Regarding OTC hearing aids: Before you decide to go the OTC route get tested by a clinical audiologist so you know where your hearing loss falls on the spectrum. If it goes beyond moderate, OTC hearing aids will likely not do enough to help you to be worth the cost...even a low cost. The FDA rules clearly state that non prescriptive hearing aids (OTC) are only for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you're having problems hearing in noisy settings, it's likely your hearing loss goes beyond moderate.

When you get tested, ask for a copy of your test results (audiogram). You have a right to have that information which will allow you to shop around if you decide to get a hearing aid. Don't buy anything that doesn't allow you a trial period and a decent return policy. Hearing aids take time to get used to, so a week-long trial period is basically worthless. You need a month or more.

It is also important to know that the best OTC hearing aids often cost nearly as much as the prescriptive ones. It may be worth the cost to hear much better rather than hearing amplified sound as some of them provide.

I don't promote providers or brands, but I will say I know several people who have taken an audiogram to Costco for hearing aid fitting there. They have been satisfied with the products. Again, it's a matter of trying them. Insist on having enough time to test them out in places you want to go.

I'd love to hear more from people who have OTC experiences of all kind.

Have you tried an OTC hearing aid?