Survey Reveals Only 14% of U.S. Adults Have Tried Hearing Aids

hearing aid survey associated audiologists Independence MO

There’s a huge disconnect between people who think they have hearing loss, and those who have done something about it. In fact, one of the reasons legislators moved to make hearing aids available over-the-counter for individuals with mild-to-moderate hearing loss was to make lower priced devices more accessible. This legislation eliminated the need for a diagnostic hearing evaluation and made … Read More

Analyzing the AARP Article on OTCs

Hearing specialist holding a tray with an assortment of hearing devices in different shapes and colors.

A little more than a year ago, over-the-counter hearing aids officially arrived in the U.S. consumer market, creating concern among hearing professionals and confusion among consumers. The original legislation that made OTCs a reality had good intentions—to make hearing aids more accessible and affordable, but the jury is still out on where things stand in that regard. In this blog, … Read More

Paying for Hearing Aids

Printed 'INSURANCE' document with golden ink, next to a pink and blue notebook.

With over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids now available to consumers, plus prescription hearing aids, there are more options than ever before for hearing devices. Originally, cost was one of the driving factors in the FDA’s decision to approve OTC hearing aid sales. And while there are some very affordable OTC options, OTC hearing aids aren’t appropriate for everyone. Some individuals need … Read More

What’s the Most Affordable Hearing Aid?

With over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids now approved by the Food and Drug Administration, hearing aid options have increased significantly and run the gamut from entry-level OTCs to more advanced prescription hearing aids, but how do you know what the most affordable option is for you? Whether you’re looking for OTC or prescription hearing aids, consider your budget, hearing needs, and … Read More

Over-the-Counter or Prescription Hearing Aids?

An assortment of hearing devices arranged on a thin tray being held by a hearing specialist, each a different shape or color.

Choosing Between OTC and Prescription Hearing Aids With the recent entry into the marketplace of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, many consumers are asking themselves, “Which do I need?  Over-the-counter or prescription hearing aids?” Probably the best place to start in answering that question is with a comprehensive hearing evaluation performed by a doctoral-level audiologist. A hearing evaluation isn’t required in … Read More

The Latest on Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

What You Need to Know About OTC Hearing Aids According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), a law established as part of the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 directed the FDA to create a new category of hearing aids for adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss called over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. As part of this … Read More