What's going on with OTC Hearing Aids? 

Some seniors just can't afford over $4,000 for hearing aids when they are living on Social Security.

I can’t afford prescription hearing aids so my kids bought me AirPod pro 2. They are far from perfect. They aren’t comfortable for more than a couple of hours, they are tinny, and have definite occlusion. However, I can now hear the TV and people talking to me is crisper and not so muffled. They are definitely helpful.

Thanks for all the information you provide on your channel. This was very timely for me. I have moderate upper freq. hearing loss in both ears and was ready to dive into the world of hearing aids. I ordered the OTC Jabra Enhance Select 200, and at the same time my audiologist let me try out the Phonak Lumity 90 and the Starkey Genesis AI 24 to compare all 3 brands at the same time. My audiologist did REM and word recognition tests on all 3 hearing aids, and found the Jabra's were indeed programmed correctly for my hearing loss (I sent Jabra my Audiogram). The Jabra company was easy do deal with via phone and online. I had two zoom conferences with Jabra's Audiologist who remotely modified my program and sent longer 3mm wires to better fit my ears, so I have no complaints with their online support. However, after wearing and comparing these 3 brands, I found the Jabra hearing aids just didn't do as good a job (my perception) and also didn't have as many of the features I found extremely helpful in the professional models (i.e.- artificial intelligence algorithms which really do help, compression, adjustable dynamic noise reduction, speech focus, etc.). After eliminating the Jabra's, I continued comparing the Genesis to the Lumity. Both had their advantages and disadvantages. The Starkey Genesis picked out a voice in a crowd really well, but they had many bothersome traits that I could not get used to (every sound in a quiet room had a "sizzle" and "hollow room echo" effect). The Phonak Lumity did an excellent job in all respects, plus it gave me far superior streaming sound from my iPhone using its classic method of bluetooth connection. Needless to say I chose to purchase the Phonak Lumity 90 through my Audiologist and send the Jabra's back. I'm sure the OTC hearing aids will help some people, but they just weren't for me. I shared my experience and personal feedback with my Audiologist's office, which enabled them to gain valuable information on my comparisons.

It's really interesting to hear a working audiologist's perspective.

I am weeding through the various OTC hearing aids. So far I have tried three RIC/BTE types, and I have been disappointed with the tinny sound. While I have been tested and have higher frequency hearing loss, these have been too much for me. The speakers sound distorted and higher sounds are not clear. However, I have tried an in the ear type (Audien Atom Pro), and for the money, the sound has been surprisingly good. It is actually quite natural. And for 200, it is well worth the money. Can I do better if I pay 5k? I certainly hope so? Can I afford 5k? Not when 200 does this good for me. And just to note, while the OTC companies (like every company) adds on markups, the prescription companies add on even more. Who is paying the audiologists to program the HAs? Who is paying the technicians to fix them? All of these people cost money and we are paying it out of the 5k per pair of hearing aids. The question is...do you need a Rolls Royce to get to our destination, or will a Chrysler do just fine?

1. Some people just dont like hearing aids. 2. When you've spent $$$, there is considerable confirmation bias.

I’ve been using Jabra Enhance Select 200 hearing aids for about 2 1/2 months. I have a low frequency hearing loss in one ear and a high frequency hearing loss in the other. It has taken multiple tele-health meetings with the Jabra audiologist but we are achieving positive results. They have made multiple adjustments to hearing aids during these zoom appointments. These are adjustments outside of what I can adjust using the app.

