Is buying a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids the same as buying reading glasses?
When it comes to vision correction, it can be a matter of realigning the focus on the appropriate portion of the retina. It is common to have a relatively high success rate with a pair of over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses. The results are often “seen” instantaneously.
However, improving hearing is not the same. Hearing is a very complex event that involves multiple systems. It is difficult for the average person to correctly self-diagnose their own hearing loss, and they may miss other, more serious medical issues. In the near future, over-the-counter hearing devices will be available, and while there may be some that will benefit from OTC hearing devices, not everyone will. However, you will not be able to expect the same result as your OTC reading glasses.
“I can hear, but can’t understand” is the most common complaint of hearing loss. This loss of clarity cannot solely be managed by making sounds louder. This is why working with an audiologist is so important. As the most highly trained hearing professional, they can help you understand your hearing loss and how to best manage it. Additionally, the audiologist is trained to identify other issues that may need medical intervention prior to addressing the hearing loss.