The 6 Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids to Buy in 2023

This content is researched and written based on extensive testing by an external reviews team and does not reflect the views or opinions of Everyday Health’s editorial team. Everyday Health may earn a commission from purchases of products featured in this article.

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids have arrived. On August 16, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its final rule on OTC hearing aids, creating a new regulatory category with the goal of spurring innovation and competition in the marketplace, which will hopefully lead to lower prices and greater access to treatment for the nearly 29 million American adults who could benefit from hearing aids, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

New manufacturers have been entering the space ever since OTC hearing aids hit shelves in mid-October 2022. With so many options available, how do you know which brands are the best quality and what features to look for? Read our review for all this and more, based on our hands-on testing, research, and discussions with audiologists and hearing instrument specialists.

For details on both OTC and prescription hearing aids, read our review of the Best Hearing Aids of 2023.

• Best rechargeable Jabra Enhance
• Best sound processing Lexie
• Most affordable Audien
• Best Bluetooth Audicus
• Best invisible Eargo
• Most versatile MDHearing

Our experts spent more than 2,000 hours researching more than 30 styles and models of hearing aids and reading hundreds of customer reviews. We consulted audiologists for their expert opinion on the devices and considered customer experience and company reputation as well. Also, the fact that hearing aids must meet strict criteria set by the FDA was taken into consideration.

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?

Score 4.2/5

Price per pair $1,495–$1,995, depending on basic or premium package

Type of hearing aid Receiver-in-canal

Battery type Rechargeable (Enhance Select 100 and 200)

Bluetooth capability In-app adjustments, remote support, and streaming (hands-free calling also available on Enhance Select 200)

How to adjust App or buttons on hearing aid

Warranty length One to three years, depending on basic or premium package

Trial period 100 days

Financing Yes

Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids are the product of a partnership between sound tech company Jabra and the hearing aid manufacturer formerly known as Lively. The company’s top two models, the Enhance Select 100 and Enhance Select 200, both offer rechargeable batteries with an impressive length per charge, and it has several quick-charge options, making this brand our pick for the best rechargeable OTC hearing aid.

Appropriate for adults with mild to moderately severe hearing loss, Enhance Select devices (like all OTC hearing aids) can be purchased online without a prescription. Both rechargeable models are the receiver-in-canal style, offer Bluetooth streaming, and can be purchased with a basic or premium package option. The 200 model has eight listening profiles (versus four profiles in the Enhance Select 100) and hands-free calling with iOS devices and Android devices that have OS 9.0 or newer.

Battery Life and Charging Options

Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids offer the longest battery life of any hearing aid we’ve seen from an online manufacturer. A three-hour charge gives you up to 30 hours of power. Keep in mind, though, that hearing aid batteries drain faster when you use features like Bluetooth streaming, so this number will be affected by the amount of time you use Bluetooth to stream calls, music, or videos. Among the brands we’ve researched, the Jabra Enhance battery life was equaled only by prescription models such as the Phonak Audeo Lumity, Signia Pure Charge & Go AX, and Widex Moment.

Jabra Enhance also has two quick-charge options. A one-hour charge will give you 15 hours of use, the same amount you’d get on a full charge with Eargo or Audicus hearing aids. If you’re in a hurry, just 10 minutes of charging will add 2.5 hours to your battery life. And the charging case holds three full charges, a feature that active people and those who enjoy traveling may find convenient.

Should You Buy Rechargeable Hearing Aids?

Many people with hearing loss are looking for the ease of use afforded by rechargeable hearing aids. Our survey of 600 hearing aid users found that people wanted rechargeable batteries more than any other feature except for digital noise reduction, which is a standard feature in all hearing aids on this list, except Audien.

Manufacturers are paying attention to consumer demand. In the past year, our reviews team has seen multiple companies move away from disposable batteries, and that trend is likely to continue. Phonak, for example, offers no disposable battery options among its newest line of Lumity hearing aids, and Audicus now has rechargeable models in three of its four products.

For the majority of people, it’s simpler to place their hearing aids in a charging case than to routinely change out tiny batteries. When we tested more than a dozen hearing aids, our reviews team found it challenging to replace disposable batteries without dropping them. People with dexterity, coordination, or eyesight issues could find it even more difficult.

