Are Over the Counter hearing aids right for you? Pros & Cons

Just one in five Americans who experience hearing loss wear a hearing aid, according to the National Institutes of Health. Yet not wearing a hearing aid can increase your chances of developing depression or dementia, and can even lead to falls. There is also the social impact and associated health risks of being less active. One of the key barriers to people getting a hearing aid can be due to cost. Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids and neither does most health insurance plans. Direct to consumer, mail order, or personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs)  are a way that some people get around the cost, but are they the right choice for you?

DTC  hearing aids are available to buy and fit yourself without seeing a hearing care professional. They are often less expensive than traditional professionally fitted hearing aids. However, they may not be appropriate for all types of hearing loss and some of the devices currently on sale are not technically classed as hearing aids but hearing amplifiers. While new FDA legislation on the sale of OTC hearing aids will widened the market, there will be pros and cons to buying over the counter hearing aids much the same as noted with DTC hearing aids.

• Professional hearing aids cost from $1,000 to $4,000, while the price of DTC hearing aids can range from less than $10 up to $1,000
• You avoid paying for features you don’t need
• DTC hearing aids are quick and easily accessible if you have mild to moderate hearing loss
• No need to book multiple appointments, and you can have your hearing devices in just a few days

• Over the counter hearing aids will not have been molded specifically to fit your ear and may feel uncomfortable
• It’s unlikely you will receive specialist support and advice to ensure you choose the best hearing aids for your type of hearing loss and lifestyle
• You may not be given the same guarantees and warranties
• An OTC hearing aid may not be the quality you need to provide you with a good hearing experience

Before you buy an DTC hearing aid, it’s a good idea to see a hearing care professional for a hearing evaluation to see whether a hearing aid would benefit you. Hearing loss can sometimes be caused by a build-up of earwax, a benign growth or tumor. You must know for sure just what is causing your hearing loss before you invest in a hearing aid. Failing to do so could risk any underlying condition you have going untreated indefinitely.

Buying a professionally fitted hearing aid will provide you with many benefits. However, DTC hearing aids shouldn’t be entirely overlooked as they do offer their own advantages such as reduced costs and a more streamlined process. They are most suited to people with a mild to moderate hearing loss. Anyone with a severe or profound hearing loss must see a hearing care professional and have professional hearing aids fitted. But wherever you buy your hearing aids, make sure you choose a reputable company.

Before you commit to buying your hearing aids, check out the company’s customer reviews and consider asking the following important questions.

• Do the hearing aids come with any warranties or guarantees?
• Is there a trial period so I can try them first?
• What happens if they don’t work as expected or they break?
• Is there any aftercare available?
• Can I expect to receive any help with choosing the hearing aids?
• How do I clean the hearing aids?
• How do I replace the battery or charge them?

Good-quality hearing aids can have a huge impact on the quality of your life. Over the Counter/Direct to Consumer hearing aids have their pros and cons, so consider if they're right for you, then book a hearing test with a licensed professional.