Today, a staggering 48 million Americans suffer from some level or degree of hearing loss. And the impacts of hearing loss extend far beyond auditory concerns. In fact, those with varying degrees of hearing loss report negative impacts on almost every other facet of life.
Yet, most who suffer from hearing loss tend to wait or put off visiting an experienced audiologist’s office for around seven years. As such, only one out of every five people who have hearing loss and would benefit from hearing aids actually use one.
Fortunately, the hearing loss and hearing aid experts at North Shore Hearing P.C. can help. We offer a vast array of customizable hearing aid and hearing loss solutions. However, the first step is to have a hearing evaluation or hearing exam.
Once you have your hearing loss diagnosed, this accurate diagnosis will be used to prescribe personalized, specially-tuned prescription hearing aids. As of late, however, a growing number of people are tuning in to the chatter around over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids instead.
While OTC hearing aids are creating excitement, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of these new devices as well as how they compare to prescription hearing aids.
To assist, North Shore Hearing P.C. has created a simple, but comprehensive analysis of prescription hearing aids vs otc hearing aids. Read on to learn more about the similarities and key differences between prescription hearing aids vs otc hearing aids.
And for immediate assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the hearing aid specialists at North Shore Hearing P.C.
What Is an OTC Hearing Aid?
OTC hearing aids are a new category of hearing aid assistance that allows consumers to purchase directly without having to visit an audiologist or hearing healthcare professional. While prescription hearing aids are engineered and tailored specially for your level of hearing loss, the OTC hearing aid is more generic.
Similar to traditional prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids are designed to make sounds louder to help those with varying degrees of hearing loss be able to better communicate, listen, and participate in daily life.
Currently, the actual design of the OTC hearing aid is unknown. Whether it will fit in the ear canal or over the ear is still unknown.
The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017
If you know you suffer from hearing loss but the price of traditional hearing aids has been a hindrance, you’re not alone. Congress recently passed the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 that authorized OTC hearing aids for those who suffer from mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
This FDA reauthorization act is poised to counteract high healthcare costs and make hearing medical devices more available to tens of millions of people. As a top public health priority, these OTC devices can lead to better hearing for some people who suffer from hearing loss.
Unlike prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids will be sold directly to consumers through online or physical stores. And with OTC hearing aids, you will not need a fitting by an audiologist or a medical exam.
The goal is to increase the availability and competition in the market for hearing aids to make them more accessible and affordable. As experts, however, we know that hearing aids are not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Each individual’s hearing aids should be fine tuned to your specific needs. Unfortunately, OTC hearing aids will completely lack this facet.
Can I Get OTC Hearing Aids Today?
As of June 2022, the FDA’s suggested rules around OTC hearing aids haven’t been finalized. This means that as of July 2022, the OTC hearing aid isn’t available.
Because the OTC hearing aid isn’t available, it’s not exactly clear how the generic hearing aids will differ from prescription hearing aids.
Proposed FDA Regulations for OTC Hearing Aids
If passed, the new rule would specifically address the cost of prescription devices for those with hearing problems. The proposed regulations are designed for adults 18 and older with hearing problems and hearing issues that are considered “mild-to-moderate hearing loss.”
Head-to-Head Analysis: Prescription Hearing Aids vs Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
As we previously mentioned, over-the-counter hearing aids are not currently available. However, we do know a few similarities and differences between the two types of hearing aids.
Here are a few things we do know about how over-the-counter hearing aids compare to hearing aids prescribed by an audiologist.
Similarities Between Prescription and Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
One of the key similarities between prescription and OTC hearing aids is the purpose. Both of these hearing aids are designed to help those who may suffer from moderate hearing loss or even untreated hearing loss. However, if you suffer from severe hearing loss, OTC hearing aids are not designed to treat this degree.
Who Can Prescribe Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids vs Prescription Hearing Aids
While both devices are designed to treat hearing loss, one of the key differences is how you can procure them. OTC hearing aids will be available to you directly in stores and online.
In contrast, to receive prescription hearing aids, you have to visit hearing health professionals, such as:
- Otolaryngologist
- Audiologists
- Hearing Aid specialist
Who Will Fit an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid vs Prescription Hearing Aid?
