Table of Contents
These products & services are researched and tested by HelpGuide’s independent consumer reviews partner. When you buy through the links, we earn a commission.
- People with mild to moderate hearing loss may be great candidates for over-the-counter hearing aids. If you have severe hearing loss, want a device with higher-end technology, or need in-person audiologist support, you’ll need prescription hearing aids.
- After testing 27 hearing aids, Jabra is HelpGuide’s top over-the-counter hearing aid pick. Of the prescription brands we tested, we recommend Phonak, Starkey, and Oticon.
- In many cases, hearing aids may cost upwards of $1,000. There are several organizations that offer financial assistance for those who need help paying for them.
If you’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss but don’t use hearing aids, you’re not alone. Experts tell us the average American waits about 10 years to seek help after learning they have hearing loss. The high cost of hearing aids and the stigma of wearing them are among the top reasons people put off making the purchase.
That’s a huge problem because hearing loss has been linked to higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease (a type of dementia), social isolation, and depression. The good news is that hearing aids can help, and there are affordable and discrete versions on the market today that make the decision to wear them easier.
Ruth Reisman, AuD, a lecturer for the City University of New York in New York City, shared a story of a 41-year-old chiropractor who had difficulty hearing his patients. “He finally accepted that he needed help for his hearing. After being fitted with Starkey Genesis hearing aids, he told me he hasn’t said ‘what?’ once. The hearing aids are improving his quality of life and his family’s, as well as the care he can offer to his patients.”
It’s stories like this that drive our Handbook Team to thoroughly test and research every hearing aid we write about, so we can help you get back to enjoying life with those you care about.
See which brands came out on top (and which didn’t) in our Handbook Team’s research and hands-on testing, and learn expert tips for choosing the best-rated hearing aids for your needs.
87% of hearing aid users consider their hearing aids a worthwhile purchase
Find the right hearing aid for you
Think about your hearing needs, budget, lifestyle, and preferences before choosing a hearing aid. With those factors in mind, take a look at our top picks for the best hearing aids on the market.
- Our top pick: Jabra Enhance
- Low prices and simple features: Audien
- Best invisible fit: Eargo
- Most user-friendly app: Lexie
- Lowest starting cost: MDHearing
- Best for kids and active adults: Phonak Audéo Lumity
- Longest battery life: Starkey Genesis AI
- Best sound quality: Oticon Real
Why HelpGuide cares about hearing loss
Mental health and hearing are closely linked. In fact, people with hearing loss tend to experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation, which can result in loneliness and frustration, according to research.
Hearing loss is also associated with dementia. Recent research shows how older adults at increased risk of dementia experienced less cognitive decline after using hearing aids.
It’s clear that hearing loss has far-reaching effects on physical and mental health. This is why at HelpGuide, we’ve made it our mission to give every person access to the best information about hearing aids, so we can help get quality products into the hands of people who need them.
Our Handbook Team hand-tests every hearing aid brand we review, so we can feel confident recommending the best products for our readers. We also consult with hearing health researchers, audiologists, industry leaders, and mental health providers. These experts thoroughly vet our choices and help us better understand the nuances of how hearing health impacts physical and mental health.
We also put ourselves in the consumer’s shoes by mystery shopping brands and walking through the set-up process as new customers. Additionally, we interview real people with hearing loss and survey hearing aid users.
By compiling our testing data, interview and survey responses, and insights from hearing care providers, we’ve developed a strongly informed perspective that we’re sharing with you here.
Learn more about our hearing aids review methodology.
What you need to know about our hearing aid research and testing
Here are the five most important things to know about hearing aids.
Our testing experience
After our Handbook Team hand-tested 27 hearing aids, mystery shopped 11 brands, and gathered insights from hearing professionals, seven stood out as the best hearing aids on the market.
Our testers tried multiple devices and answered a checklist of 25 questions about each. We used these answers to look for outstanding performers. The process looked like this:
We encountered a number of surprises during the testing process. Batteries that were hard to change, hearing aids that didn’t stay in our ears, distracting background noise, confusing user manuals, and customer service marked by long wait times were among the biggest drawbacks of certain brands.
