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  • Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are basic, low-cost, air-conduction hearing aids. These are available without a prescription (or fitting by an audiologist) to individuals 18 years or older with mild to moderate perceived hearing loss.

Managing and selling OTC hearing aids through Sycle Pro provides you with an opportunity to expand your customer base. By offering OTC hearing aids, you can establish your clinic(s) as a reliable resource for the start of new clients' hearing healthcare journey and as an additional option for individuals seeking affordable and accessible hearing amplification.

Even if you do not plan to sell/dispense OTC hearing aids, Sycle Pro allows you to track patients' existing OTC hearing aid equipment for care continuity. This also offers you the opportunity to upgrade their OTC hearing aids to prescription hearing aids as a part of their continued care.

Wherever possible, the methods used for the management and sale of OTC hearing aids in Sycle Pro are kept consistent with the workflows established for the sale of traditional hearing aids. Some notable differences include:

  • OTC hearing aids are categorized as their own item type, separate from prescription hearing aids.

  • Model names/numbers for OTC hearing aids are entered manually, rather than making a selection from a pre-populated list.

    • The Manufacturer and Type fields are still populated by Sycle at intervals. Users can make a request to Sycle to add missing manufacturers ahead of the scheduled update interval.

  • Unlike prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids can be sold to walk-in patients without an appointment (in the same manner as batteries or accessories).

    • OTC hearing aids can also be sold at the conclusion of an appointment, just like prescription hearing aids.

  • OTC hearing aids are sold as whole "kits." Typically — though not exclusively —, OTC hearing aid kits include hearing aids for both ears and several accessories.

  • While OTC hearing aids can be exchanged only for other OTC hearing aid kits, they can also be upgraded to prescription hearing aids.

  • Binaural OTC hearing aid kits can not be exchanged for a single hearing aid, nor exchanged/upgraded for a mix of a prescription hearing aid and an OTC hearing aid.

Clinics must adhere to the FDA guidelines for the sale and distribution of OTC hearing aids.

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