Game Changer: Hearing Aids Now OTC

[Pea-n-Me]

This is something new, as of today.

Hearing Aids: Americans Can Now Buy Them Over The Counter

This will likely help a lot of people who couldn’t afford $6000 a pair.

Thought this might be a good place to share information about which ones work best, prices, where to buy, experiences, return policies, etc.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What to Know About Buying Hearing Aids Over The Counter:

https://www.wcvb.com/article/what-to-know-hearing-aids-over-the-counter/41636419

 

[tvguy]

Be interest to see how this pans out. My mom had hearing aids and the service she received from the hearing aid center was almost more important that the aids themselves. Getting them adjusted to her specific hearing issues was key, and I'm not sure people buying OTC hearing aids will get the service they need. The fine tuning turned what at first was an annoying device into one that was a huge help.

 

[DLgal]

Be interest to see how this pans out. My mom had hearing aids and the service she received from the hearing aid center was almost more important that the aids themselves. Getting them adjusted to her specific hearing issues was key, and I'm not sure people buying OTC hearing aids will get the service they need. The fine tuning turned what at first was an annoying device into one that was a huge help.

I'm guessing the same places that sell them will also service them.

I know Costco sells them and services them. That's where my dad gets his.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Some of them will also be Bluetooth so can be adjusted from a smart phone.

They also recommend having a hearing test first to maybe hone in one one particular type that works best individually.

There were also some other important points in the article in post #2, like this:

”When shopping for hearing aids, Creed recommends looking for the words "OTC Hearing Aid" on the package. This is part of the FDA regulation to make sure people are getting an actual hearing aid, rather than another type of device such as a hearing amplifier, made for recreational use. Hearing amplifiers magnify all sound, but hearing aids are customized to suit a person's hearing needs.

Hearing aids sold over the counter will be regulated on Oct. 17, but hearing amplifiers are unregulated. The FDA considers hearing aids to be medical devices but hearing amplifiers to be consumer electronics. If the product doesn't say "OTC or over-the-counter hearing aid" on the primary display, it is not an FDA-regulated hearing aid.

"I think, fortunately, the way the FDA crafted the language, the regulation is really well thought-out," Lin said. "To basically give consumers information they'll need to make an informed decision while at the same time creating the performance characteristics to guarantee that a device on the market will actually be reasonably safe and effective."

Creed urges anyone with questions contact an audiologist for guidance.”

 

[tvguy]

I'm guessing the same places that sell them will also service them.

I know Costco sells them and services them. That's where my dad gets his.

I think the concern is people will buy them from Amazon and other online retailers and get no service.

 

[DLgal]

I think the concern is people will buy them from Amazon and other online retailers and get no service.

Ah. Well, this seems to indicate that these OTC hearing aids won't have the ability to adjust and customize like prescription hearing aids do. These seem targeted to people with only mild to moderate hearing loss.

"Over-the-counter hearing aids will be a great option for thousands of people in the mild-to-moderate stage of their hearing journey, but for some with more severe hearing loss, prescription hearing aids are still the only option. People under the age of 18 will also need a prescription.

"We do anticipate for there to be some differences in the devices because it would not be cost-effective for manufacturers to sell their high-level technology at these prices," Creed said. "So they're probably going to be comparable to entry-level hearing aids in the prescription market."

Over-the-counter hearing aids might not have the same maximum volume as a prescription model and might not have the same degrees of customization or personalization. OTC devices will probably also be softer in volume and have output levels established by the FDA."

 

[lanejudy]

Well, this seems to indicate that these OTC hearing aids won't have the ability to adjust and customize like prescription hearing aids do. These seem targeted to people with only mild to moderate hearing loss.

THIS ^

While these new devices will help a lot of people who simply avoid getting a hearing aid due to cost, they really are not an equivalent replacement for prescription hearing aids one obtains from an audiologist or ENT. They will not have the ability for customized adjustments to the same extent as the Rx ones.