But we were impressed with the helpful audiology support, fine-tuning adjustments, Bluetooth streaming, and user-friendly apps offered by other hearing aid companies.
From our tester
“I was very pleased by how easy certain hearing aids and their accompanying apps were to set up and use but surprised by the poor quality of other devices. Only by hand-testing each model did I uncover the small details of each hearing aid that can make all the difference when you’re using this type of device every day.”
Our experts selected the top three OTC hearing aid brands for their stellar products and service. Keep in mind, OTC hearing aids are only appropriate for adults 18 and over with mild to moderate hearing loss, and they can be purchased and set up without help from a hearing professional.
Prescription hearing aid companies offer a greater variety of models for all degrees of hearing loss. We chose our favorite model from each of the three top brands based on our testing results. You’ll need to visit a hearing care clinic and have an in-person hearing exam before buying a prescription hearing aid. Read on to see which of our picks is the best choice for you.
Compare the best hearing aids of 2023
OTC hearing aids
Brand | Price per pair | Hearing aid type | Degree of hearing loss | Battery type | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$799–$1,995 | Receiver-in-canal, mini receiver-in-ear, in-the-ear | Mild to moderate | Disposable, rechargeable | Visit Site | |
$99-489 | In-the-ear, Behind-the-ear | Mild to moderate | Rechargeable | Visit Site | |
$799–$999 | Behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal | Mild to moderate | Disposable, rechargeable | Visit Site | |
$297–$699 | Behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal, in-the-canal | Mild to moderate | Rechargeable | Visit Site | |
$1,650–$2950 | Completely-in-canal | Mild to moderate | Rechargeable | Visit Site |
Prescription hearing aids
Brand | Price per pair | Hearing aid type | Degree of hearing loss | Battery type | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$2,475–$5,445 | Receiver-in-canal | Mild to severe | Rechargeable | Visit Site | |
$2,365–$5,945 | Receiver-in-canal, in-the-ear, completely-in-canal, invisible-in-canal | Mild to severe | Rechargeable | Visit Site | |
$3,410–$5,445 | Behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal | Mild to profound | Disposable, rechargeable | Visit Site |
The best hearing aids reviews
1. Jabra Enhance: Our top pick
2. Lexie: Most user-friendly app
3. MDHearing: Lowest starting cost
4. Eargo: Best for an invisible fit
5. Phonak Audéo Lumity: Best for kids or active adults
6. Starkey Genesis AI: Longest battery life
7. Oticon Real: Best sound quality
Other brands to consider
Audien: Low prices and simple features
If you’re looking for a low-cost hearing aid without nonessential features like Bluetooth streaming, the new Audien Atom 2 or Atom Pro 2 may work for you. The original versions of these devices didn’t meet our testing standards, but we’re impressed with recent design improvements.
For example, the Series 1 devices didn’t have presets for different sound environments and required removing the hearing aids and using a screwdriver to adjust volume. With the Series 2 devices, users can easily control volume by tapping the hearing aids. Pausing briefly between taps toggles between four environmental presets: Conversation, Noisy Environment, Road/Vehicle, and Outdoor.
Of all the Audien hearing aids we tested, our testers liked the Atom Pro 2 best, saying it felt comfortable and secure in their ears and was easier to maintain and clean compared to the Atom 2 thanks to the newly added UV light sanitizing case. We also like that the new charging cases can be fully closed and are now powered by USB-C, making them much more on-the-go and user-friendly.
The Atom 2 costs $189 and the Atom Pro 2 costs $289, making both hearing aids some of the most affordable options on the market. However, there are a few things to know before you buy. The hearing aids don’t have a low-battery warning; you’ll have to remove the hearing aids and insert them into the charging case to see their remaining power level, which is measured by four lights on the case. Neither model is water resistant, nor do they support Bluetooth streaming or connect to an app for making adjustments.
Audien does not provide post-purchase audiology support, but our call to customer service was answered promptly. There’s also a live chat function on the Audien website for device support, but when testing the feature we received an automated message with a wait-time of several hours before our question was answered.
Audien sells a behind-the-ear model for just under $500, but it doesn’t offer Bluetooth streaming like the $499 Go Ultra from Go Hearing. Because we have found similarly-priced hearing aids with more features, we don’t recommend the Audien BTE.
