Summary: OTC hearing aids and hearing amplifiers are not the same. A basic amplifier mainly makes sound louder, while a properly programmed hearing aid provides different amounts of amplification at different frequencies based on the wearer's hearing. Warbler Series 7 hearing aids can be self-fitted with the Warbler Clarity app or professionally programmed from your audiogram by a hearing instrument specialist.
No and this is one of the most important distinctions to understand when shopping for an OTC hearing aid.
A basic hearing amplifier primarily does what its name suggests: it makes sound louder. The problem is that most people with hearing loss don't need every sound amplified equally.
Hearing loss is typically different across frequencies. A person might hear lower-frequency sounds relatively well but have considerably more difficulty hearing higher-frequency sounds, where much of the clarity of speech is found. Simply turning everything up may make some sounds uncomfortably loud without adequately addressing the sounds the person is actually struggling to hear.
This is why programming matters.
A properly programmed hearing aid is designed to provide different amounts of amplification at different frequencies based on the wearer's hearing profile. Rather than simply asking, “How loud should everything be?” the more important question becomes, “Which sounds does this person need amplified, and by how much?”
That is a fundamental difference between a hearing aid and a simple sound amplifier.
Why Programming May Matter More Than the Hearing Aid Itself
When comparing OTC hearing aids, consumers understandably focus on features: Bluetooth, rechargeable batteries, smartphone apps, directional microphones and noise reduction.
Those features are valuable, but the quality of the fitting and programming can be just as important as the features themselves.
Consider two people wearing exactly the same model of hearing aid. One has relatively even mild hearing loss across frequencies. The other hears lower frequencies reasonably well but has substantially greater loss in the higher frequencies.
Giving both people exactly the same amplification wouldn't make much sense.
A programmable hearing aid can be adjusted so that each person receives amplification appropriate to their individual hearing profile.
This is also why simply comparing OTC hearing aids based on how powerful or loud they are can be misleading. More amplification isn't necessarily better amplification. Appropriate amplification is what matters.
Self-Fitting vs. Professionally Programmed OTC Hearing Aids
This is an area consumers should pay particular attention to.
Some OTC products provide relatively basic volume or preset adjustments. More sophisticated devices can be self-fitted, allowing the hearing aid's settings to be customized to the user's hearing through software or an app.
Another option is professional programming based on an audiogram.
For example, Warbler Series 7 hearing aids can be self-fitted using the Warbler Clarity app or professionally programmed by a hearing instrument specialist when the customer provides an audiogram.
With an audiogram, the professional has information about how the person's hearing varies across frequencies and can use that information when programming the hearing aids.
This creates an important middle ground between a traditional clinic hearing aid and a simple off-the-shelf amplifier: an OTC hearing aid can offer the convenience and affordability of purchasing directly while still being customized to an individual's hearing.
And programming shouldn't necessarily end with the initial fitting. Once someone begins wearing hearing aids in everyday life, further adjustments may be helpful. Access to remote professional support allows the hearing aids to be fine-tuned based on the wearer's actual experience.
A Simple Question to Ask Before Buying an OTC Hearing Aid
Before purchasing an OTC hearing aid, ask:
“How will this hearing aid be programmed for my hearing?”
That's arguably more useful than asking how loud it can get.
If the answer is essentially “turn the volume up until you can hear better,” you may be looking at something closer to an amplifier.
If the device can be customized across frequencies based on a hearing assessment, self-fitting process or audiogram, you're looking at a much more sophisticated approach to amplification.
At Warbler Hearing, every pair of Series 7 hearing aids can be programmed to your audiogram before shipping. Book your free hearing consultation to find out how they would be set up for your hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an OTC hearing aid and a hearing amplifier?
A basic hearing amplifier mainly makes sound louder. A properly programmed hearing aid provides different amounts of amplification at different frequencies based on the wearer's hearing profile, so it can focus on the sounds the person actually struggles to hear. For a broader comparison, see our guide to hearing amplifiers vs. hearing aids.
Are OTC hearing aids regulated in Canada?
In Canada, both OTC and prescription hearing aids are regulated by Health Canada as Class II medical devices and require a medical device licence before they can be sold. You can check whether a device has an active licence in Health Canada's Medical Devices Active Licence Listing. Rules on how OTC hearing aids are sold vary by province.
Can an OTC hearing aid be programmed to my audiogram?
Some can. Warbler Series 7 hearing aids can be professionally programmed by a hearing instrument specialist when you provide an audiogram, or self-fitted with the Warbler Clarity app if you don't have one.
Is a more powerful hearing aid always better?
No. More amplification isn't necessarily better amplification. What matters is appropriate amplification across frequencies, matched to your hearing, with the option to fine-tune it once you start wearing the hearing aids every day.
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