In some cases, disposable batteries might be a better choice than rechargeable ones. Stefanie Godbey, a doctor of audiology and clinician at Ohio Hearing and Audiology in Cincinnati, says that some of her patients prefer disposable batteries due to their lifestyle. One of her patients, for example, is an avid hiker and doesn’t always have a place to charge his hearing aids. In our focus group of hearing aid users, several participants who frequently travel said they enjoyed the ease of carrying batteries on trips, avoiding the need to stop and charge their hearing aids when the battery is low.

Three other considerations when deciding on battery type are:

• Cost Rechargeable hearing aids often cost more than disposable batteries. Rechargeable models from Jabra Enhance, for instance, start at $400 more per pair than a model with disposable batteries. Over time, though, you may end up saving money by not having to buy disposable batteries.
• Eco-friendliness Disposable batteries, although small, are not good for the environment. They contain heavy metals that can stay in the soil for years or run off into waterways.
• Safety risks Disposable hearing aid batteries and other types of button batteries, such as those found in remote controls, key fobs, and some toys, can present a dangerous safety risk. The National Capital Poison Center (NCPC) states that if button batteries are swallowed, especially by young children or pets, they can cause internal burns and even death in as little as two hours.

Older adults are also at risk of ingesting batteries. The NCPC warns that adults who have swallowed hearing aid batteries often do so because they mistook the batteries for pills. Any type of battery ingestion is a medical emergency and should be treated at your nearest emergency room as soon as possible. Call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 800-498-8666 if you suspect that you or a loved one has swallowed a battery.

While lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of rechargeable battery and would also be harmful if swallowed, the risk of poisoning is much lower because rechargeable batteries are not removable in most models. They stay in the hearing aid for the entire life of the device, which is generally about five years.

How to Buy Jabra Enhance Select Hearing Aids

Before or after purchasing Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids from the company’s website, you can send in the results of a previous audiogram or take the free online Jabra Enhance hearing screening. Based on your results, the audiology team will program your hearing aids and then ship them to you. After you receive them, you’ll have a remote appointment with a member of the audiology team to help you with set up and adjustments.

Along with the best rechargeability of any OTC manufacturer, Jabra Enhance provides the longest trial period (100 days), during which you can return your hearing aids if they don't meet your needs. The company also offers the longest and most comprehensive standard warranty among OTC manufacturers. The three-year policy includes coverage for manufacturer defects, damage, and loss, but it's only included with the premium package.

Jabra Enhance partners with Bread to provide third-party financing. You can make payments for up to 18 months with no interest, subject to your credit score.

For more information, read our Jabra Enhance hearing aids review.

Get Jabra Enhance at JabraEnhance.com.

Score 4.47/5

Price per pair $799–$999

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 length One year

Trial period 45 days

Financing No (subscription plan)

With a vision of providing “healthy hearing for everyone, everywhere,” OTC hearing aid manufacturer hearX brings hearing loss treatment within reach for many customers with its affordable Lexie hearing aids. The company’s integration of Bose sound technology and its selection of three models with different adjustment capabilities make this brand our pick for the best sound processing among OTC hearing aids.

Lexie Hearing Aid Models

Lexie hearing aids are available in three models, each with a unique price point and set of features.

Lumen

Priced at $799 per pair, the Lumen is a behind-the-ear model with disposable batteries. It has six listening environments to select from using the Lexie app or the buttons on the hearing aid. You can also take the hearing screening that’s available through the app, and your Lumen hearing aids will adjust automatically based on the results.

While none of the Lexie models offer Bluetooth streaming (only connectivity with the app for making adjustments), the Lumen does come with a telecoil. This feature allows you to stream sound directly from a phone or any public facility equipped with a hearing loop. Look for this sign in large buildings such as theaters, museums, and places of worship to alert you that they have a hearing loop.

B1 and B2 Powered by Bose

The Lexie B1 and B2 use the same technology previously found in Bose SoundControl hearing aids. Known as self-fitting hearing aids, both Lexie models allow you to customize them to fit your needs and listening environment, to the extent possible, using the app. While this isn’t comparable to the level of customization achieved with prescription hearing aids, it does afford more control than many OTC models, which allow you to select between only a few profiles.

