Prescription vs. store-bought hearing aids: Here’s what to consider

New government regulations that allow hearing aids to be sold over the counter — rather than only by prescription — went into affect earlier this month. That will offer more choices for consumers who need help with their hearing — but is it a good idea?

The change by the Food and Drug Administration, which began Oct. 17, brings increased accessibility and decreased prices for consumers. But is also opens the door to less-personalized care, according to local hearing aid specialists and audiologists.

Eric Livingston, a board certified hearing aid specialist and co-owner of Livingston Hearing Aid Service in Marion, said some of the advantages to having a prescription hearing aid are that it is customized to the individual and has a warranty for regular maintenance.

“It’s going to get wet. It’s going to get dirty. It’s going to need maintenance, and that’s probably the most underestimated part of wearing a hearing aid is that it’s a high maintenance item,” Livingston said.

Several companies, including Sony, have announced they are developing over-the-counter hearing aids, which will be designed to help with mild to moderate hearing loss. The new FDA regulations include specific requirements for over-the-counter hearing aids, but many hearing “amplifiers” that aren’t FDA approved already are being sold.

It’s important to check for FDA approval when purchasing over-the-counter aids, Cedar Rapids audiologist Nancy Sickelka said.

“Another downside is there are so many options available. A lot of companies, and some that have no prior experience with hearing aids, have developed products. Some are good, some are not. The price range is significant. Not all (over-the-counter) devices have the same features and capabilities. So, finding the device that works appropriately may be overwhelming and frustrating. And those that choose incorrectly may get discouraged,” Sickelka said.

Bose Corporation and Lexie Hearing have announced a new self-fitted over-the-counter aid that will cost about $900, and Best Buy has announced it will open hearing centers where customers can use an online hearing assessment tool and, with the help of trained staff members, choose from nine over-the-counter brands ranging in price from $200 to $3,000.

The average price of prescription hearing aids is about $4,500, according to Livingston, but that price can vary widely depending on the needs of the individual.

Livingston said he believes many of the over-the-counter hearing aids are good quality, and they’ll be a good option for those without insurance or who can’t afford to meet with a specialist or doctor for prescription hearing aids.

But Livingston and Sickelka both recommend prescription hearing aids for those who can afford them, saying they are better able to address individual needs.

“One of the drawbacks for the patient using over-the-counter hearing aids is that they do not have to be evaluated by an audiologist. This means if they have an ear full of wax, a medical condition or hearing loss that is not appropriate for those devices, they are not making an informed decision,” Sickelka said.

The over-the-counter devices also don’t have some of the same features as prescription devices. Most over-the-counter aids that currently are available are meant to help only in quiet situations, not noisy ones, and don’t have features like streaming directly from a cellphone to the hearing aid — a feature many prescription aids do have, according to Sickelka.

Livingston said because of the customization factor of prescription hearing aids, he’s not too concerned about losing business to the over-the-counter aids.

“It’s hard to say how much it’s going to affect business. This is really a service-oriented business when it comes down to it, and people’s success and satisfaction, no matter what they spend on hearing aids … really hinges on how they hear,” Livingston said.

“Everybody’s different. Some people need more help. Some people need a lot more help, and some people need less.”

Sickelka agreed that it’s hard to know how the business will change, but noted that the over-the-counter hearing aids are only designed to help with mild to moderate hearing loss, and those with severe hearing loss, or those whose hearing loss gets worse over time, will still need the support of an audiologist.

“The (over-the-counter) hearing aids are meant for a different population than those that receive their hearing health care from an audiologist.

“In a way, its like comparing reading glasses to prescription glasses. They do not fill the same need at all,” Sickelka said.

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