Hearing aids have traditionally cost thousands of dollars, which is too expensive for some people who would benefit from them. Thankfully both hearing aid costs and technology have come a long way in the past few years, with more changes on the horizon. The price of hearing aids is indeed dropping, but you still need to be a savvy shopper to find the best inexpensive hearing aids. How do you find quality affordable hearing aids? Read our review to learn about the most affordable hearing aid brands, features to look for, and how to save money when buying hearing aids. We considered the following qualities and features, and we think these are helpful questions to ask when shopping for a hearing aid.
Are the hearing aids available over-the-counter, or do you need to purchase them through a retailer or hearing care clinic?What technology and features are included?Do you have access to an audiologist?Does the product have positive customer reviews from online sources?Do you have access to first-rate customer service during the purchase process and beyond?Is the cost comparable to competitors’ prices?Does the company offer a product or money-back guarantee?What is the manufacturer’s warranty?Do you have access to a hearing test in person or online?Do the hearing aids come with a trial period?Does the company offer financing options?How easy is it to use the hearing aids?Are the hearing aids rechargeable?What should I do if my hearing aid needs repairs?
Type of Hearing Aid Receiver-in-canal Hearing Loss Mild to moderately severe Battery Type Disposable (Enhance Select 50) or rechargeable (Enhance Select 100, Enhance Select 200) Bluetooth Streaming Yes Warranty and Trial Period Three-year manufacturer’s warranty, three-year loss and damage protection, and 100-day money-back trial period Financing Yes Jabra Enhance, formerly Lively, unites the technology of personal sound equipment manufacturer Jabra with the hearing aid expertise and reliable customer service of Lively. The resulting combination of affordability, ease of use (our reviews team found these hearing aids easy to set up and use), and high marks for customer satisfaction (Jabra Enhance has the longest warranty and money-back trial period on this list) led our reviews team to name this brand “Best for Seniors.” In our reviews team’s survey of 600 hearing aid users, respondents 54 and older chose “ease of setup and use,” “price,” and “ongoing care after setup,” as the three most important things, respectively, they value in a hearing aid. Jabra Enhance hearing aids are made by GN ReSound, the same company that makes ReSound prescription hearing aids. The Enhance Select line includes three models, each of which offers distinct features and price points. All three models are designed to address mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
Comparison of Jabra Enhance Select Hearing Aid Models
Jabra Enhance Features
All three Enhance Select models come with four preset listening profiles: All-Around, Restaurant, Outdoors, and Music. You can use either the buttons on the hearing aids or the Jabra Enhance Select app to choose a setting based on your environment, as well as to make adjustments within each setting to focus on speech or reduce background noise. Jabra Enhance hearing aids also come with options for tinnitus management, and wireless accessories that allow you to stream sound directly from any audio device to your hearing aids.
Disposable vs. Rechargeable Batteries
Many customers prefer the convenience of rechargeable hearing aids in today’s market. Our reviews team’s survey of hearing aid customers found that rechargeability was the second most sought-after feature (after digital noise reduction), although some people still prefer disposable batteries. Disposable batteries were actually the second-least popular feature, with telecoil being the least-popular feature. A telecoil is a tiny wire wrapped around a metal rod inside the hearing aid that picks up electromagnetic signals from telephones and public facilities that are equipped with a hearing loop system. Jabra Enhance does provide one model that uses disposable batteries — the Enhance Select 50, which includes a year’s supply of replacement batteries. One drawback of rechargeable batteries is that you may be without your hearing aids for a few hours while waiting for them to charge. Jabra Enhance addresses this potential inconvenience with a quick-charge option on the Enhance Select 100 and 200 models. One hour of charging will give you 15 hours of use, the same amount you’d get on a full charge with Eargo or Audicus hearing aids. A three-hour charge powers the hearing aids for up to 30 hours, depending on the amount of Bluetooth use. The charging case holds three full charges, which is helpful for people who are frequently away from home.