With the B1 and the B2, you can fine-tune multiple parameters, such as left-right balance, treble-bass balance, and directionality (which affects the focus on sounds coming from various directions). You can also customize listening profiles or create your own.

All Lexie models come with noise reduction to dampen background sounds and feedback management to help reduce the whistling that can occur with hearing aids. Like most OTC hearing aid companies, Lexie offers only remote support. On the plus side, every purchase comes with lifetime assistance from its audiology team.

Lexie devices are sold online and in several national retail chains that carry healthcare devices, including the following:

• Best Buy
• CVS
• Walgreens
• Walmart

While Lexie doesn’t extend traditional financing options, it does have a 24-month subscription plan that allows you to pay monthly toward the full price of the hearing aids. Another bonus of this brand is that its one-year warranty covers breakage and damage, something not all companies offer.

Get Lexie at LexieHearing.com.

Score 3.32/5

Price per pair $99–$249

Type of hearing aid In-the-canal

Hearing loss Mild to moderate

Battery type Rechargeable

Bluetooth streaming No

Warranty length One year

Trial period 45 days

Financing No

Audien is an OTC hearing aid manufacturer that prices its products at hundreds of dollars less than every other brand on the market, making it our choice for the most affordable OTC hearing aid.

Does Audien Make Hearing Aids or PSAPs?

The answer is both. Audien sells two personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), the EV1 and EV3, as well as two hearing aids, the Atom and Atom Pro. It’s important to understand the difference between the two so you can make an informed decision about which product you need.

Hearing aids don’t work the same way as PSAPs, nor are they intended for the same purpose or regulated the same way by the FDA. Hearing aids amplify certain frequencies that a user needs help hearing, while PSAPs amplify all sounds equally.

Both OTC and prescription hearing aids are considered medical devices by the FDA and must meet certain guidelines for safety and efficacy, but PSAPs are consumer products and are not held to FDA regulatory standards.

Finally, hearing aids are designed to treat hearing loss. PSAPs, on the other hand, are intended for people with normal hearing who want the sounds in their environment to be louder for recreational purposes, such as when hunting or bird watching.

Audien Pros and Cons

The Atom and Atom Pro are FDA-registered hearing aids, but some people mistake them for PSAPs because they are quite basic compared with other hearing aids on the market. For example, Audien hearing aids don’t come with Bluetooth capability, an app or buttons on the device for adjustments, multiple listening profiles or processing channels, feedback cancellation, or digital noise reduction.

Even volume adjustments aren’t easy with this brand compared with every other hearing aid our reviews team tested. To change the volume, you need to use the tiny screwdriver that comes with the hearing aids. Turning the screw to set the volume is easy but not exactly convenient.

The primary selling points of this brand are its low prices, small sizes, and rechargeability. Both the Atom and Atom Pro include a battery life of 20 and 24 hours, respectively, and both are discreet in-the-ear models. While many people may not mind the look of a hearing aid sitting behind the ear, our reviews team did find that a few people in our focus groups, especially those in the workforce, wanted a small device that others wouldn’t notice.

Possibly due to the company’s inexpensive prices relative to other brands, Audien does not offer financing. If you have mild to moderate hearing loss and want a small, rechargeable hearing aid that is light on features but also priced low, Audien may fit the bill.

Get Audien at AudienHearing.com.

Score 4.19/5

Price per pair $1,398–$2,998

Type of hearing aid Receiver-in-canal

Hearing loss Mild to severe

Battery type Disposable or rechargeable

Bluetooth streaming Yes for the Wave, Spirit, and Omni (not available for the Mini)

Warranty length Two years

Trial period 45 days

Financing Yes

Not many OTC hearing aids currently include Bluetooth streaming. While some provide the ability to pair your hearing aids with an app for adjustments, streaming calls or music requires additional Bluetooth capability. Out of the four hearing aids Audicus offers, three models have this technology, making it our choice for the best Bluetooth OTC hearing aid.

