EP 1132B - Over the Counter Hearing Aids: What You Need to Know

With over-the-counter or OTC hearing aids being among the most anticipated new technologies to hit store shelves in years, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is advising consumers to be smart shoppers if they’re intending to purchase one of these products for themselves or for a loved one.  

OTC hearing aids have been sold in the United States only since mid-October 2022. They are intended for adults with self-perceived mild to moderate hearing loss

ASHA recommends that anyone purchasing an OTC product first get a hearing evaluation from a certified audiologist (such evaluations are generally covered by insurance, even if hearing aids are not). This is important because people typically misjudge their degree of hearing loss. A hearing evaluation also can rule out other medical conditions that could be causing hearing loss.

Joining us to share more about these developments is Lindsay S. Creed, AuD, CCC-A, an audiologist who is currently working as an Associate Director of Audiology Practices at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
EP 1132B - Over the Counter Hearing Aids: What You Need to Know
Featuring:
Lindsay Creed, Au.D, CC-A
Lindsay S. Creed, AuD, CCC-A is an audiologist who is currently working as an Associate Director of Audiology Practices at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Her work interests include over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid policy and service delivery models, auditory rehabilitation, and educational audiology. She completed her Doctor of Audiology at Towson University and her Bachelor of Arts in Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland-College Park. Prior to working at ASHA, she worked as an audiologist at an Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) practice in the Baltimore, MD area, where she specialized in pediatric assessment and hearing aids.