The Jabra Enhance Buying Process
Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids are only sold online. You can send in the results of a previous audiogram or take the website’s free online hearing screening before or after making your purchase. The Jabra Enhance audiology team will program your hearing aids based on the results of your screening before shipping them to you. When you receive your hearing aids, you’ll have a one-on-one video appointment with an audiology team member to set up the hearing aids and begin using them. The brand also offers three years of free, unlimited remote care. This can be very helpful for people who are new to hearing aids but don’t want to visit an in-person hearing clinic due to concerns about COVID-19 or other communicable diseases. Audiologists and hearing instrument specialists urge hearing aid wearers to receive some type of ongoing audiology support, as coaching and guidance are key components of long-term success with hearing aids.
Remote vs. In-Person Care
While the remote care offered by Jabra Enhance doesn’t match the level of care you’d get in-person at a hearing clinic, it is much better than having no after-purchase care. We’ve seen high marks from Jabra Enhance customers regarding the company’s remote assistance, and both our testing team and the Jabra Enhance customers we’ve interviewed find the app easy to navigate for making adjustments to the volume and hearing profiles. People who are new to hearing aids or who want the ability to visit a hearing clinic in-person may want to explore prescription hearing aid options, some of which are similar in price to Jabra Enhance models. For instance, the entry level model of the newest hearing aid from Phonak, the Audéo Lumity, can be purchased at some clinics for a price comparable to Jabra Enhance devices. Hearing care professionals that fit prescription devices in-person have the advantage of being able to see and adjust your hearing aids in your ears, rather than looking at them through a computer screen. They can also conduct further testing using equipment designed to troubleshoot problems and adjust settings. Jabra Enhance offers a 100-day trial period, the longest of any online hearing aid manufacturer. The company stands behind its products with a three-year warranty that covers manufacturer’s defects, loss, and damage, which is on par with prescription hearing aid brands. Customers can get financing for a Jabra Enhance hearing aid through third-party lender Bread, which accepts payments with no interest for up to 18 months, depending on your credit score. For more information, read our Jabra Enhance hearing aids review. Get Jabra Enhance at Jabraenhance.com. Type of Hearing Aid Behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal Hearing Loss Mild to moderate Battery Type Disposable (Lumen, B1) or rechargeable (B2) Bluetooth Streaming No Warranty and Trial Period One-year manufacturer’s warranty and 45-day money-back trial period Financing No Lexie offers several affordably priced options in the emerging over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid market. The brand’s integration of technology, low price, and knowledgeable customer care make it our reviews team’s pick for “Best OTC” hearing aid. OTC hearing aids are designed for adults 18 years and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, according to the FDA. They came on the market in October 2022 and are generally less expensive than prescription hearing aid brands. Lexie is a good example of the price difference. The company offers a wide range of features and capabilities in its three models, at prices that are less than half the average prescription hearing aid cost of $4,600 per pair, according to the federal government.
Comparison of Lexie Hearing Aid Models
Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aids
All OTC hearing aids are regulated by the FDA for efficacy and safety. Some OTC devices have an additional distinction, one that requires the submission of performance data regarding the hearing aid’s safety and efficacy to the FDA. This data proves that the hearing aid in question includes the software needed for users to fine-tune their device at home. Hearing aid companies that complete this process receive FDA clearance and can label these models as self-fitting hearing aids. The term self-fitting does not refer to the physical fit, but to how the hearing aid is calibrated to fit each user’s specific hearing needs. Lexie offers two self-fitting models, the B1 and B2, both of which have been engineered using the same Bose sound technology that was previously in Bose SoundControl hearing aids, which were discontinued in mid-2022.