What our testers are saying: “The Atom 2 and Atom Pro 2 hearing aids can be worn in either ear, which is convenient if you have similar hearing loss in both ears. It’s easy to change volume and modes with the buttons on the device, and the user manual gives simple and clear instructions. I also like that the charging case is small; about the size of an AirPods case.”
Audien
Our verdict: Now that Audien has introduced easier volume controls and preset programs while maintaining affordability, we feel more comfortable recommending the Atom Pro 2 for people who want a simple, lower-cost hearing aid.
What is a hearing aid?
A hearing aid is a small, battery-powered device worn in or behind the ear that improves hearing ability by amplifying certain sounds. Unlike personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs), hearing aids don’t make all sounds louder, only the frequencies that each person needs help hearing.
Different types of hearing aids
Handbook Team Tip #1
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids are one of the most popular styles on the market since they’re large enough for advanced technology, like Bluetooth connectivity and streaming. Completely-in-canal devices, for example, rarely have Bluetooth because they’re so small.
Hearing aids come in a variety of styles, and the one that’s best for you depends on your type of hearing loss, which features you want, and your lifestyle. Take a look at the key points of each style to help you make the right decision when shopping for hearing aids.
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
Good for: Active people, children, people with profound hearing loss
- All working parts fit in a curved case that sits behind the ear, with the amplified sound transmitting to the canal by a thin tube.
- Treats mild to profound hearing loss.
- More durable than hearing aids that sit in the ear.
- Able to incorporate advanced technology and wellness features.
Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
Good for: Treating profound hearing loss and people who want a discreet hearing aid with advanced features
- The microphone and amplifier sit behind the ear, and the amplified sound travels through a thin wire to the ear canal, where the receiver transmits it to the inner ear.
- Treats mild to profound hearing loss.
- Often less noticeable than other types of hearing aids.
- Able to incorporate similar technology and features as BTE devices.
In-the-ear (ITE)
Good for: People who prefer a hearing device that looks like an earbud
- All working parts fit in the bowl of the ear and ear canal.
- Most aren’t appropriate for profound hearing loss.
- More susceptible to damage from earwax and moisture.
- Offers a range of technology levels and features.
Completely-in-canal (CIC)
Good for: People who want an invisible hearing aid
- As the smallest hearing aid available, it sits in the ear canal and is removed by a tiny cord.
- Due to the small size, some CIC devices can only treat milder levels of hearing loss and can’t accommodate advanced features or rechargeable batteries.
- Need daily cleaning and routine maintenance.
Hearing aid features
Handbook Team Tip #2
When evaluating hearing aids, ask whether the hearing aid is capable of increasing power so you can still use it if your hearing gets worse.
Technology and features vary widely among hearing aids, and it’s important to evaluate the most important ones to you as you shop for a device. Take a look at some of the most common hearing aid features:
- Digital noise reduction: To reduce background noise.
- Feedback suppression: Cuts down on whistling and squealing from handling or wind noise.
- Battery type: Rechargeable or disposable.
- Telecoil: Among our top hearing aid brands in this review, the Lexie Lumen, Phonak Audéo Lumity, Starkey Genesis AI, and Oticon Real offer telecoil options.
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth Low Energy provides direct streaming (meaning you can stream audio directly to your hearing aids) without draining the battery and is now offered in a number of OTC and prescription devices for streaming music, TV shows, and phone calls.
- App compatibility: While all prescription hearing aids have an app for adjusting your hearing aid settings, using Bluetooth, getting remote help from your audiologist, and more, not all OTC devices come with an app. Those that don’t can only be adjusted using buttons on the hearing aids. Hearing aids without an app are quite simple to use, though, and that can be nice for people who don’t have a smartphone or who prefer to adjust their hearing aids without needing their phone nearby.
- Artificial intelligence (AI): AI is a type of machine learning that uses algorithms to “learn” patterns over time. In the case of hearing aids, this means optimally processing the sounds in your environment for a more natural listening experience, better comprehension of speech, and less fatigue.
