Are Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Worth the Money?
Over-the-counter hearing aids are now available to buy in Kansas City since Oct. 17, 2022. Making these devices more accessible and affordable is a step in the right direction, however consumers should be aware of both the benefits and potential drawbacks. To help you make an informed decision, the experts at KC Elder Law have put together a list of pros and cons.
Benefits of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Americans can now purchase hearing aids online or with a one-stop trip to the nearest pharmacy or big-box store.
- Approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, but only 1 in 5 people who would benefit from a hearing aid uses one. Being able to purchase hearing aids over should encourage more people to seek the help they need.
- These devices could provide a solution to untreated hearing loss, which has been shown to lead to isolation and serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, dementia, reduced mobility, and falls.
- Over-the-counter devices come at a lower cost, making them a more accessible option for patients with hearing loss. Estimates from The White House show that people could save as much as $3,000 when they buy their hearing aids over the counter instead.
- A prescription is no longer needed, which means no more time-consuming visits to the doctor, or having to schedule a fitting appointment with a hearing specialist.
Limitations of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid
Not all hearing loss is the same. With over-the-counter hearing aids no longer requiring a formal hearing test and assessment, this shortcut approach may not be right for all.
There’s no doubt that circumventing a trip to the hearing specialists will save time. However, otolaryngologists and audiologists are trained to identify the exact type of hearing loss each patient is experiencing, and provide medical advice tailored to each unique case.
- Patients may unknowingly have a chronic infection or condition that requires medical or surgical intervention, rather than an over-the-counter hearing aid.
- Some patients may be a candidate for surgical correction of their hearing loss.
- People with hearing loss in one ear, or a significant difference in hearing between the two ears may have a benign growth on the hearing and balance nerve. The solution for this often requires surgery or radiation treatment, not a hearing aid.
Consumers will need to know the difference between hearing aids and personal sound amplification products (or PSAPs). Both can currently be bought over-the-counter, aimed at those with normal hearing who want to amplify sounds, such as hunters, rather than those with hearing loss.
Over-the-counter hearing aids are only suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Finally, even for those who may benefit from an over-the-counter device, unfortunately one size does not fit all, so not every hearing aid fits every ear.
The Verdict
Newly available over-the-counter hearing aids could be a real game-changer and cost-effective solution – for the right patients. But buyer beware they are not the cure for all hearing problems. Not all customers will be suitable for or satisfied with over-the-counter hearing aids – a visit to the doctor or audiologist is still worthwhile to ensure you find the right solution for your needs.