• Battery of the charging box may be depleted. Please confirm if the charging case light is on when the cover is opened. Charge the changing box if needed.
• It could also be caused by poor charging contact. Place back the hearing aid and checks if the light on the hearing aid is on, indicating that the hearing aid is charging.

It could be caused by poor charging contact. Place back the hearing aid and checks if the light on the hearing aid is on, indicating that the hearing aid is charging.

The left earbud and the right bud may not be paired

a) Confirm that both hearing aids have been turned on;

b) Confirm that both have been turned on but are not paired, and simultaneously hold down the "volume-" button on both hearing aids to enter TWS pairing, and the left and right will complete automatic pairing.

It could be caused by that the hearing aids are not paired to each other so they both are shown on the mobile.

a) Confirm that both hearing aids have been turned on;

b) Confirm that both have been turned on but are not paired, and simultaneously hold down the "volume-" button on both hearing aids to enter TWS pairing, and the left and right will complete automatic pairing.

• Hearing aids are not activated. Please check turning-on related FAQ part.
• Your hearing aids may be connected to other device(s). Place the hearing aids back to the charging case, press and hold the charging case button for 10 seconds to clear the pairing record. Then try to reconnect to the current device.

The hearing aids may be connected to other device(s). Please place the hearing aids back to the charging case, press and hold the charging case button for 10 seconds to clear the pairing record. Then try to reconnect to the current device.

The product is design in such a way that the left hearing aid and the right are not synchronous in volume. So please adjust volume on each earbud accordingly.

It could be due to that:

• The battery of the charging box is depleted.
• The charging contact is poor.

• Sometimes this is caused by full battery so the UV light is not triggered. The product is designed in the way that the UV light is not powered unless the hearing aids are charging. Please use the hearing aids for a while and then place them back in. The UV light should be on now.
• UV light could be broken. Please write to us for further assistance.

• Your eartips may not be airtight enough. You may want to consider changing your eartips.
• The sound amplication is a bit overly done and there are sound sources in the environment that are prone to causing feedback. Please try to reduce volume.

It could be due to the mismatched size of eartips. You may want to consider replacing your eartips to a more comfortable size. We do offer different sizes.

The device may be set to conversation mode (also a default mode). This mode mainly restores human voice with lower noise level. Please try to switch modes according to the scene, such as restaurant mode (stronger noise reduction), outdoor mode (overall restoration, etc.) and these modes provide different levels of noise reduction.

• It could be because your hearing loss level is too high, exceeding the support range of LINNER Nova. Please adopt an in-app self-fitting test.
• The hearing curve may not match the device's default. Please adopt an in-app self-fitting test.

Please write to us at support@linnerlife.com for further assistance. We will get back to you in no time!

Over-the-counter hearing aids (OTC HAs) are devices that amplify sound and can be purchased without professional support and without a hearing test. OTC HAs are approved for adults older than age 18 with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Direct-to-consumer devices are currently available as instruments that can be purchased by the consumer with access to remote support. OTC HAs are similar to “direct-to-consumer” devices in that consumers independently decide if they need the device and select what device(s) to purchase. The consumer handles the device set-up, including the physical fit of the device and tuning of the sound, without professional support. Although not required, any consumer can get a hearing test before buying OTC HAs to benefit from the advice of an audiologist regarding whether they are a candidate for an OTC HA.

Audiologists also can provide support in the use of OTC HAs for an office visit charge (typically not covered by insurance).

OTC HAs are meant to be less expensive than professionally fitted hearing aids. The lower cost for OTC HAs is due to technology differences and because no professional services or fees are associated with the purchase (the individual is self-selecting and self-fitting).

The FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 includes language that directed the FDA to create a class of OTC HAs in response to demands of consumers and other government agencies to increase the affordability and accessibility of hearing aids in the United States.

The FDA is now using two descriptors for hearing aids: OTC hearing aids and prescription hearing aids.

The hearing aids that audiologists traditionally fit are considered prescription hearing aids meaning that they require a professional to determine the need for and the optimal settings of the hearing aid. The Final Rule regarding OTC HAs provides rules specific to OTC HAs, not prescription hearing aids.

