OTC Hearing Aids

last year

I am seeing on the news today that FDA approved hearing aids are now available over the counter. Walgreen's has them for $800. The article I read said that out of the millions of Americans with hearing loss, only 16% wear hearing aids due to the thousands of dollars in cost.

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jim_1 (Zone 5B)

last year

As a person with significant hearing loss, I am one of those folks who decided more than 20 years ago to see about hearing instruments. Everyone in the office praised me after I got them, for then, I was not shouting. It was the only way I could hear myself.

There are several types of hearing aids and they work different ways. One MUST be fitted by a professional, a small thing that is in the ear canal all the time. One has to have it removed on a regular basis and and different one installed. Thus you have full hearing all the time, even at night in bed. Not for me thank you.

The tradition ones you might see are those considered BTE (behind the ear), with a small tube that runs to the small thing that actually is in the end of ear canal. If you purchase something over-the-counter, one will probably get amplification on all frequencies, whether that is what you need or not. Not for me thank you.

My kind are programmable CIC (complete in the canal) type. I remove them to shower or sleep, but the rest of the day, they are in place. A small string-type thingy allows me to easily remove them. As stated, they are set to compensate for all the frequencies that are deficient in my hearing loss. And, I have a little button on them that I can use to boost the volume just a bit for special situations.

Technology has come a long way with hearing instruments. I use batteries that last about a week; and there are those types that are 'rechargeable' so the user doesn't have to keep batteries around the house.

Some insurance plans will cover the cost of the testing, others not so much. Some insurance plans will help with the cost of instruments, others will not. If you go to an independent provider, the cost will generally be higher, but the guarantee period is longer, too.

If your hearing loss is a simple thing, then over-the-counter devises just might be the answer. However, be aware that you get what you pay for. My last set (earlier this year) totaled about $4,000. I am happy with them. They fit, They amplify as needed. And, in a noisy situation, they are programmed to reduce the volume.

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Comments (15)

sushipup2
last year
In a few months, $800 will be grossly overpriced. Wait an watch the market settle out.
Elizabeth thanked sushipup2
Elizabeth
Original Author
last year
I think so too. Wait until the competition begins.
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lucillle
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be aware that you get what you pay for.

I had hearing aids. Then I had amplifiers. I am waiting, with interest, for the OTC market to settle out for hearing aids. I think in this time of flux you may soon get, for far less $, what you used to pay thousands for. There are now hearing aids that can be adjusted at home by the customer with the aid of a computer and program.

This is a welcome change for many with marginal hearing, a profound loss (like I have) can profoundly affect day to day life,
Elizabeth thanked lucillle
functionthenlook
last year
I agree it would be beneficial, not everyone can or want to spend thousands on hearing aids. Hearing loss is not only frustrating and debilitating to the person with the hearing loss, but also frustrating to the people that are part of their everyday life. OTC may or may not be perfect, but if it restores even part of the person's hearing it is a plus for everyone.
Elizabeth thanked functionthenlook
chisue
last year
My BTE aids are three years old. I need to return to Costco for adjustments. Lifetime service is included in the $1200 I paid. I chose battery-powered units. If someone's dexterity is impaired, I'd recommend rechargeable aids; batteries are cheap, but tiny! I seldom wore these until this year, when my hearing diminished enough that I couldn't hear -- and *understand* -- dialogue on the TV. I'm wearing my aids now as I type, turned down to save battery life. I had them turned up for the morning news and will do that again if DH wants to talk to me. I pull one out to use the phone -- can hear just fine through that or an earpiece or ear phones.

I understand that CIC aids that completely plug the ear are necessary for some, but I want to be able to hear peripheral sounds, not only what the aid amplifies and filters.

Now, who is going to make a fortune curing tinnitus? I've heard that CIC 'plugs' help with that. What say you, Jim?
Elizabeth thanked chisue
Elmer J Fudd
last year
Unfortunately hearing aids have been historically like prescription eyeglasses - too often unjustifiably over-priced. I'm not sure that a rule change that opens the gates for a DIY approach for less money is necessarily the right answer.