Audicus Bluetooth Hearing Aid Options

Audicus makes three receiver-in-canal hearing aids that all come with the following features:

• Bluetooth streaming capability
• Either disposable or rechargeable batteries (the rechargeable option for each model costs $400 more per pair)
• Automatic adaptation to your listening environment
• Adjustments using the app or buttons on the hearing aid

But there are also differences among the three RIC models.

The Wave, at $1,398 per pair, is the company’s most basic model. It doesn’t have the ability to receive remote adjustments from an Audicus hearing care professional. The next level up, the Spirit, is $2,398 and can be adjusted remotely by an Audicus hearing team member.

The top tier is the Omni, at $2,998 per pair. This is one of the highest-priced OTC hearing aids on the market, and it does have a wider range of features. In addition to everything offered in the Wave and Spirit, the Omni includes Speech Finder, which optimizes speech understanding in challenging listening environments.

Audicus also recently added a new model called the Mini that costs $1,998 per pair. Though it doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities, it is the only completely-in-canal model offered by the company, which could be a good option for people who prefer a discreet hearing aid.

One drawback to Audicus three RIC models is that it has a relatively short battery life of about 18 hours, depending on Bluetooth use. Prescription brands Signia, Widex, and ReSound, as well as the OTC brand Jabra Enhance, all have Bluetooth models with a battery life of at least 30 hours per charge.

A unique service from Audicus is in-person support at partner clinics across the United States. While there are still few locations, the company is gradually increasing the number of sites to help Audicus customers get ongoing help with their hearing aids.

Payment Options

In addition to financing through Care Credit, with 0 percent financing for up to 12 months, Audicus offers a payment plan through Allegro on the Spirit and Omni models.

Like Lexie, Audicus has a subscription plan for people who want to lease hearing aids rather than buy them outright. By paying a setup fee of $300 to $500 and monthly fee between $89 and $159 (depending on the model), you’ll receive unlimited support, supplies, maintenance cleanings, and protection against loss or damage, along with new hearing aids every 18 months.

For more information, read our Audicus hearing aids review.

Get Audicus at Audicus.com.

Score 3.77/5

Price $1,850–$2,950

Type of hearing aid Completely-in-canal

Hearing loss Mild to moderate

Battery type Rechargeable

Bluetooth streaming No

Warranty length One to two years

Trial period 45 days

Financing Yes

Eargo focuses its efforts on simplifying hearing loss treatment with tiny rechargeable hearing aids that are both comfortable to wear and virtually invisible in the ear, making this brand our choice for the best invisible OTC hearing aid.

Eargo devices are appropriate for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, and they were the second most popular brand among our survey of 600 hearing aid users (behind hearing aids from Costco). The majority (69 percent) of Eargo customers said their hearing aids were comfortable to wear.

How Hearing Aids Help the Ears and Brain

Comfort is a big factor in long-term success with hearing aids, and audiologists say that it’s important to wear your hearing aids as much as possible each day for the health of both your ears and your brain.

“Your brain changes when you have hearing loss,” says Jacquelyn Lovitt, a doctor of audiology and clinician from Capital Hearing and Balance in Silver Spring, Maryland. ”There are studies that show that the brain can reorganize itself when you wear hearing aids and you get adequate auditory stimulation.”

In addition, Brian Murray, a hearing instrument specialist in Raleigh, North Carolina, explained to our reviews team that letting hearing loss go untreated causes auditory deprivation and affects our ability to process sound and speech. A study published in December 2022 in JAMA Neurology found that people who wore hearing aids not only got help with their hearing, they also lowered their risk of developing dementia by 19 percent and scored higher on cognitive tests.

If your hearing aids are uncomfortable or aren’t adjusted correctly for your hearing needs, you’ll be less likely to wear them throughout the day. Eargo devices come with a variety of domes and tips to help you find the best fit. The set includes closed and open tips as well as fiber-style and petal-style domes. Murray explains that both the style and configuration (open or closed) of your hearing aid tip can impact sound quality.

It can be hard to know which one you need and when you’ve achieved the best fit, so it’s important to take advantage of the free remote support offered by the Eargo audiology team, especially as you’re getting started.