Dr. Cliff - I hope you will find my experience with OTC hearing aids helpful. I have been using Rx hearing aids ($6000) for over 3 years. I have never been happy with them, but until I started watching your videos, I thought they were the best I could get. I have come to believe that they could do much better if I could get the audiologist to fit and program them using REM. But that's another issue. About a month ago, based on one of your videos, I decided to try a set of Lexie B2 OTC hearing aids ($1000). Even though my audiogram shows a significant amount of hearing loss in the upper frequencies, I wanted to see if OTC hearing aids would work for me. What I found was that the Lexie B2s did not perform better than my Rx devices, BUT, they sure as heck were not any worse. In fact, the adjustability of the B2s let me hear better in some situations. I just could not ever get them to the point where I hear as well as I think I should. (the Rx devices are no better on that). I loved the features, and the adjustability of the B2s, but there were a few things I didn't like. The first was that whenever I wanted to make an adjustment, I had to wait for the app to connect to the devices. This usually took a couple of seconds if it connected on the first try. Sometimes it would not connect at all unless I "restarted" the hearing aids. To me, that was aggravating. I also found if I did not have a connection to the internet with my iPhone, that I could not get the app to connect and therefore could not make changes at all. The second thing I didn't like about them was that, using the medium size closed dome, I was getting a lot of annoying feedback whenever I got my hands close to my ears. I was able to reduce that with the large size closed dome, but I didn't like the way they fit with that one. A third thing that I did not like was that the "charging cradle" does not have a built in battery, so to charge the HAs, the charging cradle has to be plugged in to a power supply. At the end of my trial period, I returned the B2s. But it wasn't without giving it a lot of thought and soul searching. I have decided that going forward, I am going to look for a new clinic that will program and fit my current Rx devices using REM. If I am unsuccessful, I am going to try another set of OTC hearing aids, (most likely the Jabra Enhanced 200s). I HAVE NOT RULED OUT re-purchasing the Lexie B2s, because at the end of the day, I really thought they were a good option for the money. At this point, I just wanted to try other options as well. Thanks for making the educational videos. You have made me a much more informed consumer.

I never tried over-the-counter Aids yet. .My last 8 pair has been $2000 or more for prescription.They only lasted for 5 years.They wear out faster in high humidity . thousands of dollars more now

Dr. Cliff, my wife and I have been using Sennheiser Headphones for 15 years now to hear our TV and have been very happy with them. Now I hear that Sennheiser is making OTC hearing aids called 'All day clear and All day clear slim'. Do you know anything about these hearing aids? I would be very interested in your thoughts. Thank you, Papa Cook

I think the purpose of OTC was to hopefully drive down the cost of prescription hearing aid, since that market is taking advantage of everyone.

Love the new logo!!!

Could some of the return rates from OTC be because the money is coming from the patients pocket instead of an insurance company????

Are you considering the Apple AirPods Pro? I think more people are using them, then the OTC hearing aids.

Thanks!

Stumbled across you a few weeks ago and am enjoying the content. However I’m looking to get into becoming an HIS/HAS. I know you’re an Audiologist but could you possibly do a few videos along those lines?

Hi. Just starting the OTC hearing aid search. I really appreciate your information on RU-vid. I’d like to ask a couple of questions, please. I wear hats and sunglasses or reading glasses most of the time. Where are the microphones located on the over ear units and are they compatible with hats and sunglasses? I can’t let no hearing aids be messin’ with my style. Can your wear either in or over ear type when lounging on the couch watching TV and laying on your side, head pressed into a pillow? I realize they won’t pick up sound, but will they be uncomfortable? Are the any good in ear OTC hearing aids that are rechargeable and don’t need frequent changes of batteries? I’m stylish and lazy. Thanks, Maury

I think there’s a need but i think there’s a stigma over buying an actual “hearing aid”. I don’t think the consumer understands what “mild to moderate” means. I think there’s a lot of consumers that are buying a product that doesn’t meet their needs. The consumer can say well, i tried OTC hearing aids and it didn’t help reinforcing the existing product stigmatization. There could be a style over function issues on earbud styled devices.And there are manufacturers that are producing OTC for financial reasons thinking there’s a substantial market and they want to strike while the iron is hot. And there’s an issue about liability if the consumer is treating the problem incorrectly and causing damage to existing hearing and potential lawsuits for injuries caused by OTC devices. I think it’s too early to predict what people will do and which devices will be in production after the initial release. We consumers aren’t always the sharpest tool in the shed. Some people just want a quick fix and feel OTC is that fix. This is a long missive saying it’s too early to tell the effects of OTC versus prescription. 13:05

FDA 's recent ruling on allowing OTC is new enough that it is way too soon for you to be making observations as only a few "real" hearing aids are currently available OTC. There have been OTC "amplifiers" available for a long time, but are not very good, but many use them anyway. I was one of the engineers asked by the FDA to provide a paper on their decision to go with OTC. My experience in the hearing aid industry is that most audiologist over charge the elderly who can least afford to be taken advantage of. Not always the audiologist's fault as many hearing aids are well over priced. I know because I am a hearing aid design engineer. I know what it costs to make them. In time, most HA companies will provide digital programmable HA's programmable via cell phone with automation software that will be more affordable. Audiology will become for medical and less hearing aid fitters.