I liken it to the OTC reading glasses available at the drug store. Good for those who can use them, but not adequate for most people who need glasses.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

They say it will probably take a couple of years to optimize them. It’s new, I think people may want to give them a chance, especially people who otherwise wouldn’t have anything.

Even if someone buys an early set, then repurchases another, improved set a couple of years down the road, they’re still coming out ahead financially when you’re talking $500 vs $6000.

 

[tvguy]

They say it will probably take a couple of years to optimize them. It’s new, I think people may want to give them a chance, especially people who otherwise wouldn’t have anything.

Even if someone buys an early set, then repurchases another, improved set a couple of years down the road, they’re still coming out ahead financially when you’re talking $500 vs $6000.

Well, the price spread of prescription hearing aids is wide based on your vanity, not on their ability to improve your hearing. Smaller, less visible aids cost more, but don't work any better than larger, more visible aids.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

From the American Academy of Audiology, includes FAQs
Consumers and OTC Hearing Aids

Doctors from Mass Eye and Ear weigh in:
Doctor at Mass Eye and Ear advises who should take advantage of prescription-free hearing aids

 

[mistysue]

Well, the price spread of prescription hearing aids is wide based on your vanity, not on their ability to improve your hearing. Smaller, less visible aids cost more, but don't work any better than larger, more visible aids.

That's not completely accurate - there are significant technology differences in newer aids. Especially at the high end they have filtering and background noise reduction that create a very different experience and it accounts for much of the cost difference.

 

[tvguy]

That's not completely accurate - there are significant technology differences in newer aids. Especially at the high end they have filtering and background noise reduction that create a very different experience and it accounts for much of the cost difference.

And the smaller the aids the higher the price.

 

[midwestdee]

Consumer Reports has done several articles, ratings regarding this. I printed them for a former co-worker that wears a hearing aide. AARP also did a write up recently.

 

[mistysue]

And the smaller the aids the higher the price.

No- when we were buying aids the more expensive ones were still behind the ear, and larger than the in the ear practically invisible ones. When you get into the lower price ranges than smaller can=more expensive, but when you need serious devices the size jumps up again along with pricing and the technology. There is a lot more to hearing aids than being a microphone and speaker.

 

[tvguy]

No- when we were buying aids the more expensive ones were still behind the ear, and larger than the in the ear practically invisible ones. When you get into the lower price ranges than smaller can=more expensive, but when you need serious devices the size jumps up again along with pricing and the technology. There is a lot more to hearing aids than being a microphone and speaker.

Well, you kind of made my point. Not sure I would feel qualified to pick an OTC hearing aid, I would need the help I would get with prescription aids.

 

[mistysue]

Well, you kind of made my point. Not sure I would feel qualified to pick an OTC hearing aid, I would need the help I would get with prescription aids.

I agree these things have been done by prescription for a reason. I've tried quite a few times to explain to people their $100 "just as good based on the internet ad" aid wasn't the same type of thing as when you go to an audiologist- literally and figuratively landing on deaf ears. Genereally to people who write off all hearing aids because they didn't know what they were doing and now have a little earplug that squeels at them erratically while sounding like a loudspeaker.
For the sake of the people who need them I hope they make the OTC adjustment process user friendly. Much of their most at need demographic is both embarassed to use them and not tech savvy by any measure.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So, an update. I was in the market for hearing aids for myself, which is why this caught my interest so much.

I will share what I’ve learned, and I hope it helps people.

(Note that some of the outdated claims already on this thread are just that.)

After doing a lot of research, I had it narrowed down to two: Bose or Lively.

