
millions of Americans
INDIANAPOLIS, May 1, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- RCA Accessories today announced its plans to enter
the over-the-counter ("OTC") hearing aid market with an assortment
of RCA® OTC Hearing Aids scheduled for launch on
May 8, 2023.
In August 2022, the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration ("FDA") issued a final rule to improve access
to hearing aids which may in turn lower costs for millions of
Americans. With this ruling, a new category of over-the-counter
hearing aids was born, enabling consumers with perceived mild to
moderate hearing impairment to purchase hearing aids directly from
stores or online retailers without the need for a medical exam,
prescription or a fitting adjustment by an audiologist. This new
ruling is expected to assure the safety and effectiveness of OTC
hearing aids, while fostering innovation and competition in the
hearing aid technology marketplace. RCA OTC Hearing Aids meet all
FDA requirements and are FDA compliant.
According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders, close to 30 million adults in the U.S.
could benefit from hearing aid use. Further, it is estimated that
~15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some
trouble hearing1 with the greatest amount of
hearing loss in the 60 to the 69 age group2. With this
new ruling, the OTC category has been created, applying to certain
air-conduction hearing aids intended for people 18 years of age are
older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Now,
consumers are able to purchase hearing aids directly from online
retailers and stores without the need for a medical exam,
prescription of a fitting adjustment to an audiologist.
Dubbed "Readers For Your Ears", the RCA OTC Hearing Aids can
help millions of Americans suffering from hearing loss,
irrespective of age and at affordable price points. "Millions and
millions of people suffer from hearing loss yet many have
been restricted from a solution. With the FDA ruling last fall,
this changed the landscape, and now, those suffering from mild to
moderate hearing loss can purchase hearing aids at retail or
online, bypassing the extraneous medical process and removing much
of the financial burdens that prohibited them in the past. And our
RCA OTC Hearing Aids are amongst the most affordable and easiest to
use," said Ian Geise, President of
Voxx Accessories Corporation.
Mr. Geise continued, "RCA has been one of the most established
consumer electronics brands over the past century. The RCA OTC
Hearing Aids we will be launching are several thousand dollars less
expensive than that of prescription devices. They are for everyone
suffering from hearing loss, not just the elderly and those with
more severe conditions. RCA has been a trusted and leading brand in
audio and consumer electronics and this is a natural extension for
the brand and one that we believe, will be appealing to the vast
majority of our target audience after decades of performance and
trust. Many of the current OTC hearing aids are still $500 - $1,000, and
more, and are just not affordable for millions of consumers. We
developed solutions that meet FDA requirements, deliver the sound
enhancements to improve lives, and ones that are affordable to the
masses."
RCA OTC Hearing Aids will launch initially with Direct Response
TV featuring various commercial formats with major TV networks such
as CNN, ESPN, FOX NEWS, MSNBC, HGTV, TNT and more. The launch will
also include strong presence on social media. RCA hearing aids will
be able to be purchase direct via 800 number and web shop as well
as featured on Amazon.com.
The first two models the Company will commercialize are:
- RCA Model RSH05 – OTC Rechargeable Hearing Aid – This
solution is discreet, classic and developed to ergonomically fit
behind the ear, amplifying the volume of sound, both indoors and
outside. It comes in beige or grey, with an adjustable volume
control wheel (right or left ear compatible), 20 hour battery life
and is IPX4 water-resistant. It is equipped with three (3)
different size ear domes, a USB C charging cable, cleaning kit and
a hard carrying case. EDRP: $199/pair.
- RCA Model RSH20 – OCT Rechargeable Digital Hearing Aids
– These earbud style hearing aids, also available in beige or
grey, are the perfect digital solution, delivering multi-channel
noise reduction and a natural sound experience. There are 16
digital channels with multi-channel WDRC voice processing,
activated with the simple press of a button. The Digital Power
Display is easy to read, there are five level volume controls and
the earbud battery is good for 20-30 hours on a single charge. It
is equipped with three (3) different size ear domes, and the
portable charging case provides up to 90 hours of additional use.
EDRP: $299/pair.
For more information on RCA Hearing Aids, please visit us at:
www.rcahearingaids.com.
About RCA:
The RCA brand is one of the most recognized and established brands
in the consumer electronics industry. Marketed by VOXX Accessories
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of VOXX International
Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX), the RCA brand continues its tradition
of innovation and market leadership, as the #1 brand in the US for
universal remote controls and TV reception products.
About VOXX International Corporation
VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX) has grown
into a leader in Automotive Electronics and Consumer
Electronics, with emerging Biometrics technology to capitalize on
the increased need for advanced security. Over the past several
decades, with a portfolio of approximately 35 trusted brands, VOXX
has built market-leading positions in in-vehicle entertainment,
automotive security, reception products, a number of premium audio
market segments, and more. VOXX is a global company, with an
extensive distribution network that includes power retailers, mass
merchandisers, 12-volt specialists and many of the world's leading
automotive manufacturers. For additional information, please visit
our website at www.voxxintl.com
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical information contained herein, statements made
in this release constitute forward-looking statements and thus may
involve certain risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking
statements made in this release are based on currently available
information and the Company assumes no responsibility to update any
such forward-looking statements. The following factors, among
others, may cause actual results to differ materially from the
results suggested in the forward-looking statements. The factors
include, but are not limited to the: risk factors described in the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended February 28, 2022, and other filings made by the
Company from time to time with the SEC. The factors
described in such SEC filings include, without
limitation: the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company's
results of operations, global supply shortages and logistics costs
and delays; cybersecurity risks; risks that may result from changes
in the Company's business operations; our ability to keep pace with
technological advances; significant competition in the automotive
electronics, consumer electronics and biometrics businesses; our
relationships with key suppliers and customers; quality and
consumer acceptance of newly introduced products; market
volatility; non-availability of product; excess inventory; price
and product competition; new product introductions; foreign
currency fluctuations; and restrictive debt covenants. Many of the
foregoing risks and uncertainties are, and will be, exacerbated by
the COVID-19 pandemic, the War in the Ukraine and any
worsening of the global business and economic environment as a
result. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to
update these forward-looking statements.
VOXX International Investor and Media Relations Contact:
Glenn Wiener
GW Communications
Email: gwiener@gwcco.com
1 - Blackwell DL, Lucas JW, Clarke TC. Summary health
statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey,
2012 (PDF). National Center for Health Statistics. Vital
Health Stat 10(260). 2014.
2- Hoffman HJ, Dobie RA, Losonczy KG, Themann CL, Flamme
GA. Declining Prevalence of Hearing Loss in US Adults Aged 20
to 69 Years. JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.
December 2016 online
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rca-accessories-enters-the-multi-billion-dollar-hearing-aid-market-with-an-assortment-of-rca-over-the-counter-hearing-aids-301811558.html
SOURCE VOXX International Corporation