In 1995, I graduated with a master’s degree from San Diego State University with six other classmates. While I haven’t seen them for some time, I would bet that they, too, are surprised at where the field took us. While some of my classmates wanted to work in a hospital and do diagnostics, many of us wanted to build relationships with those we help; my ideal position was working with people and treatment. When I graduated the World Wide Web was just becoming, and I remember my friend/roommate telling me about the World Wide Web! Wow, have things changed overall, and yes, in our audiology world.
When I started my career as an audiologist, I never imagined we’d be living in a world where prescription hearing aids purchased online would become the norm. Back in the day, we used specialized tools to manually adjust hearing aids. Then came the digital revolution. Today, not only are hearing aids fully programmable and smart, but some are available with a click of a mouse. Convenient? Absolutely. Safe? That depends.
Let’s talk about the surprising reality (and a few red flags) of buying prescription hearing aids online.
It sounds a little strange, right? How can something that requires a professional fitting and detailed hearing evaluation suddenly be something you can grab via a Google search?
Well, here’s the truth: Some online retailers are advertising “prescription hearing aids” even though they don’t ask for a prescription or a professional evaluation. That’s where things get tricky and potentially unsafe.
At Hears Hearing & Hearables, we want to stress that prescription hearing aids are more than just advanced gadgets. They’re finely tuned medical devices.
Here’s what goes into a proper fitting:
Without proper fitting, a hearing aid can actually damage your hearing rather than help it. That’s why buying prescription hearing aids online without the right safeguards can be risky.
We know that not all online hearing aid sellers are bad, like us! We are awesome or we try anyway. Some online stores are definitely not playing by the rules. They may:
Our clinic has seen many clients bring in hearing aids they bought online, only to find out we can’t program them, or worse, they were never designed for the U.S. market at all.
If you’re considering the convenience of buying hearing aids online, here are our top tips:
The good news? With telehealth on the rise and state laws shifting, it’s becoming easier for professionals to offer high-quality, remote hearing care. That means more people can access prescription hearing aids online safely, with professional oversight and long-term support. With increased technology in the hearing aids, telehealth is also easier with the right tools for us to take care of you. Some prescription hearing aids are easier to buy online than others, that is for sure. Make sure you know that the one you want is easy to fit online, too.
At Hears Hearing & Hearables, we’re here to help you decide if buying online is a smart option for you. We don’t just sell hearing aids, we listen, we fit, and we care. Because at the end of the day, we want you to be happy and hearing.
Final Tip: Before you click “Add to Cart” on that too-good-to-be-true hearing aid, make sure you’ve got a trusted professional in your corner. Your ears will thank you.
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