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Hearing Aids Without a Prescription - What Does This Mean?
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Nov 17, 2023 | Replies (24)Comment receiving replies
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
Replies to "@julieo4 Hi Julie I never thought about the size of the instructions and know what you..."
"....I wonder how many audiologists would be willing to prescribe a hearing aid mold or to make an adjustment if purchased online...."
They will fit & adjust HA's purchased online. I asked my doctor. For a one time fitting & service it costs $3800 for HA's purchased online.
Buying through the doctor includes a 3 yr warrentee on the device and includes 3 yrs of care, support, & maintenance. Plus she handles ongoing local servicing, as they can fix many issues and she handles any shipping, etc, for manufacturer warrentee claims & repairs. Another bonus is she sends them to the manufacturer right before the warrantee expires for full refurbishing and a full service.
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Yes, I have all the same thoughts about this that you have. It will be interesting. I sincerely hope it might make the cost of prescriptive hearing aids come down.
When people ask me about 'big box' hearing aids, which are not necessarily OTC, I always suggest they have a hearing test done by a certified audiologist. Ask for a copy of their audiogram and use it when seeking help at places like Costco.
It shouldn't be all about $, but it often is. My hearing loss and the products I have needed since the early 1970s have cost my family dearly, but they/we made the sacrifice necessary to keep me in the hearing mainstream. I am lucky and thankful.
It's just a shame that the industry has not done whatever they needed to do to get insurance companies to buy into to providing support. Do you suppose it has to do with trust? Look at the cost of other electronic devices. My first calculator cost me $150. Today they are given away as promo items at conventions! Why do hearing aids cost so much?