At Hinson Hearing at Home, we know there is nothing more important than experiencing life’s special moments as they happen. Selecting the proper hearing aids can ensure that you are more present to the sounds that are important to you, like your grandchildren’s laughter, family news around the dinner table, or the birds from the back patio. Fill out our Hearing Aid Priorities Form so we can best assist you in selecting hearing devices for your listening lifestyle. This will help us develop your individualized treatment plan.
Hearing aids are small electronic devices worn in or behind the ear that amplify speech sounds for individuals with hearing loss. They improve the ability to hear both speech and environmental sounds, making communication and daily activities easier. Prescription hearing aids (as opposed to OTC hearing aids) can be adjusted to your specific hearing loss based on a professional hearing test.
What are hearing aids?
What do I look for when buying hearing aids?
When choosing a hearing aid, look for features that match your lifestyle and hearing needs. Key benefits to consider include adjustable volume, amount of noise reduction, processing speed, and battery life. Comfort, design, and Bluetooth capabilities are also important to some. The one factor that affects user success more than any other is professional support. Having an audiologist to make programming adjustments as needed or as your hearing changes, as well as to clean and maintain your devices, makes the world of difference in user satisfaction of hearing aids. Lastly, be sure to note of any trial periods and warranties offered with the hearing aid purchase. An ideal trial period is at least 45 days and warranty periods should be at least one year.
What are the different kinds of hearing aids?
No matter the brand, hearing aids differ in two ways: style and technology
Style:
Behind-the-ear hearing aids fit securely on top of the ear, and a small tube or wire gently forms in front of the ear and into the ear canal. Behind-the-ear hearing aids come in a variety of forms and sizes dependent upon the severity of hearing loss and patient preference. The most popular style is called the receiver-in-ear (RIE) or receiver-in-canal (RIC) style shown here. The RIE/RIC style is popular because of it’s small size, rechargeable batteries, and ability to be programmed for many different types of hearing losses. RIC hearing aids can also use bluetooth technology to connect to your smartphone and other accessories. They are even Auracast compatible!
In-the-ear hearing aids are made to fit inside your ear canal. An impression is taken of the ear, and shipped to the manufacturer to have this device custom made for you. In-the-ear hearing aids come in a variety of shapes and sizes dependent on ear anatomy, battery size, and bluetooth capability. In-the-ear devices come in many colors to best match your skin tone or style preference. These hearing aids are best for those with moderate to profound hearing loss, but you should consult with your audiologist about which style hearing aid is right for you.
Technology:
Flagship products are designed with the best features in mind. In these hearing aids you will find superb background noise reduction, impulse noise reduction (for dogs barking or dishes dropping), speech enhancement, and tinnitus support. Some flagship devices also have features such as fall detection, built-in reminders, exercise monitoring, cognitive activity tracking, and “find my hearing aids.” One of the greatest benefits of flagship products is that most features activate automatically, meaning you can make less manual changes to your devices throughout the day. No more fiddling, just let your hearing aids do their job.
Economy products are also programmed for your loss specifically, but less features are available. There are still sophisticated noise reduction and speech clarity options available, but these devices are best for one-on-one communication with low to moderate background noise. Some economy products have rechargeable capability, but most have disposable batteries to be changed once per week.
OTC hearing devices are hearing aids developed for mild to moderate hearing loss only. They cannot be adjusted to your individual hearing, but simply enhance the volume of the sounds around you. Some OTC devices contain mild noise reduction features as well. Click here to learn more about OTC hearing aids and our subscriptions available to service them.
Overall, filling out our Hearing Aid Priorities Form prior to your appointment can help your audiologist suggest the best style and technology for you and your preferences.
OTC vs. Prescription hearing aids
When comparing prescription and OTC hearing aids, several differences emerge. Prescription hearing aids are custom-fit and programmed based on the results of a professional hearing test. They are available through an authorized medical provider to individuals of all ages, including children, and typically involve ongoing care from audiologists, including adjustments, follow-up visits, and counseling. Prescription devices are often more expensive, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 per pair, though some may be covered by insurance or government programs.
In contrast, OTC hearing aids are intended only for adults and are most appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss. They are typically lower in cost, ranging from $200 to $1,000 per pair, but they do not usually include professional support or follow-up services. Because they are self-fit and sold without an exam, users are responsible for determining if the devices are right for them, although most prescription AND over-the-counter hearing aids come with trial periods or consumer support lines. Insurance generally does not cover OTC hearing aids. Both types of devices are regulated by the FDA, but OTC hearing aids fall under a broader category and are not regulated as medical devices.
Overall, prescription hearing aids remain the best choice for individuals with more complex hearing needs and have a higher success rate due to quality and professional guidance, while OTC hearing aids offer a more affordable and accessible option for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
What are OTC hearing aids?
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are hearing devices that are sold directly to consumers without the need for a prescription, medical exam, or fitting by an audiologist. These devices are designed to help adults (18+) with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. They became available to increase accessibility and affordability, offering consumers more control over their hearing health.
How did OTC hearing aids come into the market?
2017: The U.S. Congress passed the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, as part of the FDA Reauthorization Act. This legislation directed the FDA to create a category of OTC hearing aids that are safe and effective for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. The intent was to foster market competition, reduce cost barriers, and improve accessibility.
October 2021: The FDA issued a proposed rule to establish regulatory guidelines for OTC hearing aids.
August 2022: The FDA finalized the rule, creating a new category of OTC hearing aids.
October 17, 2022: OTC hearing aids officially became available for sale in the U.S.
What should I look for when buying OTC hearing aids?
When shopping for OTC hearing aids, you should ensure that the company is following the FDA regulations.
Intended Use: OTC hearing aids are for adults (18+) with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
Performance Standards: Maximum output limit of 111 dB SPL (sound pressure level), or 117 dB SPL if the device has user-adjustable volume control
Labeling Requirements: Clear language that informs consumers the device is not for severe hearing loss or children and guidance on when to consult a hearing health professional
Design Requirements: Self-fitting or user-adjustable settings, No requirement for a licensed provider to be involved