WINONA, Minn. – Over-the-counter hearing aids that become available in October may be attractively priced but are not without downsides, according to audiologist Kaitlyn Ostrowski at Winona Health. Ostrowski recommends a professional hearing test before buying. “Seeing a hearing specialist can help ensure you spend your money wisely,” she said. Many professional audiologists, herself included, don’t earn commissions, she said. Ostrowski also noted that self-diagnosis is imprecise at best. “An audiologist can determine your exact degree of hearing loss” she said. There are also medical conditions with hearing loss that require further medical evaluation, she said. Be aware, she added, over-the-counter products hearing aids have lesser technology and sound processing – and can’t be fine-tuned later.
Ostrowski. Certified audiologist.