Having a bit of trouble hearing? Over-the-counter hearing aids could be fine until you need a specialist

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-05-28 16:19

International

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If you’re an adult with mild to moderate hearing loss, over-the-counter hearing aids could hold you over just fine until you’re able to see a specialist, according to international researchers. Using previous research, the team compared over-the-counter hearing aids with specially fitted, prescription hearing aids, taking into account cost, access, customisation, and support associated with using them. When looking at benefits, satisfaction, and ability to hear speech during background noise, they found professionally fitted hearing aids were slightly better, but many of the differences between the two kinds of hearing aids were small. The team concluded that, for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, over-the-counter hearing aids could be suitable until it’s time to see a specialist, adding that a specialist can also provide help and support more broadly beyond the hearing aid itself.

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Research JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo lifts.

Journal/
conference: JAMA

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Pretoria, South Africa

Funder: Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr de Sousa reported receiving personal fees for research consulting from LXE Research outside the submitted work. Dr Swanepoel reported receiving personal fees and equity from LXE Hearing and grants and personal fees from Sonova outside the submitted work.

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