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Pharmacy-based OTC hearing aids

Pharmacy-based OTC hearing aids

This 3-hour competency-based, interprofessional advanced training program on over-the counter (OTC) hearing aids developed by University of Pittsburgh faculty is suited for both pharmacists and student pharmacists. The self-paced eLearning program will review epidemiology of hearing loss, laws and regulations related OTC hearing aids, and the pharmacists’ OTC hearing aid patient care process. At the end of this training, pharmacists will discover how to recognize, intervene, and refer patients with hearing loss to hearing healthcare.

Pricing
  • Member Price: $99
  • Nonmember Price: $149

If your company or organization is interested in offering this program to your pharmacists or student pharmacists, please contact Chris McKerrow.


Learning Objectives & Module Details

This course contains the following contents:

  • Pharmacy-based OTC hearing aids ACPE information
  • Pharmacy-based OTC hearing aids pre-assessment
  • Pharmacy-based OTC hearing aids activity
  • Pharmacy-based OTC hearing aids assessment
  • Expert Evaluations
  • APhA Education Evaluation
Module 1: Introduction to hearing loss: Epidemiology and health outcomes
At the completion of this Knowledge-Based activity, participants will be able to:
  • Differentiate between FDA categories of hearing aid, OTC hearing aid, and PSAP (Personal Sound Amplification Product).
  • Explain the impact of untreated hearing loss on health, life activities, and communication.
Module 2: Federal laws, regulations, and guidance for OTC hearing aids
At the completion of this Knowledge-Based activity, participants will be able to:
  • Discuss the prevalence of hearing loss in age groups across the lifespan.
  • Describe the presenting complaints of a patient who is an appropriate candidate for OTC hearing aids.
Module 3: Overview of the pharmacists’ OTC hearing aid patient care process
At the completion of this Knowledge-Based activity, participants will be able to:
  • Recognize how the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP) can be used to take care of persons with hearing loss.
Module 4: Recognizing and screening for hearing loss
At the completion of this Knowledge-Based activity, participants will be able to:
  • Differentiate hearing screening from assessment of hearing.
  • Explain the hearing measurement processes that may be associated with OTC hearing aids.
  • Discuss pros and cons of informal hearing screening measures.
  • List two options for accessing a hearing screening.
Module 5: Medications with ototoxic properties: Drug-induced hearing loss
At the completion of this Knowledge-Based activity, participants will be able to:
  • Recognize medications and medication classes that can cause hearing loss.
  • Describe the mechanism of action of medication-induced hearing loss.
  • Explain strategies to prevent and mitigate medication-induced hearing loss.
Module 6: Exclusions for self-care: When OTC hearing aids are not appropriate
At the completion of this Knowledge-Based activity, participants will be able to:
  • List common ear conditions to be ruled out or treated prior to hearing aid use.
  • Explain potential complications of hearing aid use.
  • Differentiate optimum candidates for OTC hearing aids versus those for prescription hearing aids.
Module 7: Pharmacological and nonpharmacological self-care options for earwax removal
At the completion of this Knowledge-Based activity, participants will be able to:
  • Review nonprescription and non-pharmacological techniques for cerumen removal.
  • Recognize exclusions for cerumen removal self-care.
Module 8: Selection and fitting process for hearing aids
At the completion of this Knowledge-Based activity, participants will be able to:
  • List the basic parts of a hearing aid.
  • Describe three aspects of a prescription hearing aid fitting.
  • Differentiate the hearing aid fitting process in prescription versus OTC hearing aids.
Module 9: Referral to hearing health care professionals for care
At the completion of this Knowledge-Based activity, participants will be able to:
  • Differentiate between hearing health care professionals.
  • Access resources for finding local audiologists to whom referrals can be made.
  • Recognize the hearing care professional best suited for patient needs.

How to Obtain a Certificate of Completion
  • Complete 9 self-study modules, an assessment, and evaluations.
  • Achieve a passing grade of 70% or higher on final assessment.
  • Participants will need to have a valid APhA (pharmacist.com) username and password, as well as a CPE Monitor account to claim credit. After credit has been claimed, please visit CPE monitor for your transcript.
  • The Certificate of Completion will be available online upon successful completion of all course activities on the participant’s My Training page.
  • APhA continuing pharmacy education policy provides you with two opportunities to successfully complete a continuing pharmacy education assessment. Please note that you will not be permitted to submit an assessment a third time. The current policy of the APhA Education Department is not to release the correct answers to any of our CPE tests. This is intended to maintain the integrity of the CPE activity and the assessment.
Accreditation Information

The American Pharmacists Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. APhA's Pharmacy-based OTC hearing aids advanced training program is approved for a total of 3 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education (CPE) credit (0.3 CEUs). The ACPE Universal Activity Number (UAN) for this activity are listed below.

  • ACPE UAN: 0202-0000-23-317-H99-P
  • Target Audience: Pharmacists
  • Release Date: August 1, 2023
  • Expiration Date: August 1, 2026 - PLEASE NOTE: NO Home Study credit granted after this date.
Technology Requirements and Tips

Computer and Internet access are required to complete this activity. If you experience technical difficulties, try a different web browser.

Please be aware that if the system detects no activity for an extended amount of time while the screen is open in the interactive activity, the Next button may freeze, and you will need to Restart that activity again.

The recommendation is that if you cannot complete the activity within one sitting and need to step away, close the activity so that your place is bookmarked.

If you continue to experience difficulties, please reach out to education@aphanet.org with the name of course, details of your experience, which web browser(s) used and if possible, screenshots.


Faculty

Course Authors:

Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, BCACP, FAPhA

Associate Professor of Pharmacy and Therapeutics
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Pittsburgh, PA

Disclosure: Author has nothing to disclose

Elaine Mormer, PhD, CCC-A

Professor and Vice Chair, Clinical Education
University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Pittsburgh, PA

Disclosure: Author has nothing to disclose

Development

Pharmacy-based OTC hearing aids is an education activity for pharmacists developed by the University of Pittsburgh and licensed by the American Pharmacists Association. © 2023 American Pharmacists Association
All individuals involved in the development of this material declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests in any product or service mentioned in this activity, including grants, employment, gifts, stock holdings, and honoraria. For complete APhA staff disclosures, please see the Education and Accreditation Information section at APhA Staff Disclosures.

Acknowledgements

The academy affirms the value of this training program.
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