September 2026
Independent · Evidence-based
Department · Hearing
Hearing Health
Hearing health after fifty — over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids, what the research supports, and what it doesn't.
The Lead
What over-the-counter hearing aids actually are
In October 2022 the FDA put hearing aids on the shelf. Years on, the category is still widely misunderstood — starting with the single word that defines who it's for.
More in Hearing
6 reports
The early signs — and how a hearing test works
It usually starts with clarity, not volume. What to notice, and what a test actually involves.
Hearing loss and brain health: what the research shows
One randomised trial, a null overall result, and a subgroup finding. The honest version.
Getting used to hearing aids
Why most drawer verdicts are premature — and what a fair first month looks like.
OTC or prescription? A decision guide
Fitting, follow-up care, and price — where each route makes sense.
How to shop for hearing aids
Trial periods, warranties, and what “FDA-registered” does and doesn't mean.
What hearing aids cost — and who actually pays
Price ranges, the Medicare exclusion most people don't expect, and the routes that reduce it.
How we review
Every hearing report is read against published research and primary regulatory sources. We hedge what's uncertain, cite what we relied on, and label any advertorial plainly — promising is never reported as proven.