Exciting new legislation has been put into place recently in order to help make hearing aids more accessible to more people in the US. This August 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was able to introduce a more affordable class of over-the-counter hearing aids, designed to treat mild to moderate hearing loss in adults 18 years and older. Often one of the biggest hurdles in people obtaining hearing care was the perceived high cost of hearing aids. With over-the-counter hearing aids the price will be significantly cheaper – but at what cost.
This October the FDA’s OTC hearing aids ruling went into effect, which lets you buy a hearing aid without a medical exam, prescription, or professional fitting. However, we’ve been in the hearing care business for a long time and we are concerned that millions of people in the US will not feel adequately satisfied with the performance of OTC hearing aids when you skip the important step of a hearing exam and proper fitting from experts. We believe that you deserve the best hearing care available. Here are just a few reasons to make an appointment with an audiologist instead:
Expertise in hearing health
Audiologists are highly trained to understand exactly how your hearing works and the best solutions to help hearing treatment fit seamlessly into your life. Of those who could benefit from hearing aids, only 30 percent wear them. All too often people will try hearing aids without the proper support from a licensed audiologist and come up against issues severe enough to cause them to give them up. We are here to help you along every step of the way, from selecting the best hearing aids to support your individual hearing loss, to enhanced mastering of fit and comfort.
Improved fit
If hearing aids are not comfortable, it’s all too likely that you’ll become frustrated and start leaving them at home. We are here to make sure your hearing aids are comfortable and perfect for your individual lifestyle. We have the expertise to make sure the fit is right, as well as offering comprehensive programing to support everyone’s listening lifestyle. We can monitor your progress over time and make adjustments when necessary.
Patient-Provider Relationship
If you have hearing loss, it’s a progressive condition, meaning it will become more severe over time. This means that your hearing aids will require regular adjustments to programming. Along with hearing loss, there are often many comorbidities which affect your hearing and must be addressed such as hypertension, diabetes or injuries which impact mobility. We are here to help you look at the bigger picture of your overall health. We like to foster long-lasting relationships with our patients. We know your situation and we can help you with ease as your hearing health changes.
Tinnitus and Balance Support
90 percent of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss. Tinnitus is a phantom buzzing or ringing in the ears which often comes due to damage in the inner ear. If you find you are struggling with tinnitus, we have many solutions to help. This includes tinnitus masking features in your hearing aids.
In addition, the vestibular system, which controls our balance, is located next to the auditory system, and shares similar methods in communicating to the brain. As licensed audiologists, we understand the connection between balance and hearing and can help you navigate issue you may be having with balance and vertigo.\
Expertise in Safety
We are excited that hearing solutions are now more accessible than ever before, but as professionals we want to recognize that choosing a one-size-fits-all solution can cause more harm than help. We test your hearing and make sure your hearing aids are amplifying at safe levels which won’t damage your hearing further. When patients pass up a hearing exam they run the risk of improperly amplifying hearing and causing further damage
An Investment in Your Health
You might save money upfront by visiting a big box store or an over-the-counter set of hearing aids, however, this could end up costing you in the long run. From warranty protection to professional cleanings and advice on upgrades, nothing compares to our guarantee of quality. Find out more about the benefits of working with a licensed audiologist and contact us today!