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Perceptions of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids: A Qualitative Study Informed by the Technology Acceptance Model.
Laura Coco1, Tiana Weeks1, Chris Rodriguez1
1School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|July 6, 2026
Summary
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids improve accessibility but user adoption depends on managing expectations and providing support. Addressing setup difficulties and user confidence is key for successful OTC hearing aid use.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Gerontology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Hearing loss affects many older adults, with low hearing aid uptake.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids aim to increase accessibility by removing professional requirements.
- Understanding consumer usability and perceived value of OTC hearing aids is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore adult perceptions of OTC hearing aids after direct use.
- To identify factors influencing perceived ease of use and usefulness.
- To understand usability barriers using the technology acceptance model.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative descriptive design with semi-structured interviews.
- 78 adults aged 55+ with self-identified mild-to-moderate hearing loss participated.
- Participants completed a 10-step OTC hearing aid management task before interviews.
Main Results:
- Key themes included setup barriers, support needs, usability expectations, and perceived performance.
- Participants reported setup difficulties, performance uncertainty, and a need for support.
- User expectations, confidence, and information gaps influenced adoption intention.
Conclusions:
- Successful OTC hearing aid adoption requires more than cost reduction; support and user confidence are vital.
- Aligning user expectations with device performance is critical for satisfaction.
- Improved instructions and accessible support can enhance OTC hearing aid uptake.
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