With over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices now available in stores and online, you may wonder if this new, do-it-yourself option that doesn\u2019t require a prescription or a hearing evaluation is the best approach to treating hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth is that managing your hearing health on your own has its drawbacks. The smartest first step for any patient with hearing difficulties is to get a hearing evaluation from a licensed audiologist, even if they are already planning to buy an OTC hearing aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rule Out Medical Conditions<\/strong>\u2014During an evaluation, an audiologist will check for common medical causes of hearing loss, which can range from excessive earwax to a tumor. If a medical condition is causing your hearing loss, buying an OTC device won\u2019t help you hear better\u2014and not getting treatment for an underlying medical issue could harm your overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pinpoint the Degree of Loss<\/strong>\u2014An audiologist also determines the severity and type of loss an individual may be experiencing. Knowing this information is important because OTCs are only for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe hearing loss, OTCs won\u2019t provide the proper amplification levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Offer Treatment for All Ages<\/strong>\u2014Have a child with hearing loss? Since OTCs are for adults 18 and older, they\u2019ll require prescription devices from an audiologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Serve as Your Long-Term Hearing Health Care Partner<\/strong>\u2014An audiologist can help guide you to the device best suited to your needs. That could be an OTC device today, but a prescription device may be more appropriate in the future\u2014hearing loss treatment isn\u2019t a one-time event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you require prescription devices, audiologists are skilled in selecting the appropriate technology, programming it to fit your unique hearing profile and providing follow-up care for optimal hearing. With OTCs, you\u2019re on your own to fit the devices to help you hear better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting treatment for hearing loss is a life-changing decision. Shouldn\u2019t you have a trusted professional guiding you along the way? Before purchasing any device\u2014OTC or prescription\u2014schedule a hearing evaluation with one of our audiologists. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices now available in stores and online, you may wonder if this new, do-it-yourself option that doesn\u2019t require a prescription or a hearing evaluation is the best approach to treating hearing loss. The truth is that managing your hearing health on your own has its drawbacks. The smartest first step for…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"schema":"","fname":"","lname":"","position":"","credentials":"","placeID":"","no_match":false,"name":"","company":"","review":"","address":"","city":"","state":"","zip":"","lat":"","lng":"","phone1":"","phone2":"","fax":"","mon1":"","mon2":"","tue1":"","tue2":"","wed1":"","wed2":"","thu1":"","thu2":"","fri1":"","fri2":"","sat1":"","sat2":"","sun1":"","sun2":"","hours-note":""},"categories":[14,1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n