What to Look for in an OTC Hearing Aid

If you’re spending hundreds or thousands of dollars buying an OTC hearing aid, make sure you’re getting a product that offers a sustainable long-term solution to your hearing loss needs. Aside from the obvious things like sound quality, take a few minutes to look into these specs.

What size and style works best for you? Most hearing aids on the market are classified as either behind-the-ear (BTE) or in-the-ear (ITE). BTE hearing aids are probably what you think of when you picture a hearing aid, consisting of a plastic case that contains the electronics, a thin cable that goes over the ear and inside the canal, and a tiny speaker known as a “receiver,” which sends boosted audio from a person’s surroundings into their ear. By contrast, ITE models are self-contained units that look like a standard pair of wireless earbuds. In-the-ear hearing aids are popular for their incognito aesthetic, and they tend to be a lot easier to pop in and out than their behind-the-ear counterparts. Still, contemporary BTE hearing aids are significantly smaller than the ones “back in the day.” It just comes down to what fits you most comfortably.

Replaceable or rechargeable batteries? Much like wireless earbuds, most OTC hearing aids are equipped with rechargeable batteries and (usually) a portable charging case for easy transport. If you take the case’s battery life into account, you’ll find most OTC models last about a week before you need to connect to a power source. Without the case, rechargeable hearing aids offer anywhere from 10 to 24 hours of battery life per charge (but this goes down by a few hours if you’re using them to stream via Bluetooth). Replaceable batteries, such as those found on the Sony CRE-C10, can last for 70 hours or more before the battery dies. Sounds great, but it means having spares on hand and wrestling with tiny cells, which can be difficult for people with dexterity problems.

Are you comfortable making adjustments? While prescription hearing aids are fitted in-office by a licensed hearing care specialist, OTC devices are self-fitting. In most cases, OTC hearing aid users are expected to be able to tune the devices to their ears, usually with the help of a smartphone app. It’s certainly nice to make your own adjustments on the fly, but it may cost you in the way of personalized care.

What’s the company’s customer support like? If only you could count on quality support from every hearing aid manufacturer! Unfortunately, OTC hearing aid companies are just that—companies. There’s no “standard” for customer service in the industry. Companies like Jabra offer patients comprehensive support, but other brands may leave you on your own.

Is there a trial run? If you’re not happy with your hearing aids, you’ll probably want to have the option to return them without writing all that money off as a sunk cost. Most states require manufacturers to provide patients with a minimum trial period, but I recommend playing it safe by seeking out this info before buying.

What about warranties? Equally important to a reasonable trial period is the inclusion of a comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty. Most brands cover manufacturing defects for up to a year, but it goes without saying that the longer the coverage period, the better the deal. No matter which OTC hearing aid you end up with, make sure the warranty covers loss, damage, and wear and tear.

How Much Do OTC Hearing Aids Cost?

The average pair of OTC hearing aids will usually run you around $800 to $2,000 for a quality pair, and sometimes significantly less. The US government notes that OTC hearing aid options save the average consumer $3,000 compared to prescription products.

Financing options: Many hearing aid manufacturers offer monthly financing plans or subscription models where users can lease aids instead of purchasing them outright. These packages often include benefits like maintenance, support, accessories, loss and damage protection, software updates, and regular hardware upgrades. This may save money upfront while also guaranteeing you have the latest tech on the market.

Does insurance cover OTC hearing aids? Usually not. It’s extremely rare for a provider to cover the cost of the devices themselves. Most providers only offer hearing benefits with the purchase of a supplemental insurance plan, available to members for an additional monthly premium. Even federal programs like Medicaid don’t cover hearing aids unless you pay extra for Medicare Advantage Plans. Terms for hearing aid coverage through Medicaid for low-income individuals greatly vary from state to state. Check out this list from the Hearing Loss Association of America to see what each state’s Medicaid program covers.

What Kinds of OTC Hearing Aids Are There?

A wide range of hearing aid brands are now available over the counter. Many of these are marketed by consumer electronics and audio companies that have expanded into the hearing aid market, often by either partnering with an established hearing aid company or by acquiring one outright. Some of the biggest OTC hearing aid companies today include LXE, Jabra, Audicus, and Sony.

The FDA ruling that created the OTC hearing aid market applies to a category of hearing aids called air-conduction aids, which means they amplify sound waves piped through the open air, much like a traditional headphone or earbud. Other types of hearing aids—including those based on bone conduction technology—are not covered by the new OTC regulations and are available only as prescription devices. Air-conduction hearing aids are available in a range of styles and designs, including traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) formats and units that sit in the ear (ITE) directly.

PSAPs vs. OTC Hearing Aids

PSAPs, or personal sound amplifying products, may look like hearing aids, but they are a different class of product. Fundamentally, PSAPs are not designed for users with impaired hearing: They are amplifiers that can improve audio quality by making softer sounds louder and easier to hear (ideally without amplifying sounds that are already loud). Historically they have been used in fields like hunting and birdwatching, where the slightest noise can be an indication of activity that should attract the wearer’s attention.

PSAPs are not medical devices and are not approved by the FDA, and the agency officially states they “are not alternatives to hearing aids.” But in recent years the line between low-end hearing aids and PSAPs has blurred considerably, and many PSAPs are quite effective. Some, like JLab’s Hear, have even adopted the “hearing aid” moniker as part of the product name. If you have mild hearing loss, a PSAP may be just as good as a hearing aid—and it’s likely to save you a considerable amount of money—so they’re worth testing for personal effectiveness if you can try them out in person.