Bluetooth and Telecoil
Lexie hearing aids do not come with Bluetooth streaming capacity, only the ability to connect your hearing aids via Bluetooth to the Lexie smartphone app to make adjustments on your hearing aids. The Lumen has the added advantage of being fitted with a telecoil, a tiny wire wrapped around a metal rod inside the hearing aid that picks up electromagnetic signals from telephones and public facilities that are equipped with a hearing loop system. If you see the symbol below posted in a place of worship, theater, museum, or other public place, you can switch on the telecoil in your hearing aid to pick up sounds without interference from background noise. Like Jabra Enhance, Lexie offers only remote support, but each purchase comes with free support from an audiology team for as long as you own the hearing aids. Lexie devices are sold both online and in stores that carry healthcare devices, including Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. Get Lexie at Lexiehearing.com. Type of Hearing Aid In-the-canal Hearing Loss Mild to moderate Battery Type Rechargeable Bluetooth Streaming No Warranty and Trial Period One-year manufacturer’s warranty and 45-day money-back trial period Financing No Audien is a no-frills hearing aid with two models that are priced well below any other FDA-registered hearing aid, giving this brand the distinction of “Most Affordable.” The Audien Atom and Atom Pro are true hearing aids, unlike personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), which are not intended for people with hearing loss and are regulated as consumer electronics, not medical devices, according to the FDA.
Audien Features
Audien hearing aids are inexpensive and offer few of the advanced features you’ll find in many other OTC hearing aids. For example, every brand on this list except for Audien provides multiple listening profiles that vary based on your environment. With Audien you get only one hearing setting. Our reviews team tested Audien hearing aids and found the volume control to be inconvenient, compared with the other brands they tried. Audien hearing aids come with a tiny screwdriver, which is needed to adjust the volume dial on the back of the hearing aids. No other hearing aid we tested required a tool to adjust volume — instead other brands use either a mobile app or buttons on the actual hearing aid. Audien hearing aids also don’t have Bluetooth capability, telecoil, or app-enabled adjustments. But one popular feature is rechargeability on both the Atom and Atom Pro, and an impressive battery life of 20 hours for the Atom and 24 hours for the Atom Pro. Our testing team also found the Audien devices to be durable, withstanding 10 six-foot drops without any scratches or other damage. If you have mild to moderate hearing loss and need a hearing aid that’s lower priced than other brands, Audien may be just what you’re looking for. Get Audien at Audienhearing.com. Type of Hearing Aid Receiver-in-canal Hearing Loss Mild to severe Battery Type Disposable or rechargeable Bluetooth Streaming Yes Warranty and Trial Period Two-year manufacturer’s warranty and 45-day money-back trial period Financing Yes Audicus is an affordable hearing aid brand with three models that offer Bluetooth streaming capability, something not easy to find among online options. This makes Audicus our choice for the “Best Bluetooth” hearing aid among budget-priced brands.
Comparison of Audicus Hearing Aid Models
Audicus is one of the leaders among online hearing aids when it comes to Bluetooth capabilities. Most other brands that are available without a prescription only offer Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone for making hearing aid adjustments. Only a few other online manufacturers, such as Jabra Enhance, provide Bluetooth streaming capability, whereas every prescription brand comes with the ability to stream TV, music, and phone calls to your hearing aids.
Should You Buy Bluetooth Hearing Aids?
Audicus offers three models with Bluetooth streaming technology. The price tag reflects this added feature, but it’s one that many customers find useful. Bluetooth hearing aids allow you to listen to TV at a volume you prefer without disturbing others, talk on the phone or computer without background noise, and stream music directly from your phone or other Bluetooth device. Bluetooth essentially turns your hearing aids into wireless headphones. If you’re comfortable using technology and would benefit from the ability to directly pair your hearing aids with your audio devices, such as your phone, TV, and/or computer, Bluetooth hearing aids could be a great fit. But they also tend to be more expensive and have a shorter battery life compared with non-Bluetooth devices.
Battery Options
Each of the Bluetooth-equipped Audicus models comes with your choice of disposable or rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable options are $400 more per pair, so it’s worth considering whether you really want rechargeable batteries or don’t mind changing out disposable ones. We conducted a focus group of hearing aids customers and received comments from people who like both types of batteries. One person preferred disposable batteries, commenting that they’re easy to find in stores, even while traveling, and they didn’t want to worry about having their charging case with them on trips. Others enjoyed the ease of rechargeable hearing aids and didn’t want to change out tiny disposable batteries every few days. One of the downsides to this brand, compared with others with rechargeability, is that Audicus battery life tends to be shorter — about 16 hours, depending on how much you use the Bluetooth, as Bluetooth use drains the battery faster. Some other brands offer a battery life twice that long, such as ReSound, Signia, and Jabra Enhance, all of which sell Bluetooth models that last 30 hours or more on one charge.
