Hearing loss is the 3rd most common chronic physical condition in the United States.
38.2 million Americans aged 12 years or older have hearing loss, with greater than
80% of individuals 80+ years old having some degree of hearing loss1&2. On average, adults wait about 7 years to pursue treatment for hearing loss, with
only 20-30% of adults with hearing difficulties actually wearing a hearing aid. Treatment
for hearing loss is of high importance with research showing that untreated hearing
loss is linked to cognitive decline, dementia, falls, social isolation, depression,
and an overall decline in the quality of life at home or work3.
Quick Links (Infographics)
Prescription Hearing Aids vs OTC Hearing Aids
Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dispenser: What is the Difference?
When to stop using an OTC Hearing Aid
Prescription Hearing Aids
Prescription hearing aids are ordered by an audiologist who has tested your hearing
using advanced diagnostic tools. An audiologist is a hearing healthcare professional
who has obtained either a Doctorate or Masters degree in audiology. The audiologist
will help you select a hearing aid from a variety of styles that will best fit your
lifestyle and communication needs. These styles include custom fit hearing aids that
are personally fit to your ears.
They will program your hearing aids to ensure they fit comfortably in your ears and
provide maximum benefit. Often, these measures include real ear measurements, an evidence-based
practice, where the audiologist will insert thin tubed microphones into your ear canal,
along with your hearing aids to measure the output of each hearing aid in reference
to your hearing test. The goal of this measurement is to ensure that the hearing aids
can be best programmed to meet your hearing needs, as demonstrated by your hearing
test. Typically, an audiologist will also have follow-up appointments for fine-tuning
and maintenance.
Over the Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
On August 16th, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established regulatory
category for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in an effort to increase the availability
and affordability for adults aged 18 and over with perceived mild to moderate hearing
loss. These devices will be available starting as soon as mid-October in pharmacies,
department stores such as Walmart, and online.
Hearing aid associations such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing (ASHA) Association
and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) have stressed that those with hearing
loss understand the important steps in determining the best type of hearing aid for
you.
Knowing if OTC Hearing Aids are a Good Fit for You:
It is highly recommended to receive a comprehensive hearing evaluation by an audiologist
first. This evaluation will give you information such as the severity and type of
hearing loss you may have. With this information, your audiologist cam determine whether
or not OTC hearing aids will be a good fit.
Who will OTC Hearing Aids Work for?
OTC hearing aids will work for those 18+ years and older who have a mild to moderate
hearing loss. They are NOT effective for those who a moderate to severe hearing loss,
nor should OTC hearing aids ever be worn by children. For children and adults with
greater than a moderate loss, seeing an audiologist for prescription hearing aids
is highly recommended.
OTC Hearing Aids are Not Recommended For Those:
• Children/anyone under the age of 18.
• Hearing losses greater than moderate severity
• Chronic ear discharge
• Hearing loss and ringing present in/or worse in one ear
• Ear pain or discomfort
• Fullness of the ear
• Vertigo or severe dizziness
• Ear deformities
ETSU AUDIOLOGY CLINIC
Please contact the ETSU Center for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology for any
further information about our available hearing aid options:
References
1Goman, A. M., & Lin, F. R. (2016). Prevalence of hearing loss by severity in the United
States. American Journal of Public Health, 106(10), 1810─1822.
2 Masterson, E. A., Bushnell, P. T., Themann, C. L., & Morata, T. C. (2016). Hearing
impairment among noise-exposed workers—United States, 2003─2012. Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report (MMWR), 65(15), 389─394.
3 The Lancet Commission. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020
report of the Lancet Commission.
ASHA, 2022.