A federal bill that could potentially expand the market for over-the-counter hearing aids is pitting groups representing seniors and technology companies against audiologists.

Currently most states require patients to see an audiologist before purchasing hearing aids, The Boston Globe reported. The average cost to consumers is $2,300.

A bipartisan bill in the Senate would supersede state laws and instead allow sales of over-the-counter hearing aids. Advocates say the change could potentially save consumers money and encourage competition and innovation among hearing aid manufacturers.

The bill has picked up the support of AARP and the Consumer Technology Association.

"These new technologies are disrupting the marketplace, to the discomfort of a long-entrenched industry," Julie Kearney, CTA's vice president of regulatory affairs, told the newspaper.

However, the Hearing Industries Association, which represents hearing aid manufacturers, has some concerns with the legislation although a spokeswoman told the Globe her group is not completely opposed to the bill. The association wants the bill to be limited to devices that help people with mild hearing loss.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which represents audiologist, fears the bill could encourage people to self-diagnose, leaving potentially serious hearing loss problems untreated. http://bit.ly/2nZh9tS

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