Who Can Fit My Husband with Hearing Amplifiers?

Diminished hearing as we age can be common for some older adults. If your husband is having a difficult time hearing others on the phone, in conversation, or while watching TV, he might benefit from hearing aids.

It’s important to understand the difference between hearing aids and hearing amplifiers, which are also known as Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs). PSAPs are intended to amplify sounds during various activities, but they are not intended for treating hearing loss or improving impaired hearing. They are also not FDA-approved.

Hearing aids are medical devices that are regulated by the FDA and are intended to improve the hearing of those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

If your husband has mild to moderate hearing loss, he can actually purchase hearing aids online or in some stores without a prescription or fitting. Also known as Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids, these types of hearing aids are designed for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

This means if your husband has mild to moderate hearing loss, rather than severe hearing loss, he does not need to visit a doctor to purchase hearing aids. He can simply purchase OTC hearing aids online.

Some signs and symptoms of mild to moderate hearing loss include (but are not limited to):

• Trouble hearing conversations in noisy places and with a lot of background noise
• Difficulty hearing someone on the phone
• Feeling tired from listening
• Finding it difficult to follow conversations and hear people in group settings
• Needing to turn up the volume on the TV or radio, even if others say that it’s loud

Symptoms of severe hearing can include:

• Difficulty hearing loud noises
• Difficulty hearing conversations in quiet environments
• Reading lips
• And others

If your husband has severe hearing loss, he will need to be seen by a professional for an evaluation and to be fit with hearing aids. This can include scheduling an appointment with any of the below:

• Primary Care Physician
• Audiologists
• ENT Doctors
• Hearing Aid Specialists

Yes, hearing aids purchased online are not necessarily one-size-fits-all. When purchasing online hearing aids, make sure they come with customizable ear domes. This will give your husband multiple dome sizes to choose from so that he can wear ones that fit his ears best.