Stop, look, and listen! Caveat emptor! Buyer beware! If you’re thinking about buying an over-the-counter hearing aid, the first thing you need to do is A LOT of research. Following are three reputable, trusted sources that are a good starting point for anyone thinking about spending money on better hearing.
Now that FDA-approved OTC hearing aids can be bought online without a prescription from an audiologist, there are hundreds of choices out there to consider. Unfortunately, this new market is rife with miscommunication, misleading information, and outright false advertising claims.
I did a search on Amazon this morning for “otc hearing aid fda approved” that turned up137 results ranging in price from $19.90 to $2,450.00. There were some really good products listed there. However, many were not even “FDA-approved” but instead were cheap analog or digital sound amplifiers. If this is the best guidance you get from Amazon, which generally monitors the products on its site pretty well, you will definitely want to do a lot more of your own research before you take the plunge.
Three Trusted Sources of Advice on OTC Hearing Aids
Fortunately, there are plenty of sources of qualified advice and information on buying OTC hearing aids if you know where to look. Here are three trusted, reputable sources of information that are a great place to start:
- Hearing Tracker is one of the best sites on the web for consumers seeking help with their hearing. Founded by a Doctor of Audiology to help consumers find better hearing aids and better hearing professionals, it provides a wealth of rich content and advice on acquiring hearing aids including the new OTC hearing aids. It is an independent site with product reviews by experts, consumer commentary on their hearing aids, a nationwide directory of audiology practices with pricing information, and an extensive updated database of hearing aid products.
- Wirecutter, the electronic products review site owned by the New York Times, has done several deep dives into OTC hearing aids. In the linked article they only recommend the four “best” OTC hearing aids, but even more important than their recommendations are the extensive explanations what to look for, how much to spend, what features and functions are most suitable for people with different levels of hearing loss, and overall background on the OTC hearing aid market. A careful reading of the article will arm you with most of the right questions to ask if you extend your search beyond their recommendations.
- Consumer Reports, the venerable independent guide for consumers of all kinds of household products, began looking closely at hearing aids over a decade ago and currently publishes ratings of more than two dozen traditional hearing aids. Recently it turned its focus to OTC hearing aids with an excellent introductory guide and product overview by health journalist Catherine Roberts.
With so many OTC hearing aids coming on the market at once, it’s important to know where to start and what to look for. These three sources can help. All are independent—they do not sell products and promise objectivity. Plus they have the resources to do their own research to get the best data and insights from qualified professionals. Everyone should have access to better hearing at prices they can afford, and OTC hearing aids will provide that for millions. Starting your search with the best information will help you find the ones that are right for you.