Cheaper Over the Counter Hearing Aids Are Here

Updated Jan. 30, 2024 — The FDA’s ruling that allows people over 18 to purchase hearing aids without a clinical assessment has been in effect for over a year now. It estimates that consumers could save up to $2800 with these air conduction devices when sold in stores like Best Buy, CVS, or Walgreens. The goal with this initiative is to help prevent the depression, mental decline, and lack of socialization that can come with hearing loss.

The ruling applies to people with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you think you might be a candidate for these, now is the time to do your homework – there is a lot of complexity to figure out before you buy.

Can you benefit from a hearing aid?

The first issue is, can you benefit from hearing aids. No hearing aid is perfect or will work well in all situations. People with very minor hearing loss might find they do not work as well as they thought, or they are so uncomfortable they are not worth the trouble.

Some of the signs you are ready for these devices are fairly obvious. Do you have to keep asking people what they said? As one of our baby boomer friends said, the most common conversation in our house is “What?” Do people complain that you have the volume too loud on your TV or radio? Do you have trouble hearing people on the phone? Do you feel left out of conversations because it is too hard to follow what others are saying? Have you had a hearing test that indicates you could benefit from one of these devices? If the answers to some of these questions are yes, you might be ready.

What type would you like

There are a number of features in these devices that you might be interested in, in addition to how well you like their appearance.

Batteries. How long the batteries last is important, not only because they might be hard to change. Are they rechargeable or do you have to buy replacements? Some come in a case that recharges them. We think rechargeable is the way to go.

Bluetooth. Devices with bluetooth capability will let you connect then to your telephone for calls, podcasts, etc.

App pairing. Some hearing aids are controlled on the device, and others by an app (which means you need your phone nearby).

Customer service. Is there some sort of guarantee or a contract you can buy in case you need support?

Trial period. In our opinion this is critical. You don’t want to plunk down some money and find they are uncomfortable or don’t work the way you hope they did. So find out the return policy before you buy.

Not the final solution

Before you buy it might be wise to schedule an appointment with your audiologist to get an assessment. It could be that your hearing loss is so extensive you might need to be professionally fitted with more expensive hearing aids. But if you do decide to buy an over the counter hearing aid, do your homework first. Another option is to make sure excessive ear wax is not affecting your hearing. Here is a link to a popular electronic ear wax remover kit.

Brands

Some of the companies making these air conduction hearing aids, worn outside the ear or just inside, include Signia, Widex, Starkey, Lively, and Eargo. lexie hearing aids powered by Bose are another option (paid link). Many leading electronic manufacturers like Sony also make OTC hearing aids.

For further reading: NY TImes article: “OTC Hearing Aids Are More Affordable…“

Comments? Are you someone who might be interested in buying one of these newly approved hearing aids? If you have a hearing aid already, are you happy with it? Please share your experiences in the Comments section below.