There Are Disadvantages That Come With Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids

Man gets over-the-counter hearing aids without getting a hearing test.

Over-the-counter hearing aid options are showing up more frequently online and in stores. Getting help for hearing loss is meant to be easier with these devices. They also might make this kind of device more affordable. But medical professionals and even government officials have some significant concerns about some of the consequences of using over-the-counter hearing aids. Some states are even issuing warnings because of the number of complaints they’re getting from patients. Here are just a couple of concerns.

A Hearing Experiment is Still Important

The idea that you can just go buy a hearing aid at the store or online without going through important steps like a hearing test is a significant concern. It will be impossible to identify what the right solution for your hearing loss is without these steps. You may also miss signs that your hearing loss is linked to other health concerns. Hearing tests also let you know how to program the device for best results.

Not All Hearing Loss is The Same

In general, people have a tendency to think of hearing loss as a kind of lowering of the volume meter on your ears. When you do that on your stereo (or your phone, as the kids do), the result is immediate: everything goes quiet.

But adjusting the eq levels on a high end stereo is more like real hearing loss. That’s because hearing loss is usually asymmetrical, affecting this frequency or that wavelength before others. If your hearing aid, OTC or otherwise, is not correctly calibrated for your specific hearing loss, you could wind up damaging your entire hearing.

The exact frequencies that are being amplified by the OTC hearing aid will usually be printed on the packaging (at least on higher quality versions). If you’ve had a recent audiogram you can try to do it by yourself. Even then, you’re likely better off asking us to help program it. Sometimes, OTC hearing aids won’t be able to be customized to the needs of someone that has a more complex type of hearing loss.

Making Smart Hearing Aid Decisions

Consumers have more choices when it comes to devices to help with hearing than at any point in history. But it’s also harder to make some decisions because there are so many options. This is called analysis paralysis, you probably experience it most intensely when you’re attempting to find something to watch on Netflix.

You can make some smart choices with your hearing aids by doing the following:

Be certain you aren’t purchasing a hearing amplifier. It can often be challenging to tell the difference. A hearing amplifier will turn the volume up on all wavelengths of sound, not just specific frequencies like a hearing aid can. And that can be harmful for your ears over time. Obviously, you only need to boost the frequencies you have difficulty hearing. Making sounds universally loud will dull the sounds you’re already capable of hearing.

Keep us in the loop. It’s very important to have an assessment with us whichever way you choose to go. We can find out how complex your hearing impairment is with a basic hearing test. An OTC hearing aid might not be a good match. We can also provide you with an audiogram, so you’ll be capable of choosing the correct solution for your requirements.

Over-the-counter hearing aids are frequently not the best solution. But it’s significant to keep in mind that most of these problems can be simply solved with a little personal education and a professional assessment. Hearing is crucial to your overall health. It’s worth taking the extra step and get evaluated first.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.