The in-the-ear over-the-counter hearing aids range from the smallest non-custom invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) to the larger earbud style OTC hearing aids. These styles do not have anything behind the ear, hence why they are classified as in-the-ear (ITE).
I have broken down a list of the best in-the-ear over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. What makes these the best are a few metrics we have determined are most important when it comes to purchasing OTC hearing aids:
- Sound quality
- Comfort
- Customization
- Cosmetics
- Other features such as rechargeability and/or Bluetooth capability
Pros of In-the-Ear OTC Hearing Aids
1. Cosmetics
Many of the in-the-ear OTC hearing aids are designed to NOT look like hearing aids. There are some that look like earbuds and some that are very small and fit deep inside the ear canal. If you want Bluetooth streaming then you would need a larger in-the-ear (ITE) style hearing aid. The traditional in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids look like hearing aids, while the earbud style OTC hearing aids look like earbuds.
2. Cost
Since the FDA ruling on OTC hearing aids in October 2022, competition in the hearing aid space has increased, lowering prices. Plus, OTC hearing aids do not require you to see a healthcare professional to purchase, taking away the professional visit costs that are often bundled together with the cost of the hearing aid. The average cost of a pair of OTC hearing aids is $1000/pair, while traditional prescription hearing aids average $4000/pair.
Cons of In-the-Ear OTC Hearing Aids
1. Comfort
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are not custom hearing aids, meaning that there is no mold taken of the ear canal to make the hearing aid fit in the ear as a custom shell. The non-custom shell may cause some discomfort in the ear canal, especially if the wearer has curvy or very small ear canals.
The in-the-ear OTC hearing aids should come with different size silicone tips for the user to choose based on the size of their ear canal for maximum comfort.
2. Occlusion
In-the-ear hearing aids molded and prescribed by an audiologist typically include a specific vent size based on the configuration and severity of the person’s hearing loss. In-the-ear OTC hearing aids will not include a prescribed vent and therefore the wearer may experience more occlusion, or an echo quality to the sound of their own voice. This is because the ear canal may be too plugged for their hearing loss. The Lucid fio hearing aid comes with 6 closed and vented eartips. If the closed tips cause the wearer to have occlusion, the vented eartips may be helpful. The Eargo 7 is most likely to NOT have this effect due to the unique shape of their petal eartips.
Sign up for your free 15 minute hearing consult with Dr. Lindsey Banks using the button below. I look forward to talking to you and helping you choose the right hearing aid for you.
Schedule Appointment.
Leave a Reply