Do you recall those gallon buckets of ice cream you used to get at supermarkets? An entire gallon of ice cream, yum!
But as you grow up, you begin to get a little more specific. You start going for the more specialized ice cream: the Haagen-Daaz, the Tillamook, the Ben & Jerry’s. All of a sudden, those smaller containers are the ones that are enticing.
Still, if you’re hosting a big dinner party, you’re likely to go for those generic Kemp’s ice cream buckets. There are pros and cons to each choice. In some situations, you will want to go with the specialized selection, and in others, the generic will be the best choice.
This same mentality also applies to hearing aids. Are new over-the-counter hearing aids any good? Well, it’s a lot like that ice cream: it depends on what your goals are.
Hearing loss can have significant impacts
Your daily life can be seriously impacted by hearing loss. Social isolation that frequently comes along with hearing loss can cause you to avoid having conversations because you can’t hear what people are saying.
Which means you find yourself estranged from your friends and family. When you go to the supermarket you use self-checkout so you can avoid the cashiers. It’s lonely. And as you get older, your mental faculties can deteriorate faster.
So it’s not just that you’re unable to hear what your friends and family are saying, but you could also be increasing your risk of other potentially serious health problems.
Over-the-counter hearing aids – how they function
Given the damage that hearing loss can cause, it’s easy to see the attraction of hearing aids that are easy to get.
Convenience is the very nature of the appeal of over-the-counter hearing aids. Instead of going to see a hearing specialist and getting fitted for hearing aids, you just go into your local pharmacy. You’re on your way home right after you pick up and pay for these devices. They essentially amplify all of the sound around you.
Your life can be greatly and positively impacted by this.
In some situations over-the-counter hearing aids can do the job
Over-the-counter hearing aids began appearing on store shelves in late 2022 after the Food and Drug Administration made some changes to certain rules that allowed for their broader distribution. The rule change aimed at getting hearing aids to more people who really need them for their untreated hearing loss.
You’ve always had to go through a bit of a process to get prescription hearing aids. And in some cases, that process can cause people to stay away. Over-the-counter hearing aids may not be a bad solution for people who just aren’t ready to deal with the process. But prescription hearing aids were never meant to be replaced by over-the-counter models.
But this means that some of the burden of understanding when over-the-counter hearing aids are or aren’t the best choice lies with the individual.
How are OTC hearing aids different from prescription hearing aids?
In general, OTC hearing aids aren’t quite as powerful, efficient, or personalized as prescription hearing aids. They won’t be personalized to your specific needs and they won’t fit as well.
So is there anything useful or beneficial about OTC hearing aids? Well, yes, in specific circumstances. An OTC hearing aid might work best for you if:
- You want a spare pair in case of emergencies.
- You have no plan to get your hearing checked. (Some individuals never will, even though they definitely should.) An OTC hearing aid is typically better than no hearing aid at all.
- Your hearing specialist is recommending an OTC. (Hopefully, your hearing specialist will even advise which style or type, and what settings will work best.)
- Your hearing loss is in the early phases and is very simple. These devices are great for very mild or moderate hearing loss.
Usually, OTC hearing aids are sold with certain presets already programmed in. Some types are good for low-frequency hearing loss, others might be good for high-frequency hearing loss. (So before you invest in a hearing aid, you should certainly get a better idea of your level and type of hearing loss.).
When OTC hearing aids are not a good fit
So, what are the drawbacks to over-the-counter hearing aids? Will you encounter unwanted effects from OTC hearing aids?
Well, let’s just say that OTC hearing aids aren’t a good fit for everyone in every circumstance. OTC hearing will not be the best choice for you if:
- You think OTC hearing aids will save you a lot of money. OTC hearing aids are frequently nearly as expensive as their prescription-only alternative.
- Exactly which hearing aid to get is still uncertain to you: For some people who have hearing loss, the wrong hearing aids can actually harm their ears. (It’s comparable to wearing really loud earbuds.)
- Is the money you spent really worth it if that OTC hearing aid isn’t effective in treating your hearing loss?
- OTC hearing aids aren’t custom fit the way you might need them to be. Sometimes, you might need something with a custom fit, which is only feasible with a prescription hearing aid.
- You have more profound hearing loss. While OTC hearing aids can be good for less significant hearing loss, severe hearing loss will require something more powerful and more sophisticated.
- You need to hear in complex or noisy environments. Depending on what settings you need to hear in and exactly what you’re listening to, prescription hearing aids can be personalized for those situations.
Are there any dangers that come with OTC hearing aids? You could be wasting good money and doing more damage to your ears by using OTC hearing aids if they’re not the best solution for your distinct hearing loss.
Either way, you should consult a hearing specialist
For some individuals, OTC hearing aids will be okay, but for others, prescription hearing aids will be appropriate. But either way, scheduling an appointment can help your hearing aids work better.
You will be able to get better treatment once you understand more about your hearing loss. Whether your hearing loss calls for prescription hearing aids or OTC hearing aids, we can help you get the best treatment for your situation.
In the same way, we can help you better adapt to a new set of hearing aids, and get the most out of the technology.
Schedule an appointment with us so we can help you find out what hearing aid type is right for you.