Price and Technology
As you can see from the table above, each step up in functionality corresponds to a step up in price. The Spirit offers remote adjustments through the Audicus app, which isn’t available for the Wave. (Settings and volume on all three models can be adjusted using buttons on the hearing aids.) The Omni, a step up from the Spirit, has the most advanced technology Audicus offers. In addition to Bluetooth streaming, feedback cancellation, automatic background noise reduction that changes with your environment, and directional microphones (which are included with all three Bluetooth models), the Omni also has a feature called Speech Finder that optimizes understanding of speech in noisy environments. It’s worth noting that the price of the top two Audicus models (Spirit and Omni) is comparable to the cost of prescription hearing aids, although Audicus devices don’t come with the same level of functionality and customization as prescription brands. Audicus does operate a handful of in-person clinics in three cities, but the majority of Audicus customers will only be able to get remote care from the manufacturer. You can either submit results from a previous hearing test or take the Audicus online hearing screening, and your results will be used to program your hearing aids before the company ships them to you. Audicus customers receive unlimited support for the lifetime of their hearing aids, something not every hearing aid company offers.
Audicus Financing Options
Another unique feature of Audicus is the variety of financing options offered. The Audicus Plus subscription plan allows you to lease hearing aids rather than buying them. By paying a setup fee and monthly fee, you enroll in an 18-month contract that includes unlimited service, cleaning, supplies, and loss and damage protection, along with new hearing aids every 18 months. Audicus also provides financing for the Spirit and Omni through Allegro, and Care Credit for all of its models, with zero-percent financing for up to 12 months. For more information, read our Audicus hearing aids review. Get Audicus at Audicus.com. Type of Hearing Aid Completely-in-canal Hearing Loss Mild to moderate Battery Type Rechargeable Bluetooth Streaming No Warranty and Trial Period One- to two-year manufacturer’s warranty and 45-day money-back trial period Financing Yes Eargo wins the title of “Best Invisible OTC” hearing aid for its four completely-in-canal (CIC) models, all of which are rechargeable and come with lifetime support from the Eargo audiology team. While concern about how hearing aids look is decreasing, some people still want a small hearing aid that no one else can see. One person in our reviews team’s focus group of current hearing aids users said: “I am still very active in the workforce and have had to recently apply for a new job and go through interviews … so I would want [a hearing aid] that you couldn’t really detect.” Eargo has designed its devices small enough that they fit completely inside the ear canal, making them invisible to others. The tips are designed unlike other hearing aid tips; some have flexible fibers and others have petal-style domes so you can find the best fit. The company’s audiology team is also available to help you with remote support if needed.
Comparison of Eargo Hearing Aid Models
Eargo Features
The Eargo Max has four preset listening profiles that you can select by tapping on the hearing aid. The other three models are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity (but not streaming) to allow for adjustments within the Eargo app. That means you can connect to the Eargo app to make adjustments to your hearing aids, but won’t be able to stream audio to your hearing aids from a phone or TV. The Eargo 5 and 6 also include the ability to take an in-app hearing screening. You can choose from one of the four listening settings on the Eargo 5 and 6, or make finer adjustments within each setting, similar to the fine-tuning adjustments available on Jabra Enhance, Lexie, and MDHearing models. Eargo 6 also comes with Sound Adjust technology, which enables the hearing aids to immediately change settings based on your environment, without your input. Like Audicus, Eargo hearing aids have a shorter battery life at about 16 hours per charge. Because they are small devices, the batteries are also tiny and don’t hold a charge as long as that of a larger model with larger batteries (such as an RIC or BTE hearing aid). Eargo hearing aids are sold online and at Best Buy and Victra-Verizon stores. The company also offers financing with no interest for up to 24 months. For more information, read our Eargo hearing aids review. Get Eargo at Eargo.com. Type of Hearing Aid Behind-the-ear, in-the-canal Hearing Loss Mild to moderately severe Battery Type Disposable or rechargeable Bluetooth Streaming No Warranty and Trial Period One- to two-year manufacturer’s warranty and 45-day money-back trial period Financing Yes MDHearing is an online over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid manufacturer that gives customers a choice of four models, each with a distinct set of features. Our reviews team chose this brand as the “Most Versatile OTC” hearing aids due to its variety of models in a price range that is well below the average cost of prescription hearing aids.
