Direct link to OTC FDA approval list on site...

Direct link to OTC FDA approval list on site


https://www.hearingtracker.com/otc-hearing-aids/full-list



Link to top 10 and recent reviews


https://www.hearingtracker.com/otc-hearing-aids

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids have evolved considerably since the FDA officially opened this market. HearingTracker and HearAdvisor have tested and reviewed all of the major models.

Here's what you need to know about the new affordable, accessible OTC hearing aids—how they can help you, what you should look for, what to avoid, price and purchase options, alternatives to consider, and more. If you already have an idea about which OTC device you want, you can quickly see what we have to say about them in our reviews below.

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What are OTC hearing aids?

In October 2022, the FDA approved two new classes of OTC hearing aids that, unlike prescription hearing aids, are not required to be purchased from a hearing care professional. If you’re among the 30-million-plus adults in the U.S. with untreated mild-to-moderate hearing loss, they may help you start to hear much better. At prices ranging from $300 to over $1,500, the best of them will put an iPhone-sized dent in your pocketbook. But they are easy to buy and are bringing the average cost of high-quality hearing assistance below the $5,000 average price you may pay for a set of premium prescription hearing aids.

Although you can purchase a set of quality hearing aids fitted by a hearing care professional at Costco or a basic-level hearing aid from a local clinic for $1,500 to $5,000, it will generally take 2-6 office visits to get them matched precisely for your unique hearing needs. And not everyone has a $1,500+ hearing problem or wants to devote several hours to solving it. If that describes you and you have mild-to-moderate hearing loss, then OTC hearing aids may be a good alternative—even if it's a temporary or situational remedy until you're ready to see an audiologist.

However, the FDA's new rules also provide only minimal quality assurances—and fewer consumer protections—compared to the state licensing laws that apply to prescription hearing aids dispensed by professionals. Additionally, there are two classes of OTC hearing aids:

• A more-regulated “self-fitting” class that often utilizes a smartphone app and a hearing test for programming and adjusting the aids for your unique hearing loss, and
• A less-regulated “wear and go” class that is generally less expensive and uses pre-set amplification or no programming at all; in general, these offer more basic amplification and fitting technology.

And it's actually a bit more complicated than that, because OTC hearing aids sold both online and in stores have different FDA regulations (mostly labelling requirements) than those sold online only. For interested readers, HearingTracker has published a full list of FDA-registered OTC hearing aids based on their classifications.

Don't Disregard Hearables!

Finally, it should be noted there are also "hearables" or "personal sound amplification products" (PSAPs). These are essentially smart earbuds and listening devices that are not FDA-registered as OTC hearing aids, meaning the companies can't advertise them as being useful for people with hearing loss.

But there are some advanced technology earbuds that have "hearing-aid-like" features, making them good, inexpensive listening devices. The three hearables we like best in this category are Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus ($649), NuHeara IQbuds2 ($499, discussed below in the HP Hearing PRO section) and Apple iPods Pro 2 ($199). HearingTracker covers these and other products in our Hearable Technology Guide.

6) HP Hearing PRO

The HP Hearing PRO is a self-fitting FDA-registered OTC hearing aid branded by Hewlett-Packard and developed and manufactured by Australian audio device maker Nuheara.

HP Hearing PRO.

In terms of technology, the HP Hearing PRO closely resembles one of HearingTracker’s favorite hearables, the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX—a smart, rechargeable, Bluetooth-compatible earbud that comes with a great self-fitting app developed by the esteemed National Acoustics Laboratories (NAL) of Australia. Similarly, the HP Hearing PRO uses the same Ear ID™ system to calibrate the PRO hearing aids to your personal hearing configuration after measuring your hearing thresholds via its hearing test. The PRO reportedly provides 30% better speech understanding in noise using directional microphones, and features active noise cancellation, Bluetooth streaming for music and phone calls, and premium sound quality.

Put on a pair of high-quality headphones and listen for yourself below:

Score

4.6

Nuheara IQbuds² MAX

Starting at

$499

USD

Listed prices are for a pair of hearing aids in US dollars unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and may vary by region.

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Positives

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  Self-fitting w/ hearing test yielding good sound quality; has directional microphones for hearing in noise
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  Apple and Android compatible with hands-free calling
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  Rechargeable with excellent carrying case that doubles as charger

Negatives

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  $699 per pair, about $200 more expensive than IQbuds2 MAX
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  Shorter battery life (5-8 hrs) compared to other OTC hearing aids
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  Heavier than most other in-ear OTC hearing aids

HearingTracker Audiologist Matthew Allsop provides an overview of the HP HearingPRO OTC hearing aid. Closed captions are available on this video. Closed captions are available on this video. If you are using a mobile phone, please enable captions clicking on the gear icon.