Patient Resources

Did you know that we now have our own slot on Talk Radio? We still cant believe it either!

The awareness of better hearing is so important, and we are honored to be able to use Talk Radio as a platform to help others.

If its just one listener that resonates with something we are talking about, then maybe it will instigate others to seek help and do something about their hearing. That alone is the best thing we could wish for.

This week, we got the chance to delve into some interesting topics, including the different hearing aid options available.

A common question that gets passed through to our clinic is What are OTC hearing aids? and we felt it was important to break down some of the myths and misconceptions.

Prefer to read rather than listen? Below is the transcript for you!

A New Type of Device

An OTC hearing aid is an over-the-counter hearing aid. It is seen as the cheaper alternative to hearing aids although that doesnt even cover it.

They are not your typical hearing aid, as they dont have the same level of advanced functions and technology such as background noise filtering.

Its kind of like youre in the middle. If youre not able to get a hearing aid yet and youre unsure whether its right for you, then an OTC is a great option.

The Dangers

Some of the models are great while others are not so great. You just have to do your research.

Its important that you really look into the correct OTC for yourself, as some can actually damage your hearing. It could be that its not giving you the appropriate volume or, on the other hand, its giving you too much volume, which is damaging to your ears.

The only issue I have about OTCs is that they advertise that you dont need a hearing test, which is really dangerous.

Its advertised for mild to moderate hearing loss. But how is anyone supposed to know that they are in that category? Its impossible.

How We Can Help

If you are a candidate for an OTC, when you come into our office, we will be able to recommend some appropriate devices for you.

The benefit of coming to us is that we will be able to show you how to put it into your ear, download it to your phone, and program it as best as we can with the limitations of the software.

OTCs are an interesting category because not everyone needs to spend a lot of money on hearing aids, so these can be a good lower-price option. We will also be carrying them in our office so you can test it out for yourself.

What if I have a Hearing Loss?

If you happen to have a serious hearing loss, OTCs are not the answer.

While they work to amplify sound, they dont directly treat hearing loss, which can make your hearing worse.

This only means that you are avoiding the problem, which can result in serious cognitive decline, including Alzheimers and many other damaging side effects.

If you have any questions about anything in this article, feel free to get in touch at (410) 944-3100 and a member of our team will be able to help.

See you next week on Talk Radio!