Are Eargos Truly Invisible?

Since invisibility in the ear is one of the brand’s selling points, our reviews team wanted to see how Eargo stacked up against other completely-in-canal (CIC) models. Note that all three Eargo devices are about the same size, 18 to 19 millimeters long. We compared the size of the Eargo 6 with the Signia Silk X, a prescription CIC model. The Eargo 6 was noticeably smaller than the Signia Silk X.

Eargo Models and Features

Eargo hearing aids are available in three rechargeable CIC models, each with a distinct set of features.

The Eargo 5 costs $1,850 and provides an in-app hearing screening, the results of which can be used to make adjustments to your settings.

The Eargo 6 costs $2,450 per pair and makes automatic adjustments based on your listening environment. We submerged the Eargo 6 in three feet of water for 30 minutes, based on its stated level of water resistance, and were pleased to find that the water-resistant claims held up. The hearing aids worked well and connected to the app with no problems after our water test.

Eargo's newest model released in February 2023, the Eargo 7, costs $2,950 per pair, and has an improved Sound Adjust+ with Clarity Mode, which automatically adapts your devices to your current sound environment and improves your experience in loud and quiet environments. The Eargo 7 comes with a two-year warranty, compared with the one-year warranty offered with the other two models.

All Eargo models include feedback cancellation and digital noise reduction. Due to their small size, though, they don’t come with directional microphones or telecoil. Because they also don’t have Bluetooth streaming capabilities, you’ll need to look at OTC brands Jabra Enhance or Audicus, or a prescription hearing aid brand, if you want to stream sound or calls.

Eargo batteries hold a charge of about 16 hours, depending on app use for volume and setting adjustments. But because they don’t have Bluetooth streaming capability, you won’t see as much variability with battery life as you would with a model from Jabra Enhance or Audicus.

Where to Buy Eargo Hearing Aids

While Eargo is sold at Victra-Verizon stores and Best Buy, the stores’ salespeople may not be able to help you with the physical fit or listening settings on your Eargo devices. When we contacted Best Buy to see if it offered post-purchase hearing aid support, we were told that the company’s Geek Squad could help with adjustments. But since Best Buy employees aren’t trained in the physical or audiological fit of hearing aids, you won’t get the same level of service or expertise as at a hearing clinic.

Some hearing care clinics that sell prescription hearing aids now provide in-person support for people who have bought OTC devices. The American Academy of Audiology has an online locator to help you find a hearing clinic in your area.

Financing and Veterans Discounts

The company also offers financing with 0 percent interest for up to 24 months — the longest interest-free payment plan we’ve seen among OTC manufacturers. And if you’re a military veteran, the company will give you a 20 percent discount on a pair of Eargo 6 hearing aids.

For more information, read our Eargo hearing aids review.

Get Eargo at Eargo.com.

Score 2.97/5

Price $299–$699

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 length One to two years

Trial period 45 days

Financing Yes

MDHearing provides a selection of four OTC hearing aid models with different styles, battery types, and functionality, making it our reviews team’s favorite for the most versatile OTC hearing aid. The price range is also one of the lowest among OTC manufacturers, something that many people are looking for.

Features of MDHearing Models

This company sells one model with disposable batteries: the Air. While not app-compatible, it comes with four listening profiles and volume control that can be adjusted on the hearing aid itself. Like all MDHearing models, the Air provides digital noise reduction. If you’re looking for a value-priced hearing aid with disposable batteries, the Air could be a good choice.

The newest MDHearing model, the Neo, is a nearly invisible in-the-canal hearing aid. It includes rechargeable batteries that last up to 17 hours per charge. The Neo also has more advanced technology compared with the Air, with advanced noise reduction and feedback cancellation.

The Volt is essentially a rechargeable version of the Air: Both are behind-the-ear models with four listening settings and volume control, and both are adjusted on the device directly, without connectivity to an app. The main difference between the two is the type of batteries they use — the Volt's are rechargeable and the Neo's disposable. The Air, Volt, and Neo are all priced at $299 per pair, far less than the average cost of every other OTC brand in this review except for Audien.

