Over-The-Counter Hearing Devices

Are Not Equivalent to Traditional Hearing Aids

New research shows that even slight hearing loss can negatively affect your health and has been associated with cognitive issues, mental health, and even more frequent accidents and falls. 

In spite of this, many people ignore their hearing loss and avoid getting hearing aids. We often hear that hearing aids are just too expensive.  

We get it. It is an investment. That’s why at Best Ears Ahead we try to help clients afford the right hearing aids for their individual needs. 

Luckily, breakthrough innovations, improved legislation, and insurance updates have made hearing aids more affordable than ever.

One development is that lower-cost devices, including over-the-counter amplifiers, are now available in many pharmacies. 

But buyer beware: Just because you can get a device over the counter, doesn’t mean you should attempt to treat your hearing loss on your own. Treating hearing loss is a science and starts with determining which frequencies you’re having trouble hearing. 

Understanding speech, for example, relies on the clarity of sound which is influenced by the way it fits, what settings you use and whether it’s strong enough to treat your hearing loss. That’s why the first step should always be a hearing test.

Why Do I Need a Hearing Test to Treat Hearing Loss?

Over-the-counter hearing aids are not strong enough to treat some types of hearing loss. So to truly hear clearly again, you need to start the entire process with a hearing test. This will make sure you’re purchasing the right device for your type of hearing loss, and will help get the right “fit”. Hearing aids, and even some over-the-counter devices, can be programmed to your specific hearing loss. But unless you know which frequencies you’re having difficulty hearing, you can’t take advantage of this function.

Woman in hearing booth having her hearing tested.

Volume Isn’t the Only Variable

Hearing aids are not miniature speakers. They do a lot more than amplify sound. Much like prescription glasses, hearing devices should be programmed to address the frequencies you no longer hear naturally. This is crucial to hearing clearly.

  • If you increase the volume indiscriminately across all frequencies, it’ll be painful in the frequencies you don’t have hearing loss. In fact, you risk damaging your hearing even more.
  • If it’s painful or even just uncomfortable, you may stop wearing it, and that would be both a waste of money and would mean you’re not treating your hearing loss.
  • Some consonants and vowels are spoken at different frequencies. In order to make out speech, you need to hear all frequencies at the same volume. So if your device isn’t programmed correctly, you still won’t hear the conversation well.

Not only should you get a hearing test before you purchase a hearing device, but regular hearing tests also help make sure your hearing hasn’t changed subtly and that they are still working well.

Part of Hearing Is Blocking Out Background Noise

Hearing Aids also have other features you can’t find in over-the-counter devices. Modern hearing aids use artificial intelligence to help you block out background noise to focus better on voices. They can also include features to treat tinnitus, sync with your phone or TV, and some have advanced features such as translation or health-tracking features.

“Cheap Hearing Aids” vs Traditional Hearing Aids

As mentioned earlier, research has linked untreated hearing loss with serious health conditions such as cognitive decline and depression. But researchers think it may affect your health and quality of life in other ways as well. Already studies have indicated that untreated hearing loss is associated with increased healthcare costs by up to 40%.