Signs You Should Start Shopping for a Hearing Aid

Hearing aids are now available over the counter, which means you don't need a prescription to get one and you don't necessarily have to go to the doctor first.

The OTC devices will save a lot of people money, and hopefully get those who need a device hearing well again faster than before.

What it means for you Many people are good candidates for OTC hearing aids, but some will still need to see a doctor or audiologist before getting fit for one.

If you've been on the fence about getting a hearing aid, now might be the time to take the plunge.

As of Oct. 17, hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss are available over the counter, thanks to a new rule from the US Food and Drug Administration. While there are still some uncertainties in the hearing health industry about how this will roll out, many have been waiting for over-the-counter options because they remove the prescription barrier, which requires a doctor's or audiologist visit and more money. (The average price of a pair of OTC hearing aids is estimated to be around $600 to $1,200 for a pair, which could save you as much as a few thousand dollars, depending on which device you choose and other factors.)

This means you're now able to buy a hearing aid at Best Buy, Walgreens, Walmart and other stores and pharmacies throughout the US, making getting your hands on a hearing aid almost as easy as tossing a pair of drug-store reading glasses into your cart. (Note: there's a difference between an OTC hearing aid and sound amplification products, which have been available at stores and aren't regulated for hearing loss like hearing aids are.) And while there is more nuance and user involvement in finding and fitting the correct hearing aid, proponents of the new FDA rule hope that the accessibility will help people who've had hearing problems get the tools they need. According to the American Academy of Audiology, people usually wait seven to 10 years after first experiencing symptoms of hearing loss before seeking help. Hearing -- one of our most fundamental forms of communicating -- can cause physical and mental health problems when it diminishes without treatment, including loneliness, reduced alertness, cognitive decline and more.

But with this new table of products come some questions: Who actually needs a hearing aid, and who should buy one over the counter vs. getting a prescription? How can you tell if you have "mild to moderate" hearing loss, anyway?

We talked to a couple of experts to narrow down whether you should consider shopping for an OTC hearing aid.

Best Headphones for 2022: Top Picks for All Styles Why buy over the counter? A tiny pair of hearing aids in a person's palm Sony's new over-the-counter hearing aid, the CRE-C10. The new over-the-counter market could encourage more competitiveness between electronic device companies -- and maybe result in cooler devices for us.

Sony Dr. Frank Lin is the director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He said that about 90% of people with hearing loss could be served by an over-the-counter hearing aid.

"One flippant way of answering your question is if you think you have hearing loss, you will likely be served by OTC hearing aids in terms of their technical capabilities," Lin said. He added that if you're someone who has severe hearing loss and will need a more intensive hearing aid, it "won't be subtle." In addition to people with severe hearing loss, OTC aids for children and teens under 18 still require a prescription.

Lin says there's such a lack of consumer education around hearing health right now, that it's presented as so complicated you need to go talk to your doctor before figuring anything out.

"Which I find offensive as a consumer, but as a clinician I can see why people say that," Lin added. "But it doesn't make sense."

Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America, says it's important to remember that the fact that hearing aids will now be easier to get doesn't mean you shouldn't or can't get an official hearing test, it just means that you don't have to wait for one.

"Of course, this doesn't preclude somebody from getting a hearing screening or an audiological evaluation, but you don't have to," Kelley said.

That is, it's probably still a good idea for you to see a doctor or audiologist to make sure that you have the correct fit and that there's not another health condition at play interfering with your hearing. But now you're able to get a head start on hearing again instead of waiting on appointment times, more money or other barriers that can interfere with health care.

If you have signs of 'mild or moderate' hearing loss A man wearing a hearing aid adjusts at home using an app on his phone. PeakStock/Getty Images One subtle, but fast, way to know whether you might need an OTC hearing aid is if you're just starting to notice some changes in your ability to hear, Tricia Ashby-Scabis, senior director of audiology practices at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, told CNET in August. Maybe you think people are mumbling more often, or people with higher-pitched voices, like women and children, are harder to hear.

To help people decide if they have mild or moderate hearing loss, the American Academy of Audiology lays out three criteria:

You're still able to hear easily in quiet or one-on-one settings. You can think of a few situations where you'd want to wear a hearing aid, but maybe you don't think you need one in "most communication settings."

