![]() Photo by Sarah Packĭuffy said the over-the-counter hearing aids will probably cost between $500 and $1,000 per ear. The OTC options will give those with less hearing loss improved access to devices that meet their needs and are less expensive than current options.” Audiologist Meredith Duffy shows patient Lindy Brennan her new hearing aid in 2021. ![]() It also might push people who are aware of their hearing loss to try amplification sooner than later. “It definitely gives more access to people who don’t have the financial ability to buy traditional hearing aids. The customized programming is very important to ensure the hearing aids never get too loud, are appropriate for the child’s hearing level and age and provide access to important speech sounds needed for normal language development and learning in school.”īut people who do qualify for over-the-counter hearing aids could see – and hear – real benefits, Duffy said. “It is very important for children and teens with hearing loss to be fit correctly with hearing aids by a pediatric audiologist. They would probably need to be fit with the more traditional prescriptive hearing aids.”ĭuffy said they’re also not recommended for people under the age of 18. If there are other symptoms or issues like ringing in the ears, a history of ear infections, drainage, pain in the ears, ear deformities, vertigo or dizziness or a sense that one ear is better or worse than the other, these are all reasons to see both an ear, nose and throat doctor and an audiologist before pursuing the OTC hearing aids. “These devices are really only recommended for people with a perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. As retailers from Best Buy to Walgreens prepare to sell over-the-counter hearing aids when they become available next month, an MUSC Health audiologist has some advice for people considering buying them.įirst of all, they aren’t for everyone with hearing loss, said Meredith Duffy, AuD.
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