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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>FYI<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>860-212-5549<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>maryanne.melley@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Live the Life You Want; Blindness is Not What Holds You Back”<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Sigman, Brian <Brian.Sigman@ct.gov> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, May 10, 2021 1:02 PM<br><b>To:</b> DORS-DL BESB <DORS-DLBESB@ct.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> FW: RELEASE: ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG, DCP COMMISSIONER SEAGULL WARN CONNECTICUT CONSUMERS TO BE WARY OF COMPANIES SELLING OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>From: Sullivan, Kathleen <<a href="mailto:Kathleen.Sullivan@ct.gov">Kathleen.Sullivan@ct.gov</a>> <br>Sent: Monday, May 10, 2021 11:42 AM<br>Subject: FW: RELEASE: ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG, DCP COMMISSIONER SEAGULL WARN CONNECTICUT CONSUMERS TO BE WARY OF COMPANIES SELLING OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#002060'>Please share as you deem appropriate</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#002060'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><p align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black;background:white'><img border=0 width=759 height=164 style='width:7.9083in;height:1.7083in' id="x_Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D73211.5BCDB640"></span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black;background:white'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black;background:white'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black;background:white'>Monday, May 10, 2021</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-align:center;line-height:105%'><a name="_Hlk70936260"><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG, DCP COMMISSIONER SEAGULL WARN CONNECTICUT CONSUMERS TO BE WARY OF COMPANIES SELLING OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-align:center;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>(Hartford, CT)—Attorney General William Tong and Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull are asking Connecticut consumers to be wary of companies selling potentially faulty and unregulated over-counter-hearing aids.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>Connecticut law has long required that hearings aids may only be sold by licensed audiologists or hearing instrument specialists. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration relaxed regulations on the sales of hearing aids and companies began developing hearing devices that could be sold over the counter, without consulting a medical professional. Medically approved hearing aids are expensive, often costing several thousand dollars for a single earpiece. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>The FDA has yet to approve any over-the-counter hearing aids for sale to consumers. Yet some hearing devices have been marketed as a FDA “registered” or “cleared” solution for mild to moderate hearing loss at a more affordable price. While some might work as advertised, others may be faulty or completely inadequate for treating hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>“Although an over-the-counter medical device might be less expensive, it doesn’t mean it will be effective,” Attorney General Tong said. “If you are looking into such hearing devices, please do your homework to make sure the device actually works and fits your specific needs before spending money on a product that might be worthless.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>“Just like any purchase, make sure to read the fine print closely,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “Shop around, do your research, read reviews, consult with a medical professional, and be sure you know the return policy. These are all steps that can help prevent you from wasting money on a device that doesn’t work as advertised.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>Here are some tips to remember if you are shopping for hearing aids: <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>The FDA has not approved any over-the-counter hearing devices. Over-the-counter, direct-to-consumer, hearing aids are not regulated and because of this, may work poorly or not at all and could be harmful. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>Research the seller with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have a good rating before you purchase the product.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>Be skeptical of online reviews and endorsements.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>Read the purchase policy carefully. Can you get a refund if they don’t work? How long do you have to make a return if necessary?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>If you can, get a health screening and discuss your options with a medical professional. They will be able to tell you exactly what kind of hearing device would work for you and make recommendations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>Always remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>If you believe you have been the victim of a scam or have been contacted by a scammer, contact the Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318 or </span></b></span><a href="mailto:attorney.general@ct.gov"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;color:#0563C1'>attorney.general@ct.gov</span></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk70936260'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'>.</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#0A0A0A'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=xmsonormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=xmsonormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=xmsonormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=xmsonormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Media Contact:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=xmsonormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=xmsonormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Elizabeth Benton<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=xmsonormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><a href="mailto:Elizabeth.Benton@ct.gov"><span style='color:#1155CC'>Elizabeth.Benton@ct.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=xmsonormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#222222'>860-</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#212121;background:white'>214-0937 </span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#222222'>(</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#212121;background:white'>cell</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#222222'>)</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#212121;background:white'></span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=xmsonormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>