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OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) HEARING AIDS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Adrian Roberts, M.D. and Erin Lackinger, Au.D., Tallahassee Ear, Nose & Throat, P.A. and Audiology Associates of North Florida

You’ve likely seen headlines proclaiming easier access and lower cost for hearing aids since the FDA passed legislation in

Adrian August approving hearing aids over-Roberts, M.D. the-counter (OTC). Hearing aids can now be purchased in pharmacies, stores, and online. And while it is true that OTC hearing aids will be a good solution for some people, there is more to the story than what the headlines would suggest. Success with hearing aids depends on many factors. Below we will outline considerations to help your patient navigate their best path to better hearing.

Erin Lackinger, Au.D.

First, let’s summarize who should NOT get OTC hearing aids:

Severe to profound hearing loss

OTC hearing aids are intended by the FDA for patients with no worse than perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Patients are not often the best judge of their own hearing loss; therefore, it is recommended that anyone considering hearing aids begin with a professional evaluation with an audiologist to determine what they are a candidate for.

Children and teens

OTC aids are intended for adults. Children and teens have special considerations and must be fit by an audiologist.

Unilateral or asymmetric hearing loss

These patients should be assessed by an audiologist and ENT to rule out other medical conditions. There are specialized hearing aids that offer features not available in OTC devices for this type of hearing loss.

Sudden onset hearing loss

Anyone with sudden onset hearing loss should seek immediate advice from an ENT. The best outcomes for sudden loss are when treatment is started quickly. Let’s look at the type of patient who could benefit most from OTC hearing aids.

Situational hearing loss

The ideal OTC candidate is someone with minimal hearing loss who feels they only need hearing help occasionally, not all the time.

Tech Savvy

OTC devices will be self-fitting meaning that the user will control the programming and volume settings of their aids. For most devices, this will be done through an app on their phone. The successful OTC user is tech savvy and comfortable wading through the technology and style options to find the best device for them.

Independent users who do not require ongoing skilled care

The OTC user will need to be able to keep their hearing aids clean, learn how to change the battery or recharge their aids, and be able to insert the devices correctly into their ears without the benefit of professional in-person instruction or ongoing support and care.

In summary, there is a place for OTC hearing aids in the market and we applaud all efforts to bring awareness to the successful treatment of hearing loss. However, OTC hearing aids are not going to be the solution for every patient. Cost of OTC devices is going to be around $1,000 for a pair, and may not come with a trial period for return or warranties in case of loss (benefits that come with all prescription level hearing aids).

The best first step is to start with a professional hearing evaluation, which is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. Patients can also look to reliable sources of information such as the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) (https://www.entnet.org/) and the American Academy of Audiology (https://www.audiology.org/).