Abstract
The purpose of this study is to review the current state of the over-the-counter (OTC)
hearing aid market, specifically focusing on adoption, affordability, accessibility,
and satisfaction rates in the MarkeTrak 2025 survey. In a large-scale consumer survey,
nearly 5,000 adults with perceived hearing difficulties completed a survey, which
asked questions about, among other things, their hearing aids. The results of the
survey suggest OTC hearing aids have had a small incremental increase (4 percentage
points) in hearing device adoptions, a smaller impact than earbuds with features designed
to support hearing loss. The introduction of OTC hearing aids has not affected the
adoption rates of prescription hearing aids, where adoption rates (currently 39%)
have been stable, or even increased, over the last decade. The data also demonstrate
that most OTC hearing aid owners received some professional services, suggesting the
accessibility of OTC hearing aids might not be fully successful if success means the
ability to acquire hearing aids without professional support. However, OTC hearing
aids have been successful in other respects. Relative to prescription hearing aids,
OTC hearing aids are more affordable and have similarly high satisfaction rates. The
OTC and earbud devices will be interesting to continue to monitor as the market adjusts
to the widespread availability of direct-to-consumer solutions for management of hearing
difficulties in adults. To date, the availability of OTC hearing aids has not disrupted
the prescription hearing aid market, although they are more affordable, and most people
who use them are satisfied.
Keywords
hearing aid - OTC - affordability - accessibility - satisfaction