Comparison of MDHearing Hearing Aid Models
MDHearing Features
The Air is the only MDHearing model with disposable batteries. It comes with four sound settings that can be adjusted with a button on the back of the hearing aid. The Neo is the brand’s newest model, an in-the-canal device with rechargeable batteries, advanced noise reduction (to help you focus on conversations), and feedback cancellation (to reduce whistling). In comparison to the Air, the Neo is in the same price range, but is designed to address mild to severe hearing loss, while the Air is only appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss. Also intended for mild to severe hearing loss, the Volt is similar to the Air in style, price, and number of listening settings, but comes with rechargeable batteries. The Volt Max is the brand’s top-of-the-line model and includes technology to automatically adjust to your sound environment, similar to the functionality of the Eargo 6. All prescription hearing aids come with auto-adjust capabilities as well.
After-Purchase Care
Like all OTC hearing aids, MDHearing devices are meant to be set up and used right out of the box. Our reviews team found the user manual easy to understand, with clear instructions. The father of one of our reviews team members recently ordered the Volt, and he was happy with the remote care he received. The MDHearing staff helped him learn how to make the appropriate adjustments to get a good fit, and also sent follow-up emails to see if he needed any further help. MDHearing provides financing through Affirm, with no interest up to 12 months. For more information, read our MDHearing review. Get MDHearing at MDhearingaid.com. Type of Hearing Aid Receiver-in-canal Hearing Loss Mild to profound Battery type Rechargeable Bluetooth Capabilities Yes Warranty and trial period Depends on retailer Financing Depends on retailer Phonak offers a great hearing aid option for busy people with its newest model, the Audéo Lumity, making it our choice for “Best for Active Lifestyles.” With rechargeability, protection against water damage, and rapid automatic sound adjustments, the Audéo Lumity is a resilient hearing aid with advanced functionality. The myPhonak app also allows you to track your health data, and because it’s a prescription device, a licensed hearing care professional will fully customize the hearing aids for your needs. The Audéo Lumity is capable of treating mild to profound hearing loss, but Brian Murray, a hearing instrument specialist based in Raleigh, North Carolina, says that individuals with hearing loss in the severe to profound range across multiple frequencies may do better with a more powerful hearing aid.
Features of the Phonak Audéo Lumity
The most notable advancement in the Audéo Lumity compared with older models is better understanding of speech in noisy settings. The newest operating platform from Phonak, AutoSense OS 5.0, uses artificial intelligence to scan your environment more than 700 times per second and choose from a combination of more than 200 settings to find the right one for the environment you’re in — all without your input. Compared with the previous platform (AutoSense OS 4.0), AutoSense OS 5.0 includes two new features for better speech understanding:
StereoZoom 2.0 Directional microphones with smart technology increase the focus on speech as your environment becomes louder. StereoZoom is available in the two most advanced Audéo Lumity models, the L70 and L90.SpeechSensor An algorithm senses which direction a conversation is coming from and focuses on it. The company’s internal research from October 2022 shows that SpeechSensor allows users to hear and understand speech from the side or rear 15 percent better, with 11 percent less listening effort. This feature is available only in the most advanced Audéo Lumity model, the L90.
