While even the best hearing aids cannot restore your previous level of hearing, they can help improve it, which provides hope to the 37.5 million American adults living with hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Hearing loss can get worse if left untreated, according to the National Institute on Aging, so don’t wait to seek hearing help. You may be wondering about how to compare hearing aids or ways to find the best hearing aids on the market. And they aren’t cheap: With hearing aid prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, cost is an important consideration. Read on to learn more about the top-rated hearing aids, how to save money on online hearing aids, and check out our hearing aid price list. We considered the following qualities and features when making our decisions, and we think these are helpful questions to ask when shopping for a hearing aid.
Are the hearing aids available online, or do you need to purchase them through a retailer or hearing center?What technology and features are included?Do you have access to an audiologist?Does the product have positive customer reviews from multiple 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 you get a trial period?Does the company offer financing options?How easy are the hearing devices to use?Are the hearing aids rechargeable?
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 varieties of hearing loss a brand could treat, and special features offered — such as directional microphones, digital noise reduction, and rechargeable batteries. Once our research team made its selections, an audiologist medically reviewed 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 credibility
We compiled all of this information to help you choose the best hearing aid for your needs. Type of Hearing Aid Receiver-in-canal Hearing Loss Mild to moderately severe hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Yes Battery 312 standard disposable battery and rechargeable battery options Warranty and Trial Period Three-year manufacturer’s warranty, three-year loss and damage protection, and 100-day money-back trial Financing Yes Buying hearing aids online is simple with Jabra Enhance, previously called Lively. Known for excellent customer service and continued care, Jabra Enhance offers hearing aids manufactured by one of the biggest hearing aid companies on the market, ReSound (the company sells its products in more than 80 countries), as well as expert guidance with help from a network of professional hearing care specialists. Offering a competitive warranty and the longest money-back trial period of any brand on this list, Jabra Enhance is a hearing aid to take a close look at. In our proprietary survey of 600 hearing aid users, we found that 68 percent of respondents needed to have their hearing aids repaired at least once during the warranty period, which helps reinforce the value of a long warranty and continued post-purchase care.
Simplicity and Continued Care
Begin the process by completing an online hearing test, followed by a prepurchase video. Once you receive your hearing aids, you’ll be connected with an audiologist via video conference who will program and adjust your hearing aids. There’s no need to wait for an appointment or drive to a hearing center. Working with an audiologist ensures that you’ll get hearing aids specific to your hearing loss. It also allows you the opportunity to ask questions about the best way to use your hearing aids.
Other Perks
Jabra Enhance hearing aids come with 12 processing channels, noise-reducing technology, and the ability to adjust the hearing aids manually through the Jabra Enhance Select app or remotely with the help of the audiology care team. Online hearing aid reviews from the Better Business Bureau (where Lively has a customer rating of 4.2 out of 5) indicate that Jabra Enhance is one of the top brands of hearing aids for seniors, given its combination of low price and positive customer experience. Get Jabra Enhance at JabraEnhance.com. Type of Hearing Aid Completely-in-the-canal Hearing Loss Mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Yes — in the charging case Battery Rechargeable Warranty and Trial Period One- to two-year manufacturer’s warranty (depends on model) and 45-day money-back trial Financing Yes Users looking for nearly invisible hearing aids will like what Eargo has to offer. Available in four models — the Eargo Max, Eargo Neo HiFi, Eargo 5, and Eargo 6 — these hearing aids are known for:
Small sizeComfortable inner-ear fitAdvanced noise reductionFeedback cancellationExcellent sound amplification
The hearing aids come with four preset listening profiles you can change by double-tapping your ear.
Rechargeable Hearing Aids
All Eargo hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries, which are highly valued by customers. In our survey, respondents ranked rechargeable batteries as the second-most important feature in a hearing aid, behind only digital noise reduction. (In fact, there isn’t even an option for standard disposable batteries with Eargo.) The hearing aids aren’t preprogrammed, so you’ll need to program them yourself. That said, the company has a user-friendly app that allows you to program the hearing aids, and one of the company’s specialists can help you over the phone if needed.
Other Perks
Federal employees and retirees may be eligible for free hearing aids through the Federal Employee Health Benefits program. Plus, Eargo has lifetime support. To find out if Eargo is right for you, take the online hearing check and talk to one of the company’s hearing experts or check out our in-depth Eargo brand review. In addition to getting you set up with the right hearing aids for you, the representatives can mail a sample kit that includes two nonworking replicas of Eargo devices, so that you can test the fit before purchasing. Get Eargo at Eargo.com. Type of Hearing Aid Behind-the-ear Hearing Loss Severe to profound hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Yes Battery 675 standard disposable battery Warranty and Trial Period Warranty length and terms vary by retailer; Phonak provides a 45-day money-back trial Financing Dependent on retailer Phonak is one of the most well-known hearing aid brands on the market, and the Naída Paradise UP is an excellent choice for people with profound hearing loss who are active and on the go. It’s considered one of the top hearing aids by users, reviewers, and hearing professionals.
