By Jessica Hall and Leslie Albrecht October 18, 2022

Here’s what you need to know before buying a hearing aid over the counter

With the arrival of over-the-counter hearing aids, there’s a lot to sift through in terms of types of devices and what to look out for. Here’s a guide to get started.

The Food and Drug Administration issued final regulations in August, opening the door to over-the-counter hearing aid sales on Oct. 17, nationwide—without a prescription. Hearing aids can now cost hundreds of dollars, rather than several thousands.

The White House estimated that people could see nearly $3,000 in savings when they buy over-the-counter devices.

With the new OTC availability, adults will be able to try a device on their own rather than seeing a doctor and/or audiologist.

Keep in mind that the OTC devices are not meant for children or adults with severe hearing difficulties, according to the National Institutes of Health.

On a cautionary note, Janice Lintz, CEO of Hearing Access & Innovations, said consumers should be careful when purchasing over-the-counter aids because there is no performance testing on the products and no data available to compare models.

Consumers should look for the words “over-the-counter hearing aids” on the package, which distinguishes it from a personal amplification device, which is regulated as a consumer electronic, not a medical device regulated by the FDA.

Here are 6 things to be aware of when shopping for OTC hearing aids:

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1. Rule out any minor, fixable ear problems

If you have red flag issues such as a sudden loss of hearing, ringing in your ears or ear pain—see a physician.

2. OTC hearing aids are for mild to moderate hearing loss.

There are different degrees of hearing loss, and while any amount makes a person eligible for hearing aids, the new over-the-counter variety is only available for people who experience mild to moderate hearing loss. This is why it’s important for people to see a professional and have them conduct an audiogram in order to determine their individual needs and treatment options.

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–Robin Carson, audiologist expert for ear care company Eosera.

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3. Look for flexible return policies

It can take several weeks to get used to a hearing aid and set it correctly, said Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America.

Unlike traditional prescription hearing aids, which have legally-mandated trial periods in many states, there is no mandated return window for over-the-counter hearing aids, said Lindsay Creed, an audiologist and associate director or audiology practices with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

So make sure you know what the return policy is before you buy an over-the-counter hearing aid.

4. Be aware of who should NOT try to get an OTC hearing aid.

At the top of this list: anyone under age 18, Creed said. Parents may think they’re doing the right thing by obtaining a hearing aid for a child or teen with hearing loss, but they can actually end up doing more harm than good.

5. Check to see if the hearing aid needs additional devices to be used, such as a smartphone.

Walmart: The retailer is offering hearing aids ranging from $199 to $999 per pair. Options include top brands like Lexie powered by Bose and HearX that will offer technology like Bluetooth and self-tuning app capabilities. The hearing aids are available on Walmart.com and some Walmart Vision Centers nationwide.

6. Where to buy an otc hearing aid:

CVS: The pharmacy chain features different brands and models ranging from $199 to $999 on CVS.com. CVS Pharmacy locations will begin selling the devices in November.

Walgreens: The pharmacy chain will sell Lexie Lumen hearing aids at Walgreens stores nationwide and online for adults ages 18 and older with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The cost is $799. Consumers can also purchase them online through Walgreens Find Care for $39 per month for 24 months.

Best Buy: The consumer electronics retailer had more than a dozen models listed on its website, including Lexie Hearing, Nuheara, Jabra Enhance Plus, Lucid Hearing and Eargo. Prices ranged from about $200 to $2,950.

Click below to read more about OTC hearing aids on MarketWatch.

Photos by:  iStock Photo Story by:  Jessica Hall and Leslie Albrecht Google Web Story by:  Camille Dash

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