Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids: Trends in Information-Seeking Behavior
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Updated: Jul 25, 2025

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Neelima Panth1,2, Rema Shah1, Benjamin Judson1,2
1Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Abstract:
Recent Food and Drug Administration approval of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids has changed the policy landscape surrounding hearing-assistive technology. Our objective was to characterize trends in information-seeking behavior in the era of OTC hearing aids. Using Google Trends, we extracted the relative search volume (RSV) for hearing health-related topics. The mean RSV in the 2 weeks preceding and following enactment of the FDA's OTC hearing aid ruling were compared using a paired samples t-test. RSV for hearing-related queries increased by 212.5% on the date of FDA approval. There was a 25.6% (p = .02) increase in mean RSV for "hearing aids" before and after the FDA ruling. The most popular searches focused on specific device brands and cost. States with more rural residents represented the highest proportion of queries. Understanding these trends is critical to ensure appropriate patient counseling and improve access to hearing assistive technology.
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