OTC Hearing Aids: Examining the Pros and Cons
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First OTC articleThe pros and cons of OTC hearing aids
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids can be a unique opportunity for health plans and their members. The broader availability of OTC hearing aids without the requirement of a prescription from a licensed professional may increase access to hearing health care while driving down costs for health plans and members. However, it may not be that simple.
An estimated 40 million Americans experience some degree of hearing loss, yet hearing loss is widely undiagnosed and untreated.[1] In fact, only about one-third of individuals who could benefit from hearing aids wear them.[2]
Even more concerning, research has shown untreated hearing loss is a risk factor for costly, life-altering health conditions, including dementia, depression, and falls with injury.
The availability of OTC products could contribute to an increased awareness of the importance of hearing care — and perhaps even boost the adoption of hearing aids — helping to fill the country’s hearing health care gap.
Additionally, because a prescription isn't required, OTC hearing aids may be available for purchase in retail locations and online, giving consumers a convenient way to access these devices. This added convenience can be especially important in rural areas or communities with limited access to hearing care providers. OTC hearing aids may also be perceived to cost less than prescription hearing aids, potentially encouraging more consumers to address their hearing loss. But consumers need to be aware of the drawbacks of OTC hearing aids.
Potential pitfalls for health plans and members
In evaluating OTC hearing aids and possibly offering an OTC benefit, health plans need to consider the following:
Keeping these potential risks in mind, health plan leaders should understand that FDA rules allowing the sale of OTC hearing aids provide the opportunity to offer an OTC hearing aid benefit. Health plans who decide to make OTC products available to their members should proceed with great care and deliberation, as we’ll discuss in the next article.
[1] https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss
[2] https://hearingreview.com/uncategorized/marketrak-10-hearing-aids-in-an-era-of-disruption-and-dtc-otc-devices-2
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35061637
[4] https://hearingreview.com/inside-hearing/research/implications-counter-approach-hearing-healthcare-consumer-study
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8843398/
[6] EuroTrak UK 2018, BIHIMA
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