--- title: Hearing Aids Are Now Sold Over the Counter: What to Know description: FDA-approved hearing aids became available over the counter for the first time, for thousands less than prescription hearing aids. canonical: https://time.com/6222754/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-buying/ author: Tara Law article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2022-10-17T21:35:37.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:44:22.485Z article:section: Health og:title: Hearing Aids Are Now Available Over the Counter. What to Know Before Buying One og:description: They can cost thousands less than prescription hearing aids og:url: https://time.com/6222754/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-buying/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfd93e239779f8e72/698a3683d075330f79e6d557/Pink-Hearing-Aid.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 4992 og:image:height: 2808 og:image:alt: Hearing-Aid og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Hearing Aids Are Now Available Over the Counter. What to Know Before Buying One twitter:description: They can cost thousands less than prescription hearing aids twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfd93e239779f8e72/698a3683d075330f79e6d557/Pink-Hearing-Aid.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Hearing Aids Are Now Available Over the Counter. What to Know Before Buying One > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=64119bfb-0439-48f2-9fcd-9468690fdd87&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### The seven newsletters | Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | Subscribers | Open rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | 540,000 | 45.6% | | Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 430,000 | 50.7% | | Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Daily | 240,000 | 54.1% | | Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Tuesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 40,000 | 31.7% | | D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Monday to Saturday (3x per week) | 85,000 | 37.0% | | Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | 40,000 | 34.2% | | In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | 25,000 | 28.6% | Source: TIME, August 2026. Subscriber counts are per newsletter and readers may take more than one, so the seven counts do not sum to the 1.1 million+ unique newsletter audience. ### Key data points | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 | | Highest open rate | 54.1%, Health Matters | TIME, August 2026 | | Largest list | 540,000, The Brief | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Publishing since | 1923 | TIME | ### TIME Newsletters: key statements * Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read. * All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=64119bfb-0439-48f2-9fcd-9468690fdd87&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). * The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=64119bfb-0439-48f2-9fcd-9468690fdd87&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What newsletters does TIME publish? TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (daily health), Worth Your Time (culture, twice weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, three times a week), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers. #### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to? It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters. #### Are TIME's newsletters free? Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes TIME's newsletters? TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ## Video: The Race to Make a Vaccine for Breast Cancer [Watch (HLS stream): The Race to Make a Vaccine for Breast Cancer](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/W5jcvwLu.m3u8) (8:09)  _Published 2022-10-05. Scientists believe there is a future in which women can be vaccinated against breast cancer._  by [Tara Law](https://time.com/author/tara-law/)  ## Tara Law Oct 17, 2022 9:35 PM UTC  Modern compact in the ear digital audiophone hearing aid for deaf people to hear. Modern compact in the ear digital audiophone hearing aid for deaf people to hear. EyeEm—Getty Images  by [Tara Law](https://time.com/author/tara-law/)  ## Tara Law Oct 17, 2022 9:35 PM UTC On Oct. 17, hearing aids approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) became available over the counter for the first time, for potentially thousands of dollars less than prescription hearing aids. Many experts are hopeful that opening the market up will spur the creation of innovative new devices, bring down costs, and encourage hearing-aid use in a country where only a [fraction](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1108706) of [older adults who are hard of hearing](https://time.com/6053519/how-to-keep-brain-sharp-aging/) use hearing aids. What do these expanded options mean for people who are thinking about buying a hearing aid? For now, experts say there’s still a lot we don’t know—including which devices will be announced in the coming months and how much prices may fluctuate on the new market. However, over-the-counter hearing aids could make a big difference in your life if you have mild or moderate hearing loss. Here’s what you need to know. ## **When will over-the-counter hearing aids be available at stores?** The first over-the-counter hearing aids are available online and in-person at some stores, including pharmacies like Walgreens, beginning this week. Walmart [announced](https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2022/10/17/walmart-now-offers-over-the-counter-hearing-aids-to-help-customers-hear-and-feel-their-best) on Oct. 17 that hearing aids will be available at its website, at Walmart Vision Centers in certain states (although the company plans to eventually offer these services nationwide) and at more than 400 Sam’s Club Hearing Aid Center locations. More stores are expected to announce that they’ll be carrying over-the-counter hearing aids in the coming weeks. Best Buy, for instance, [announced](https://corporate.bestbuy.com/best-buy-expands-hearing-solutions/) on Oct. 17 that it will open hearing centers in 300 stores by the end of the month. Best Buy customers can also use an online hearing assessment tool and buy their products online. ## **Should I buy an over-the-counter hearing aid?