Over the Counter Hearing Aids Vs Prescription Hearing Aids

What is the difference between over-the-counter hearing aids and prescription hearing aids?
After all, the right device can dramatically impact hearing health. Let’s learn more about OTC hearing aids and why it’s best to have professionals fit you for hearing aids.

The FDA and Over the Counter Hearing Aids

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put in place a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids to create more affordable hearing aid options.

• Designed to treat mild to moderate hearing loss, OTC hearing aids are available to adults 18 years and older.
• OTC hearing aids average price is cheaper than prescription hearing aids.

Is Paying More Really Worth It?

We feel that experiencing hearing loss is much more severe than simply assuming that you are getting older and don’t hear as well. We recommend you see an audiologist, or hearing specialist who is a certified professional trained to diagnose hearing loss.

Other health factors can be in play, and a specialist will help determine what help you need to address your hearing concerns. They are the experts to visit when you have concerns about your hearing.

An audiologist makes recommendations or prescribes hearing aids and or treatments to individual patients. They make sure to answer all of your questions, provide strategies, and give support so you can go on experiencing a high-quality social life.

Low-cost, over-the-counter hearing aids might be tempting to consider because of the convenience of availability, but are they a better investment than prescription hearing aids?

Is there a difference between OTC and Prescription Hearing Aids?

Over-the-counter hearing aids:

• Designed for mild to moderate hearing loss
• No professional care involved
• Less expensive, like purchasing cheap reading glasses
• Most insurance companies don’t cover the cost
• Many hearing aids are non-refundable at purchase
• You may not hear as well as you hoped

Prescription Hearing aids:

• Prescribed by professional hearing specialists
• Personalized evaluations are provided
• Programmed and tuned for individual use
• Professionally fitted by an audiology
• May be covered by some insurance
• Financing is available
• Use advanced technology to pinpoint sounds
• Highly accurate
• Proven to improve hearing

Why Should I Visit a Professional Audiologist?

Audiologists are trained professionals in hearing health. They can diagnose hearing concerns, offer treatment, and provide follow-up care. Their expertise is not limited to hearing loss and hearing aids. They look at all the factors of hearing health and can provide a diagnosis and treatment to fit your needs.

You should visit an audiologist like you would visit your regular doctor. Don’t wait until you experience hearing loss. The hearing specialist will examine your ears inside and out and check your hearing ability. Visiting an audiologist before problems start can help you get what you need. The sooner you address the problem, the quicker your hearing health will improve.

The audiologist will administer a variety of tests to measure the full functionality of your hearing. They diagnose and offer solutions to any problems you are experiencing.

Your audiologist will provide you with a quality plan to improve your hearing. If you need prescription hearing aids, they will go over the various types of hearing aids that are available and will help you choose the one that will work best for you. They will provide follow-up to ensure your ear care plan is effective.

Hearing aids can change our life, and the specialist is there to help you along the way. If you have never had to use hearing aids before, they will educate you on how to use them. They will teach you how to make adjustments, maintain, clean, and care for your hearing aids so they last.

Your audiologist’s office will become your life companion. You will make appointments to visit them as you would your doctor to ensure that your hearing needs haven’t changed. They will stick with you from your first appointment to your hearing aid fittings and for every follow-up checkup.

Having an audiologist will help you improve your sense of well-being and life. When you have concerns, you can visit your audiologist, who will listen to you and help you find a solution for your hearing. You can trust them to help you live the quality of life you experienced before hearing loss occurred.

What are the signs that I need to see an audiologist?

The following symptoms are signs of potential hearing problems.

• It’s a struggle to hear conversations in a crowd
• You are struggling with dizziness and balance
• There is a ringing in your ear
• Excessive earwax is causing discomfort
• There is unexplained pain in your ears
• Difficulty hearing your TV or radio
• Experiencing discomfort in ears

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s time to visit a hearing specialist. Unlike going to the story to purchase OTC hearing aids, at El Dorado Hearing we are passionate about providing exceptional hearing health care to our patients.

We will provide you with a comprehensive plan individualized to your needs, including hearing health options, insurance, and financing.