Other high points of the Audéo Lumity for active people include:
Rechargeability This is the first hearing aid line from Phonak that does not include a disposable battery option, a reflection of the general trend among hearing aid manufacturers toward rechargeable batteries. The charging case will fully charge your hearing aids in three hours and give you up to 16 hours of battery life, depending on Bluetooth streaming use.Bluetooth connectivity Unlike some brands, Phonak has universal Bluetooth connectivity with both Android and iOS devices for in-app adjustments, streaming, and hands-free calling. Hands-free calling refers to the ability to use your hearing aids’ microphone rather than your phone’s microphone, so you don’t need to hold the phone to your ear while talking. But one drawback users note is that you can’t turn off hands-free calling on Phonak hearing aids, whereas some other brands give you that option.TV and music connectivity options You can pair your hearing aids directly with any Bluetooth-equipped TV, but the TV will go to mute, with all sound streaming to your hearing aids. The optional Phonak TV Connector is a plug-and-play accessory that allows you to stream from a TV or audio system to your hearing aids via Bluetooth, while leaving the volume at a comfortable level for other people in the room. The TV Connector works with the Lumity, Marvel, and Paradise models.ActiveVent receiver The type and size of hearing aid tips can make a big difference in your degree of satisfaction with the fit and performance of your hearing aids. Most tips are either open or closed, but the ActiveVent automatically changes configuration for the best hearing in any situation. For example, the tips close in noisy environments or when listening to music to focus more on speech and less on environmental sounds, and they open in quiet settings to allow for more environmental sounds and a more natural listening experience. The ActiveVent doesn’t come standard with the Audéo Lumity, but it can be used along with a custom-molded tip for people with specific hearing losses.Water resistance and optional waterproof model The Audéo Life Lumity (Audéo L-RL) is sweat proof and can be submerged in pool, fresh, or saltwater up to 1.5 feet deep. Nevertheless, hearing specialists recommend removing your hearing aids before swimming.Telecoil The Audéo L-RT includes a telecoil.Health monitoring The myPhonak app allows you to track health parameters, get remote support from your hearing professional, and make your own hearing aid adjustments.Roger wireless accessories Choices include table and handheld mics that make it easier to hear in classroom or conference room settings.
As with the company’s older hearing aid lines, the Audéo Lumity comes in four technology levels:
Essential (L30)Standard (L50)Advanced (L70)Premium (L90)
Your specific hearing needs, lifestyle, preferences, and budget will influence which level is best for you. Your hearing care specialist can serve as a guide and source of expert knowledge in your decision-making process. Most hearing clinics provide a trial period, during which you can test out the hearing aids to make sure they’re a good fit. With this package of features to choose from, Phonak offers an option to suit just about any person’s hearing and lifestyle needs. Pricing, warranty, and financing options will vary by clinic, so it’s worth shopping around once you know which model you need before making a final decision. With any prescription hearing aid, make sure you are comfortable working with your audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Ongoing counseling and support play a critical role in the degree of success people enjoy with their hearing aids and how much they wear them. As one woman in our reviews team’s hearing aids focus group said: “My audiologist is my best friend.” Having a good relationship and feeling at ease with sharing any issues you’re facing with your hearing aids should be part of your journey to good hearing health. Get Phonak at Yeshearing.com.
Pros
Cost
The up-front cost of affordable hearing aids can be less than half the price of the most expensive devices. Many of the less expensive hearing aids tend to be sold by manufacturers of over-the-counter (OTC) brands, such as Audien, Eargo, Lexie, Audicus, and MDHearing. But OTC hearing aids generally don’t come with the same level of post-purchase audiology support as prescription devices like Phonak, Signia, and Oticon. In some cases, you’ll pay more upfront for a prescription hearing aid, but the price will include several years of cleanings, exams, and adjustments. While a few OTC manufacturers (such as Audicus) are now offering in-person support, the company only partners with a handful of hearing clinics across the United States.
Online Availability
OTC hearing aids, which tend to be some of the most affordable devices, can be purchased online without the cost of an in-person hearing exam or a fitting appointment after your purchase. This can save money upfront but should be weighed against the downside of not getting the benefit of an in-person hearing test or fitting.
Cons
Less In-Person Support
While buying OTC hearing aids online is convenient, they are designed to be fitted and adjusted by the user at home, without professional help. This can be tricky for many people, especially first-time hearing aid customers. While most OTC manufacturers offer online support from an audiology team, audiologists and hearing instrument specialists often say that there is no substitute for in-person help from a hearing care provider.
