How to find OTC hearing support that fits into your life

Home
Healthy ageing
About healthy ageing
Find out what healthy ageing means and the changes you can make to stay independent for longer.
- Myths about ageing
  Rethink what you know about later life. Bust some common myths about ageing that could be holding you back.
- Inspiration
  Get inspired by real stories and videos from older people. See how others have taken healthy ageing into their own hands.
- Frequently asked questions
  Find answers to common questions about healthy ageing. Get clear on available tools and services.
Resources
Resources
Discover practical tips, exercises, and products to help you stay active and independent.
- Find healthy ageing articles
  Read articles backed by evidence to help you stay healthy and independent.
- Find exercise sheets
  Check out these printable exercises (with pictures) to help keep your mind and body strong.
- Find activities
  Connect with your community. Use this directory to find social activities near you.
- Find helpful tools
  Explore this directory of assistive products. They're selected by clinical experts to make life easier.
- Navigating life changes
  With ageing comes change. Get tailored resources to help you prepare for times of transition.
- I have a health condition or injury
- I'm downsizing or moving house
- I'm grieving
- I'm preparing for new grandchildren
- I'm retiring or retired
- I'd like general healthy ageing info
- More about life changes
- Everyday tips
  Take a look at practical ways to make everyday tasks easier around the house, or out and about.
- Explore tips
- Cultural resources
- First Nations resources
  Access resources made by, with, and for First Nations people.
- Italian resources
  Access resources made with and for Italian people.
- Resources in your language
  Find LiveUp resources in different languages.
Self-assessment quiz
Take our 5-minute quiz – get personalised suggestions for activities, products, and tips tailored to you.
Take the quiz
About
About LiveUp
Learn more about LiveUp. Discover our mission to help older people live well and stay independent.
- Friends of LiveUp
  Read about the peak bodies and organisations we work with to improve the lives of older people.
- Testimonials
  'I found LiveUp to be so uplifting and inspirational and I'm so glad I found it! I thoroughly recommend it to all my older friends.'
  See more testimonials
Contact

Not sure where to start? Call one of our friendly navigators who can help you.Call - 1800 951 971

Home
Healthy ageing
About healthy ageing
Find out what healthy ageing means and the changes you can make to stay independent for longer.
- Myths about ageing
  Rethink what you know about later life. Bust some common myths about ageing that could be holding you back.
- Inspiration
  Get inspired by real stories and videos from older people. See how others have taken healthy ageing into their own hands.
- Frequently asked questions
  Find answers to common questions about healthy ageing. Get clear on available tools and services.
Resources
Resources
Discover practical tips, exercises, and products to help you stay active and independent.
- Find healthy ageing articles
  Read articles backed by evidence to help you stay healthy and independent.
- Find exercise sheets
  Check out these printable exercises (with pictures) to help keep your mind and body strong.
- Find activities
  Connect with your community. Use this directory to find social activities near you.
- Find helpful tools
  Explore this directory of assistive products. They're selected by clinical experts to make life easier.
- Navigating life changes
  With ageing comes change. Get tailored resources to help you prepare for times of transition.
- I have a health condition or injury
- I'm downsizing or moving house
- I'm grieving
- I'm preparing for new grandchildren
- I'm retiring or retired
- I'd like general healthy ageing info
- More about life changes
- Everyday tips
  Take a look at practical ways to make everyday tasks easier around the house, or out and about.
- Explore tips
- Cultural resources
- First Nations resources
  Access resources made by, with, and for First Nations people.
- Italian resources
  Access resources made with and for Italian people.
- Resources in your language
  Find LiveUp resources in different languages.
Self-assessment quiz
Take our 5-minute quiz – get personalised suggestions for activities, products, and tips tailored to you.
Take the quiz
About
About LiveUp
Learn more about LiveUp. Discover our mission to help older people live well and stay independent.
- Friends of LiveUp
  Read about the peak bodies and organisations we work with to improve the lives of older people.
- Testimonials
  'I found LiveUp to be so uplifting and inspirational and I'm so glad I found it! I thoroughly recommend it to all my older friends.'
  See more testimonials
Contact

Not sure where to start? Call one of our friendly navigators who can help you.Call - 1800 951 971

How to find OTC hearing support that fits into your life | LiveUp

Two ladies sitting, looking at a mobile phone

Addressing hearing loss can improve your health in surprising ways – supporting your memory, mood, and confidence.

Your hearing helps keep your brain active as you age. Listening to speech and taking part in conversations are complex mental exercises. They strengthen your thinking skills and support your long-term brain health.

Hearing well makes it easier to have conversations and stay socially connected. This benefits your brain, mental, and physical health.

