The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 37.5 million adults in the United States have hearing difficulties, and only about 20% of them wear hearing aids. Unfortunately, some believe that there is a stigma attached to wearing hearing aids. Worries about the cost of these devices can also keep people from using them. To help battle these barriers, companies have introduced over-the-counter hearing aids to encourage people with hearing difficulties to get the help they need.
What Are Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids?
Over-the-counter (OTC)
hearing aids are a new type of hearing device that allows someone who has hearing problems to self-diagnose and buy an aid to help with that hearing loss without depending on an evaluation from a medical professional. They are options that work for adults with mild to moderate loss of hearing.
Like other types of hearing aids, OTC hearing devices make sounds louder to allow people with hearing difficulties to participate in activities and conversations. Even though they are sold without a prescription, the FDA still regulates these types of hearing aids as medical devices.
How OTC Hearing Aids Impact the Future of Hearing Aids
In the past, the only way to get access to a hearing aid was by going to a hearing health professional, having a full exam, and having the aid fitted. All of this was cost-prohibitive for many people, leaving some with the financial inability to get the help they needed. The best hearing aid options were out of reach for many.
An OTC hearing aid allows you to buy what you need directly in a store or even online. You can also fit the aid yourself and control the settings in a way that many traditional hearing aids do not allow.
OTC hearing aids do not have state or federal restrictions and carry no appointment fees, making them the right option for many families. Because you buy them directly instead of through a medical provider, they can be much more affordable than traditional hearing aids.
Get the Hearing Aid You Need
If you struggle with hearing difficulties, turning to over-the-counter hearing aids can be the solution. You will have the freedom to decide when you need help while also being able to adjust the hearing aid to your particular needs. Why struggle with hearing problems when an affordable solution is within your reach?
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