FDA approves hearing aid against tinnitus

By Reuters Staff

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a hearing aid that reduces tinnitus made by the Danish company William Demant, the company told Reuters on Thursday.

The new hearing aid is especially targeted at the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA), a government-led program for U.S. military veterans, which currently makes up about 20% of all hearing aid units dispensed in the U.S.

"There is a demand for it in the U.S. market, especially within the Veterans Administration," a William Demant spokeswoman said.

In 2011, 840,865 members of the VA had tinnitus according to estimates.

The launch is expected during the second half this year on selected test markets.

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