Remember when you used to be able to get those gallon buckets of ice cream at the supermarket? 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 begin to get a bit more particular. You begin going for the more specialized ice cream: the Haagen-Daaz, the Tillamook, the Ben & Jerry’s. Those smaller containers start to become more enticing.
Still, if you’re hosting a large dinner party, you’re likely to spring for those generic Kemp’s ice cream buckets. Which means that each type of ice cream has its own unique strengths and drawbacks. Generic is good in certain situations, but you may want more specific ice cream in other situations.
Obviously, we’re also discussing hearing aids here. How good are those new over-the-counter hearing aids? Well, much like our ice cream illustration, it depends on what you want to do.
Hearing loss can have significant impacts
Hearing loss can have a considerable impact on your day-to-day experiences. When you have untreated hearing loss, you can experience social solitude, it’s more difficult to carry on even basic conversations, so you avoid situations where you encounter other individuals who might want to talk to you.
Which means you wind up estranged from your friends and family. You even avoid the cashier at the supermarket. It’s not a happy way to live. And as you age, your cognitive faculties can decline faster.
So not only are you missing out on conversations with your loved ones (making birthdays and holidays much less enjoyable, for example), but you have other health issues to worry about too!
Over-the-counter hearing aids – how they work
It isn’t difficult to understand why people would want to go towards hearing aids that can be purchased easily, given the health repercussions of hearing loss.
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 stroll into your local pharmacy. You grab a set of these devices, pay for them, and head home. Once they’re in your ears, they work to boost 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 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 untreated hearing loss.
It’s never been difficult to obtain a prescription hearing aid, but it is a process. And in some cases, that process can keep people away. Over-the-counter hearing aids might not be a bad solution for individuals who just aren’t ready to make the leap. 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 choice lies with the consumer.
How are OTC hearing aids different than prescription hearing aids?
Generally speaking, OTC hearing aids are not quite as powerful, efficient, or personalized as prescription hearing aids. They will also not fit particularly as well, and they won’t be personalized to your needs.
So is there anything helpful or beneficial about OTC hearing aids? There actually can be some advantages to an OTC in certain situations. OTC hearing aids might be the best option if:
- You have no intention of getting your hearing test. (You really should. But we also recognize that some people simply never will.) An OTC hearing aid is generally 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.)
- You keep a set on hand just in case your prescription hearing aids need to go in for repair.
- You have very basic or early-stage hearing loss. For mild cases of hearing loss, these devices will work ok.
It’s pretty common for OTC presets to be pre-programmed when you buy them. Some devices are good for low-frequency hearing loss, others may be effective for high-frequency hearing loss. (This is why it’s good to know more about your own hearing loss before you purchase any hearing aid, OTC or not).
When OTC hearing aids are not a practical solution
So, what are the disadvantages of over-the-counter hearing aids? Will you encounter undesirable effects from OTC hearing aids?
Well every situation won’t call for OTC hearing aids, let’s just say. OTC hearing will not be the ideal option for you if:
- Your hearing aids don’t fit very well. In some cases, you might need something with a custom fit, which is only feasible with a prescription hearing aid.
- You believe OTC hearing aids will save you a lot of money. Well, prescription hearing aids commonly don’t cost much more than OTC hearing aids.
- Is the money you paid really worth it if that OTC hearing aid isn’t effective in treating your hearing loss?
- Exactly which hearing aid to get is still unknown to you: For some people who have hearing loss, the wrong hearing aids can actually harm their ears. (It’s not much different than if you crank your earbuds up to a really loud volume.)
- When you’re in challenging and noisy spaces, 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.
- You have more profound hearing loss. More profound cases of hearing loss will call for 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? In general, if you aren’t a good candidate for OTC hearing aids, you could be wasting some money or making your hearing loss worse.
Consult a hearing specialist either way
For some people, OTC hearing aids will be fine, but for others, prescription hearing aids will be necessary. But either way, scheduling an appointment can help your hearing aids work better.
You will be capable of getting better treatment once you understand 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 situation.
Similarly, we can help you better adjust to a new pair of hearing aids, and get the most out of the technology.
If you think you have hearing loss and want to see if OTC hearing aids are the right choice for you, make an appointment with us today.