The Volt Max is the most expensive MDHearing model. It includes auto-adjust technology, which changes its settings based on your sound environment. This functionality is also found in the Eargo 6, Eargo 7, and in three of the four Audicus models (not available in the Mini). Prescription hearing aids come with automatic adjustment technology as well, most with faster processing speeds and improved sound recognition compared with OTC models.

You can get financing for MDHearing products through Affirm, with interest-free payments for up to 12 months.

For more information, read our MDHearing review.

Get MDHearing at MDHearingAid.com.

In addition to the brands covered in detail here, several other companies have entered the OTC hearing aid market to help meet the needs of consumers with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

Lucid Hearing

Lucid Hearing is a Texas-based company that sells a full range of products to help with hearing, from PSAPs to OTC hearing aids to prescription listening devices. Its OTC lineup includes six models priced from $199 to $1,699 per pair.

Like MDHearing, Lucid offers a range of features among its OTC options. You can choose from behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal, or in-the-ear styles; disposable or rechargeable batteries; and varying degrees of customization. Lucid hearing aids are sold online and at Sam’s Club hearing clinics. The company also offers online hearing screenings and in-person hearing exams free of charge.

Sony

Sound tech giant Sony introduced two OTC hearing aids, the CRE-C10 and CRE-E10, in October 2022. The C10 is an in-the-canal model priced at $999 per pair, with disposable batteries, in-app adjustments, directional microphones, and auto-adjust capabilities. The E10 is a self-fitting hearing aid with a level of customization similar to the Eargo 6 and MDHearing Volt Max. The higher price tag of $1,299 per pair includes rechargeable batteries (with a 26-hour life per charge) and the ability to make fine-tuning adjustments with the app. The E10 also offers Bluetooth streaming, but it’s only compatible with iOS devices.

In August 2022, the FDA cleared the way for millions of Americans with hearing loss to obtain quicker, easier access to hearing aids with its final rule on OTC hearing aids. The rule, which went into effect on October 17, allows adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss to purchase hearing aids without a hearing exam, prescription, or follow-up appointment for fittings and adjustments.

OTC hearing aids 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 cost of a pair of prescription hearing aids — which is $4,600, according to the federal government.

Does This Mean I Can Get a Hearing Aid Without an Audiologist?

OTC hearing aids can be purchased without seeing an audiologist for a hearing exam or prescription. You can also forego the fitting appointment that’s normally required after purchasing prescription hearing aids.

Where to Buy OTC Hearing Aids

OTC hearing aids can be purchased online, directly from the manufacturers’ websites. Also, a variety of stores that carry healthcare devices are now selling hearing aids:

• Best Buy
• CVS
• Hyvee
• Walgreens
• Walmart
• Victra-Verizon

How Are OTC Hearing Aids Regulated?

OTC hearing aids are regulated by the FDA for safety and efficacy. Manufacturers must comply with standards set forth by the FDA pertaining to maximum volume output, insertion depth (how far the device can go into the ear canal), packaging, and labeling.

How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Hearing Aids?

Hearing experts say that it can take up to three to four weeks for your brain to adjust to processing sounds with hearing aids. Some people’s ears are more sensitive than others to change, which can also affect the length of time you’ll need to get used to your new hearing devices. For some, it can take more than a month for their brain to get used to the sounds that have been going unheard.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s important to wear your hearing aids as much as possible — even when you’re in a quiet setting, such as at home — to help your brain become accustomed to the everyday sounds you’re hearing clearly again, maybe for the first time in years.

Pros

Lower Cost

OTC hearing aids sell for less than many prescription models. According to Kerri Haresign, the director of technology and standards for the Consumer Technology Association, the average price tag of $850 per pair is thousands of dollars less than the average price of prescription hearing aids ($4,600).

Convenience

Ordering hearing aids online and getting them delivered to your door is certainly convenient. After they arrive, you can adjust them at home using an app in many cases, and if you need help, most OTC companies provide remote assistance by phone or video call.

Cons

Only Suitable for Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss

By definition, OTC hearing aids are only appropriate for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. The term ”perceived” is an important distinction between self-diagnosed hearing loss and a loss medically diagnosed by a hearing care professional.

