Like every other person, you should consider several factors, including quality and features, before purchasing any product. These considerations also apply to hearing aid selection. Hearing aids are essentially prescribed to individuals with hearing difficulties, especially aging adults, by hearing care professionals. Initially, anyone with hearing difficulties had to consult a doctor first.
However, the FDA recently made a declaration that paved the way for retailers to sell hearing aids. Unlike before, you don’t necessarily need to schedule a doctor’s appointment. You can purchase your preferred aids and schedule an online hearing test from hearing care providers like HearCanada. Nonetheless, while the doctor can only give hearing aid recommendations, it is up to you to choose your preferred manufacturer.
Hearing aids range from basic models to high-end options. Choosing the best option for your needs requires that you weigh between the health benefits, additional features, and health benefits.
OTC vs. Prescription Hearing Aids
Over-the-counter hearing aids are a universal hearing device that anyone with hearing problems can purchase without undergoing a medical exam and professional fitting. You can also set programs and controls with guidance from your audiologist. As such, over-the-counter devices are not programmable like prescription aids dispensed by a licensed audiologist.
Prescription aids are pre-programmed to different frequencies based on the audiological evaluation done by a hearing care professional. The patient’s baseline hearing thresholds are determined during the evaluation, and information on the outer, inner, and middle ear is noted. Anyone with mild to moderate hearing loss can benefit from OTC hearing aids. Below are a few things you should know about the introduction of OTC hearing aids:
You Don’t Need a Prescription or Hearing Exam to Get a Hearing Aid
You can purchase over-the-counter hearing aids if you have mild to moderate hearing impairment. You should suspect this if you struggle to hear on the phone, in groups, or if you need to turn up the TV volume when watching your favorite shows. OTC hearing aids are not a good option for children and individuals with severe hearing impairments.
Under this directive, you can get hearing aids without undergoing a medical exam or obtaining a prescription from an audiologist. However, you can still use the conventional method of seeing a doctor first based on individual needs.
There are Endless Options for Hearing Aids
The change in these rules means that individuals with hearing impairment can access a wide range of options. Existing devices and new products are easily available in pharmacies, retail stores, and online platforms. However, like other products, it pays to conduct extensive research before purchasing.
You should check the manufacturer’s websites for detailed product information. Sellers should also disclose details about return policies. It might take three to four weeks to adjust hearing aids. Manufacturers should provide a reasonable window for product returns.
Endnote
The new FDA ruling made hearing aids more accessible to people with hearing impairments. Unlike before, you don’t have to wait five to seven years to get hearing aids. Individuals with hearing loss can also purchase customized hearing devices with additional features from different manufacturers.