OTC hearing aids are a whole different 'ballgame'. They are not fit by a professional. They are sold in the box. Some of them are of higher quality than others. I have always bought into the theory that the process of fitting them properly to a person's audiogram and lifestyle is of great importance.

Cost is a huge issue that has led to the acceptance of OTC devices. Good or not good. I don't know. The only person who knows if they are helping is the person who is using them.

Not all that long ago hearing aids were basically amplifiers. Today they are capable of adjustments relative to a person's hearing loss as it shows on an audiogram. While amplification is still important,, we know that different people need amplification in different decibel levels. It's complex. Clarification can also be related to those adjustments. Most people who start to experience hearing loss will say "I can hear, I just don't understand'.

Adjustments matter more in some instances than in others.

Again, fitting is extremely important. It's something we pay dearly for.

Since my hearing loss is not extensive and the cost of the around-the-ear kind is way out of hand, I spent $149 on the OTC kind and I am quite happy with them. I can hear better and hardly know they are there. If you have more serious hearing loss, I would suggest seeing an audiologist, but for simple "what did you say" hearing loss, I would try the OTC first.