OTC

Over-the-counter hearing aids are devices that adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing difficulty can buy directly — in a store or online — without a prescription, hearing exam, or audiologist fitting. A 2022 FDA rule created this category to lower the cost and access barrier compared to traditional prescription hearing aids. They are self-fitted, often using a built-in hearing test or a smartphone app, and are intended for adults 18 and older who notice everyday hearing struggles but do not have severe loss or complex hearing needs.