I was leaning toward the Bose (mainly because I love their sound systems and had no doubt they’d made a good aid, having had five years to work on it), but when I tried to purchase using my FSA card, it wouldn’t go through with a major retailer. (Confirmed w FSA overseer that they do that deliberately for fraud purposes.) I could’ve paid out of pocket and submitted for reimbursement, but I have enough on my plate right now, so I decided to try with the Lively company, and my FSA card went through, so that worked out well. (I also got a $500 discount from two promotions they were running.) Reviewers recommended Lively as one of the top brands to buy even more than Bose due to some of the features offered, which I will discuss below.

So what do I get with Lively? (Note, they changed their name this week to Jabra Enhance.)

https://www.jabraenhance.com/product?model=lively2lite&redirect=true

First, they are more considered “direct to consumer” than “OTC” because you do need a prescription (hearing test) and you do work with their Audiologists to program and even customize the hearing aids. Audiologist support is available anytime (by calling or using the link to email on the App) and for three years after purchase. I worked with “my“ audiologist (who is my assigned doctor) for about 40 minutes via Zoom this week and she was great! My hearing aids arrived pre-programmed (by her) based on the audiogram I submitted, but she can program them further based on my feedback once I’ve used them for a while. (I can also adjust things myself using the App, which is simple to use.) She also spent a long time going over with me what was in the box, and how to clean and care for them, etc. Parts are warrantied, so if I need anything, I can just reach out to them. (For instance they recommend cleaning the microphone monthly with a little brush they give you, and changing out the wax plug (I think it’s called) and ear piece once in a while, for which three more were included in the package.)

These hearing aids are quite small, like ones I’ve seen my friends and family have (which you can barely see), and the aids themselves matched my hair color. They are Bluetooth capable, so phone calls from a smartphone can go directly into the aids (and volume can be adjusted on the phone itself). The Bluetooth also works in the car, or at home watching TV, or whatever. Honestly it wasn’t a feature I thought I’d really use, but it’s already come in handy. You have to have a fairly new smartphone (I have an iPhone 8) in order to use the App that comes with it, but they will ask you that when you apply to purchase (yes, you have to be approved based on an audiogram before they send; they do offer an online audiogram if needed). You can also adjust the aids manually in the back if the App is not handy. So they have quite a few features that you would expect with higher functioning hearing aids. I chose the top model which are rechargeable and come with a little case. It takes the same charger as my iPad Pro so that makes life pretty easy for charging. Charges last 30 hrs I believe. They do make battery models but the batteries only last for a week or so.

So how is it going? It’s going ok. They say it takes about 30 days to get used to them. I don’t wear them too often as I only need them in certain circumstances, but I am trying to keep at it so I can figure it all out. They do have a 100 day return policy but I do not think I will be returning them. I already had another audiogram scheduled for next month (they used the one fro 2021 that I had) so I will email it to them once I get it in case there are any changes. And I’m going to touch base with my Audiologist in a month or so just so check in and make any adjustments needed or ask questions that come up, etc. So far, pretty happy with my purchase.

I paid $1500 instead of $6000 thanks to this new way of purchasing, which leaves money for a new pool deck that we need, and then some. It dawned on me when I was speaking to the doctor over Zoom that this makes total sense - it’s really just a new and updated way of doing things. Feel free to ask any questions and I will answer if I can.

 

[tvguy]

So, an update. I was in the market for hearing aids for myself, which is why this caught my interest so much.

I will share what I’ve learned, and I hope it helps people.

(Note that some of the outdated claims already on this thread are just that.)

After doing a lot of research, I had it narrowed down to two: Bose or Lively.

I was leaning toward the Bose (mainly because I love their sound systems and had no doubt they’d made a good aid, having had five years to work on it), but when I tried to purchase using my FSA card, it wouldn’t go through with a major retailer. (Confirmed w FSA overseer that they do that deliberately for fraud purposes.) I could’ve paid out of pocket and submitted for reimbursement, but I have enough on my plate right now, so I decided to try with the Lively company, and my FSA card went through, so that worked out well. (I also got a $500 discount from two promotions they were running.) Reviewers recommended Lively as one of the top brands to buy even more than Bose due to some of the features offered, which I will discuss below.

