Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids are More and More Popular in Your Own Market
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We can supply any types of hearing aid including analog and digital, BTE CIC IIC and Pocket Model
LeagueSound provides one set price for all your hearing aid based on the order quantity，no set up fees or any other extra charges.
Ask a free quote of your next over the counter hearing aid order now, you will get the instant quotation within 8 hours.
We also offer a quick rush service for your urgent needs, it only takes less than 10 days for rush bulk orders.
One of the most advantages of LeagueSound is quick production time.
LeagueSound offers custom/private label for own brand, you can design your own labels and hang tags in here.
We only take 9-15 days after the payment proceeds and the design proof is approved for all the OTC hearing aid bulk orders.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids: The Ultimate Guide
Currently, hearing aids in the United States are considered medical devices and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They must be sold and fit by a licensed hearing care professional following a hearing test. Individual states pass laws and regulations that govern how hearing care professionals may obtain a license and sell hearing aids.
Well-fit hearing aids can change lives. However, they can be expensive. Hearing aids are often sold under a “bundled” model of pricing, where the device and several years’ worth of service are included. With this model, you pay the same amount for the hearing aids as another patient, even if the other patient requires a lot more service appointments.
Under current guidelines, Medicare does not cover hearing aids. Many insurance companies do not cover hearing aids. When insurance companies do cover hearing aids, the coverage amounts may only allow you to purchase basic technology.
The traditional hearing aid market also suffers from low competition. The market is controlled by only six major manufacturers.
In recent years, consumers have been looking for more convenient and less expensive options. They want the freedom to be able to improve their hearing abilities without having to make multiple appointments, take time off from work, and drive across town.
The President’s Council of Advisors in Science and Technology (PCAST) recommended in 2015 that the FDA create a category of OTC hearing aids to encourage more affordable and accessible hearing assistance options.
In 2017, Congress passed the OTC Hearing Aid Act, which requires the FDA to establish a category of OTC hearing aids that may be purchased without first visiting a hearing care professional. These devices will be intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Because OTC devices may be purchased without assistance from a hearing care professional, they will likely have lower costs than traditional hearing aids.
At this time several organizations are working with the FDA to establish rules about output limits, safety, and labeling for this new category of devices. These regulations are expected to be released in the summer of 2020.
Once the final regulations are issued, manufacturers will legally be able to start selling OTC hearing aids.
How to Choose Over the Counter Hearing Aids
Most models of OTC hearing aids will likely feature a part that goes behind the ear which is attached to a thin tube that goes into the ear. The thin tube is held in place with a plastic dome.
The dome may have holes in it. Larger domes holes allow more low-frequency sounds to exit your ear canal. Therefore, these domes are best for people with near-normal hearing in the low frequencies. If you have problems hearing bass tones, you will want a more occluding dome.
You need to make sure that you select a dome size that allows the device to fit comfortably in your ears without falling out. Give your aids a slight tug after you put them in and make sure that you feel a bit of resistance.
Some models of OTC hearing aids may fit entirely into your ear without utilizing a body that goes behind the ear. There’s often a sleeve that you may change allows to customize the size to your ears. You’ll want to make sure that there is a pull string attached that makes it easy for you to pull the aid out of your ears.
You will want to consider if you’d like your hearing aids to pair with your smartphone. If so, you’ll want to look for a Bluetooth-compatible device. Your smart phone may be able to act like a remote control for your hearing aids. This allows you to discretely change programs and volume settings.
Like standard hearing aids, OTC hearing aids will likely come both in rechargeable and disposable battery models. Rechargeable batteries are convenient, but sometimes the battery life per charge is too short to support extensive audio streaming with Bluetooth devices. Disposable batteries are more practical in times, like long camping trips, when you cannot access electrical outlets.
You may have different color choices available to you. Some people like to match their hair color, while other people prefer to match their skin color.
Rocket your Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Business with LeagueSound
League Sound is a manufacturer of hearing aids in China that sells them to other companies for distribution. They provide both BTE and ITE hearing aids. Bluetooth and wireless models are available. This company was founded in 2014.
Suppliers that currently advertise OTC hearing aids include Nano, Eargo, Sound World, and MD Hearing Aids.
According to their website, Nano was founded in 2017 by a young man who noticed that his grandmother’s hearing aids were not working too well. He worked with engineers to create hearing aids at a lower cost. This company manufactures a variety of BTE (behind the ear) and ITE (in the ear) products. Some models are rechargeable.
Eargo hearing aids are rechargeable in-the-ear models designed by ENT surgeons to be nearly invisible. They have domes with multiple flanges designed to ensure a secure fit without feedback.
Sound World was founded by hearing industry veterans to create more affordable hearing aids. Their first product was launched in 2013. This company sells BTE devices with rechargeability and Bluetooth connectivity options. The devices may be adjusted using a mobile phone app.
MD Hearing Aids was founded by an ENT surgeon to provide patients with more affordable hearing aids. This company, based in Wisconsin, sells BTE hearing aids. One of their models is rechargeable, and one of their models may be controlled with a smart phone. Some models include directional microphone technology to assist with noisy environments.