Murray points out that the majority of people cannot accurately diagnose their own hearing loss due to a number of factors. His patients commonly underestimate the severity of their hearing loss or think that their worse-hearing ear is actually the better one. The wide spectrum of sensitivity to noise and loss of hearing ability also comes into play.

These are all reasons why it’s a great idea to schedule an in-person hearing exam before buying any type of hearing aid, no matter what degree of hearing loss you have. Not only will you get an accurate diagnosis of your hearing loss, the hearing specialist will be able to rule out underlying conditions that may need treatment other than hearing aids. In fact, ear wax is a common cause of hearing loss and can be relatively easy to address in one appointment, according to Cedars-Sinai.

Less In-Person Support

With the exception of Audicus, which currently offers in-person care at a handful of clinics, OTC hearing aid companies provide only remote support for their customers. It’s better than no support at all, and audiology teams can help you adjust your hearing aid settings and troubleshoot issues over the internet.

Still, there is no substitute for seeing a hearing care professional in person. When you visit a hearing clinic, the audiologist or hearing instrument specialist can adjust the physical fit and audio settings, try a different tip if needed, and conduct in-depth testing to make sure your hearing aids are meeting your needs.

The average price of a pair of OTC hearing aids is currently $850, according to the Consumer Technology Association. OTC devices are lower priced than prescription hearing aids because the manufacturers, which sell mostly online, have much lower overhead costs and provide less in-person support after your purchase.

Factors such as battery type, Bluetooth, sound processing and noise reduction capabilities, and automatic adjustments also affect the price.

Shop Sales

OTC manufacturers run frequent sales, particularly around the holidays. If you’re interested in a certain brand, keep an eye on its website for markdowns.

Compare Prices

With more stores beginning to carry OTC hearing aids, it’s worth the time to shop around before deciding where to purchase them. If you have reward points at a store, you may be able to save money by price matching from another store and applying your points to the purchase.

Use FSA or HSA Funds

A flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) can be used to pay for hearing aids with pretax funds. You can use your FSA or HSA card to pay for them, or pay out of pocket and receive a reimbursement from your FSA or HSA account.

Thanks to a recent partnership with Health-E Commerce, the parent company of FSAStore.com and HSAStore.com, Lexie hearing aids are now available for purchase directly on those websites. More OTC brands are likely to follow suit in the coming year.

Use Medicare Advantage or Private Insurance

While Medicare A and B don’t cover the cost of hearing aids, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) and other private insurance plans do include hearing aid benefits. In addition, most insurance plans cover the cost of hearing exams, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Check with your insurance provider for details on your plan.

Take Advantage of Veterans Benefits

Veterans who are eligible for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care can get hearing exams and hearing aids free of charge. The VA website has more information on this benefit.

Apply for Free or Reduced-Price Hearing Aids

Several organizations, including the Hearing Aid Project and Help America Hear, provide hearing aids at little or no cost. Fill out an online application to see if you qualify for assistance.

These groups also provide resources to help you pay for hearing aids:

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Hearing Industries Association
• Hearing Loss Association of America
• National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders

For more ways to save money when buying hearing aids, read our Hearing Aid Buyer’s Guide.

While OTC hearing aids can be a great solution for many people with hearing loss, they aren’t appropriate for everyone. If one or more of the criteria below apply to you, visit a hearing care clinic where an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist can help you find the appropriate solution for your hearing loss.

• You’ve been diagnosed with severe or profound hearing loss.
• You have unilateral hearing loss (hearing that is significantly worse in one ear than the other).
• You’re younger than 18 years old.
• You have pain, drainage, or sudden loss of hearing in one or both ears.

In addition to the above list, people who are new to hearing aids or aren’t comfortable adjusting the settings on their own may fare better with regular, in-person care from an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Our reviews team talked with several hearing care professionals about how to ensure patients’ long-term success with hearing aid use, and all of them say that ongoing counseling and support are critical.

