Direct-to-consumer (DTC) hearing devices include personal sound amplification products, hearables, and over-the-counter hearing aids. Those technologies offer the potential to improve listening and communication for adults and seniors with hearing loss. As they are generally more affordable than conventional hearing aids and because buying them does not require consulting a professional, they are seen as a potential way to increase accessibility to amplification. Several DTC hearing devices are currently available, but their quality, performance, and cost can vary greatly. Therefore, more and more individuals are seeking support from audiologists to choose and adapt to DTC hearing devices. In that context, audiologists need to develop a better knowledge and understanding of DTC hearing devices to be able to offer well-informed counseling and services. During this presentation, we will (1) explain what DTC hearing devices are, (2) present different types of DTC hearing devices and differentiate them from conventional, prescribed hearing aids, (3) present a procedure to assess electroacoustic performances of DTC hearing devices based on our experience in our hearing aid lab, and (4) discuss the potential benefits and limitations of DTC hearing devices.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain what DTC hearing devices are.
- Explain the difference between different types of DTC hearing devices and conventional hearing aids.
- Describe a procedure to assess electroacoustic performances of DTC hearing devices.
- Explain the potential benefits and limitations of DTC hearing devices.
