Remember when you used to be able to get those gallon buckets of ice cream at the grocery store? As a kid, they were awesome because they offered an entire gallon of ice cream, that’s a lot of frozen custard and high-fructose corn syrup!
But you begin to become more specific in your taste as you mature. Your ice cream tastes get more specialized and you tend to opt 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 hosting a big dinner party. Which means that each type of ice cream has its own unique strengths and drawbacks. Generic is good in some situations, but you may want more specialized ice cream in other situations.
Of course, we’re also talking about hearing aids here. How effective are those new over-the-counter hearing aids? Well, it’s much like that ice cream: it depends on what your plans are.
Hearing loss can have serious impacts
Hearing loss can have a considerable effect on your everyday experiences. When you have untreated hearing loss, you can encounter social isolation, it’s harder to carry on even simple conversations, so you steer clear of situations where you confront other individuals who might want to speak with you.
Which means you wind up estranged from your family and friends. You even avoid the cashier at the supermarket. It’s lonely. And as you get older, your mental faculties can deteriorate faster.
So it isn’t 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 issues.
Over-the-counter hearing aids – how they work
It’s not hard to understand why individuals would want to go towards hearing aids that can be obtained easily, given the health consequences of hearing loss.
Convenience is the very nature of the appeal of over-the-counter hearing aids. Instead of going to consult a hearing specialist and getting fitted for hearing aids, you just go into your local pharmacy. You grab a pair of these devices, pay for them, and head home. They essentially amplify all of the sound around you.
This can have a profoundly positive impact on your life.
In some cases over-the-counter hearing aids can do the job
In 2022 the Food and Drug Administration changed some rules about the distribution of hearing aids that allowed stores like pharmacies to sell them. The rule change aimed at getting hearing aids to more people who really need them for their untreated hearing loss.
It’s never been difficult to purchase a prescription hearing aid, but it is a process. Many people, regrettably, 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 can be a good alternative. But over-the-counter hearing aids were never designed to replace their prescription counterparts.
Regrettably, this means that individuals now bear some of the burden of determining when OTC hearing aids are a good fit (and when they aren’t).
How are OTC hearing aids different than prescription hearing aids?
As a general rule, prescription hearing aids are more powerful and have a lot more personalized features than OTC hearing aids. They will also not fit quite as well, and they won’t be personalized to your needs.
So, are over-the-counter hearing aids any good at all? Well, yes, in specific circumstances. An OTC hearing aid may work best for you if:
- You keep a set around just in case your prescription hearing aids need to go in for repair.
- Your hearing specialist is suggesting an OTC. (Hopefully, your hearing specialist will even recommend which style or type, and what settings will perform most optimally.)
- You have really basic or early-stage hearing loss. These devices are good for really mild or moderate hearing loss.
- You have no intention of getting your hearing test. (Some people never will, even though they absolutely should.) An OTC hearing aid is typically better than no hearing aid at all.
It’s fairly typical for OTC presets to be pre-programmed when you get them. If your hearing loss is in the lower frequencies, some models will be the right choice and if you have high-frequency hearing loss other designs will be the best choice. (This is why it’s good to know more about your own hearing loss before you buy any hearing aid, OTC or not).
OTC hearing aids are frequently not the ideal choice
So are there negative aspects to OTC hearing aids? Are there adverse side effects of over-the-counter hearing aids?
Well every situation won’t call for OTC hearing aids, let’s just say. OTC hearing won’t be the best option for you if:
- Your hearing aids don’t fit very well. In some cases, you may require something with a custom fit, which is only feasible with a prescription hearing aid.
- You’re only thinking about OTC hearing aids because you think they cost a lot less. OTC hearing aids are often almost as costly as their prescription-only counterparts.
- You don’t know precisely which hearing aid to buy: For some people who have hearing loss, the wrong hearing aids can actually damage their ears. (It’s not a lot different than if you crank your earbuds up to a really loud volume.)
- When you’re in complex and noisy settings, you need to be able to hear. Most prescription hearing aids can be customized depending on what you need to hear and where you need to hear it.
- Is the money you spent really worth it if that OTC hearing aid isn’t effective in treating your hearing loss?
- Your hearing loss has advanced to a fairly severe stage. More severe cases of hearing loss will require a more powerful prescription hearing aid while minor cases may do fine with OTC hearing aids.
Are there any dangers that come with OTC hearing aids? Generally speaking, if you aren’t a good candidate for OTC hearing aids, you could be wasting some money or making your hearing loss worse.
Either way, you should consult a hearing specialist
OTC hearing aids are suitable for some individuals and prescription hearing aids are the best choice for others. But either way, scheduling an appointment can help your hearing aids work better.
You will be able to get better treatment once you know more about your hearing loss. Whether your hearing loss requires prescription hearing aids or OTC hearing aids, we can help you get the best treatment for your circumstance.
Similarly, we can help you better adjust to a new set of hearing aids, and get the most out of the technology.
If you believe you have hearing loss and want to see if OTC hearing aids are the right choice for you, make an appointment with us today.
