What is a starter hearing aid? What is an OTC hearing aids? Am I a candidate?
First, what is an OTC Hearing aid?
In 2017 The FDA Reauthorization Act passed and in it the OTC hearing aid was proposed as a new class of hearing aid to become recognized under the FDA.
In the years that have followed there have been reviews and recommendations for the definition of an OTC hearing aid. The latest FDA proposal in October 2021 sets forth the following guidelines:
The OTC hearing aid is a hearing aid acquired without a hearing professional.
The OTC hearing aid is a hearing aid for Mild hearing losses- persons under 18 or with severe hearing loss should see a specialist.
OTC hearing aids will be made available without a prescription as in Over-the-Counter, or OTC.
It is unclear when these OTC products will be available in stores. So far, some companies like Bose speakers have created their version of an OTC hearing aid that match the proposed criteria. The Bose OTC hearing aids are priced around $850 per pair.
What is a Starter Hearing Aid?
In response to Bose and other companies introducing their OTC hearing aids, the hearing aid manufacturers who have been producing hearing aids for over 50 years, like Sonova, have begun offering their answer to OTC. One such solution is the “Starter Hearing aid” from Unitron.
These hearing aids offer the advantage of
1. A hearing evaluation by a licensed professional
2. A customized fit of the hearing aid
3. Counseling, support and guidance from a hearing professional
4. Upgradeable option for future hearing needs
5. Same low price as Bose OTC hearing aids
I like all of these options as the answer to an OTC. My only analogy to a person selecting and fitting his own hearing aid would be a person fixing their own car. It’s great if they have the knowledge and experience making car adjustments and repairs but I know I don’t. I would not have access to the right tools as an auto mechanic or any idea as to how to make the car work better. I would assume most people would feel the same way about selecting and fitting their own hearing aids.
Leave your hearing in the good care of a caring hearing health professional!
I would love to talk to you about starter hearing aids or any kind of hearing questions you may have. The first step would be to have a hearing evaluation to see if you ar
e a candidate for a starter hearing aid. Even a mild hearing loss can create difficult situations for people who are active, working or socially active and rely on good communication. Actually, that is all of us!
Don’t let the price of hearing aids stop you from hearing better! Call me at 239-777-2089 to start the conversation!