Over-The-Counter Hearing Devices
Are Not Equivalent to Traditional Hearing Aids
New research shows that even slight hearing loss can negatively affect your health and has been associated with cognitive issues, mental health, and even more frequent accidents and falls.
In spite of this, many people ignore their hearing loss and avoid getting treatment such as hearing aids. We often hear that hearing aids are just too expensive.
We get it. It is an investment. That’s why at JC Audiology we try to help patients afford the right hearing loss treatments for their individual needs.
Luckily, breakthrough innovations, improved legislation, and insurance updates have made hearing aids more affordable than ever.
One development is that lower-cost devices, including over-the-counter amplifiers, are now available in many pharmacies.
But buyer beware: Just because you can get a device over the counter, doesn’t mean you should attempt to treat your hearing loss on your own. Treating hearing loss is a science and starts with determining which frequencies you’re having trouble hearing.
Understanding speech, for example, relies on the clarity of sound which is influenced by the way it fits, what settings you use and whether it’s strong enough to treat your hearing loss. That’s why the first step should always be a hearing test.
Why Do I Need a Hearing Test to Treat Hearing Loss?
Over-the-counter hearing aids are not strong enough to treat some types of hearing loss. So to truly hear clearly again, you need to start the entire process with a hearing test. This will make sure you’re purchasing the right device for your type of hearing loss, and will help get the right “fit”. Hearing aids, and even some over-the-counter devices, can be programmed to your specific hearing loss. But unless you know which frequencies you’re having difficulty hearing, you can’t take advantage of this function.
Part of Hearing Is Blocking Out Background Noise
“Cheap Hearing Aids” vs Traditional Hearing Aids
As mentioned earlier, research has linked untreated hearing loss with serious health conditions such as cognitive decline and depression. But researchers think it may affect your health and quality of life in other ways as well. Already studies have indicated that untreated hearing loss is associated with increased healthcare costs by up to 40%.
Some studies indicate that getting proper treatment helps to improve mental acuity and mental health. It pays to get a hearing test and make sure your treatment is appropriate to your needs.