Advent of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids: How to Be Prepared

By Catherine V. Palmer, Ursula Findlen, and Erik Rauterkus

This article is a part of the July/August 2022, Volume 34, Number 4, Audiology Today issue. 

This article provides an overview of available resources to support you as well as your current and future patients. In addition, we review several models of care related to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids to consider. Expect an Audiology Today article in the fall that will focus on empowering you to support your health-care colleagues through active outreach as they navigate OTC hearing aids and triage patients to audiology. 

There is nothing more important than accurate information. The Academy is committed to providing audiologists and consumers with up-to-date, accurate information, thereby supporting you in providing consumers with the information you need to make informed choices. 

We know that 86 percent of patients turn to the internet to conduct health-related searches (BrightLocal, 2018). Baby boomers’ searches are treatment-oriented, and data suggest that they are searching because they are ready to take action (Walkner, 2020).

The American Academy of Audiology Foundation supported a large effort to improve the Academy website search engine optimization, which simply means when consumers search for hearing help, the Academy website is more likely to come up in the search. The Academy is continuing to support these efforts as a direct membership benefit. As a result, a consumer is more likely to see the Academy as a link for information, and when they click that link, they are led to Find an Audiologist on the Academy website. This website could provide a direct link to you and your practice.