- Wellness features: Some hearing aids offer additional technology, like heart rate monitoring, step tracking, and fall detection. The Starkey Genesis AI and Phonak Audéo Lumity are top-of-the-line devices that come with wellness features.
Handbook Team Tip #3
Hearing aids can’t restore your normal hearing—don’t trust any company that says otherwise.
Benefits of hearing aids
Handbook Team Tip #4
Wear your hearing aids consistently all day, every day. Doing so helps rewire the pathways in the brain that became dormant from untreated hearing loss.
Hearing aids can improve your ability to hear and understand conversations, but they also offer a surprising number of benefits for overall wellness and quality of life.
“It’s important for people to pay attention to their hearing,” says Kate Carr, president of the Washington, DC-based Hearing Industries Association. “It’s one of our five senses, and while we don’t think twice about wearing glasses, people think for a long time before they address their hearing loss. And when they do, their quality of life improves.”
Check out this list for the top five ways hearing aids can help you or someone you care about:
Natali Edmonds, PhD, is a geropsychologist and the founder of Careblazers, an organization that provides support for people caring for someone with Alzheimer’s (a form of dementia). She explains the close relationship between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s.
“There are multiple Alzheimer’s look-alikes. One of them can be hearing loss. So for some older adults, they can look like they have Alzheimer’s, but it could be hearing loss.”
Untreated hearing loss may not only mimic Alzheimer’s, it also raises the risk of other types of cognitive decline. But wearing hearing aids consistently can improve brain function by reactivating the pathways used to process sound.
Where to buy hearing aids
Handbook Team Tip #5
When purchasing hearing aids through a third-party retailer, be sure to compare the warranty terms with the manufacturer. You may get better terms if you purchase directly.
In years past, a visit to an audiologist or other hearing specialist was required before buying hearing aids, and you could only get them from those professionals. That has changed in the past few years, with the FDA passing a final rule on OTC hearing aids, which went into effect last October, creating regulations and opening the market to both online and brick-and-mortar retailers.
Where to buy OTC hearing aids:
- Online from the hearing aid manufacturer
- Third-party retailers (online and in stores), including:
- Amazon
- Best Buy
- Costco
- CVS
- FSA Store
- QVC
- Sam’s Club
- Target
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Some hearing care clinics
Where to buy prescription hearing aids:
- Costco
- Hearing care clinics
- Sam’s Club
Hearing aids costs
Handbook Team Tip #6
If using third-party financing, check interest rates first—some charge up to 35% interest, depending on your credit score.
Hearing aids financing
Every hearing aid brand listed in this review, as well as all hearing care clinics, offers at least one financing option. Some companies handle their own financing, while others use a third party, such as Bread or Allegro.
Hearing aids financial resources
Hearing aids are an expensive purchase, costing upwards of $1,000 in many cases. The good news is that a variety of organizations offer assistance for those who need help paying for them, including:
- Hearing Aid Project
- Help America Hear
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Hearing Industries Association
- Hearing Loss Association of America
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Hearing aids we don’t recommend
Nano
Nano hearing aids are less expensive than some OTC hearing aids, but with the company’s record of unethical business practices, we don’t recommend this brand.
Nano was sued by the Vermont attorney general in January 2023 “for misleading consumers about the effectiveness and quality of its products.” The allegations included Nano advertising its OTC hearing aids for children, falsely stating that customers’ online hearing test results were reviewed by audiologists, and promoting its devices as FDA-approved when they’re not.
Lucid
Lucid is a company that offers an impressive six OTC hearing aid models and several prescription models sold through Sam’s Club hearing centers. Unfortunately, our testers found these devices to be less than ideal.
For example, when testing the Enlite we found the manual confusing and the features limited. “The guidance is, “according to one tester, “more about ‘Here’s what happens if you do it wrong’ rather than ‘Here’s how to do it right.’ There is also no app and no way to adjust volume besides switching between the ‘Low’ and ‘High’ setting.”
The sound quality was also poor compared to other OTC brands we tried, and the charger doesn’t have magnetic ports like most, so you have to check the lights to be sure your hearing aids are charging. Overall, Lucid just didn’t measure up to other devices.
The future of hearing aids and technology
Technological advancements in hearing aids are happening every day. Device manufacturers continue to innovate to offer the best possible hearing solutions via upgraded sound technology, like improved background noise and better directional microphones.
