{"id":968,"date":"2022-07-13T13:28:29","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T18:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/?page_id=968"},"modified":"2024-04-26T11:12:26","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T16:12:26","slug":"over-the-counter-hearing-devices","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/over-the-counter-hearing-devices\/","title":{"rendered":"Over-the-Counter Hearing Devices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Offer a Simple Solution to a Complex Problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over-the-counter hearing aids, which do not require a prescription, might seem like a straightforward way to get treatment for your hearing loss. However, it\u2019s difficult to navigate through the world of hearing assistance technology without the help of a professional. One study found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.audiologyonline.com\/articles\/signia-expert-series-over-counter-21066\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">that 73% percent of participants picked the wrong aid<\/a> based on their audiogram. An audiologist can provide the hearing aid that will serve you best and program it to fit your needs and lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Did the FDA Approve Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Proponents of over-the-counter hearing aids say they might be useful for adults who are experiencing mild hearing loss and only need sound amplification. According to one study, almost 86% of Americans 50 and older with hearing loss <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3564585\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">do not wear hearing aids<\/a>. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to isolation, cognitive difficulties and increased falls, so better access to treatment has many benefits. But over-the-counter hearing aids might not be the best solution for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The National Institutes of Health <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nidcd.nih.gov\/health\/over-counter-hearing-aids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recommends prescription hearing aids<\/a> for people who do not hear louder sounds or struggle to hear conversations in quiet settings. Additionally, the following groups should always receive prescription hearing aids:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Children younger than 18<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adults with dementia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People who experience sudden hearing loss, a big difference between one ear and the other or tinnitus in one ear, which are potential signs of a medical problem<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An Audiologist Plays an Important Role<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An audiologist does more than provide you with hearing aids. Every patient\u2019s needs are different, and one of our audiologists will help assess your hearing needs and make a recommendation for you that best fits your lifestyle.\u00a0We&#8217;ll teach you how to use your new hearing aid so you can begin this new phase of your life with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our evaluation will also determine if your hearing loss could be caused by a more serious medical condition and connect you with the appropriate care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, audiologists offer ongoing support as you navigate hearing loss treatment. Your hearing loss may change with time and require adjustments to your hearing aids. Our team can do that for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bottom line: when you work with a licensed audiologist, you have a partner for your hearing loss journey. You aren\u2019t in it alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Convenience Doesn\u2019t Always Mean Quality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like any medical device, over-the-counter hearing aids should be purchased with caution. If you\u2019re working without the guidance of a hearing care professional, you\u2019ll want to be sure that the sound isn\u2019t set too high, as doing so could further damage your hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, since over-the-counter hearing aids do not tell you about the cause of your hearing loss, it\u2019s important to visit a medical professional to ensure that your hearing loss isn\u2019t an indicator of a bigger medical condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hearing Aids Are the Start of the Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing hearing loss isn\u2019t a one-time event \u2014it\u2019s an ongoing process that includes monitoring and management over time. When you visit Waco Hearing Center for a fitting of prescription hearing aids, you aren\u2019t just buying a product. You\u2019re entering a partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We do not carry over-the-counter hearing aids, but we do offer service and cleaning for them. Schedule an appointment with us today to learn more. We\u2019re here to support you as you start this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/waco-hearing-center-otc-flyer.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OTC vs Prescription-fit Devices<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Offer a Simple Solution to a Complex Problem Over-the-counter hearing aids, which do not require a prescription, might seem like a straightforward way to get treatment for your hearing loss. However, it\u2019s difficult to navigate through the world of hearing assistance technology without the help of a professional. One study found that&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","schema":"","fname":"","lname":"","position":"","credentials":"","placeID":"","no_match":false,"name":"","company":"","review":"","address":"","city":"","state":"","zip":"","lat":"","lng":"","phone1":"","phone2":"","fax":"","mon1":"","mon2":"","tue1":"","tue2":"","wed1":"","wed2":"","thu1":"","thu2":"","fri1":"","fri2":"","sat1":"","sat2":"","sun1":"","sun2":"","hours-note":"","footnotes":""},"service_tags":[],"class_list":["post-968","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=968"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1081,"href":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/968\/revisions\/1081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"service_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wacohearingcenter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/service_tags?post=968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}