Prescription or OTC hearing aids? The benefits of choosing each path

Have you noticed you can’t catch every word of dialogue on your favorite TV show? Or that you sometimes have trouble hearing in a crowded restaurant?

And maybe, just maybe, you’re wondering if it’s time to get a hearing test — or even (possibly) hearing aids.

Even 10 years ago, the choices for getting treated for hearing loss were still limited. That’s not the case anymore. Today, people can choose from two routes: The self-guided path to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids without a prescription or an appointment with a hearing care professional. Or the expert-guided path to get help picking prescription devices from hearing experts. 

So which path should you take? Well, that depends on a few factors. Here’s what to know so you can make an informed choice.

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Taking the self-guided path

There are a few basic things to know about OTC hearing aids. First, they’re for adults who have self-diagnosed mild to moderate hearing loss.¹ With this type of low-level hearing loss, you may have trouble hearing conversations in loud spots, such as restaurants. You may notice you’re turning the TV volume up a little bit. Or you’re asking people to repeat things.^1,2

Second, you don’t need an appointment or a prescription to get OTC hearing aids. You can order from an online store and have them shipped to your door. And they tend to cost less than prescription devices.

Other things to know:

• It helps to be a bit tech-savvy. Some OTC devices come with online or phone support from hearing specialists to help you get set up and troubleshoot issues. That depends on the type of device you get. But even with that expert guidance, you’ll still need to do some hands-on adjustments at home. So it’s a bonus if you’re comfortable with tech.

There are 2 main types of OTC hearing aids — targeted and all-day wear. Here’s what to know about each:

• Targeted hearing aids can be put in when you need them and taken out when you don’t. They look like earbuds, so no one needs to know you have hearing aids. They’re good for specific situations where you need a hearing boost — for example, at a dinner out or when you’re talking on the phone. They often come with preloaded settings.
  
  The OTC devices sold through AARP Hearing Solutions have Bluetooth, making them good for streaming phone calls or music too. They’re also good for TV watchers who want something light in their ears, says Erica Person, Au.D. She’s an audiologist and the owner of Flex Audiology in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. 
   
• All-day wear hearing aids are comfortable enough to be worn for 14 hours a day. They’re great if you’d like hearing assistance from the time you wake up until you get ready for bed.
  
  They come in a variety of models, such as behind-the-ear. And they’re built with flexible technology so they can be worn in a range of quiet and loud settings. You can also customize the settings.

Whichever type you get, there are also benefits for your brain. “We know if you have a mild hearing loss, you are at a significantly greater risk for cognitive decline,” Person says. With OTC hearing aids, a person has the ability to hear better, which may help stimulate the brain. 

Ready to shop for OTC hearing aids? Use this simple tool to find the right OTC device for you. Start now.

Taking the expert-guided path

When you buy prescription hearing aids, you get guidance and support from a hearing care professional throughout your hearing aid journey.

This starts with a comprehensive hearing test. But that’s just the beginning. Your hearing care professional will also discuss your needs, your wants and what’s going to be best for you, Person explains.

This is a more personalized, tailored approach. Hearing care professionals take into account things like how well you’re able to see small buttons on a device, for example. That can be important when they explain your hearing aid options.

Once you’ve chosen a device, you’ll see the hearing care professional for a fitting. They can make adjustments, walk you through how to operate your new devices and offer support as needed. Most prescription devices also have an app that lets you customize settings and get additional help. 

Other things to know:

Prescription hearing aids may be more affordable than you think. Some prescription models may even cost less than higher-priced OTC brands, says Person. That’s why it’s good to have a conversation about your budget.

“Money is always a factor. We all have a budget,” says Person. Your hearing care professional will keep that amount in mind as they discuss your needs. Then they’ll aim to find prescription hearing aids that fit the bill. One excellent value option? Relate®, UnitedHealthcare Hearing’s private-label hearing aid brand.

Prescription hearing aids will be programmed for you. Your hearing care professional can program special settings on your devices to fit your lifestyle and needs. For example, if you’re a music lover, maybe you’d like a special setting just for concerts. Or a setting that helps you hear better in the car. Or to reduce wind noise when you exercise outdoors.

You’ll get follow-up care. Prescription hearing aids can last for years.³ So taking care of them is important. A hearing care professional will probably schedule you for yearly maintenance checks. That way, they can deep clean your devices and upgrade any software. They’re also available for troubleshooting if you’re having issues with your devices. 

Sources

1. OTC hearing aids: What you should know U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed November 20, 2025.
2. Degrees of hearing loss Hearing Health Foundation. Accessed November 20, 2025.
3. Frequently asked questions about hearing aids Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed November 20, 2025.

Published Dec 29, 2025

Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.

AARP Hearing Solutions is available to all AARP members and does not require a health insurance plan from UnitedHealthcare. The AARP hearing program discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, promotions, coupons or hearing aid benefit plans unless noted herein. Products or services that are reimbursable by federal programs including Medicare and Medicaid are not available on a discounted or complimentary basis. AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details. UnitedHealthcare Hearing is provided through UnitedHealthcare, offered to existing members of certain products underwritten or provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates to provide specific hearing aid discounts. This is not an insurance nor managed care product, and fees or charges for services in excess of those defined in program materials are the member's responsibility. UnitedHealthcare does not endorse nor guarantee hearing aid products/services available through the hearing program. This program may not be available in all states or for all group sizes. Components subject to change.

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