Everything You Want To Know About Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids

Things to consider when deciding whether to purchase OTC hearing aids and safeguarding your auditory health First off, they are intended for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss A person with a mild to moderate hearing loss may be able to hear some speech sounds, but soft sounds may be difficult to hear. Additionally, you may experience situational hearing difficulty i.e., understanding speech in multi-talker/noisy environments or with soft-spoken voices. You may also experience difficulty hearing on the telephone and/or find you need to turn up the television or radio volume. Family and friends may also complain that they are sometimes having to repeat themselves. You may NOT be a candidate for OTC hearing aids if you are unable to hear conversations in quiet environments and are ALWAYS asking family members and friends to repeat themselves.    This could indicate that you are experiencing greater than a mild/moderate hearing loss. Important questions to ask about OTC hearing aids

1. Is there a free trial period, or money back return policy?
2. Is there any warranty coverage?
3. Do I need a smartphone, app, or computer to setup, operate, and program the hearing aid to my needs?
4. Does it have Bluetooth connectivity to my phone or computer?
5. Can the hearing aid’s volume be adjusted?
6. Does the hearing aid have any background noise filtering?
7. Do the hearing aids run on battery or are they rechargeable?

Possible Concerns regarding OTC aids:

1. Overlooking a potential medical contraindication for hearing aid use, i.e., cerumen in the ear canals, ear infection or other medical concerns.
2. The lack of requirement for a hearing test to determine the appropriate eligibility for the OTC product
3. The potential difficulty programming the instrument
4. Understanding how to properly insert the hearing aids into the ear canals without causing discomfort or irritation
5. What are the means for accessing instruction or support?
6. How are repairs handled?

Just my 2 cents: The availability of OTC hearing aids is definitely a viable option and may be very helpful for a percentage of the hearing-impaired population. However, it is important not to overlook the value of the Audiologist. The Audiologist is a healthcare professional who provides patient-centered care in order to appropriately diagnose and treat hearing loss. We go through years of education as well as earning annual continuing education credits to remain knowledgeable about current trends and best practices. The Audiologist uses appropriate test results, in combination with understanding the patient’s lifestyle and communication needs, to make the best hearing aid recommendations and maximize hearing aid benefit. Personalized instruction and counseling are provided to help the patient learn how to best use their hearing aids and become comfortable wearing them. And most important in the whole process is follow up care. Knowing that your Audiologist will be available to take care of any repairs and/or re-programming needs that are apt to arise. All these variables should be taken into consideration when deciding how to make the best choice for your hearing healthcare.