OTC is only limteid to few models listed from October 2022 rule?? when you type heraing aid from google shopping there are 10000= items, you can buy online. are those described OTC?

just like big pharma has generics , why cant the major hearing aid brands make OTC , or at least sell the basic line of hearing aids as OTC , that way you can get a good reputable brand that works with audiologists already that you can only buy at an audiologist the better would of have been having insurance cover it

The problem is that hearing is very subjective. With a pair of glasses if you can read the bottom line, it means you have 2020 vision. When a customer buys a pair of hearing aids on Amazon and tries them out. Do they fix their hearing loss? Could their hearing be better? The answer is always YES, your hearing could be better. So, the consumer returns them, and tries something else. What can manufacturers do if 50% of your products are returned and cannot be resold. I don’t think the answer would be investing more money to make the most perfect hearing aid…

Do any OTC hearing aids give the consumer access to a 10 or 16 or 24 band equalizer? Do any of the manufacturers give the provider access to more settings than the consumer gets?

which is the best otc hearing aid that work with iphone calling?

It honestly makes me wonder why OTC hearing aids existed in the first place if no treatment outcome is achieved

Woahhhh my granddaughter have an appointment for her surgery by audiologist, 500k php, not yet complete for hospital and doctor fee

I have had 3 pairs of "professionally fitted" hearing aids and there is nothing special about any of them. Just make sure they have the functions that you desire such as answering/talking on the phone, streaming, etc. Other than that I just can't tell the difference between all of the phony "programs" that come with the aids such as, outdoors, noisy environment, etc. Just doesn't matter.

Quality at a low price is an illusion. Everyone in the chain still wants/needs their cut. Sack the marketing department and get real with people.

6:13 My hearing aids, Otcion, Bluetooth, do not pair with Samsung mobile 9 Please answer 🥀🌹🌺

Wow ... I know you were really hoping that the OTC market would help people with mild to moderate hearing loss start getting beneficial help in connecting with others and enjoying all the sounds available in our world. 🥺

Dr, Olson, you make a bigger commission on the sale of expensive prescription hearing aids so naturally you want OTC hearing aids to bomb. It's not that I don't appreciate your credentials and skills as an audiologist, it simply that I know how the world works. Hearing aid manufacturers are gouging customers to make money and insurance companies are similarly gouging customers by not covering any part of the cost of these critical devices. Absolutely no one is looking out for us. It's all about money.

Why is there no Turkish language in subtitles?

Don’t buy these OTC.s I won’t be able to live my lifestyle that I’m accustomed to, because you will be saving mega bucks

the OTC's coming out seem kinda cheapo and junky,,but its between spend 300 dollars on those or get a boatload of new technology aids you dont need or wont ever use for $8,000 -$12,000 a pair cash only no insurance and it probably only cost Starkey or Phonak 50 dollars to make..what happened to the hearing aid industry of the early 90's great hearing aids at affordable prices the industry keeps coming out with ridiculous technology old people dont want so they can justify charging 8k-15k for hearing aids that used to cost 1500.00 bucks in the 90's that were simple to use and built really well unlike the crap coming out nowadays,,Beltone is freaking junk now and Starkey hey Starkey could i just get an analog ITC hearing aid with a manual wheel style volume control please?,,no? only digital that bounces sound all over the map and cant stay steady with no manual volume control and comes in the color solid black with rechargeable only option instead of batteries ,,like WTF is this crap coming coming out....really disappointed with Beltone selling out to China and Starkey moving away from there simplistic bread and butter ITC analog hearing aids with a wheel style volume controls.

OTC = Over The Counter . Stop using medical acronym

I never tried over-the-counter Aids yet. .My last 8 pair has been $2000 or more for prescription.They only lasted for 5 years.They wear out faster in high humidity . thousands of dollars more now