Soon You Can Get a Hearing Aid Without a Prescription

About a third of people over the age of 65 have hearing loss. Once you reach the age of 75, your chances of becoming hard of hearing increase to about 50%. Luckily, there is newly accessible assistance for these individuals in the form of non-prescription hearing aids.

Here, we're going to answer the question of when you should get a hearing aid and how you can find one. Read on to improve your hearing and live life to the fullest.

When Should You Invest in Hearing Aids?

Seniors with hearing loss often struggle to perform daily activities that would be easier with a hearing aid. These activities include communicating with loved ones, watching television, talking on the phone, and driving. Hearing loss also may affect balance and heighten the risk of falling.

Additionally, treating hearing loss may decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's or dementia. Cognitive abilities like memory and concentration decline with hearing loss and ultimately can lead to dementia. Some studies show that treatment can stop this.

Some signs of hearing loss that mean you should get a hearing aid include:

• Communication is difficult in conversations with over 2 people
• You can't hear voices at the other end of the telephone
• You turn up the TV volume higher than you used to
• You consistently think that others seem to mumble
• You can't hear someone talking when there is background noise
• You miss alarms that go off if you're not right next to them

Luckily, finding hearing aids is easier than ever before.

Do You Need a Prescription for Hearing Aid Purchase?

In the past, the answer to this question was always "yes." However, as of August 16, 2022, the FDA announced that hearing aids will be available over the counter. These hearing aids don't require any costly doctor's visits or medical exams, so you can just walk into a drugstore and purchase some.

This change has been in demand for a long time. When the FDA issued the proposal last October, it was different than the one that they ultimately passed. They tweaked the rule to meet the needs of the public by reviewing over 1000 comments from consumers. 

However, despite this decree, the change has not yet been implemented. It will take effect sometime in autumn. OTC hearing aids will likely be accessible as soon as October.

Note that those who are purchasing a hearing aid without prescription papers likely need to be over the age of 18. They are not made to fit children and will therefore not be effective. Their primary target market consists of senior citizens looking to increase their quality of life.

Are Non-Prescription Hearing Aids Different From Prescription Ones?

Non-prescription hearing aids are not for those with severe hearing loss. If you are mostly deaf and struggle to hear even loud noises, you will still require a prescription for stronger hearing aids.

Instead, non-prescription hearing aids are for those who suffer only from mild to moderate hearing loss.

Rather than being fit to your ears by a licensed audiologist or a specialist in hearing instruments, they're self-fit. You order your size online and pick them up at a drugstore - luckily, one size fits most. This means that you will need to measure yourself with online instructions.

Similarly, the strength of non-prescription hearing aids is completely approximated. You won't get access to professional diagnostic tools, so you need to do some research and choose the right option for your own needs.

Finally, OTC hearing aids will likely be for those who do not have complex ear conditions. They're just for those with straightforward hearing loss.

Note that these are simply expert projections on what to expect from non-prescription hearing aids. We won't truly know the exact differences until they appear in stores this fall.

Lowering Costs

The average cost of prescription hearing aids is about $7,000 per pair. Less expensive sets will cost anywhere between $99 and $6,000. However, the lower-end ones are usually poor quality and require replacement really shortly after purchase.

Experts estimate that non-prescription hearing aids can save buyers about $1,200. This makes higher-quality hearing aids accessible to those who need assistance.

The purpose of OTC hearing aids is to lower costs. This is especially important among senior populations who are often retired. These people are also usually living off medicare or an insurance policy that does not pay for ear tests and prescription hearing aid purchases.

Increasing Accessibility

Even beyond cost-related issues, over-the-counter hearing aid options increase accessibility for elderly individuals. As people age, they tend to give up their driver's licenses. This is important because it keeps those on the road safe from delayed reaction times and issues that stem from hearing and vision loss.

However, it also means that elderly people have a more difficult time getting around. This is especially true if they struggle to walk or move from place to place.

Getting to doctor's appointments can be challenging, especially when you need to see multiple specialists to test for hearing loss. OTC hearing aids only require a simple trip to a local drugstore or pharmacy.

Invest in an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Today

While getting a hearing aid was once a challenge, they now are more accessible to elderly individuals and hard-of-hearing people. Now that you know the basics of non-prescription hearing aids, it's time to begin finding services that help you live your best life.

We're committed to offering home care, one-on-one assistance, assisted living communities, and a sense of fulfillment to senior citizens. Find services that can help you and your loved ones live out their golden years in comfort and joy.