** Over-the-counter hearing aids are intended for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, so the first step is determining whether you are eligible for one. People with mild or moderate hearing loss tend to have difficulty hearing when talking with people in a group or when there’s background noise, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America. Another sign is needing to turn the volume up on the television or phone. A signal of more severe hearing loss is finding it difficult to hear when you’re having a one-on-one conversation with someone in a quiet environment. For more guidance, the Hearing Loss Association of America has a [helpful checklist](https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/otc-hearing-devices/otc-hearing-aids/) of potential signs. An audiologist can help you to determine your level of hearing loss, says Nicholas Reed, an audiologist at Johns Hopkins University. These tests, unlike hearing-aid fittings, are also typically covered by insurance. Other tests are available through apps, including [SonicCloud](https://www.soniccloud.com/the-hearing-assessment). Reed says hearing tests can be helpful, as people tend to be bad at sensing how much their hearing has changed. “Hearing loss happens really slowly, really insidiously,” he says. “And the truth is, your brain is good at not picking up those kinds of changes.” People who are more tech-savvy may also be better equipped to buy an over-the-counter hearing aid, since the devices require tinkering to get the fit and levels right, says Dr. Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. If you’re not, Reed suggests considering bringing your over-the-counter device to an audiologist to get some help using it. “It’s easy to set yourself on the wrong path,” says Reed. “If you’re at all confused or not super tech savvy, an audiologist could help.”  Lon Tweeten ## **How much do over-the-counter hearing aids cost? What about prescription hearing aids?** The cost of hearing aids can vary dramatically. Over-the-counter hearing aids can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands. Hearing aids that require a prescription typically cost a few thousand dollars on average for a pair, [according to the FDA](https://www.fda.gov/media/160971/download), although that price is often bundled with other services, including the cost of having the device fitted by an audiologist. ## **Are over-the-counter hearing aids covered by insurance?** Medicare does not cover hearing aids or hearing aid fittings, although some Medicare Advantage plans offer some coverage. Some private insurance companies cover hearing aids, but not all. Check with your insurance provider to see if you’re covered under your individual plan. ## **Are more expensive hearing aids always better than cheaper ones?** More expensive hearing aids may come with specialized features, such as being smaller in size and having a smoother user experience, says Reed. However, now that over-the-counter hearing aids have been FDA approved, Reed says that buyers can feel reassured that the products are held to a standard, and less-expensive hearing aids should be able to fit your basic needs if you have moderate or mild hearing loss. If you’re not that comfortable with technology, Reed says, you might even be happier with a simpler (and less pricey) device. “There’s almost no evidence that cost is related to outcomes,” says Reed. --- ### More from TIME --- ## **How should I choose an over-the-counter hearing aid?** Hearing is a bit like a “fingerprint,” says Reed. That means hearing loss is a little bit different for everyone—and that hearing aids won’t work the same for everyone. Over-the-counter hearing aids come in two main types, says Palmer. The first is a self-fitting device, which users typically modify by connecting the device to an application on their smartphone, and then tuning it by listening to sounds. To operate the other type—called a simple modifier—users can manually control volume and sometimes the bass and treble of sounds. It’s important to buy a device with a warranty so that you can return it if the device doesn’t work for you or your lifestyle, Palmer says. “Until the person uses the device, they will not know if it will meet their needs,” she says. Under the FDA regulation, the packaging must state if your device can be returned. Reed also suggests checking whether the device comes with robust customer support, which can help you learn to use the device and address any problems. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/6222754/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-buying/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/6222754/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-buying/"},"headline":"Hearing Aids Are Now Available Over the Counter. What to Know Before Buying One","datePublished":"2022-10-17T21:35:37.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:44:22.485Z","description":"They can cost thousands less than prescription hearing aids.","url":"https://time.com/6222754/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-buying/","keywords":["Aging","Tech","healthscienceclimate"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfd93e239779f8e72/698a3683d075330f79e6d557/Pink-Hearing-Aid.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Tara Law","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/tara-law/"}],"articleSection":"Health","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfd93e239779f8e72/698a3683d075330f79e6d557/Pink-Hearing-Aid.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Hearing-Aid","caption":"Hearing-Aid","creditText":"EyeEm—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/health/","name":"Health"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/aging/","name":"Aging"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/6222754/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-buying/","name":"Hearing Aids Are Now Available Over the Counter. What to Know Before Buying One"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"The Race to Make a Vaccine for Breast Cancer","description":"Scientists believe there is a future in which women can be vaccinated against breast cancer.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/W5jcvwLu/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2022-10-05T20:44:13.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/W5jcvwLu.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/6222754/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-buying/","duration":"PT8M9S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/6222754/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-buying/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```