Quality Features
The Naída Paradise UP is the company’s gold standard device. It automatically adjusts to every sound environment you encounter, and allows you to answer phone calls and speak hands-free using a single tap to your hearing aid. Plus, it comes with eight Bluetooth connections and an air tap control function that gives you the freedom to double tap around your ear to pause and resume streaming when paired with your phone. You’ll also get access to Roger wireless technology, which are the unique Phonak external microphones that connect wirelessly to the hearing aid. Research shows that Roger can help you understand almost 10 times better in noise and over distance than people with normal hearing.
Other Perks
The Phonak Naída Paradise UP is available in participating hearing centers through a licensed audiologist. You can use a discount network such as ZipHearing that helps you locate a provider in your area who facilitates the order and then helps fit you with your new hearing aids. Get Phonak Naída Paradise UP at Ziphearing.com. Type of Hearing Aid In-the-canal Hearing Loss Mild to moderate hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities No Battery Rechargeable battery Warranty and Trial Period One-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 45-day money-back trial Financing No At a considerably lower price than the other hearing aid models on this list, we chose the $249 Audien Atom Pro as the best hearing aids for the price. If cost is your number one concern and you don’t mind fewer features, the Audien Atom Pro may be a good fit for you. The Audien Atom Pro is a small, in-the-ear hearing aid that is designed for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Hearing Aids vs. PSAPs
You may notice on the Audien website that the company offers four hearing aids: EV1, EV3, Audien Atom, and Audien Atom Pro. Since the EV1 and EV3 are not FDA-registered, they are not considered hearing aids and our reviews team doesn’t recommend them. Instead, the EV1 and EV3 are personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), which, according to the FDA, are regulated as consumer electronics and not medical devices, like hearing aids. While hearing aids are intended to make up for impaired hearing, PSAPs (also known as “hearing amplifiers”) are intended for people with normal hearing to amplify sounds in certain situations such as birdwatching or hunting. The FDA therefore doesn’t recommend PSAPs as viable replacements for hearing aids. The Audien Atom and Audien Atom Pro are FDA-registered hearing aids, but they don’t have a lot of features that other hearing aids on this list offer, including Bluetooth, background noise reduction, and an app to adjust your listening settings. One of the biggest drawbacks of the Atom Pro is that, without an app to make adjustments, users must adjust volume on the hearing aids themselves with a small screwdriver. This could be difficult for those managing a condition that can cause dexterity challenges, such as arthritis.
Other Perks
In addition to being the least expensive on this list and one of the best hearing aids for the price, the Audien Atom Pro has rechargeable batteries and is very small — weighing only 1.85 grams and approximately 1 centimeter in height. The rechargeable batteries last for up to four days after charging for four to six hours, which is a fast charging time made possible by the Atom Pro’s lack of advanced features. (More advanced features typically drain the battery faster.) Customers can contact Audien support through phone, email, and live chat — where it will direct you to resources on the Audien website on how to set up your hearing aids, troubleshoot, maintain your hearing aids, and more. Get Audien Atom Pro at audienhearing.com. Type of Hearing Aid Behind-the-ear Hearing Loss Mild to moderately severe hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Volt Max only Battery 312 and 13 standard disposable battery and rechargeable battery options Warranty and Trial Period Limited, 90-day basic warranty and 45-day money-back trial Financing Yes Price is an important consideration when shopping for hearing aids. In fact, our survey respondents ranked cost as the second most important factor in their decision of which device to buy. While the Audien Atom Pro is cheaper, MDHearing is the second-cheapest company on this list, and offers more versatile hearing aids with more advanced features for the money. That’s why we chose MDHearing as the most versatile hearing aids for the price. With MDHearing, you have several affordable models to choose from.
3 Models of Hearing Aids
The company has three models of hearing aids: Air, Volt, and Volt Max. The basic model (Air) is the company’s only analog hearing aid, which some people prefer because of its more natural sound. The company offers an online hearing test and access to a licensed audiologist. While it may not be the most advanced hearing aid on the market, MDHearing does serve a population looking for a range of features, prices, and technology.
