Just like with traditional prescription hearing aids, over-the-counter hearing aids have a range of price. On average, looking at the current OTC hearing aids on the market, over-the-counter hearing aids cost an average of $1000/pair. Based on my calculations of the 10 best OTC hearing aids, a pair of OTC hearing aids cost an average of $990.00.
The cost of over-the-counter hearing aids from least to greatest
If you are looking to buy an over-the-counter hearing aid and want to stay within a certain budget, then this list should help. It will break down the OTC hearing aids by least expensive to most expensive.
- Go Prime OTC Hearing Aids $299.00 (The Go Lite OTC hearing aid is even less at $199.00/pair but I recommend going for the Prime version for the noise reduction and feedback cancellation features)
- MD Hearing Aid VOLT $399.99
- Lexie Lumen $799.00
- Jabra Enhance Plus $799.99
- Sontro Hearing Aids $799.00
- Lexie B1 Powered by Bose $849.00
- Lexie B2 Powered by Bose $999.00
- Lucid Hearing Engage $999.99
- Sony CRE-C10 $999.99
- Eargo 6 $2950.00
The cost of prescription hearing aids vs. OTC hearing aids
Traditional hearing aids, now termed “prescription” hearing aids, are hearing aids that you purchase from a licensed hearing aid specialist or audiologist. The average cost of a pair of prescription hearing aids is $4000.00. Most people need two hearing aids so the cost of buying a pair is more common.
When you purchase prescription hearing aids, you aren’t only purchasing the device itself. You are also purchasing the time and expertise of the professional recommending, fitting, verifying, and servicing the hearing aid for you. With OTC hearing aids, they are more do-it-yourself (DIY). Besides maybe a phone call or video chat with their customer support team, you are researching which OTC hearing aid to buy, fitting it on yourself and troubleshooting most issues yourself.
If you need help with your OTC hearing aid, schedule a consult with me here.
The time and expertise of the hearing aid professional is the main reason prescription hearing aids are more expensive than OTC hearing aids, but that’s not the only reason. Other reasons prescription hearing aids are so much more than OTC hearing aids are:
- The cost of the research and development of the technology inside the hearing aid
- The advanced features in the hearing aid such as Bluetooth and custom mold fittings
- The service plan often included with the hearing aid from the professional – usually anywhere from 30 days to the lifetime of the hearing aid
- The verification of the appropriateness of the fitting of the hearing aid by the professional
Why are OTC hearing aids so much less costly?
The image below is a good way to depict the reason why OTC hearing aids are less expensive than traditional hearing aids.
When we compare chicken with hearing aids, the chicken on the left is the creation of the hearing aids, which luckily we are not the developers of the hearing aid themselves, there are a lot of engineers and scientists with that responsibility.
The cost of OTC hearing aids compared to chicken
The chicken in the middle is raw but sliced chicken breasts that you can pick up in the grocery store and prepare at home yourself. This would cost you around $10.00 for the chicken itself, not counting the time and expertise it will take you to prepare the chicken in a way that is good for you to eat. If you are not a great cook, or just don’t have the time to cook it then this would not be the right chicken for you. This would be an OTC hearing aid. If you are not comfortable with technology or don’t have the time to research, purchase, and troubleshoot an OTC hearing aid yourself, then this would not be the right type of hearing aid for you.
The cost of prescription hearing aids compared to chicken
The chicken on the right is a prepared and served roasted chicken breast that you may get at a restaurant for around $50.00. This chicken is prepared for you by a cook and served to you by a waiter, warm and ready to eat. You don’t need to do anything with this chicken except put it in your mouth and enjoy it. The waiter is even going to check back in with you at some point to make sure it’s OK and help you if it’s not. This would be a prescription hearing aid fit by a professional.
Kind of silly to compare hearing aids with chicken, but I hope that makes sense. OTC hearing aids are the DIY method of treating your hearing loss with room for error (as you are not the professional on this).
What makes an OTC hearing aid cost more or less?
Because OTC hearing aids remove the professional from the equation, that is not a factor when it comes to the price. So why the variation in cost of OTC hearing aids from a few hundred dollars per pair up to a few thousand dollars per pair? A lot of it has to do with the brand itself, as well as the features offered within the hearing aid.
Many of the higher priced OTC hearing aids are: Bluetooth, small or invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) style, or offer some type of unique incentive like an extended warranty or professional online support.
Where can I buy OTC hearing aids?
OTC hearing aids can be purchased at the following:
- Online – but use my OTC Buying Guide here to see the 10 best OTC hearing aids available online
- Amazon – but use my OTC Amazon guide to help you ensure you’re getting a good quality device.
- The manufacturer’s website, like the Lexie hearing aids here, or the GO hearing aids here
- Pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens
- Electronic retailers like Best Buy or Wal-Mart
Does insurance cover OTC hearing aids?
Insurance typically does not cover hearing aids. Since OTC hearing aids are a new category of hearing aids by the FDA, insurance companies have not yet distinguished between a prescription hearing aid or an OTC hearing aid. Medicare part A or part B does not have any hearing aid coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans have limited coverage. Hearing aids are an FSA/HSA eligible expense.
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