I received an email that OTC aids are now available at CVS so I checked it out. They only offer 4 different aids (made by Go Hearing and Bose) with a wide range of cost. 3 out of 4 of the choices had absolutely no description that would let you understand the different features. The 4th one has some description, but with terminology that an OTC customer would not understand: (Additional Prime features include 100% digital processor (DSP), 6 channels & 12 bands, 3 preset programs, noise reduction, Feedback cancellation and memory recall function.).
They also have an online hearing test so I took it. It was a test where they say 3 numbers with varying degrees of volume and background static noise. After you hear the 3 numbers you type them in and the process repeats 23 times. It said that I had severe hearing loss (which is not true) and suggested I see a hearing professional. So it seems that they are erring on the side of caution which I guess is good. But they also said “if you’d still like to see our hearing aids anyway, click this link”.
It should be interesting to see how well they sell.
These are the offerings:
https://www.cvs.com/shop/home-health-care/hearing-amplification/hearing-aids