Turning up the volume on the TV or your phone just slightly helps you hear better. (People around you might find it a little loud, but it's not so loud that it's bothering them.) Of course, the most accurate way to know whether you have hearing loss, and to what degree, is by going to see an audiologist or a doctor for an official hearing test. The American Academy of Audiology recommends you get screened before trying an OTC device, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association says that the "best way" to know whether you're a good candidate for a hearing aid is to be examined by an audiologist, because it's easy to underestimate your level of hearing loss.

In an effort to bring audiologist-level tests to you, companies like Soundly are expanding into the telehealth space. Soundly, a hearing-aid comparison website founded by Blake Cadwell after his own experience trying to find a hearing aid, just announced its partnership with Tuned, merging Tuned's network of audiologists with Soundly's users. An hour-long Tuned consultation with an audiologist is $150, and Soundly users get a 10% discount. (Soundly also offers a quick, free hearing screening on its website.)

In another initiative to quantify hearing loss, Lin and his team have created Johns Hopkins' Hearing Number, which pairs with either the Mimi or SonicCloud app for a hearing test, which inputs your score into Apple's Health App and tells you on the Hearing Number website whether you might have mild or moderate hearing loss. (This is only available for iPhone users at this time.) This metric for gauging hearing ability mirrors other health metrics we've gotten comfortable with, like measuring our blood glucose and counting our steps. The goal, Lin says, is to "push out a consumer-facing metric."

Consumer electronic companies like Bose and Sony have announced partnerships with hearing health companies in order to navigate this new market. While there are differences among the over-the-counter devices, they are all "self-fit" and require you to set up your hearing aid yourself after you buy it. In the case of Sony's hearing aid, as well as of Lexie Hearing's and Bose's, you'll be guided by a paired app for things like ear measurements (to make sure the device fits and you don't need a different piece) or self-tuning.

Catherine Palmer, past president of the American Academy of Audiology and director of the audiology program at the University of Pittsburgh, said in an email that a good candidate for an OTC hearing aid "would be someone who is able to and enjoys self-managing care, meaning that they will need to take time to figure out the fit of the device."

While the guided apps will likely offer some help, this type of hands-on care may not be enjoyable or even tolerable for everyone. If you'd like to minimize your involvement in this process, you might still choose to get fitted with an audiologist even if you're otherwise a good candidate for OTC hearing aids -- they can help you select one that best suits your needs.

Lexie B2 OTC Hearing Aids Powered by Bose Signs you shouldn't buy an OTC hearing aid People who are experiencing hearing loss but also have physical symptoms or pain should think twice before buying a device without first seeing a doctor, according to ASHA. Symptoms to look out for -- and signs you should not get an OTC device right now -- are:

You have what ASHA calls an "ear deformity," such as Stahl's ear, a protruding ear or a constricted ear

You have hearing loss or a ringing (tinnitus) in one ear only or that's noticeably different in one ear

Aside from physical symptoms, people with "complex" listening needs should be evaluated because they might need more individualized care, Palmer says. This includes people who have trouble hearing when there are other mental or environmental factors at play, like anxiety or being in a busy or noisy environment. This could possibly indicate another health or cognitive issue other than hearing loss that should be addressed.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

New FDA Rule in Effect: What to Know About Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids As soon as today, hearing aids will be available at stores including Walmart and Best Buy. If you have mild or moderate hearing loss, here's what to know.

If you were waiting for the day you can buy a hearing aid at Walmart, now's your chance. The company said Monday it will be selling over-the-counter devices, joining the likes of Best Buy and Walgreens, with more stores and pharmacies nationwide to follow, now that a finalized rule from the US Food and Drug Administration is in effect. If you're an adult with mild or moderate hearing loss, you can now buy a hearing aid without prescription.

Hearing loss might be more common than you'd think. About one in three adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have some degree of hearing loss. About half of us will have difficulty hearing by the time we surpass 75. Hearing loss can also occur in younger people who have a genetic or health condition, or may have damaged hearing from frequent exposure to loud music or noisy environments and work places.

It should be no surprise, then, that a push to make hearing aids more available has been underway for years. They aren't covered by most insurance providers, including original Medicare plans. But in August, the FDA announced that its new rule will allow hearing aids to be sold over the counter, without a prescription or doctor's visit, effective Oct. 17.

Federal health officials said that allowing people to access hearing aids OTC will make them a more affordable and convenient product for the roughly 30 million American adults who need one. But even with significantly reduced cost -- saving people hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a pair -- many over-the-counter hearing aids will still cost a pretty penny.

