Perhaps you've started turning the television up a little louder, asking people to repeat themselves or finding it harder to follow conversations in busy cafes and restaurants. If so, you may have come across over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and hearing support features in consumer earbuds. These options are becoming more common, but it is not always clear which, if any, are suitable for your needs.
Hearing support is becoming more accessible, with more devices available outside traditional audiology pathways. Over-the-counter hearing aids are generally designed for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, and certain consumer earbuds include features that can amplify sound and adjust listening based on a hearing check or self-test. There are also wearable devices, including glasses with built-in hearing assistance technology, that aim to improve listening in certain situations.
OTC options may be a useful starting point for some people with mild hearing difficulties, but the NZAS recommends consulting an MNZAS audiologist or audiometrist before purchasing to ensure it is appropriate for your hearing needs.
A basic hearing check is not the same as a professional assessment with an audiologist. A full hearing assessment looks beyond volume, identifying the type and cause of hearing loss, how well speech is understood and the health of the ear.
It can identify other factors affecting hearing, such as ear wax or medical conditions that may need referral or treatment before any hearing device is considered. It also provides a baseline for monitoring changes over time and guiding future care.
A professional assessment is especially important if you experience sudden changes in hearing, hearing loss in one ear, dizziness or ongoing ear problems.
It’s natural to compare the cost of over-the-counter devices with professionally fitted hearing aids, but price alone does not reflect the full picture. Many New Zealanders can access subsidies through the Government Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme, with additional support from ACC or Veterans’ Affairs in some cases, which can help reduce costs. Entry-level hearing aids are also available at or near subsidy level, offering greater personalisation, automatic adjustment and typically improved sound performance compared with many OTC options.
The key difference is that professionally fitted hearing aids are selected and adjusted based on a full hearing assessment, ensuring they are matched to your hearing and can be refined over time if your needs change. They are also customised to fit your ears securely and comfortably, whereas over-the-counter devices may not suit every ear shape. Many professionally fitted hearing aids also include a trial period, allowing time to adjust to the devices and ensure they are suitable for your hearing and lifestyle.
Hearing technology offers more choice than ever, but the most important step is understanding your hearing before deciding on a solution. A full hearing assessment identifies the type and cause of hearing loss and provides a baseline for future reference, helping you decide whether an OTC device, professionally fitted hearing aids, or no device is appropriate.
Further reading: Consumer NZ recently explored hearing assistance features in Apple AirPods and how this technology works in practice.
Updated Tuesday 19 May 2026