Since October 17, 2022, you've been able to buy hearing aids right off the shelf at a pharmacy, big-box store, or website. No prescription, no hearing test, no appointment. These are called over-the-counter, or OTC, hearing aids.
You might expect a hearing clinic to tell you to stay away from them. We won't. OTC hearing aids are a real option for some people, and we'd rather give you the honest picture so you can make the right call for your ears and your wallet.
Who OTC Hearing Aids Are Made For
The FDA created the OTC category for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. "Perceived" is the key word. It means you don't need a test to buy them. You're going by how your hearing seems to you.
According to the FDA and the National Institutes of Health, signs of mild to moderate hearing loss can include:
Speech sounds muffled, especially in noisy places
Following a conversation in a group is hard
Phone calls are tough
You turn up the TV or radio louder than others like
Listening leaves you tired
If that sounds like you, and your hearing trouble is fairly mild, an OTC device may help. They usually cost less up front, and they're easy to get. (Curious why prescription hearing aids cost more? We break it down here.) For some people, OTC is a good first step toward hearing better.
When Prescription Hearing Aids Are the Better Fit
OTC hearing aids aren't designed for everyone. Here's when we'd strongly suggest seeing a professional first.
Your hearing loss may be more than mild to moderate
The FDA and NIH both say that if you have trouble hearing conversation even in a quiet room, or you don't hear loud sounds well (like engines, power tools, or loud music), your loss may be more severe. OTC devices have limits on how much power they can provide and may not be enough.
You have any "red flag" symptoms
The FDA requires OTC packaging to tell you to see a doctor, preferably an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT), if:
Your ear has a birth defect or an unusual shape, or your ear was injured or deformed in an accident
You saw blood, pus, or fluid coming out of your ear in the past 6 months
Your ear feels painful or uncomfortable
You have a lot of ear wax, or you think something could be in your ear
You get really dizzy or have a feeling of spinning or swaying (called vertigo)
Your hearing changed suddenly in the past 6 months
Your hearing changes: it gets worse, then gets better again
You have worse hearing in one ear
You hear ringing or buzzing in only one ear
These can point to medical issues that a hearing aid won't fix, and some of them need prompt attention.
You want it set up for your actual hearing
With OTC, you set things up yourself, usually through an app. That works for some people. But no two hearing losses are exactly alike. With professionally fitted hearing aids, the devices are programmed to your test results. At our office, we also use real-ear measurement at every fitting: a tiny microphone placed in your ear measures exactly what the hearing aids are delivering. Then we fine-tune them to proven targets for soft, average, and loud sounds.
You want help along the way
Getting used to hearing aids takes time. Professional care includes follow-up visits, adjustments as your brain adapts, auditory training, cleanings and repairs, and someone you can call when something doesn't feel right. With OTC, setup and adjustments are mostly up to you.
Get a Hearing Test Before You Choose
Here's what we tell friends and neighbors around Henderson and Green Valley: get a hearing test first, no matter which way you go. Not sure you need one? Here are 5 signs you need a hearing test.
A test tells you whether your loss really is mild to moderate, whether there's a medical issue to rule out, and whether something simple like earwax is part of the problem. If your results show OTC could be a good fit, we'll tell you. (We don't adjust or service OTC devices, but we're glad to test your hearing either way.) If they show you'd do better with prescription hearing aids, we'll explain why in plain English. We fit all the major brands, including Oticon, Starkey, Phonak, ReSound, Signia, Widex, and Unitron, so there's no reason for us to push one product over another.
A hearing test at Ryan's Hearing Center is $45, or $0 with a doctor's referral. If you decide to explore prescription hearing aids, a hearing test within the last six months is required before a hearing aid consultation.
Let's Figure It Out Together
Whether you end up with OTC or professionally fitted hearing aids, the goal is the same: hearing the people and moments that matter to you. Call us at (702) 456-1110 or book a hearing test online. We're locally owned and family-run, and we'll always give you a straight answer.
Sources
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "OTC Hearing Aids: What You Should Know." https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/hearing-aids/otc-hearing-aids-what-you-should-know
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), "Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids." https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/over-counter-hearing-aids