And while improved access to hearing health is a "phenomenal" development, there's a lot more to consider when someone is getting care for hearing loss, including finding the right fit for a hearing aid, as well as someone's processing of language and sound.

"It really isn't just the device," said Tricia Ashby-Scabis, senior director of audiology practices at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

What types of hearing aids will be sold OTC? Air-conduction hearing aids, which fit either in the ear canal or sit behind the ear, will be available to adults with "perceived mild or moderate hearing loss," per the FDA. Air-conduction hearing aids are the most common hearing aid type, according to Ashby-Scabis, and they work by moving sound down the ear canal throughout the ear. Other types of hearing aid devices include cochlear implants or bone-anchored systems.

An exact test on how to gauge your hearing loss as "mild or moderate" isn't clear at this point, however, since over-the-counter models won't be available for a couple more months. But Ashby-Scabis guesses that many hearing-aid makers will use an accompanying app that someone can use to test their hearing – others may be more simple. But the fact that people will need to decide for themselves what kind of hearing loss they have (and potentially miss a more severe type of loss or other health concern), is one of the bigger issues with over-the-counter hearing aids, according to Ashby-Scabis.

"That's going to be a little confusing for folks, because how do you know what degree of hearing loss you have?"

A child wearing a hearing aid writes with a pencil at her desk Children and adults with severe hearing loss will still need a prescription hearing aid. Many adults who qualify for an over-the-counter hearing aid (those with mild or moderate hearing loss) will benefit from seeing an audiologist to rule out other health concerns.

The FDA cleared over-the-counter hearing aids for adults with "perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment." Ashby-Scabis says you'll probably be a good candidate for getting one over-the-counter if you're just starting to notice your hearing changing. People might sound like they're mumbling often, or you could have a harder time listening to people with higher-pitched voices, like women and children.

If that's you, you might be a great candidate for an over-the-counter hearing aid and might not need a more extensive exam from an audiologist.

"It's usually at that very early level, where people are starting to lose some of that hearing, that I'd say, 'That's a great person to think about an over-the-counter hearing aid,'" Ashby-Scabis said.

The FDA's rule clearing some hearing devices for over-the-counter sale goes into effect Oct. 17. You can expect some pharmacies, retail stores and online sellers to have models available then. Best Buy, for example, will be selling hearing aids, including ones made by Lexie Hearing, Eargo 6 and more. Walgreens and Walmart have also made similar announcements.

Don't expect all hearing aid companies to fully embrace over-the-counter sales, however. Brandon Sawalich, president of hearing aids manufacturer Starkey, said that while he appreciates the FDA listening to the advice of some in the hearing industry by implementing output volume limits, hearing health is individual, and fitting someone for a hearing aid has "got to be done right." Prescribing nonspecific over-the-counter models threatens user satisfaction with hearing aids, which is relatively high, despite the stigma around hearing aids persisting.

"Hearing is health care," Sawalich said, adding that a hearing aid is "not a consumer electronic device."

Starkey will sell over-the-counter hearing aids, Sawalich said, but only at hearing clinics in a more medical setting.

A doctor examines a man's ear and fits him for a hearing aid People who are just beginning to lose their hearing will probably be good candidates for an over-the-counter hearing aid, says Tricia Ashby-Scabis, an audiologist with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

It's too soon to say for sure, but one estimate puts the average around $600 to over $1,000 for a pair. The White House said the FDA's new rule could save someone nearly $3,000 for a pair of hearing aids.

There will probably be a wide price range for over-the-counter hearing aids, similar to the varying price range for prescription hearing aids, which stretch from a few hundred dollars to over $5,000 for a pair, depending on what you need or how many bells and whistles you'd like your hearing aid to have. So, even if they're technically more affordable, they still won't be cheap. While over-the-counter hearing aids solve an accessibility problem and help people get their foot in the door for what Ashby-Scabis calls a "starter hearing aid," the price will likely still be a barrier for some people.

"The majority of people who can't afford that $1,000 pair of hearing aids aren't going to be able to afford the $700 pair of over-the-counter hearing aids, or the $500 pair of hearing aids," she said.

What happens when hearing health is neglected? Research shows that hearing loss can lead to mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and social isolation. That's because not being able to effectively communicate anymore erodes a major part of what it means to interact with the outside world.

