# Looking for a OTC hearing aid **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 23, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-otc-hearing-aid/558119 "2010-10-23T19:36:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gordokins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e4f/32.png) [@Gordokins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordokins)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-otc-hearing-aid/558119/1 "2010-10-23T19:36:14Z")
I am looking for the best over the counter hearing aid. I would like something discrete (inside of ear) and inexpensive. The issue I have with these is I wait tables and it is generally very loud. I am looking for something that would allow me to tune into my guests, without extreme amplification of the hustle and bustle going on all around me. I have never had a hearing aid before and I am unsure if there is one that would accomodate my needs. I wouldn’t say I have much hearing loss (I’m 24), but I can generally here only about half of what the guests say, having to lean in very close during conversation. Any help is appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-otc-hearing-aid/558119/2 "2010-10-24T06:43:51Z")
Hearing in noise you mean? Sorry but not available. There are hearing aids with switches and stuff that filter out noise BUT they’re still really not as good as nautral hearing (says the hoh kid who has worn an aid for over 25 years) ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-otc-hearing-aid/558119/3 "2010-10-24T09:38:07Z")
> [@Gordokins](#): > > I am looking for the best over the counter hearing aid. I would like something discrete (inside of ear) and inexpensive. The issue I have with these is I wait tables and it is generally very loud. I am looking for something that would allow me to tune into my guests, without extreme amplification of the hustle and bustle going on all around me. I have never had a hearing aid before and I am unsure if there is one that would accomodate my needs. I wouldn’t say I have much hearing loss (I’m 24), but I can generally here only about half of what the guests say, having to lean in very close during conversation. Any help is appreciated! You need a “Game Ear”. They are sold in sporting goods stores to hunters. [Here is one that gets good reviews, is small enough to fit in your ear and is very inexpensive](http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Shooting-Accessories/Hearing-Protection-Enhancement%7C/pc/104792580/c/104769180/sc/104381280/Walkers-Ultra-Ear/707782.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN%3D1100232). I learned about this reading [an article by an audiologist](http://www.globalaging.org/health/us/2004/debate.htm) complaining about the whole hearing aid business. From my link: > [@](#): > > To prove his point, he recently played two recordings before an audience of 50 audiologists. One was of a person speaking in cafeteria noise, amplified by a $149 sporting-goods device. The other was of the same speech amplified through a popular $2,000 digital hearing aid. The audience rated the $149 device as having clearer sound. “The point is, there are reasonably good OTC aids out there now,” Dr. Killion said.