Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Available Near League City, TX
A new and affordable option for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids can be purchased in stores and online without a prescription from a licensed hearing health professional. Like their prescription counterparts, these hearing devices make sounds louder to improve the user’s ability to listen and communicate during daily activities. If you think you could benefit from OTC hearing aids, you can find an excellent selection at Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing near League City, Texas.
Haven’t OTC Hearing Aids Always Been Available at Drugstores?
OTC hearing aids are a new class of hearing aids—they are far different from the personal sound amplification products that have been sold over the counter for years. Also known as hearing amplifiers, the latter is intended to be used by people with normal hearing who simply want to “turn up the volume” in certain situations. For instance, a hunter or birdwatcher might use hearing amplifiers much like binoculars for their ears, allowing them to “zoom in” on sounds while observing wildlife.
Although hearing amplifiers can work well in limited situations, they are not intended to treat hearing loss. Significantly, they do not clarify speech or filter noise—only medical-grade hearing aids can do that.
Are OTC Hearing Aids Safe and Effective?
Like prescription hearing aids—and unlike hearing amplifiers—OTC hearing aids are regulated as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Although OTC hearing aids are easier to buy and more affordable than prescription devices, it is important to keep in mind that their price does not include:
- Professional sizing and custom fitting
- In-person guidance on proper use and maintenance
- Follow-up adjustments and fine-tuning
Instead, patients fit their OTC hearing aids themselves and may be able to control and adjust the devices through a smartphone with Bluetooth technology.
If you would like to learn more, you are welcome to stop by Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing near League City, TX, where you can speak with an experienced audiologist and view our selection of over-the-counter hearing aids firsthand.
