Are over-the-counter (otc) hearing aids recommended?

When you purchase Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids, you are not just losing out on the benefits of today’s hearing technology, but the expert care and support from your hearing professional as well. OTC hearing aids are not programmed for your specific hearing needs and environment, so they won’t give you the same individualized treatment for your unique hearing loss. They come preprogrammed, meaning they are not adjusted to your individual needs. Hearing healthcare professionals have gone through extensive training and coursework in order to keep up-to-date with advancing technology, and to provide you with the best care possible.

If you’re considering purchasing OTC hearing aids you should still get your hearing checked by a hearing professional. Hearing loss can be the result of an underlying health issue. Hearing healthcare providers can help determine the root cause of your hearing loss, and if needed, they can refer you to a specialist. And, if you’re just not sure yet if hearing aids are right for you, many providers can give you a trial period to test out a pair of hearing aids risk free.