A study in the International Journal of Audiology looked at the reasons people stop wearing their hearing aids, and the most common reasons were:

• Difficulty inserting them correctly
• Dexterity problems (making it difficult to handle the hearing aids, clean them, and change the batteries)
• Not enough improvement in their hearing
• Dissatisfaction with the comfort and fit

A hearing professional providing in-person support can address all of these issues with you, whether you have prescription or OTC hearing aids. While all prescription devices come with access to in-person care, many OTC devices do not.

But according to Haresign, that is changing as OTC hearing aid manufacturers and third-party retailers step in to provide after-purchase care at brick-and-mortar locations for their customers.

Some hearing clinics that traditionally sold only prescription hearing aids now carry OTC devices, and those that don’t are beginning to offer a la carte services for people who have bought OTC hearing aids online and need help adjusting or fitting them.

Features

Think about which features you will use on a regular basis, which ones you need, and which you’re willing to pay more for. Bluetooth streaming, advanced noise reduction capabilities, and automatic adjustments are all factors that increase the price, but they may be worth it depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and budget.

Style

Do you care if others can see that you’re wearing a hearing aid? As more people are becoming aware of the important role that hearing health plays in their overall wellness, hearing aid use is becoming more common, and there is less of a stigma associated with wearing hearing aids.

Nevertheless, some people don’t want others to see their hearing aids. While it may seem that behind-the-ear or receiver-in-canal styles (both of which sit above and behind the ear with a thin tube running into the ear canal) are more noticeable than in-the-ear styles, this isn’t necessarily true. Some of the newer receiver-in-canal models are so slim that they’re almost undetectable behind the ear, whereas in-the-ear devices, like many of the earbud styles, fill the ear opening and are easily seen by others.

Battery Type

There are pros and cons of both disposable and rechargeable batteries. Your preferences and lifestyle are important considerations when thinking about which battery type you’ll be happiest with.

Warranty

Check to see how long the warranty is and exactly what the terms are.

Does it only protect against the manufacturer’s defects, or are loss and damage covered as well? What about damage by someone else? If your grandchild, for instance, drops your hearing aid in the mud, will the company repair or replace it? Some brands, such as Lexie, only cover damage caused by the buyer.

Finally, don’t forget to ask whether you’ll need to meet a deductible before the warranty kicks in.

Customer Support

Many OTC hearing aid manufacturers only offer remote support, and this is a significant difference between OTC and prescription brands.

Our reviews team interviewed eight audiologists and hearing instrument specialists to gain insight into factors that impact people’s experience with hearing aids, and all of them say that ongoing coaching and support is crucial to long-term success with hearing aids. OTC hearing aids can be an excellent solution for many people, but those who are new to hearing aids, who aren’t comfortable with technology, or who need help keeping their hearing aids cleaned, maintained, and adjusted may find great benefit in going with a prescription brand and receiving frequent in-person care.

Some hearing care clinics are now offering services for people who purchased OTC hearing aids but need in-person support, and it’s worth calling around to see if there's a clinic in your area with this service.

To fully understand this category, our reviews team immersed ourselves in the current published research on hearing loss and hearing aid devices, interviewed experts and hearing loss professionals, read thousands of reviews on trusted third-party sites, and deployed a survey of more than 600 hearing aid users to understand their customer experience.

We narrowed down what 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 a brand could treat, 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 features
• User experience
• Cost
• Customer service
• Reputation and credibility

OTC hearing aids can’t treat hearing loss in every person, but they may be a good option for people 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. They’re often less expensive than prescription brands, and you can buy them without a professional hearing exam or prescription.

Jabra Enhance is a standout for many reasons, including its extended rechargeable battery life, a long trial period and warranty with the premium package, and excellent customer support. Both Jabra Enhance and Audicus are the only two brands in this review with Bluetooth streaming capability.

Lexie provides self-fitting technology and excellent sound processing among OTC brands. Audien provides the lowest price along with rechargeability and a discreet in-the-ear style. And both MDHearing and Eargo offer app-enabled adjustments at competitive prices.

After getting an in-person hearing exam to determine your degree of hearing loss and rule out any underlying conditions, shop around for the best price and think about which features are important to you before making a final decision. All of these brands offer a trial period of at least 45 days. Take advantage of that time to get remote support or visit an in-person hearing clinic for additional help if you need assistance with the physical fit or settings.