Basic Technology
Less expensive hearing aids come with fewer features than pricier brands and models. While some of these features are optional, such as Bluetooth streaming and rechargeability, others are necessary for adequate treatment of hearing loss and long-term success using hearing aids. These features include digital noise reduction to dampen background sounds and help you focus on conversations, feedback cancellation to reduce whistling in your hearing aids, tinnitus management, and directional microphones to improve your understanding of speech. Paying more for a higher quality hearing aid and receiving in-person support after your purchase can have long-term effects on your overall health by increasing the chances that you’ll keep wearing them. This isn’t a minor point. A December 2022 study in JAMA Neurology found that people with hearing loss who wore hearing aids had a 19 percent lower risk of cognitive decline and scored higher on cognitive tests, compared with those with untreated hearing loss.
May Not Be Appropriate for All Levels of Hearing Loss
People with severe or profound hearing loss need powerful hearing aids, and according to FDA regulations, those devices don’t fall into the OTC category. OTC hearing aids, which tend to be some of the more affordable brands, can only treat mild to moderate hearing loss. In addition to hearing loss severity, if you are often in challenging listening environments, such as noisy workplaces, you may want a more advanced hearing aid that can process frequencies quickly and provide automatic adjustments to your listening settings. “We’re seeing significant cost reductions over prescription hearing aids now that the initial FDA-approved devices are on the market. Devices average $850 (ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars),” says Kerri Haresign, director of technology and standards for the Consumer Technology Association in Washington, D.C. Hearing clinics that carry prescription devices may also begin unbundling their prices, which will result in customers being able to buy their hearing aids and post-purchase audiology services and support separately. This will, in effect, help to lower prices as well, since in the past many high-priced hearing aids reflected a bundled cost, not just the price for the device. When shopping for the most affordable hearing aids, keep in mind the following factors that will influence your final cost.
Battery Type
Hearing aids with rechargeable batteries tend to run $300 to $400 more than those with disposable batteries. For example, Audicus gives customers the option of either disposable or rechargeable batteries in four of its models, but you’ll pay $400 more for the rechargeable option. Over time, though, you’ll likely save money by using rechargeable batteries.
Technology Level
Similar to other types of electronics, more advanced technology means a higher price tag. Hearing aids with digital noise reduction, multiple directional microphones, and sophisticated sound processing can cost several hundred dollars more than basic models. Depending on your listening needs, you may enjoy a better listening experience and reap more benefits from your hearing aids if you invest in an advanced model. It’s important to think about the different listening environments you experience on a regular basis when looking at technology levels. If you spend much of your time at home or in quiet environments, advanced sound processing and automatic adjustments (which enable the hearing aids to sense your environment and change listening profiles accordingly) may not be worth the extra cost. But if you are routinely in a variety of environments with different sound levels, you may appreciate having the extra functionality and customization available in prescription brands like Oticon, Signia, Phonak, Widex, and Starkey,
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth is another feature to carefully consider before making a purchase. Bluetooth hearing aids cost more than devices without Bluetooth connectivity, as you can see from the prices listed in this review. Many people enjoy the convenience of Bluetooth for hands-free calling and making fine-tuning adjustments to their hearing aids. But if you don’t have a smartphone or aren’t comfortable with technology, you may find that paying less for a hearing aid without Bluetooth is a better choice. As OTC hearing aids become increasingly available online, customers can expect to see prices drop considerably. Manufacturers and third-party retailers selling online don’t have the overhead costs of brick-and-mortar hearing care clinics, allowing them to sell their products at lower prices and still make a profit. The lack of in-person care also reduces overhead, although whether that’s the best choice for the customer depends on the individual’s hearing needs and comfort level with adjusting their hearing aids at home.
Sales
Watch for sales on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid websites and at retail stores that carry OTC devices, such as Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. Holidays are a good time to take advantage of lower prices on hearing aids.
Veterans Discounts
United States veterans who receive general VA healthcare are also eligible to receive coverage for hearing exams, hearing aids, batteries, and other supplies. Visit the Veterans Affairs website for more information.