So what do I get with Lively? (Note, they changed their name this week to Jabra Enhance.)

https://www.jabraenhance.com/product?model=lively2lite&redirect=true

First, they are more considered “direct to consumer” than “OTC” because you do need a prescription (hearing test) and you do work with their Audiologists to program and even customize the hearing aids. Audiologist support is available anytime (by calling or using the link to email on the App) and for three years after purchase. I worked with “my“ audiologist (who is my assigned doctor) for about 40 minutes via Zoom this week and she was great! My hearing aids arrived pre-programmed (by her) based on the audiogram I submitted, but she can program them further based on my feedback once I’ve used them for a while. (I can also adjust things myself using the App, which is simple to use.) She also spent a long time going over with me what was in the box, and how to clean and care for them, etc. Parts are warrantied, so if I need anything, I can just reach out to them. (For instance they recommend cleaning the microphone monthly with a little brush they give you, and changing out the wax plug (I think it’s called) and ear piece once in a while, for which three more were included in the package.)

These hearing aids are quite small, like ones I’ve seen my friends and family have (which you can barely see), and the aids themselves matched my hair color. They are Bluetooth capable, so phone calls from a smartphone can go directly into the aids (and volume can be adjusted on the phone itself). The Bluetooth also works in the car, or at home watching TV, or whatever. Honestly it wasn’t a feature I thought I’d really use, but it’s already come in handy. You have to have a fairly new smartphone (I have an iPhone 8) in order to use the App that comes with it, but they will ask you that when you apply to purchase (yes, you have to be approved based on an audiogram before they send; they do offer an online audiogram if needed). You can also adjust the aids manually in the back if the App is not handy. So they have quite a few features that you would expect with higher functioning hearing aids. I chose the top model which are rechargeable and come with a little case. It takes the same charger as my iPad Pro so that makes life pretty easy for charging. Charges last 30 hrs I believe. They do make battery models but the batteries only last for a week or so.

So how is it going? It’s going ok. They say it takes about 30 days to get used to them. I don’t wear them too often as I only need them in certain circumstances, but I am trying to keep at it so I can figure it all out. They do have a 100 day return policy but I do not think I will be returning them. I already had another audiogram scheduled for next month (they used the one fro 2021 that I had) so I will email it to them once I get it in case there are any changes. And I’m going to touch base with my Audiologist in a month or so just so check in and make any adjustments needed or ask questions that come up, etc. So far, pretty happy with my purchase.

I paid $1500 instead of $6000 thanks to this new way of purchasing, which leaves money for a new pool deck that we need, and then some. It dawned on me when I was speaking to the doctor over Zoom that this makes total sense - it’s really just a new and updated way of doing things. Feel free to ask any questions and I will answer if I can.

Keep us posted. They cost more than I expected, the pitch for OTC was hearing aids under $1,000 a pair. My mom had hearing aids with batteries, not sure I would want rechargeable aids. When they're dead, they're dead. My mom would just pop in a new battery and be on her way.
My neighbor has his hearing aids paired to his phone and also has his Ring paired to the phone. He was 500 miles away from home on Halloween and his door bell kept ringing in his hearing aids!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Keep us posted. They cost more than I expected, the pitch for OTC was hearing aids under $1,000 a pair. My mom had hearing aids with batteries, not sure I would want rechargeable aids. When they're dead, they're dead. My mom would just pop in a new battery and be on her way.
My neighbor has his hearing aids paired to his phone and also has his Ring paired to the phone. He was 500 miles away from home on Halloween and his door bell kept ringing in his hearing aids!

You can certainly find cheaper models. But I wanted to find the best I could find in this category, and these were the ones most recommended by many reviewers. I consider them a bargain.

I thought about the battery model, but I read they must be changed every 6 days or so. That would, for me, be inconvenient and expensive over time. Rechargeable make it as easy as charging my phone, with no added cost over time.