A couple of months ago, we released a blog post with information regarding Over the Counter (OTC) hearing aids. Since that time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released their final rule, approving the devices for sale officially on October 17, 2022. Many people wonder what the differences are between prescription and OTC hearing aids. Below are a few of the basic differences:
Prescription | Over the Counter |
For people of any age, including children | For people age 18 and older |
Intended for any degree of hearing loss, including severe | Intended for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss |
Hearing evaluation required | No hearing evaluation required |
Selection, fitting, and follow-up care by a professional | No fitting or follow-up care, self-fit and serviced |
If you are interested in learning more about the differences between prescription and OTC hearing aids, our office will be holding a free event discussing this topic with lunch included. The event is scheduled for Wednesday April 26 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Space is limited, so if you are interested in attending please RSVP by Friday April 21st by calling 904-399-0350.