Do you remember those gallon buckets of ice cream you used to get at supermarkets? As a kid, they were awesome because they promised a whole gallon of ice cream, that’s a lot of frozen custard and high-fructose corn syrup!
But as you get older, you start to get a little more particular. You start opting for the more specialized ice cream: the Haagen-Daaz, the Tillamook, the Ben & Jerry’s. Those little containers begin to become more appealing.
But you will probably still go for that big bucket if you’re hosting a large dinner party. Which means that each type of ice cream has its own unique strengths and drawbacks. In some circumstances, you will want to go for the specialized selection, and in others, the generic will be a better solution.
This same mentality also pertains to hearing aids. Are new over-the-counter hearing aids any good? Well, much like our ice cream example, it depends on what you want to do.
There can be real detrimental effects from hearing loss
Your day-to-day life can be significantly effected by hearing loss. When you have untreated hearing loss, you can encounter social isolation, it’s more difficult to have even simple conversations, so you steer clear of situations where you encounter other individuals who may want to speak with you.
This can make you feel distant from your friends and family. You even steer clear of the cashier at the grocery store. It’s not a happy way to live. And it can bring about a faster cognitive decline as you age.
So it isn’t just that you can’t hear what your friends and family are saying, but you could also be enhancing your chances of other potentially severe health issues.
How do over-the-counter hearing aids function?
Given the damage that hearing loss can lead to, it’s not hard to see the appeal of hearing aids that are easy to buy.
Convenience is the very nature of the attraction of over-the-counter hearing aids. You simply walk into your local pharmacy and you never have to schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist. You’re going home as soon as you get and pay for these devices. Once they’re in your ears, they work to amplify the sound around you.
This can have a profoundly positive affect on your life.
In some situations over-the-counter hearing aids can work
Over-the-counter hearing aids began appearing on store shelves in late 2022 after the Food and Drug Administration made rule changes that allowed for their wider distribution. The rule change focused on getting hearing aids to more individuals who really need them for their neglected hearing loss.
It’s never been difficult to obtain a prescription hearing aid, but it is a process. Many people, unfortunately, feel intimidated by this process so they stay away from it. Over-the-counter hearing aids may not be a bad choice for people who just aren’t ready to make the leap. But over-the-counter hearing aids were never manufactured to take the place of their prescription counterparts.
But this means that some of the burden of understanding when over-the-counter hearing aids are or aren’t the appropriate option lies with the consumer.
What’s the essential difference between over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids?
In general, OTC hearing aids are not quite as powerful, efficient, or customizable as prescription hearing aids. They won’t be personalized to your particular needs and they won’t fit as well.
So, are over-the-counter hearing aids worthwhile at all? There actually can be some benefits to an OTC in particular circumstances. OTC hearing aids may be the best choice if:
- You have no plan to get your hearing test. (Some individuals never will, even though they definitely should.) An OTC hearing aid is generally better than no hearing aid at all.
- You’ve checked with your hearing specialist, and they recommend using an OTC hearing aid. (Hopefully, your hearing specialist will even recommend which style or type, and what settings will work best.)
- You keep a pair on hand just in case your prescription hearing aids need to go in for repair.
- You have really basic or early-stage hearing loss. These devices are good for very mild or moderate hearing loss.
Usually, OTC hearing aids are sold with specific presets already in place. If your hearing loss is in the lower wavelengths, some types will be the right choice and if you have high-frequency hearing loss other models will be the best option. (This is why it’s good to understand more about your own hearing loss before you buy any hearing aid, OTC or not).
When OTC hearing aids are not a good fit
So are there negative aspects to OTC hearing aids? Are there adverse side effects of over-the-counter hearing aids?
Well, let’s just say that OTC hearing aids aren’t a good fit for everyone in every circumstance. In general, OTC hearing aids might not be the right solution for you if:
- Your hearing loss has advanced to a fairly profound stage. While OTC hearing aids can be helpful for mild and moderate hearing loss, severe hearing loss will require something more powerful and more refined.
- Is the money you spent really worth it if that OTC hearing aid isn’t effective in treating your hearing loss?
- OTC hearing aids are not custom fit the way you might need them to be. Sometimes, you may require something with a custom fit, which is only feasible with a prescription hearing aid.
- You’re only considering OTC hearing aids because of perceived cost savings. Well, prescription hearing aids commonly don’t cost a great deal more than OTC hearing aids.
- You need to hear in complex or noisy settings. Depending on what settings you need to hear in and precisely what you’re listening to, prescription hearing aids can be personalized for those situations.
- Exactly which hearing aid to get is still unknown to you: For some individuals who have hearing loss, the wrong hearing aids can actually harm their ears. (It’s like the equivalent of using really loud earbuds.)
Are there any risks 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 specific hearing loss.
Either way, you should consult a hearing specialist
For some individuals, OTC hearing aids will be fine, but for others, prescription hearing aids will be necessary. Whichever decision is best for your situation, your hearing aids will work better after you have an appointment with us.
You will be capable of getting better treatment when you understand more about your hearing loss. We can help guide you toward the best hearing aid for your symptoms, whether it’s OTC or prescription.
Similarly, 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 figure out what hearing aid type is best for you.