I've heard that Costco hearing aids are very suitable for some people but not for others. They seem to offer a more acceptable price and value proposition for some. My hearing is fine to this point so this isn't something I have any personal experience with.
Elizabeth thanked Elmer J Fudd
chloebud
last year
“There are several types of hearing aids and they work different ways. One MUST be fitted by a professional…”

That was my thought. How would you know which one is right?
Elizabeth thanked chloebud
rob333 (zone 7b)
last year
My mom was hard of hearing and had to have them adjusted by the professional. Even after they adjusted it, they'd have to come back (or in her younger days, she would go back), to readjust them. Seemed cumbersome to me. And she never agreed with the choices the audiologist originally set.

What I have seen on current tv, shows them to be programmable by the USER. I would think programmable is all one would need. If it's not adjustable with an app, skip it. It does need to be adjustable.

https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/best-hearing-aids/
Elizabeth thanked rob333 (zone 7b)
Phyllis Leritz
last year
I have the Costco brand, after hearing very positive outcomes from various family. I just don't like the style of behind the ear and have a hard time getting them inserted properly. I tend to go back to my old twenty-year old ones as they are battery operated and just fit in the ear canal and I don't have a battle inserting them. These cost about $2000 which isn't a bad price, considering you are seeing an audiologist. A few years back I almost spent nearly $7000 on a pair. Luckily, one is given a certain length of time to get used to them. I decided I disliked them enough to get my money back, which I did. Even my twenty-year aids cost me $4000, so things are looking up.
Elizabeth thanked Phyllis Leritz
Rose Pekelnicky
last year
I actually got some several months ago from the Bose company. They take batteries and are the over the ear type. They fit well. I ordered them online from the company for $850.

There is an app for your smartphone that can adjust the volume and tone.

I don't have significant hearing loss but I wear them when I go someplace or the children and grandchildren visit. I am home alone a lot of the the time and don't wear them then.

I am pleased with them.
Elizabeth thanked Rose Pekelnicky
arcy_gw
last year
I have to echo the Costco Hearing aids are a fair prices and you get what you pay for. Who would order glasses w/o a prescription??? It's the same thing!! $800 for nothing better than "readers" you buy for eyes is WAAAY over priced IMPO. I have a minor in audiology so I know a bit of what I am saying when I tell you all aids are just not the same.
Elizabeth thanked arcy_gw
Elmer J Fudd
last year
last modified: last year
arcy, you may know that a similar description is also apt for Costco eyeglasses, by its own admission in my experience. They offer reasonable quality at a fair price, nothing more or less. They work well for some and not for others. And you do get what you pay for.
Elizabeth thanked Elmer J Fudd
arcy_gw
last year
Anything purchased that is not specific to your needs defined by a prescription is a risk. Where you get said item makes no difference. Costco hearing aids are purchased with a prescription from an audiologist at a much more palatable price. While waiting for my new phone we were shown the latest hearing aids on the market. They do do a test of sorts that finds out if you are generally having high or low frequency issues. The sales person said they have three ranges they match you with. I can't say I was impressed with his presentation but he didn't realize I know more than he wants me to know about hearing loss and it's remediation. There are many more than three frequencies and the decibel loss makes a huge difference. Like I said with these things you are getting what you pay for.
Elizabeth thanked arcy_gw
phoggie
last year
I have had my hearing checked twice by ENT doctor and he said it was better than nornal. i have no problem hearing loudness but enunciation by singers and movies, especially women's voices. i hate to spend a lot on expensive hearing aids so am almost willing to try these. I have Essential Tremor in my hands so I know there is no way I could put in a battery so would need a battery charged set.
Elizabeth thanked phoggie

OTC Hearing Aids

jim_1 (Zone 5B)

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sushipup2

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OTC Hearing Aids

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