Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids vs. Prescription Hearing Aids
As the FDA rule, the Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are a new category of hearing aids that consumers can buy directly, without visiting a hearing health professional. These OTC hearing aids devices are intended to help adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
And the prescription hearing aids are ordered by an audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist who has tested your hearing using advanced diagnostic tools.
You should to know more about it :Over-the-Counter HearingAids vs. Prescription Hearing Aids
1. OTC Hearing Aids have less expensive
Both Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and prescription hearing aids are regulated as medical devices by the FDA, but OTC hearing aids are less expensive and easier to buy than prescription hearing aids for a number of reasons.
Moreover,the payment cost is the mostly main difference between prescription hearing aids and over-the-counter hearing aids.
according to official statistic,the average price for a pair of prescription hearing aids is $4,600, but the OTC hearing aids will hopefully cost much less. The prescription Hearing aids are a major expense. While The best Earsmate OTC hearing aids are getting less expensive online store( www.emhearingaid.com ), ranging in price from $69–$199 per pair which will be a small investment as the cost of a dinner.
2.Hearing loss level and lifestyle
Another difference between prescription hearing aids and over-the-counter hearing aids is in how the hearing aids will treat your exact hearing deficiencies and lifestyle.
The prescription hearing aids can be fit to all ages and all levels of hearing loss, whereas over-the-counter hearing aids are for mild to moderate hearing loss only. An audiologist can help program and fine-tune prescription hearing aids to better suit your hearing needs.And the over-the-counter hearing aid does not involve professional care at all.
3.Where you can get the devices
The third glaring difference is where you can obtain them from.
Buy from an audiologist: A prescription hearing aid is recommended or prescribed by a licensed audiologist based upon the results of your diagnostic audiological evaluation.
Buy anywhere : An over-the-counter hearing aid can be purchased at many different retail settings, with no documentation of hearing loss or advice from a hearing healthcare professional, such as the over the counter at pharmacies, various retail hearing aid online stores and even certain hearing care clinics.
4.Hearing aids type and size
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids: There are behind-the-ear and in-ear options, but no custom-fit styles.
Prescription hearing aids: There are assorted styles, sizes and options to fit the wearer's lifestyle, including custom-fit.
Who are Over-the-counter hearing aids for?
OTC hearing aids are for adults (18 and older) who believe they have mild to moderate hearing loss, even if they have not had a hearing exam. You might have mild to moderate hearing loss if, for example:
Speech or other sounds seem muffled.
You have trouble hearing when you’re in a group, in a noisy area, on the phone, or when you can’t see who is talking.
You have to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly, to talk louder, or to repeat what they said.
You turn up the volume higher than other people prefer when watching TV or listening to the radio or music.
CONCLUSION
OTC hearing aids are limited in the level of personalized care provided, compared to expensive prescription hearing aids, and they can’t treat all levels of hearing loss or hearing-related medical conditions since they are only approved for mild to moderate hearing loss.
But the lower prices and easier buying process offered by OTC hearing aid manufacturers is a big step forward in allowing more Americans the opportunity to get the help they need.
