Hearing aid education

Handy guide to prescription and OTC hearing aids

When it comes to hearing aids, you have options. Here are the key facts about prescription and over-the-counter devices — and help on finding the right one for you.

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Hearing loss is a fact of life for many Americans. It’s estimated that more than 30 million people in the United States ages 18 and older have trouble hearing well.1 And as people get older, hearing loss can get worse.2 Many people start to notice age-related hearing loss in their 50s and 60s.

Hearing aids may help. And these devices now come in 2 main types. There are prescription hearing aids. And there are over-the-counter (OTC) ones that you can buy directly, without seeing a hearing care professional.3

Understanding how each type works and their differences can help you weigh your options. So, it makes sense to find out what prescription and OTC hearing aids have to offer. Here are important facts to consider.

How do you know if you need hearing aids in the first place?

“There’s not one cutoff to determine when to get a hearing aid. It’s individual to each person,” says Jennifer Thomson, Au.D. She’s the assistant director of audiology at Columbus Speech and Hearing in Columbus, Ohio. There are some signs that you might need a hearing exam and consultation though.

These include the following, says Thomson:

  • Ringing or fullness in your ears
  • Hearing better in one ear than the other
  • Trouble hearing in the presence of background noise
  • Trouble hearing conversations in noisy places
  • Trouble following conversations or dialogue on TV

The first step is typically getting your hearing checked by a hearing care professional such as an audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist. Then they can recommend treatment, including hearing aids. If you belong to AARP®, you can request a no-cost hearing exam and consultation without a referral through AARP® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing.

Even if you’re interested in OTC hearing aids, it may be a good idea to get a hearing exam first, recommends the American Academy of Audiology.4 That way, a hearing care professional can help determine if they’re a good option for you.

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Prescription hearing aids

Prescription hearing aids are good for many kinds of hearing loss, including severe hearing loss.3 There are 2 main types: one type rests behind your ear and the other sits inside your ear.

The basics: A hearing care professional prescribes these after you have a hearing exam. The exam helps the hearing care professional discover the reasons behind your hearing loss, and how extensive it is. Then they can help you pick the right hearing aids.

People who get prescription hearing aids have a lot of options when it comes to design and style.2 Other facts to know:

  • You’ll get hands-on advice. For example, if you’re tech savvy, your hearing care professional can show you devices you can program with an app on your smartphone. Or they can help you find hearing aids small enough that most people won’t see them in your ear.
     
  • You may get a trial run. There may even be a chance to try your hearing aids before fully committing. “The patient can pick out which hearing aid they’d like to try. Sometimes the hearing aid can be demoed in the office, or they can take it for a week and give it a test drive before they purchase it,” says Thomson.
     
  • You’ll get follow-ups. After you’ve received your new hearing aids, you will schedule follow-up visits with the hearing care professional. They’ll show you how to program the hearing aids and how to change the batteries or recharge them. They’ll also show you how to clean the devices.5,6
     
  • You may get discounts. Prescription hearing aids can be pricey. If you have hearing care benefits with your health plan, it may cover hearing aids.7 Depending on your plan, you may get a discount or have a co-pay to help reduce the cost. Your hearing care professional can help you understand your specific benefit and which manufacturers it covers.

If you're an AARP member, you get up to 3 follow-up visits at no extra cost — and 60 days to try out your new prescription hearing aids. Learn more.

Over-the-counter hearing aids

These devices are intended for people with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss.4 They can be a good option for people who only need hearing help in some situations (such as in a crowded restaurant).

The basics: You can buy these devices in stores and online without a prescription.8 And you don’t need to have a hearing exam. Other facts to know:

  • You have some style choices. Like prescription hearing aids, OTC devices are available to be worn behind or in the ear.9 Some come with a Bluetooth connection that lets you stream audio from a smartphone, tablet or even the TV directly into the hearing aid. Others let you program them from your smartphone or laptop.
     
  • You fit them yourself. OTC devices come in generic sizes and can fit a lot of different-size ears, notes Thomson. But the devices can’t be custom-fit to your ears. They also may not provide the right level of amplification needed for your hearing loss.
     
  • They cost less. OTC hearing aids tend to be less expensive than prescription ones. You can buy OTC devices online at the AARP® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing website.
     
  • You adjust them yourself. With OTC hearing aids, there’s no in-person help. Some OTC hearing aid manufacturers provide virtual assistance with a hearing care professional.8

Another important consideration? “Check to see if there is a return policy, so you can bring the OTC hearing aid back if you’re having trouble with it or they’re not working well enough,” says Thomson.

No matter which kind of hearing aids you get, it’s a good idea to check your hearing on a regular basis, recommends Thomson. That way, if there are minor changes to your hearing, a hearing care professional may be able to reprogram them. Or even advise you if you need a stronger pair.

It’s all part of taking care of your health. Hearing well brings its own rewards. “When you have your hearing, you can stay engaged and keep active, without having to pull away from things you like to do,” says Thomson. That can make every day more enjoyable.

Sources

  1. Hearing test Cleveland Clinic. Last reviewed August 30, 2022.
  2. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Last updated March 17, 2023.
  3. Hearing aids National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Last updated October 11, 2022.
  4. Consumers and OTC hearing aids American Academy of Audiology. Accessed February 22, 2024.
  5. How to choose a hearing aid: types and styles National Council on Aging. Published November 15, 2023.
  6. Loud and clear: What to know about hearing loss NIH MedlinePlus Magazine. Published February 23, 2023.
  7. State insurance mandates for hearing aids American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Accessed February 22, 2024.
  8. OTC hearing aids: What you should know U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Last updated May 5, 2023.
  9. 10 best hearing aids of February 2024 National Council on Aging. Published February 1, 2024.

Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.

AARP Hearing Solutions is available to all AARP members and does not require a health insurance plan from UnitedHealthcare. The AARP hearing program discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, promotions, coupons or hearing aid benefit plans unless noted herein. Products or services that are reimbursable by federal programs including Medicare and Medicaid are not available on a discounted or complimentary basis. AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details. UnitedHealthcare Hearing is provided through UnitedHealthcare, offered to existing members of certain products underwritten or provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates to provide specific hearing aid discounts. This is not an insurance nor managed care product, and fees or charges for services in excess of those defined in program materials are the member's responsibility. UnitedHealthcare does not endorse nor guarantee hearing aid products/services available through the hearing program. This program may not be available in all states or for all group sizes. Components subject to change.

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