A big topic in the Audiology world is OTC hearing aids, especially since Apple announced their Hearing Aid Feature in AirPods. There is still a lot of uncertainty around the product and the interest amongst the general public. I reviewed an article by Panth et al who studied the trends in OTC hearing aid information seeking behavior.
In their study titled “Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids: Tends in Information-Seeking Behavior”, the authors sought to “characterize the trends in information-seeking behavior in the ear of OTC hearing aids”. Prompted by the FDA announcement of their intention to allow for ITC hearing aids and its formal release in Oct 2022, the study is the first to look at the trend in the general public searching for OTC hearing aid information online.
Based on data obtained using Google Trends, the authors review relative search volumes on hearing health related topics such as “hearing aids”, “hearing loss”, “audiology”, “ear nose and throat”, and “cochlear implant”. Several data analysis as well as geographic distribution of the terms was conducted. Based on the data, there was a 212.5% increase in searches related to hearing aids on the day the FDA ruling on OTC hearing aids went into effect in Oct 2022. There was also a spike in searches Aug 2022 when the FDA indicated its intention to allow for OTC hearing aids.
Further data analysis revealed the searches related to hearing aids were aiming to find more information about “vendors, reviews of specific device brands, and cost”. Geographically speaking, states with a higher rural population represented the highest amount of hearing aid related searches.
It should be no surprise that there were large increases in hearing aid seeking information once the FDA announced OTC hearing aid availability. It is well known that cost is a concern for amplification. OTC’s were enacted in part due to the financial burden of prescription hearing aids. A key search term based on this study was cost, supporting the price concerns of those with hearing loss who are seeking hearing health care.
Another important piece of information gleaned from this study is the interest in amplification in the rural population. Unfortunately, this is a population who, due to farming, may have higher noise exposure and have limited health care options. We may see an increase in uptake of OTC amplification in this population due to ease of access from OTC hearing aids.
In conclusion, the study by Panth et al. provides valuable insights into the public’s interest in OTC hearing aids and highlights the ongoing need for accessible and affordable hearing care solutions. As the market for OTC hearing aids continues to grow, it is crucial for Audiologists and healthcare providers to stay informed about these trends and consider them when discussing amplification options with their patients.
Dr. White, AuD 