Have you ever had trouble hearing your favorite TV show or your friend’s stories? Sometimes, people need a little help to hear better, and that’s where hearing aids come in.
Recently, over-the-counter hearing aids have been available. This means you can buy hearing aids without a prescription.
Are over-the-counter hearing aids worth buying?
What are over-the-counter hearing aids?
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are special devices you can buy directly from stores or online without needing a visit to the doctor. They’re designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Think of them like little amplifiers that help make sounds louder and clearer.
OTC hearing aids are becoming more popular because they are easier to get and often cost less than traditional ones. This makes them more accessible to people who need them.
However, are over-the-counter hearing aids as effective as prescription hearing aids?
OTC Hearing Aids VS. Prescription Hearing Aids
There are some big differences between over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and prescription hearing aids that you should know about.
Professional expertise
When you use OTC hearing aids, you’re in charge of figuring out how much hearing help you need. This means you won’t get a professional opinion from a doctor who specializes in hearing.
Instead of getting a hearing test from an audiologist, you’ll just answer a few questions on the package to decide how much hearing help you need.
Hearing aid fitting
You’ll also have to fit and adjust the OTC hearing aids. This can be tricky, especially since you won’t know if your hearing loss is due to an ear infection, a tumor, or another medical problem that a doctor should look at.
Follow-up care
Another thing to know is that OTC hearing aids don’t come with follow-up care. When you get prescription hearing aids, audiologists help adjust them, clean them, and provide assistance. But with OTC hearing aids, you don’t get this kind of support.
Customization
OTC hearing aids also aren’t custom-made for your ears. This means you might spend a lot of money on devices that don’t fit well or work as well as you need. Prescription hearing aids are designed to fit your ear canal perfectly, providing the most comfort and the best performance.
The Advantages of Prescription Hearing Aids
Before you get prescription hearing aids, you’ll need to visit an audiologist. They will look inside your ear for blockages, infections, or other problems. Next, you’ll have a hearing test in a quiet room to discover how bad your hearing loss is and why it’s happening. This helps the audiologist decide if you need hearing aids.
When you buy prescription hearing aids, you get personalized care and support from your audiologist. This means you can have as many follow-up appointments as you need for adjustments and cleanings.
Your purchase at Audio Help Hearing Centers includes a free trial period of 45 to 60 days and a three to four-year warranty. You can return to your audiologist for any necessary adjustments during the warranty period.
Custom Hearing Aids and RIC Hearing Aids
Prescription hearing aids come in three main types: custom, behind-the-ear (BTE), and receiver-in-the-canal (RIC). Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids usually come in the RIC style.
While some OTC hearing aids might not have a part that sits behind the ear, they are not custom-made for your ear.
Custom hearing aids are designed to fit the shape of your ear canal perfectly. They are lightweight and comfortable, making them easy to wear with glasses, hats, and masks.
RIC hearing aids have a part that goes behind the ear and connects to a receiver in the ear canal with a thin wire. They are very popular, making up about 95% of non-custom hearing aids.
Most people with hearing loss prefer RIC hearing aids because they are small and have lots of features. The part that goes in your ear can be a custom mold or a plastic dome that lets sound flow into your ear canal.
Hearing Aids and Audiologists In NYC
Audiologists at Audio Help Hearing Centers are committed to providing a wide selection of hearing aids to address your needs.
Audio Help Hearing Centers prides itself on delivering specialized hearing solutions in New York and various key locations.
Audio Help has three New York City offices conveniently located in Manhattan (Chelsea Village, Columbus Circle, and Park Avenue) and additional offices in Scarsdale, NY (Westchester County) and Stamford, CT.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