When hearing loss goes untreated, it can increase your risk of problems such as:

Loss of memory or thinking skills
Dementia
Social isolation

The good news is regular hearing checks are quick, free, and easy – and they can make a big difference.

If you have mild hearing loss, it’s worth exploring hearing support early. Here are a few options that might help, including over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.

What are OTC hearing aids?

Over the counter (OTC) hearing aids are hearing aids you can buy without a medical prescription. You can fit them to yourself. They’re usually more affordable than prescription options.

A pair of over-the-counter hearing aids.

Do you experience mild to moderate hearing loss or tinnitus? OTC hearing aids may be a flexible, cost-effective starting point for support.

OTC hearing aids don’t replace devices that are prescribed and fitted by an audiologist. However, clinical studies show they can improve:

Speech understanding
User satisfaction

Where to find OTC hearing aids

You can explore products online, on free databases such as Hearing Aids Australia.

Here are some of the over-the-counter assistive hearing products available there:

Where to find other low-risk hearing support devices

The National Equipment Database is a great place to search for low-risk hearing and listening support tools.

For example, the Bellman Safe and Sound Pack supports people who have difficulty hearing doorbells, phones, or conversation. NED can connect you with suppliers of this pack.

Bellman Safe and Sound hearing support pack.

Alternatively, you can purchase the individual components of this pack online from Hearing Aids Australia:

Apple AirPods Pro 2: An alternative support option

Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 can be updated with a hearing assistive feature. While they’re not a replacement for hearing aids, they can provide entry-level support at a lower cost.

They’re available for around $350 at retailers like Big W, JB Hi-Fi, and Officeworks. If you already own them, the software update is free.

They also double as wireless earbuds for music and phone calls, connecting directly to your smartphone. Here’s a guide for setting up your AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids.

Choosing the right hearing aid

Speak to a healthcare professional for personalised advice about finding the right device for you. Audiology clinics offer hearing screenings for free, and they only take a few minutes.

You can also check trusted review sites like CHOICE for resources like this buying guide.

Need some help? You can always reach out to LiveUp for support with general healthy ageing information on 1800 951 971.

References

ARIIA Knowledge & Implementation Hub. (2023, December). Age-related hearing loss: Social isolation [Evidence theme]. Adelaide, SA: ARIIA. Retrieved from https://www.ariia.org.au/sites/default/files/2023-12/Ariia-Social-isolation-Age-related-hearing-loss.pdf

Goldstein, A., Wang, H., Niekerken, L. et al. A unified acoustic-to-speech-to-language embedding space captures the neural basis of natural language processing in everyday conversations. Nat Hum Behav 9, 1041–1055 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02105-9

Golub, J. S., Brickman, A. M., Ciarleglio, A. J., Schupf, N., & Luchsinger, J. A. (2020). Association of Subclinical Hearing Loss With Cognitive Performance. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery, 146(1), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2019.3375

Kim GY, Yun HJ, Jo M, Jo S, Cho YS, Moon IJ. (2024). Apple AirPods Pro as a hearing assistive device in patients with mild to moderate hearing loss. Yonsei Med J. 65(10):596-601. doi:10.3349/ymj.2023.0375

Kirschen, R. M., & Leaver, A. M. (2024). Hearing function moderates age-related differences in brain morphometry in the HCP Aging cohort. Human Brain Mapping, 45(16), e70074. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.70074

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). (2024 Dec 17, cited 2025 Jun 4). Apple Pty Ltd – Hearing aid, in-the-ear (ARTG ID 473488) [Internet]. Canberra (AU): Australian Government Department of Health. Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods database.

Wang, H.-F., Zhang, W., Rolls, E. T., Li, Y., Wang, L., Ma, Y.-H., Kang, J., Feng, J., Yu, J.-T., & Cheng, W. (2022). Hearing impairment is associated with cognitive decline, brain atrophy and tau pathology. eBioMedicine, 86, 104336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104336

Wu, Y. H., Stangl, E., Branscome, K., Oleson, J., & Ricketts, T. (2025). Hearing Aid Service Models, Technology, and Patient Outcomes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery, 151(7), 684–692. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2025.1008

How to use this information

LiveUp provides free information to help you make informed decisions about your health. This information is for general and educational purposes only, is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide, and does not replace medical advice. Everyone is different, so some of these tips may work better for you than others. You should use your own judgment and seek medical advice when applying this information to yourself, to determine if it is suitable in your circumstances. Your use of, or reliance on, this information is solely at your own risk. Independent Living Assessment Incorporated is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, or damage caused as a result of your use of, or reliance on, this information.