Connect
← Return to Hearing Aids Without a Prescription - What Does This Mean?
Discussion
Hearing Aids Without a Prescription - What Does This Mean?
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Nov 17, 2023 | Replies (24)Comment receiving replies
I hear you and feel as you do about this issue. It is going to work well for some people, but others will be disappointed. There is always a chance of being taken advantage of with false promises.
Like you, and most other people with severe hearing loss, I have a custom fit ear mold. Everyone's ear canal is unique and fitting one of these requires skill. Once fit well, those ear molds stay securely in the ear.
Now, so many hearing aids are fit with 'domes' that are not custom fit. While they must work OK, I wonder if they truly can replace the custom fit. I say this because I often see people with hearing aids on who have the domes out of place. They pop out of the ear canal because they can. These domes are one of the reasons why OTC hearing aids can exist.
I don't know if any of the OTC aids will have telecoils. I wonder what kind of return policies will be included in sales. It is going to be interesting to get feedback from the people who buy them.
For many this will be an entry level device that will help. Most hearing loss is progressive, so hopefully they will pursue better products in time,
I guess we have to give it a chance and wait and see.
Do you think the instructions and/or printing on the package of these OTC devices will be large enough for people to read?
Replies to "I hear you and feel as you do about this issue. It is going to work..."
Connect
@julieo4
Hi Julie
I never thought about the size of the instructions and know what you mean...so many interior packaging have tiny print. I know there are regulatory recommendations about what is included in the instructions both inside and outside such as being over 18. The concern is that, for someone who will be trying their first pair of hearing aids and bypassing an audiologist....how do they know the level of their hearing loss. Certainly, someone under 18 would be able to purchase them. What about dexterity....how small are the buttons or switches.
The domes may not be appropriate and a custom mold would be necessary. Apart from an audiological evaluation which should be the first step, your concern about a tcoil is correct.
I foresee many being dissatisfied with them when an audiologist is bypassed.
People generally gravitate towards hearing aids many years after they really need them. I am not being a naysayer on the idea at all...just thinking of things that will come up during and after the purchase. We all agree hearing aids are expensive but price alone can't be the motivator to buy online. I wonder how many audiologists would be willing to prescribe a hearing aid mold or to make an adjustment if purchased online....maybe same some will for a set fee.
It's all so new yet. As @lacy 2 mentioned about eyeglasses....yes you can get frames cheaper elsewhere with a prescription from an ophthalmologist. I did that once from a chain and the
prescription was filled wrong. Found that out when I went back a year later and got new ones from my doctor....I knew something was wrong and thought it was my eyes.
There are pitfalls to everything. But it will be interesting to see if anyone here posts their experiences....sure would love to hear about that.
FL Mary