OTC Hearing Aids

The FDA's OTC category is limited to adults 18 and older with self-perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The key word is "self-perceived," because OTC rules are built around what you think your hearing loss is, not what a hearing test actually shows. Many adults who believe their loss is mild discover on testing that it's moderate-to-severe, uneven between ears, or tied to a condition that needs a physician's attention.

OTC devices are not appropriate for children, anyone with sudden or rapidly changing hearing, single-sided loss, severe or profound loss, tinnitus, ear drainage, or a history of ear surgery. A free hearing test with our hearing instrument specialist is the reliable way to learn which category you fall into, and whether professionally fit hearing aids are the better tool. Call or text (925) 203-9134 to schedule one.

It's strongly recommended. A hearing test shows where your hearing sits at every pitch, in both ears, and against speech in noise. That information is what separates a hearing aid that genuinely helps from one that simply makes everything louder, and it's used to determine whether a hearing aid can help you in the first place.

The test can also surface signs that point to a medical issue, like a sudden change in hearing, drainage, or a noticeable difference between your ears. When we see something that should be looked at by a physician, we refer you to a local ENT before moving ahead. Buying devices first and skipping the test is a gamble, often an expensive one. Call or text (925) 203-9134 to schedule with our hearing instrument specialist before making any hearing aid decision.

Hearing aids bought online or off a shelf can't account for the shape of your ear canal, the specific pattern of your hearing loss across frequencies, or how your hearing changes over time. Real Ear Measurement, performed by our hearing instrument specialist, confirms the device is actually delivering the right sound level inside your ear canal. Research consistently shows professionally fit hearing aids produce better speech-understanding outcomes than self-fitting.

Beyond the fitting, hearing aids from Contra Costa Hearing Aid Center come with an ongoing relationship: follow-up adjustments as your hearing changes, in-office cleaning and repairs, and a provider who knows your hearing history. Over the life of a hearing aid, that level of care is what separates devices that sit in a drawer from ones people wear every day. Both of our offices hold a 4.9-star Google rating.