OTC Hearing Aids
What are over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids?
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are an alternative to prescription hearing aids. They are a new category of hearing aids that consumers can buy directly without visiting a hearing health professional. These devices are intended to help adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Like prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids make sounds louder so that some adults with difficulty hearing can better listen, communicate, and participate fully in daily activities.
OTC hearing aids have been available since mid-October 2022. Everyone could buy directly online, where prescription hearing aids are not available.
Who are OTC hearing aids for?
OTC hearing aids are for adults (18 and older) who believe they have mild to moderate hearing loss, even if they have not had a hearing exam. You might have mild to moderate hearing loss if, for example:
- Speech or other sounds seem muffled.
- You have trouble hearing when you're in a group, in a noisy area, on the phone, or when you can't see who is talking.
- You have to ask others to speak more slowly, speak louder, or repeat what they say.
- You turn up the volume higher than others prefer when watching T.V. or listening to the radio or music.
Why are some hearing aids available without a prescription?
Hearing loss significantly affects the quality of life for tens of millions of adults in the United States and contributes to high healthcare costs. Untreated hearing loss can lead to isolation and has been associated with severe conditions such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, dementia, reduced mobility, and falls. Yet only one in four adults who could benefit from hearing aids has ever used them. Making hearing health care more accessible and affordable is a public health priority, especially as the number of older adults in the U.S. continues to grow.
Leading experts in science, technology, and hearing health care have been working with researchers, health professionals, and consumers to find safe and effective ways to improve access to hearing health care for adults. They suggested changing some regulations that studies showed were barriers to adults getting the hearing help they need. They also recommended that the FDA create guidelines and quality standards for OTC hearing aids.
A law established as part of the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 directed the FDA to create a category of OTC hearing aids for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. As part of this process, in October 2021, the FDA formally proposed a rule to establish the new OTC hearing aids category.
Finalized in August 2022, the final law allows hearing aids within this category to be sold directly to consumers in stores or online without a medical exam or a fitting by an audiologist.
Why should you buy binowav otc hearing aids?
Binowav otc hearing aids are a perfect solution for those who want to hear better without spending a fortune on expensive hearing aids.
They are affordable and have all the features you need to hear better: U.S. digital chip for more precise sound, rechargeable batteries for easy charging, a 45-day money-back guarantee if you don't like them, and 1-year warranty service in case something goes wrong.
For more cost-effectiveness, you may choose LUNA Hearing Aids.
For higher performance, you may choose LUNA Pro Hearing Aids.