Do you recall those gallon buckets of ice cream you used to find at grocery stores? As a kid, they were the best thing ever because they offered an entire gallon of ice cream, that’s a lot of frozen custard and high-fructose corn syrup!
But you start to become more specific in your taste as you get older. Your ice cream preferences become more specialized and you have a tendency to go for your favorite brand. All of a sudden, those smaller containers are the ones that are enticing.
But you will probably still opt for that big bucket if you’re having a big dinner party. There are pros and cons to each choice. Generic is good in certain circumstances, but you may want more specialized ice cream in other situations.
Of course, we’re also discussing hearing aids here. How good are those new over-the-counter hearing aids? Well, much like our ice cream example, it depends on what you want to do.
Hearing loss can have significant impacts
Your day-to-day life can be significantly effected by hearing loss. Social isolation that often comes along with hearing loss can cause you to abstain from having conversations because you can’t hear what others are saying.
This can make you feel removed from your family and friends. You even avoid the cashier at the grocery store. It isn’t a happy way to live. And it can lead to a faster mental decline as you get older.
So not only are you missing out on conversations with your loved ones (making birthdays and holidays much less fun, for example), but you have other health problems to worry about also!
Over-the-counter hearing aids – how they work
Given the damage that hearing loss can cause, it’s easy to see the attraction of hearing aids that are easy to purchase.
Convenience is the very nature of the attraction 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 going home right after you pick up and pay for these devices. Once you put them in, they function to amplify the sound around you.
This can have a profoundly positive impact on your life.
In some instances over-the-counter hearing aids can work
In 2022 the Food and Drug Administration changed some rules about the sale of hearing aids that allowed stores including pharmacies to sell them. The thinking was that if hearing aids were more conveniently available, you’d wind up with fewer people who had neglected hearing loss.
It’s never been difficult to get a prescription hearing aid, but it is a process. Many people, sadly, feel intimidated by this process so they stay away from it. For people who aren’t quite ready to make that leap, over-the-counter hearing aids may be a good option. But prescription hearing aids were not meant to be replaced by over-the-counter models.
But this means that some of the burden of recognizing when over-the-counter hearing aids are or aren’t the best option lies with the consumer.
What’s the essential difference between over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids?
As a general rule, prescription hearing aids are more powerful and have much more personalized functions than OTC 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 any good at all? There actually can be some advantages to an OTC in particular situations. An OTC hearing aid may work best for you if:
- Your hearing loss is in the early stages and is very simple. These devices are great for very mild or moderate hearing loss.
- You want a spare set in case of emergencies.
- You have no plan to get your hearing assessed. (You absolutely should. But we also acknowledge that some individuals just never will.) Usually, using an OTC hearing aid will be better than using no hearing aid.
- Your hearing specialist is recommending an OTC. (Hopefully, your hearing specialist will even recommend which style or type, and what settings will perform most optimally.)
Typically, OTC hearing aids are sold with specific presets already in place. If your hearing loss is in the lower frequencies, some types will be best and if you have high-frequency hearing loss other models will be the best option. (So before you buy 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 solution
So are there downsides to OTC hearing aids? Will you experience unwanted effects from OTC hearing aids?
Well, let’s just say that OTC hearing aids aren’t a great fit for everybody in every situation. In general, OTC hearing aids may not be the right solution for you if:
- You don’t know exactly which hearing aid to purchase: For some individuals with hearing loss, the wrong hearing aids can actually harm their ears. (It’s not a lot different than if you turn your earbuds up to a really loud volume.)
- You’re only thinking about OTC hearing aids because you think they cost a lot less. OTC hearing aids are usually almost as expensive as their prescription-only alternative.
- Your hearing loss has progressed to a fairly profound stage. While OTC hearing aids can be good for less significant hearing loss, severe hearing loss will require something more powerful and more sophisticated.
- 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. A custom fit is sometimes necessary for some individuals and OTC hearing aids don’t allow this.
- When you’re in challenging and noisy settings, you need to be able to hear. Depending on what settings you need to hear in and precisely what you’re listening to, prescription hearing aids can be customized for those situations.
Are there any dangers that come with OTC hearing aids? Generally speaking, if you aren’t a good fit for OTC hearing aids, you could be throwing some money away or making your hearing loss worse.
Consult a hearing specialist either way
For some people, OTC hearing aids will be okay, but for others, prescription hearing aids will be appropriate. But either way, making an appointment can help your hearing aids work better.
That’s because understanding more about your hearing loss will help you find a better treatment. Whether your hearing loss calls for prescription hearing aids or OTC hearing aids, we can help you get the best treatment for your circumstance.
We can also help you get the most out of your new technology.
If you think you have hearing loss and want to find out if OTC hearing aids are right for you, make an appointment with us today.