To be able to communicate effectively is "the ability to express yourself and receive information from other people," Ashby-Scabis said. "It's how we make those connections."

And if we don't use the part of our brain that processes information and language through hearing, it will weaken over time and may even lead to cognition problems. The fact that people may be more likely to access a hearing aid in the beginning stages of hearing loss is perhaps the biggest benefit to OTC sales, in Ashby-Scabis' eyes. It will help prevent them from going from zero to 100, and being forced to adapt and refire the language part of their brain when they've gone 10 or 15 years not being able to fully hear or communicate. Instead, they can transition as needed, hopefully a little earlier with an over-the-counter hearing aid.

"It's almost like they're putting their ears on an exercise routine," Ashby-Scabis said.

Due to a childhood disease (now fixed by tubes) I don’t have the little bones in my left ear, and, an ear canal that you can drive a truck through (I had to start charging for parking). A wonderful doctor found a solution for me, and, I got about 70% of my hearing saved. Lasted until my mid-50s.

Just before I retired, I had a post for a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) installed in my skull (titanium so it doesn’t set off metal detectors). No way a OTC hearing aid was gonna work for me, but, this is next to perfect. And it’s listed as a prosthetic, not, a hearing-aide, so, insurance covers it.

First time since I was a small child I can hear real stereo!

"...may have damaged hearing from frequent exposure to loud music or noisy environments and work places."

Do these count?
1. Bringing a sledge hammer down on a full roll of caps when I was about 11
2. A bicycle tire exploding at the service station when I was about 12
3. Rifles with no hearing protection
4. Wood shop and metal shop with no hearing protection
5. Working in power plants with no hearing protection
6. Attending big car races (e.g., CanAm and TransAm series) with no hearing protection.
7. Fireworks with no hearing protection
8. Big name rock concerts, front row in front of two-story tall speakers, with no hearing protection
9. Hours behind a lawn mower without a muffler
10. And, and, and, and...

When my ears rang temporarily after really loud noises as a kid, I just thought it was normal. Nobody ever told me it would become permanent. I'm surprised my ears don't bleed.

Hahahahahahaha!

My wife has sent me to the doctor for several hearing tests because I am constantly saying “What was that, sweetie?”

Then she thought I might have old-husband “selective hearing.

I insist that I do listen to everything she says, because I think she is going to quiz me.

We have a running inside joke. In the movie “American Beauty”, Annette Benning plays the chatty wife of Kevin Spacey’s character who is a “stay at home dad” while she works.

Every day she comes home and talks non-stop about her real estate job, what she saw, who she dealt with, etc. and while doing other stuff, he would mumble things like “Uh huh”, “Sure”, and “Okay”.

After a while, she suspected he wasn’t listening to her stream of consciousness dump on him, so the conversation went like this:

“So, today, I met with Mr. Smith. We went to the house. We were looking at the floors and the walls. When we went to the attic, we saw the wiring had problems, which he didn’t like. The plumbing was okay. But something had to be done about the wiring. Then we went in the backyard and came back in. The windows were dirty. You would think people would follow my advice, but they just don’t. I’ll have to clean those before the next visit. I wonder if she has windex there? I might have to buy some. We should have funds at the office for that, but we never do. And the floor was dirty. I don’t know how best to clean it. I suppose...”

Then she looked up and saw Kevin Spacey was fixated on some minute thing and didn’t appear to be listening. She said “Have you heard anything I just said?” He said he was listening, so she continued:

“...so, the Jones are coming over later, and I have to get the house ready for them. They are always late. I don’t know what they want, but they ask a lot of questions. I sometimes think I should write those things down but I never do. I never have paper at hand. Or a pencil. Maybe I should get some at the office. Anyway, the bathroom at the house was filthy, and there is a crack in the toilet...”

Looking at him, again he seems to be completely ignoring her, so she continues:

“...we have so many houses to show. John never wants to do his fair share. He is always involved in something else. Oh yes. I have to pick up some staples. Maybe I’ll do that tomorrow. But the route over to that other house I am showing goes past Maple Street. Maple Street needs to be fixed. It is very bumpy. Well, I got to the house and there was nobody there. I looked in the fridge, then I went into the bathroom and cut off my head with dental floss...”

Still looking at his magazine, Kevin Spacey just mumbled “Uh huh.”

So now, when my wife is saying something and thinks I am not listening, she ends with “...And then I cut off my head with dental floss.”

And waits for me to respond...:)

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