When are over-the-counter hearing aids a good option? (2024)

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are now available in stores and online — without a prescription. But how does someone with hearing loss know if these devices are right for them? It’s a common question, and knowledge is key when it comes to choosing this option.

Over-the-counter hearing aids became available for sale in October 2022.¹ They offer the 30 million U.S. adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss an affordable hearing aid option.²

Hearing care professionals say they have upsides and downsides. “If you’re able to use current technology to program the over-the-counter devices on your own and they are a better fit for your budget, they are a good option,” says Noelle Paradis, Au.D., lead audiologist at Dartmouth Health in Keene, New Hampshire.

But what if you need more support or have hearing loss that requires more power and adjustments? Then you may want to consider prescription hearing aids that are dispensed by a licensed hearing care professional.

There are certain aspects of OTC hearing aids to consider before choosing this option. Here are answers to common questions.

Are OTC hearing aids for everybody?

They’re approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults ages 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aids are not meant to be used by anyone younger than 18. And they’re also not meant for anyone with serious hearing loss.²

How are OTC hearing aids different than other hearing aids?

You can buy OTC hearing aids in stores and online. And you don’t need to get a hearing exam— although experts say that it may be better to get tested first. You won’t need a prescription or help from a hearing care professional or an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT).²

Prescription devices, on the other hand, must be purchased from a hearing care professional. They also come with follow-up services.

For example, a hearing care professional may help adjust the settings and maintain the device. With OTC hearing aids, there’s no in-person help. But most manufacturers do offer phone or online customer service, says the National Council on Aging.³

Can I adjust my OTC hearing aids to make them right for me?

With some OTC hearing aids, you can adjust the sound by choosing between specialized settings. With others, you can use a smartphone app that fine-tunes the sound to match the results of a hearing test that the manufacturer provides. This is more of a do-it-yourself approach than prescription hearing aids, where the settings are matched to your hearing loss by a professional.²

Are OTC hearing aids a good choice for me?

Knowing how you want to use your hearing aids can help you decide whether an OTC device is right for you. It’s important to know that OTC hearing aids have many different models, including those that can be worn all day and those meant to be used in specific situations.

Models designed to be worn all day often come in a receiver-in-canal (RIC) style which is more comfortable for extended wear. Plus, they have more features that you can adjust to your needs.

Models designed to be worn in specific situations, such as a noisy restaurant or a business meeting, typically use an earbud style to make it easier to put in and take out and have fewer settings.

Some situations that could cause difficulty hearing — and potentially be helped by OTC hearing aids — include:⁴

• The voices of people or sounds around you sound muffled.
• You have trouble hearing on the phone.
• It’s hard to hear in noisy spots, such as parties.
• You have trouble hearing when you can’t see the person who’s talking.
• You turn up the volume on the TV or radio or when playing music.
• You find yourself asking people to speak up, talk more slowly or repeat themselves.

If it’s hard to hear people speak even in quiet places — or if you have trouble hearing loud sounds, such as loud music or loud traffic — you may want to consult a hearing care professional.⁵

I think I might have mild to moderate hearing loss. Do I really need an exam before buying OTC hearing aids?

Even if your hearing loss is only mild or moderate, it’s still important to know what level of hearing loss you have before buying OTC hearing aids.

“You may just have an earful of wax that can be removed. Or you might have a medical condition that causes hearing loss, such as fluid in your ears,” says Rachel A. Raphael, Au.D. She’s an audiologist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Plus, she points out, a hearing test can also diagnose and treat other hearing problems, such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or auditory tumors.

Did you know that many hearing benefits, including a hearing exam and consultation, are covered through UnitedHealthcare Hearing? Learn more.

What kinds of features do they have?

Over-the-counter hearing aids come with many different features. According to the National Council on Aging, these may include:³

• Bluetooth streaming to your smartphone and digital devices
• Hands-free calling
• An app for adjusting sound balance (such as treble and bass), sound quality in different environments (such as outdoors or in a noisy place) and volume
• Rechargeable batteries
• Online customer support

Where can I buy OTC hearing aids?

You can buy OTC devices online at the United Healthcare Hearing website. There is a range of prices, from $499 to $1499.

Are OTC hearing aids effective?

Research suggests they can be. A recent study in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery found that they were a good option for first-time hearing aid users with mild to moderate hearing loss.⁶

And they were happy with their choice: People reported that their hearing improved and that they were able to communicate better, even in a noisy environment. In this study, the people who bought OTC hearing aids set them up on their own, after taking a hearing test with a smartphone app. Then they used the app to adjust the settings.⁶

But Raphael notes that new OTC hearing aid users may want to look for a hearing care professional, who can help them adjust and get used to their devices. However, she says, some may still feel more comfortable with prescription hearing aids because they come with one-on-one help from a hearing care professional.

“OTCs are self-fitted and affordable, but they’re not for everybody,” she says. “Any hearing aid, from expensive to inexpensive, could have its share of issues with cleaning, batteries, troubleshooting and Bluetooth connectivity.”

What should I look for when shopping for OTC hearing aids?

Be sure the label on the website or package contains the words “OTC Hearing Aids.” Only hearing aids that meet FDA regulations can use this language.⁷ And look for a money-back trial period of at least 45 days. That gives you time to get used to your hearing aids and decide if they’re right for you.

Or just go to the UnitedHealthcare Hearing website, where you can get hearing aids that have already met these requirements.

The bottom line: If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, over-the-counter hearing aids may be an affordable option for you. And if they are, you’ll be able to hear better — and more fully enjoy conversations, music and the sounds around you again.

Sources

1. 5 best over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids of 2024 National Council on Aging. Updated April 4, 2024.
2. OTC hearing aids: What you should know U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Updated May 3, 2023.
3. 13 best hearing aids of December 2023: Expert reviewed National Council on Aging. Updated December 1, 2023.
4. Consumers and OTC hearing aids American Academy of Audiology. Accessed December 14, 2023.
5. Over-the-counter hearing aids National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Updated August 16, 2022.
6. Effectiveness of an over-the-counter self-fitting hearing aid compared with an audiologist-fitted hearing aid: a randomized clinical trial JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. Published April 13, 2023.
7. FDA hearing aids guidance: 2023 compliance National Council on Aging. Published June 28, 2023.

Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.