Beware of any manufacturer that advertises that they currently offer OTC hearing aids. According to the FDA, they are violating FDA regulations. Any devices currently sold on the market are technically personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), and should not be marketed for the treatment of hearing loss.
The FDA sent a warning letter to several manufacturers in early 2019 that prohibits them from calling their devices hearing aids prematurely.
How to Buy A OTC Hearing Aid Online
First, determine if you have one of these signs of a potential medical problem:
- A sudden hearing loss
- Hearing loss in only one ear or a large difference between ears
- Ear drainage
- Dizziness
- Fullness in the ears
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Ear pain
If you experience one of these issues, you should first consult with a hearing care professional or a medical doctor to make sure that you don’t have a medically treatable condition.
You’re also not a good candidate for an OTC hearing aid if you have deformities in your ear. The hearing aid may not fit well in your ear canal, or the tip could get stuck.
People with very narrow or curved ear canals may find it difficult to have OTC devices fit well.
You also should have a doctor look into your ears to make sure that you don’t have wax blockage causing your hearing loss.
OTC hearing aids should only be purchased for adults over 18; children require testing and fitting by audiologists trained to maximize their access to sounds for speech and language development.
If you’ve determined that you don’t have any of these issues, the best way to buy an OTC hearing aid online is to search for consumer reviews of several manufacturers.
When reading consumer reviews, be sure to spot signs of fake reviews. Fake reviews tend to use more first-person pronouns. They may contain few supporting details. Balanced reviews that offer information about both the pros and cons of a product are likely trustworthy.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to a few manufacturers, examine their websites for details of their customer service policies. You need to know how long you have to return the hearing aids for a refund if you are not satisfied with the devices.
You also need to know whether you can get support over the telephone or by email if you need help with your devices. The best companies utilize licensed hearing instrument specialists or audiologists to give you advice over the phone.
You also need to check, before sending your credit card information to anyone, that the company and website are legitimate. Look for a phone number and address on the site. Check the name of the business with the Better Business Bureau.
Once you’ve chosen your manufacturer and selected a device, it’s time to order your hearing aids and give them a try. Your hearing aids should arrive with a detailed user manual. Read it thoroughly to understand how it functions.
Typically, your right hearing aid will be marked with some sort of red dot or writing. Think “red is right”. Left hearing aids are color-coded in blue.
Some people need to gradually ease into wearing hearing aids. That’s normal. You most likely lost your hearing gradually, so it will take time for your brain to re-learn how to hear. Over time, increase the time that you wear your hearing aids in order to get the most benefit from them.
When talking on the telephone with BTE models, remember that the microphone of the hearing aid is located on top of your ear. You’ll want to hold the phone towards the top of your ear so that your hearing aids can amplify the sound.
If you experience any problems with your hearing aids, be sure to call the manufacturer’s support line for assistance. Do this well before the end of the return period so that you can return the aids if you are still not satisfied.
Be sure to consult with a hearing care professional if you have any changes in your hearing, pain, dizziness, or tinnitus after beginning to use OTC hearing aids.
Over The Cover Hearing Aids Video
About Self-Fitting Hearing Aids
Bose manufactures a hearing device that the FDA has classified as a Class II “self-fitting” hearing aid.
This new category of hearing aid describes devices that the user can program themselves to their satisfaction. One programming strategy could involve software that the user can run at home to test their own hearing thresholds and have them stored in the device.
In contrast, most OTC hearing aids are pre-programmed with a generic program designed to suit most people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The OTC aid may be equipped with a button that allows the user to select among multiple program options, but the programs themselves cannot be adjusted to the user.
The self-fitting option provides consumers with a way to adapt the hearing aids to their individual preferences and ear anatomy. If you take one hearing aid and place it in two different ears, the sound levels at the ear drum will be different because the two ears have different canal sizes and shapes. Self-fitting allows the user to precisely fit the hearing aids to their own ears.
Ongoing Care of OTC Hearing Aids
In order for your OTC hearing aids to last for a long time and sound their best, you’ll need to perform regular maintenance.
When you remove your aids at night, check for wax in the sound ports. Brush away any wax that you see. If you have disposable batteries, you’ll need to open the battery door to turn off the aids. Rechargeable hearing aids go into their charger.
Make sure that you keep your hearing aids in a case away from pets and little children.
If you perspire a lot, you may wish to purchase a hearing aid dehumidifier online. The least expensive options are jars of beads that draw moisture out of hearing aids. More sophisticated electronic models circulate air.
BTE models of hearing aids will require regular replacement of the domes. Be sure that the dome is securely fit on the hearing aids each morning before you put the aids in your ear. This will prevent domes from falling off in your ears.
Avoid wearing your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming. It’s best to remove them at night so that your ears have a chance to breathe.
If your hearing aids are paired to your smartphone, it’s a good idea to completely power down and restart your smartphone every few days. This will help make sure that any updates are downloaded and refresh the Bluetooth connections.
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