Why Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Are Such a Big Problem

Hearing loss is fairly common, but less than 20% of those who could benefit from hearing aids actually use them. statistics from American Hearing Loss AssociationThe average age of the average hearing-impaired person is 7 years old It can take years from the time you notice your hearing loss to the time you actually seek help. that’s why, New FDA rule on hearing aids It could make gadgets more accessible to more people. The new rule creates the following categories over-the-counter hearing aids it can be It is sold in pharmacies and online. (Prescription hearing aids are available from professionals as usual.) The rule will go into effect in mid-October 2022.

Hearing loss can affect many areas of your life. If you can’t hear well and you haven’t taken steps to facilitate communication between yourself and others (such as getting a hearing aid or learning sign language), you are more likely to feel lonely. increase. social life, learning or communication problems at school or work, relationship problemsmental health issues, and more.

Over-the-counter hearing aids become cheaper and more accessible

One of the big advantages of commercial hearing aids is cost.Prescription hearing aids run thousands of dollars per pair (White House Estimate $5,000 on average) plus the cost of multiple appointments required for testing and device fitting, noted by pharmacists and audiologists. here Usually not covered by insurance. Commercial hearing aids are expected to cost between $300 and $600 each.

Another is availability. Getting a prescription hearing aid requires a visit to a specialist, often an audiologist. Audiologist offices are often located in areas with younger, higher-income populations than the general population. In other words, many hearing-impaired people do not have easy access to professionals who can prescribe hearing aids. In particular, hearing-impaired people, who are likely to be older, lower-income and people of color, by contrast, 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy.

Over-the-counter hearing aids are still expensive, but they cost far less than prescription hearing aids, transportation costs, and the time required to book an appointment.

What is the difference between over-the-counter hearing aids and prescription hearing aids?

Even if you have severe hearing loss, you should get a prescription hearing aid.of National Institute on Hearing Loss and Other Communication Disorders Recommendation Over-the-counter hearing aids for adults with mild or moderate hearing loss. They say this could be included if the sounds around you feel muffled or if you have trouble understanding speech when there’s a lot of background noise.

On the other hand, if you have trouble understanding what people are saying even in quiet surroundings, or if you can barely hear loud sounds, you may have a more severe hearing loss than an over-the-counter hearing aid.

People should also seek medical attention if the hearing loss occurs suddenly, if there is pain or fluid in the ear, if the hearing loss occurs with dizziness (vertigo), or if there is a difference in hearing between the two ears. In these cases, Hearing loss can be a symptom of a larger medical problem, and hearing aids themselves don’t always help.

It’s also important to be aware of potential drawbacks of commercial hearing aids.They may not be as good quality as professional types and may not be customizable and adjustable as precisely as an audiologist can do with a set of prescription hearing aids. Audiologist Mark Hedrick told news station KLTV If you try an over-the-counter hearing aid and it doesn’t work, it’s because the hearing aid in general It’s just that you may need the professional kind and should consider getting evaluated.

It takes time for your brain to get used to wearing hearing aids. If you have poor eyesight, keep your glasses in a drawer and they will work fine when you put them on. Hearing aids, on the other hand, must be worn regularly for your brain to learn to process the sounds from them.

If you buy an over-the-counter hearing aid and find that it doesn’t work well, you may find that you need a different model or end up needing the prescription variety. The FDA recommends that you keep your receipt and review our return policy and warranty terms.