The fitting of a hearing is imperative to anyone with hearing loss. Why? Because if the hearing aid isn’t comfortable or is poorly fitting over the ear or in the ear canal, the wearer will be less likely to wear them.
And this could have negative implications for the individual’s hearing loss. As such, with prescription hearing aids, you will be fitted by a hearing health professional.
In addition, the hearing health professional will adjust the prescription hearing aid based on your level of hearing loss as well as provide additional services.
In contrast, you must fit OTC hearing devices yourself. Most publications suggest that OTC hearing devices may offer you additional controls that wearers of prescription hearing aids may not have.
Who Are Best Suited for OTC vs Prescription Hearing Technology
The wonder of prescription hearing aids is they can be adjusted and designed for virtually any level of hearing loss. Whether you have severe hearing loss, mild-to-moderate hearing loss, or mild hearing loss, your prescription device will be tailored to your unique needs.
On the other hand, OTC devices are not meant for adults or children who may have severe hearing loss or have significant hearing loss and substantial trouble hearing. OTC hearing aids may not be suitable for those with more severe hearing loss because the devices may not be able to amplify sounds at levels high enough for you to hear.
Professional Assistance with Prescription Hearing Aids vs OTC Hearing Aids
Most importantly, when you have prescription hearing aids, you will be under the guidance and expertise of a seasoned, highly-trained audiological doctor. With North Shore Hearing P.C.’s hearing aids, we will be with you every step of the way.
From the initial hearing test to fine-tuning your hearing aids to your liking, we will remove the burden and make it as easy and hassle-free as possible. Unfortunately, when you choose OTC hearing aids, you’re not even required to have an in-person hearing test or an online hearing test.
And the lack of even simple online hearing tests makes it almost impossible to diagnose hearing loss accurately and assign a suitable solution that works.
Can Children Get OTC Hearing Aids?
No. If the OTC hearing aid proposed rule was passed in the current form, it would not include children. Legislators have yet to develop regulations for children, and they would still need prescription devices.
FDA Draft Guidance
Here are a few key points from the FDA-released draft guidance
Designed to Reduce the Cost of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids would be sold online or in traditional brick-and-mortar stores instead of specialty retail outlets or audiologists’ offices. The goal of the regulation would be to make hearing care and hearing aids more available by potentially reducing the costs of hearing aids in the hearing aid market.
State Laws Would Need to Be Adjusted
State regulations of hearing aid devices would need to be altered to fall in line with federal regulatory changes.
OTC Hearing Aids Would Have Volume Limits
All OTC hearing devices will be subject to limits to manage how high the volume of the device could be set. There would also be mandatory adjustment requirements in terms of device design and performance.
These limits would be established to improve the quality of hearing healthcare and reduce the likelihood of causing damage to the auditory nerve.
Who Are Not Candidates for OTC Hearing Aids and Personal Sound Amplification Products?
If you tend to miss loud sounds — like cars honking — or have problems hearing conversations when background noise isn’t prevalent, your hearing loss may be more severe than what OTC hearing aids can address.
According to the National Institutes of Health, another sign that OTC hearing aids may not be suitable include that you have a hard time hearing public building announcements. In either case, you should see a doctor or hearing specialist if:
- You notice a big difference in hearing abilities in one ear or the other
- You experience sudden and sporadic hearing loss
- You notice a significant plunge in your ability to hear
- You experience tinnitus or ringing in only one ear
Contact North Shore Hearing P. C. for the Best Hearing Aids
At North Shore Hearing P.C., we are excited that the federal government is focused on making hearing health care more affordable. While OTC hearing aids may be a suitable option for some, a tailored, specialized approach is proven to be more effective for most.
According to a recent study, wearers of “premium” prescription hearing aids experience the highest level of satisfaction. This satisfaction can be attributed to everything associated with a personalized, fine-tuned pair of hearing aids, including:
- Comfort,
- How the hearing aids process sounds
- The way the hearing aids handles background noise, and
- How well users can hear speech in group settings.
However, these key differentiators of prescription hearing aids are available because of the advanced technology and the tailored approach in which the technology is fine-tuned to you. Unfortunately, most experts do not expect OTC hearing aids to be as sophisticated.
Want to learn more about your hearing aid options? Contact North Shore Hearing P.C.