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
The vocational rehab programs in many states will cover part or all of the cost of hearing aids, provided that you need them to get or keep a job. Check out the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council website to find the vocational rehab program in your state.
FSA and HSA Funds
You can use money from a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase hearing aids. Check with your insurance provider to confirm before making your purchase, then submit your receipt for reimbursement from your FSA or HSA account. If you have a credit or debit card connected with your FSA or HSA account, you can use it to purchase hearing aids and avoid the extra step of seeking reimbursement.
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
Unfortunately, Medicare A and B do not currently pay for hearing aids, hearing aid fitting appointments, or hearing exams unless ordered by a doctor as part of a medical diagnosis. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans and private insurance plans do include hearing benefits, though. Check with your insurance provider for details. Read our Hearing Aid Buyer’s Guide for more ways to save money on hearing aids. “OTC hearing aid devices are not intended to replace higher-priced prescription hearing aids for those under 18 or with severe hearing loss,” says Haresign. “Recognizing that just 20 percent of those who could benefit from hearing aids use them, learning their hearing score from an app, in-store, or telephone test may inform the decision to address hearing loss with OTC hearing aids or to seek clinical care for severe hearing loss.”
Hearing Aids vs. Hearing Amplifiers
Hearing aids are not the same as personal sound amplification products, also known as PSAPs. Whereas hearing aids amplify the frequencies that each person needs help hearing, PSAPs magnify all environmental sounds equally. In fact, PSAPs are not meant to be worn by people with hearing loss, and they are not regulated by the FDA for safety and efficacy. PSAPs can even cause hearing loss for people with healthy hearing if turned up too high or worn for too long. Both OTC and prescription hearing aids, in contrast, are medical devices that must meet FDA guidelines and be registered with the FDA, or receive FDA approval, to be sold as medical-grade hearing aids.
Features and Technology
It’s important to note that the less expensive hearing aids reviewed here don’t offer the most advanced processing technology needed for people with more complex hearing needs, such as those with unilateral hearing loss or people who live and work in challenging listening environments. For example, musicians and others who need specific profile settings may be better off with one of the higher tiers of prescription hearing aids, which are programmed and fitted by a hearing care professional, and can be adjusted by the user between professional fittings. Brands such as Starkey, Widex, Signia, Phonak, and Oticon all offer these capabilities. Read our review of the best hearing aids on the market for more information on prescription brands.
Battery Type
Think about whether you want disposable or rechargeable batteries. If you have dexterity problems, for instance, a rechargeable hearing aid might be much easier to handle than one with tiny batteries that need frequent changing.
Customer Care
When it comes to hearing aid support, you really do get what you pay for. The lowest-priced brand in our review, Audien, offers no after-care support from hearing professionals, whereas one of the affordably priced prescription brands, Phonak, comes with unlimited in-person support from an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Over-the-counter (OTC) brands tend to fall somewhere in between, with most providing their customers at least three years of remote support from an audiology team. Remote sessions can’t supply in-person help with fittings, but they may be able to help you get questions answered and have your hearing aid settings adjusted.
Warranty
Warranties vary quite a bit in their length and scope. Ask questions before your purchase to make sure you understand how long your warranty is and whether it covers manufacturer’s defects, loss, damage, or all of the above. We narrowed down which brands to review within this category by speaking with audiologists and looking at brand market share. We then considered cost, the degree of hearing loss each model could address, and special features offered — from directional microphones to digital noise reduction to rechargeable batteries. Once our research team makes their selections, an audiologist medically reviews our picks to vet each brand and model. We determined our top picks for the best hearing aids based on the following criteria:
Special featuresUser experienceCostCustomer serviceReputation and credibilityDegree of hearing loss treatedWarrantyTrial periodFinancing optionsLevel of technologyWater resistanceDurability
Prescription brands such as Phonak offer full customization at prices that can be lower than some of the high-end online brands. Start with an in-person hearing exam to get a full picture of your hearing loss, and talk to a hearing specialist to help you make an informed decision.