For example, brands like Starkey, Widex, and Oticon are already implementing artificial intelligence (AI) to improve auto-adjustment, natural sound, and user inputs. And it won’t be surprising if we see these types of brands collaborating with well-known tech names like Samsung and Apple in the future.
Additionally, further trials are underway to use computer-aided features to improve hearing aid design. For example, the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders is researching new signal processing strategies that help people understand speech better.
Plus, Bluetooth capabilities are a forward-thinking component for hearing aid manufacturers who want to implement more multi-device streaming options within one device, as illustrated by brands like Audicus. This essentially allows users to switch between answering calls and watching TV shows or movies in a seamless way.
Our final verdict
If you think you may have hearing loss, get your hearing tested as soon as possible. People with mild or moderate hearing loss could be great candidates for OTC hearing aids. Jabra Enhance, Lexie, and MDHearing are among our top picks in this category for their comfort, ease of use, ability to improve hearing at an affordable price, and outstanding remote audiology support.
If you have severe or profound hearing loss, or even less significant hearing loss but want a device with higher-end technology or in-person help from an audiologist, look into prescription devices, like the Phonak Audéo Lumity, Starkey Genesis AI, or Oticon Real.
The most important thing to remember is that your hearing health is directly tied to brain health and overall quality of life. Addressing hearing loss can be a big step to take, but the rewards will be lasting and worth every penny.
Frequently asked questions
From our testing and research, we’ve ranked Jabra Enhance as the best OTC hearing aid and Phonak as the top prescription hearing aid.
As with many tech devices, you get what you pay for, and hearing aids are no different. Those with a higher price tag will incorporate more features and often better sound processing abilities to give you a more natural listening experience.
Expect to pay at least $1,600 for a good pair of hearing aids.
Buying OTC hearing aids online is sometimes less expensive than buying prescription hearing aids from a hearing clinic. But high-end OTC devices often cost the same or even a few hundred dollars more than entry-level prescription hearing aids.
Also, the price of prescription devices usually includes one to three years of in-person audiology support, while OTC hearing aids are meant to be set up and used by the consumer without professional support. Some companies provide remote audiology services for customers at no extra charge, but others only offer general customer service help.
Expect to get about five years out of a pair of hearing aids before needing to replace them. By that point, the technology will also have advanced such that you’ll have a better listening experience with a new pair.
At a hearing aid fitting, the audiologist will do the following:
- Show you how to correctly fit the hearing aids in your ear.
- Program your hearing aids to match your audiogram (hearing test results).
- Check your hearing with the newly programmed hearing aids.
- Explain and demonstrate how to make volume and listening setting adjustments, how to connect to the hearing aid app on your phone, how to use the Bluetooth function, how to charge your rechargeable hearing aids or change disposable batteries, and how to clean and maintain them.
Your audiologist may also propose an aural rehabilitation program to support your continued success with hearing aids.
- The hidden risks of hearing loss. (2022, November 1). Johns Hopkins Medicine. Link
- Medical devices; ear, nose, and throat devices; establishing over-the-counter hearing aids. (2022, August 17). Federal Register. Link
- Public Health and Scientific Information | NCEH | CDC. (2018, December 11) Link
- Are you hearing everything you could? (2019, September). Hearing Loss Association of America. Link
- Attorney general sues over-the-counter hearing aid company Nano for misleading consumers. (2023, January 3). Office of the Vermont Attorney General. Link
- Lin, F. R., Pike, J. R., Albert, M., Arnold, M., Burgard, S., Chisolm, T. H., Couper, D. J., Deal, J. A., Goman, A. M., Glynn, N. W., Gmelin, T., Gravens-Mueller, L., Hayden, K. M., Huang, A., Knopman, D. S., Mitchell, C., Mosley, T. H., Pankow, J. S., Reed, N., . . . Coresh, J. (2023). Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): a multicentre, randomized controlled trial. The Lancet, 402(10404), 786–797. Link
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). The Audiogram. Link
- What is aural rehabilitation (also called aural rehab or A.R.)? (2021, August 16). Hearing Loss Association of America. Link