What is the Difference between OTC and Prescription Hearing Aids

Following an executive order, it will soon be possible for people to purchase hearing aids without a prescription. In August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed hearing aids sold over the counter (OTC) for adults who experience self-perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. This order aims to make hearing aids more accessible and affordable to individuals over the age of 18 experiencing hearing loss. This change soon led to the creation of different terms for available hearing technology.

A prescription hearing aid is another name for the traditional hearing aid, which is fitted by an audiologist, whereas an OTC hearing aid refers to the one you can buy either in stores or online without a professional fitting. But apart from the different identification terms, you might still be wondering what the differences between the two hearing aids are and which one would best suit your needs.

Differences Between Prescription Hearing Aids and OTC Hearing Aids

One of the main differences between prescription and OTC hearing aids is how beneficial each hearing aid will be in regards to your lifestyle. Prescription hearing aids address all degrees of hearing loss, from mild to profound. On the other hand, OTC hearing aids are for self-perceived cases of mild-to-moderate hearing loss. With a prescription hearing aid, your audiologist can help you fine-tune your device’s settings to help you adjust to any changes. In contrast, an OTC hearing aid would not involve any professional care.

The second difference is where you can purchase these two hearing aids from. With a prescription hearing aid, you can only purchase directly from a hearing health professional like an audiologist after going through an evaluation to diagnose your condition. However, with the OTC versions, you can purchase your hearing aids at any approved retailer without an audiologist’s official diagnosis.

What’s the Best Hearing Aid for You?

While OTC hearing aids are convenient and accessible to all, the only way to know if you truly need a hearing aid is by undergoing a full diagnostic evaluation run by a trained audiologist. A full evaluation will diagnose the condition and also identify the degree of your hearing loss.

With your results, your audiologist will let you know the degree of your hearing loss and what types of devices will be most suited to your specific needs. That’s why you must continue to visit your audiologist to help you fully understand your condition and find the best solution. Other evaluations, like online hearing tests, cannot give accurate results on the severity of your hearing loss.

You can consider getting OTC hearing aids following a hearing evaluation if you meet the following criteria:

• You’re over 18 years old.
• You haven’t been professionally diagnosed with severe or profound hearing loss by an audiologist.
• You don’t have other symptoms, including tinnitus, imbalance, ear pain, diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Types of Hearing Aids

Prescription hearing aids help increase your ability to hear in numerous surroundings and also improve your quality of life down the line. If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss or suspect you might have hearing loss, it’s important to know which type of hearing aid will be most suitable for your condition. Here are the different hearing aids that audiologists recommend using:

• Behind the ear (BTE): As its name indicates, these hearing aids are placed behind the ear. They are easy to use and maintain and are an excellent choice for kids. However, it can be bulky in appearance.

• In the canal (ITC): These hearing aids are much smaller than the BTE and lightweight. They are custom-made to fit the size of your ear. They are best used for moderate to severe cases.

• In the ear (ITE): ITE hearing aids are slightly bigger than ITCs, but are much easier to use and handle. They are also excellent options for people with severe hearing loss.

Now that you know the various hearing aid styles, it can help you better identify which one would suit you after receiving a professional diagnosis. Ensure you speak with your audiologist before making a purchase.

Which Works Best for You?

If you’re still unsure about which type of hearing aid best addresses your hearing loss, why not schedule a meeting with us? We can help you make the best decision regarding prescription and OTC hearing aids. We are committed to helping everyone have better hearing experiences in their everyday lives.

You can schedule your next hearing evaluation or assessment with Rocky Mountain Hearing & Balance. Call us at (801) 685-3456, and we’ll be happy to address all your questions and concerns.