Hearing aids finally became available over the counter last year, which means they can be bought at your local pharmacy without a prescription or a visit from a doctor. They’re more affordable than traditional hearing aids, too, costing less than a few hundred dollars instead of thousands.
But there is more to you Need to know more about over-the-counter hearing aids before placing an order. They may be easy to get, but it will take a little more work on your part to ensure you get the right hearing aid for you and your lifestyle. Here’s everything you need to know.
Who is suitable for hearing aids?
Hearing aids can be helpful For people who were born with a hearing loss or who have found their hearing to decline either from age or any number of other reasons. While temporary hearing loss can happen to anyone – and can usually be treated with medical treatment – permanent hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids.
Signs of hearing impairment
Asking people to repeat themselves repeatedly Difficulty understanding some letters of the alphabet Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Difficulty distinguishing between sounds in crowds Slurred speaking due to not being able to hear yourself Listening to music louder than you are used to Discomfort in social settings because you cannot keep up with conversations
Should you get your hearing aids without a prescription?
homonia/iStock/Getty Images
Over-the-counter hearing aids are becoming more popular due to the factor of affordability and accessibility. Laurie HaninExecutive Director at Hearing and Communication CentreOne of the most important things people need to know about over-the-counter hearing aids, he notes, is that they don’t require a hearing test. While this may seem like it makes it easier to get one, she points out that it also means these hearing aids aren’t exactly customized.
“As a generalization, personalized aids are more likely to have a wider variety of features and cutting-edge technology than over-the-counter aids. Some of them may be important to an individual user,” Hanin said. “A custom aid will always be selected after a hearing test, and the specific device chosen by the audiologist or distributor will be the one deemed best for your needs. It will then be programmed to suit your hearing impairment and hearing needs.”
Over-the-counter hearing aids can be easily purchased online, although you can also find them at your local pharmacy. Sarah Lundstromwho is a board-certified member of the American Board of Audiology, cautions, though, that shopping for your OTC hearing aids can go wrong if you’re not very careful.
“Most online or mail-in hearing aids don’t come with follow-up care or services,” she says. “When you buy with a professional, you usually get a warranty and follow-up services to further your success.” That doesn’t mean you can’t buy your hearing aids over the counter and then visit an audiologist for further care — which is what Lundstrom advises.
Benefits of over-the-counter medications:
The convenience of buying online and in stores is usually more affordable than the right hardware
Factors to consider:
Not Custom – They are not designed to fit or fit your specific hearing needs
Choose the best hearing aid available for you
Bekic / Getty Images
Over-the-counter hearing aids aren’t for everyone – aids are Food and Drug Administration They regulate it slightly differently than prescription hearing aids, and are not recommended for severe hearing loss or for anyone under 18. If you have mild to moderate hearing loss and are an adult, here’s how to choose the right hearing aid for you.
style
There are four main silhouettes of hearing aids: behind the ear, receiver in the canal, in the ear, and fully in the canal. You can choose the design you like based on your lifestyle and the aesthetic you desire. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are the most visible, but also the most durable.
degree of hearing impairment
Because over-the-counter hearing aids are slightly less powerful and slightly less accurate than dedicated hearing aids, they are better suited for mild to moderate hearing loss. There are different styles of hearing aids that differ in the level of hearing loss they work for, so it’s important to look at them before making a choice. Both behind-the-ear and in-ear hearing aids work pretty much for mild hearing loss, but if your hearing loss is more severe, fully in-ear hearing aids tend to be the least powerful actually.
budget
Over-the-counter hearing aids tend to be more cost-effective than prescription hearing aids, especially if you don’t have health insurance. OTC aids can cost as little as a few hundred dollars, while prescriptions can run into the thousands. You’ll likely find hearing aids at a wide variety of prices, but Lundstrom advises people to be careful about finding anything too cheap.
“Sometimes a less expansive value means you don’t get the same quality of product, whether it’s a lower-tech or a subdued technology,” she said.
Wireless connection
Some OTC hearing aids are equipped with Bluetooth technology to connect to your phone or other electronic devices, which can come in handy if you are looking for it.
lifestyle
Not all hearing aids are the same. Some are designed to resist water, and some are more durable than others. Choose a hearing aid that fits your lifestyle – which means thinking about your daily activities. If you work out a lot, you may want a durable hearing aid that is waterproof against sweat and heat.
Features
Take a look at all the benefits over-the-counter hearing aids offer as you make your choice. Take into account battery life, sound quality, and so on. If you have severe hearing loss, you will probably need hearing aids that reduce background noise more than others. If you’re on the go a lot, you’ll probably want hearing aids with longer battery life that you won’t have to deal with as often.
Warranties
It is important to look for hearing aids with warranties or risk-free trials; That way, you have some leeway to try and return them if they’re not what you need. As Lundstrom points out, buying hearing aids online on the resale market (she said you can find plenty on eBay) will likely void your warranty or trial. Instead, try to buy hearing aids directly from a retailer or brand that offers a warranty or trial.
Helpful customer service
One of the biggest drawbacks, Hanin points out, with over-the-counter hearing aids is that you pretty much do the process yourself. Since you most likely won’t be working with an audiologist during this process, you’ll want to choose hearing aids from a company or store that has reliable customer service. That way, if you have concerns about your purchase, you don’t have to worry about getting help.
maintenance
Some hearing aids require more maintenance than others, whether it’s the frequency with which you have to clean them or change the batteries. If you don’t want to mess with that much, look for hearing aids that have a longer battery life, or ones that don’t need to be cleaned as often. Some styles of hearing aids are more likely to collect and accumulate earwax, so pay attention to this during the selection process.
when to see a doctor
Although it’s not required to see an audiologist or have a hearing test for over-the-counter hearing aids, Hanin suggests seeing one anyway. “In my opinion, no one should choose to buy hearing aids without getting a hearing test and seeing an audiologist,” she said. “The audiologist should then be able to guide you as to what type of OTC aid to consider. If someone purchases an OTC aid on their own but then wants help, many audiologists will be willing to provide assistance for a fee. However, many of them will need a hearing test to work with the user.”
If nothing else, you should see an audiologist if you try to get hearing aids you still have hearing loss, or you feel like your hearing aids aren’t providing the help you need. A doctor can treat your hearing loss and help you figure out the best way forward.
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق