Over-the-counter Hearing Aids What You Need To Know ?
What are Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids?
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids were implemented to help assist adults with a perceived mild-to-moderate degree of hearing loss and who may not need hearing assistance in every listening situation. An OTC hearing aid may help enhance speech and provide improvements in communication for people who are able to hear well generally but experience occasional difficulty hearing.
Devices traditionally known as hearing aids that are purchased through an audiologist are now labeled by the FDA as “prescription hearing aids.” OTC hearing aids have limited loudness output and features compared with prescription hearing aids. Both categories of devices share some of the same features, however the amount of customization, functions, and computer processing varies greatly between them. The variety, quality and functions of OTC hearing aids changes weekly as new OTC hearing aids enter the market.
What is the Pros and Cons of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids ?
The OTC hearing aid supplier and manufacturers, such as Eargo, Lively, Earsmate, and Bose, offer hearing aids that typically cost less than traditional prescription hearing aids like those from Starkey, ReSound and Oticon.
Here are a few of the benefits or Pros that some customers may choose OTC hearing aids online of hearing aid store,such as the Earsmate brand of emhearingaid store.
Cheaper Cost
Our reviews team collected survey responses from 1000+ hearing aid users, and more than 25 percent of those respondents reported that price was the most important factor when making a hearing aid purchase.
With over the counter otc hearing aids, you can typically purchase devices that cost less than similar options from prescription hearing aids devices. For example, Starkey hearing aids typically range from $1,000 and $4000 per device, while the Earsmate OTC hearing aids range from $49 to $199 per devices.
And the OTC hearing aids will add even more cost-effective alternatives to the market.
Convenience and Ease
There are some OTC hearing aid manufacturer offer an online service or the ability to use the results of a previous in-person hearing test performed by an audiologist. Online ordering also makes it more convenient and easier to buy hearing aids, since customers no longer have to go through a hearing center or doctor's office.
These OTC hearing aid products can be shipped to users directly, and most OTC hearing aids brands provide support and training through a virtual consultation (or over the phone). It's important to note that the services offered by OTC hearing aid companies can vary in terms of quality and access. Although online hearing aids can be significantly less expensive than traditional ones, they may not include the same benefits that you'd get from an in-person hearing care provider.
However, the Cons of OTC hearing aids are acceptable that it is not a good choice for those with severe or profound hearing loss.
Who can use the OTC Hearing Aids?
As the FDA act, the Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are for people over the age of 18 to help adults who are with a perceived mild-to-moderate degree of hearing loss and may not need hearing assistance and exam by the audiologist or Doctor in every listening situation.
Of course, this Over-the-counter OTC hearing aids can not be for Children. Children have specific needs when it comes to prescription hearing aids related to their growth and development. Infants and young children need new ear pieces as they grow and the size of the ear changes. Children require special techniques performed by a licensed, trained audiologist to properly program hearing aids to accurate settings. They also need routine follow-up to monitor for progress and to ensure speech and language milestones are met.
Conclusions
People with normal hearing can identify sounds less than 25 decibels (dB). And the mild to moderate hearing loss is in the 26 dB to 55 dB range. A person with mild hearing loss may hear certain speech sounds, but find softer sounds hard to hear. Someone with moderate hearing loss may have difficulty hearing speech when another person talks at a normal level.
Fortunately, our Earsmate Over-the-counter OTC hearing aids don’t require a hearing test by an audiologist. However, these devices can only treat mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe or profound hearing loss, you still need to see an audiologist for a full exam.
