What Are Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids? Are They For Everyone?

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are devices that make sound louder. They are equal to reading glasses. Do you have a hearing loss but feel the cost is holding you back form getting Hearing aids? You’re not alone: The price is a barrier for many, which is why Congress passed the Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 to authorize over-the-counter hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
On August 16, 2022 the FDA announced their long-awaited OTC hearing aid guidance that now.
Means hearing aids will be sold directly to consumers in stores or online without a medical exam or a fitting by an audiologist. The goal is to increase competition in the hearing aid market and ultimately make them more affordable. However, you need to be aware of the following:
OTC hearing aids:
*Are approved for adults 18 years of age and older.
*Are indicated for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss
*Are available in stores or online and the consumer is responsible for setting up the device, including fitting and tuning the sound
*Do not require a hearing exam or prescription from a physician or a hearing-health-care professional
Although not required, any consumer can get a hearing test from an audiologist before buying OTC hearing aids. The key benefit is finding out if an OTC hearing aid device can be useful for the consumer’s hearing loss. Not all hearing loss is the same.
OTC hearing aids are meant to be less expensive than professionally fitted hearing aids. Reasons for lower cost include technology differences and buying only the device and not any professional services. Current estimates are that OTC hearing aids will cost between $300 and $600 per device. However, many of our patients realize the free services they get along with their purchase of hearing aids is well worth the money spent and is most of the cost of aids. Adjustments, cleanings, loaner aids that keep your devices working properly cover services for 3-5 years where you don’t spend another dollar.
*According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, if you have any of the following health conditions a prescription hearing aid fit by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist will work better for you:
Unilateral (one-sided hearing loss)
Sudden recent hearing loss
Ringing, roaring or beeping in one or both ears
Take or have taken medication known to cause hearing loss
Have a history of chemotherapy or radiation in head/neck area
Have constant pain in ears
Have frequent dizziness
OTC hearing aids my be a good first step in getting people situational hearing help earlier, however, when individuals need a more customized solution, have complex medical needs
(e.g. difficulty using hands or problems with thought processes), or have any increasing degree of hearing loss, they need to involve an audiologist to create a comprehensive plan of care.
Call the hearing experts at Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology at 661-250-6781 or by visiting www.scvadvancedaudiology.com for help selecting the right hearing aid for your individual needs, lifestyle, and budget.