The main types are behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-canal (RIC), in-the-ear (ITE), and completely-in-canal (CIC). RIC models are the most widely recommended — they are small, comfortable, and handle most types of hearing loss effectively. BTE models are the easiest to handle for those with limited dexterity. Your audiologist will recommend based on your specific hearing loss profile.
Traditional prescription hearing aids range from $1,500 to $7,000 per pair. OTC (over-the-counter) hearing aids, made available without a prescription since 2022, range from $200 to $1,500 and are appropriate for mild to moderate loss. Medicare Part B does not currently cover hearing aids, though some Medicare Advantage plans do. Veterans with service-connected hearing loss may receive hearing aids through the VA.
OTC hearing aids (available at pharmacies and online) are designed for self-fitting and mild to moderate hearing loss. Prescription hearing aids are custom-programmed by an audiologist to match your specific hearing loss at each frequency and are appropriate for a wider range of loss severity. If you have moderate-to-severe loss, speech understanding difficulties, or tinnitus, prescription aids provide better outcomes.
Most audiologists recommend an adjustment period of four to six weeks. The brain needs time to relearn how to process amplified sounds that have been absent. Start by wearing aids in quiet environments, then gradually increase to noisier settings. Follow-up programming adjustments with your audiologist in the first months are normal and expected.