The FDA considers OTC HAs user adjustable. At a minimum, OTC HAs must have a way for the user to manipulate frequency response (e.g., bass versus treble) and intensity (volume control). The figure below illustrates ways that this might be accomplished. Self-fitting is one approach and is defined specifically as a process where user responses are used by an algorithm to create a listening program(s) for the user. This might be accomplished with an online hearing test or some other signals the individual responds to and then the device tunes itself related to these responses. All OTC HAs must be user-customizable for frequency response and intensity, but self-fitting is not required.

OTC HAs will have an output limit of 111 dB SPL with 117 dB SPL allowable for devices while input-controlled compression is activated. This will be expressed in terms of maximum peak values which are consistent with Output Sound Pressure Level 90 (OSPL90) values. These limits are different from Prescription Hearing Aids where an audiologist measures the maximum output of the hearing aids as part of the fitting process. No gain limit is being recommended or enforced for OTC HAs. The FDA is using the ANSI/CTA 2051 “Personal Sound Amplification Performance Criteria” as the electroacoustic standard for OTC HAs.

OTC HAs are only approved for use by adults older than age 18 who have mild to moderate hearing loss. Ideally, an individual will receive a hearing test from an audiologist to determine their level of hearing loss so they will know if they are a candidate for this type of hearing aid. However, a hearing test is not required, and an individual with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss may purchase OTC HAs directly.

Although an individual cannot accurately determine whether they have hearing loss, the type or degree of hearing loss if present, or the potential cause of hearing difficulties without professional evaluation, there are some behavioral indicators that may suggest the individual could benefit from hearing assistance. If the individual does not want to get a hearing test, they may consider the following questions as they try to determine if they have a mild to moderate hearing loss and/or whether they should consider an OTC:

Are they able to hear easily in quiet, one-on-one situations but experience difficulty in more challenging listening conditions?
Are there a few difficult listening situations where they think they would want to wear the OTC HAs as opposed to feeling like they would need it in most communication situations?
Does turning up the volume on the phone or TV just slightly help them hear better (this level might be considered a little loud by others but not extremely loud as opposed to needing to turn these devices up quite a bit to a level that bothers others)?
If the individual answered yes to these questions, they may have mild to moderate hearing loss. If the individual experiences more significant hearing and/or communication challenges in several environments, they may have more than a mild to moderate hearing loss and may not benefit from an OTC. People with moderately severe to severe hearing loss will have difficulty in these situations as well but they will have difficulty more consistently across many situations as identified by themselves or by those around them.

OTC HAs will require that the user follow instructions to fit the device to their ear. The user will need to follow instructions in terms of how to tune the sound of the device. This could include an automated hearing test that requires responses to sounds. This also could include manipulating a volume control or an app-based program that has the user change the bass and treble to find a sound combination that is perceived to be helpful.

Hearables are worn in or on the user’s ears (e.g., headset, earbuds) and wirelessly receive a sound signal from another device (e.g., phone or TV). The headset may have a volume control or an app associated with it so the user can turn the volume up or down to meet their listening needs. Hearables provide situation-specific listening solutions (e.g., phone, television) rather than a hearing solution for a listener’s entire day of communication. Some hearables allow the user to adjust the pitch or loudness of the sound. These devices also may provide biometric tracking (how many steps walked, heartrate, etc.). This type of wireless connectivity can be included in professionally fit hearing aids as well, but the hearing aids are also providing custom amplification to the signals being heard and are used throughout the day.

Hearables are not regulated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. The user will want to be thoughtful about how loud they listen to sound. If a user is concerned about the level of sound they are exposed to, an audiologist can measure the output of the headset and let the user know if they are in a safe listening range depending on how much time is spent listening at that level.

Interestingly, the FDA has not chosen to classify a device (Hearable) that adapts the output of other hearing products, such as earbuds, to compensate for perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment.

Make sure people can find you and your practice as they start to navigate hearing health care by having up-to-date contact information listed on the Find an Audiologist Directory.

No. OTC HAs are only approved for individuals older than age 18. Due to the medical nature of childhood hearing loss and the importance of accurate sound delivery for the developing brain, OTC HAs are not appropriate for children. Learn more under this section: Children and Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Audiologists serve as a vital member of the health-care team in treating children with hearing loss to ensure the best outcomes.