Other Perks
The Air, which is the entry-level model, comes with a disposable battery, four audio settings, and feedback cancellation to help eliminate the whistling sound common with older hearing aids. The Volt is the next step up. This model costs $200 more per pair, but it offers directional microphones and a rechargeable battery. The Volt Max, MDHearing’s most advanced model, comes with all the features of the Air and Volt plus Bluetooth capability and adaptive technology (which automatically changes the hearing aid settings based on your environment). If you’re not sure which model to start with, the company’s website states that the Volt is its most popular hearing aid. If you’re interested in learning more, we’ve reviewed available MDHearing models in our comprehensive review. Get MDHearing at Mdhearingaid.com or call 1-844-936-0233. Type of Hearing Aid Receiver-in-the-canal Hearing Loss Mild to moderate hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Yes Battery 312 standard disposable battery and rechargeable battery options Warranty and Trial Period One-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 45-day money-back trial Financing Yes, and available discount membership program Bluetooth technology is one of the most sought-after features in hearing aids. Not only does this technology help you stay connected to your mobile phone while wearing your hearing aids — it also allows you to wirelessly connect your hearing aids to other Bluetooth-enabled devices like a television, computer, tablet, and more. But with advanced technology comes a higher price tag. Bluetooth hearing aids are more expensive and cost, on average, between $1,600 and $10,000 per pair, due to their extra functionality. The Audicus Wave hearing aids, which are Bluetooth-compatible, cost $1,700 per pair, making them a great option for those looking for the best budget-friendly Bluetooth hearing aids. This puts them in reach for many consumers who might not have considered Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids otherwise: The majority of our survey respondents ranked cost as the biggest challenge they faced when buying hearing aids. The Audicus Wave is priced competitively (it has the second lowest starting price on this list), even compared with other brands without Bluetooth technology.
Compatibility and Features
The Wave includes advanced Bluetooth technology compatible with both Apple and Android smartphones, making it the most versatile and best hearing aid Audicus offers. These hearing aids have two directional microphones to help cut the clutter so you can have clear conversations. They also come with 12 processing channels and 10 volume settings you can adjust through the Audicus app. Each hearing aid comes with standard batteries, but the company offers a rechargeable upgrade for $200. If you have results from a current hearing test, the company’s experts can provide guidance and recommendations. Otherwise, you can take the 15-minute online hearing test. The results are interpreted by a team of audiologists who then program a hearing aid based on your profile.
Other Perks
The company offers unlimited expert support, plus free reprogramming adjustments for the life of the hearing aid. They also provide repair services for a fee, or you can purchase the Audicus Protect plan, which covers repairs. You have two purchase options with Audicus: The membership program for the Wave starts at $59 per month per hearing aid. This includes a new pair of hearing aids every 18 months, unlimited support, insurance coverage, loss protection, and accessories like new batteries, domes, and earwax guards when you need them. Audicus also offers some of the best affordable hearing aids, starting at $39 per month. Check out our comprehensive Audicus hearing aids review to learn more. Get Audicus Wave at Audicus.com. Type of Hearing Aid Receiver-in-the-ear/receiver-in-the-canal Hearing Loss Mild to severe hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Yes Battery Rechargeable battery Warranty and Trial Period Warranty length and terms vary by retailer; Oticon offers a 45-day money-back trial Financing Dependent on retailer Tech-savvy users looking for cutting-edge technology may like the More line from Oticon. Offered in three models — the Oticon More 1, Oticon More 2, and Oticon More 3 — this advanced hearing aid is known for its built-in deep neural network (DNN), which is a technology trained with 12 million real-life sounds. It works using machine learning, which learns through repetitive action. The DNN listened to 12 million real-life sounds, and learned through trial and error how to analyze and organize those sounds for optimal sound quality. Hearing aids with DNN may therefore help balance and prioritize sounds better than other devices. Oticon found that the DNN increased speech understanding by 15 percent, compared with Oticon hearing aids without the DNN, according to the company’s internal research.
Fit and Comfort
Oticon More users enjoy the fit and comfort of this high-tech hearing aid as well as the natural sound it provides, according to dozens of online reviews. The hearing aid comes equipped with a Tinnitus SoundSupport feature that offers a variety of relief sounds. Since More is among the best-rated hearing aids, it also comes with a hefty price tag, so make sure you actually need the extra features it offers.
Other Perks
The Oticon More is available in participating hearing centers through a licensed audiologist. You can use a discount network such as ZipHearing that helps you locate a provider in your area who facilitates the order and then helps fit you with your new hearing aids. We’ve reviewed Oticon hearing aids in an in-depth review to compare prices, models and more. Get Oticon More at Ziphearing.com. Type of Hearing Aid Receiver-in-the-ear Hearing Loss Mild to severe hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Yes Battery Rechargeable Warranty and Trial Period Four-year manufacturer’s repair warranty, plus four-year loss and damage warranty and a 45-day money-back trial Financing Depends on retailer Tinnitus is when you experience ringing in one or both of your ears. It can happen with age-related hearing loss, injury, or due to other medical conditions. If you have tinnitus and hearing loss, you know how critical it is to find a hearing aid that improves both conditions.
Technology and Reputation
ReSound One is the most technologically advanced model the company offers, and it has an excellent reputation for improving tinnitus. ReSound has a unique advantage because the hearing aid uses a microphone in the ear canal, which is in addition to the two microphones on the hearing aid. This additional microphone helps users recognize which direction the sound is coming from.
Other Perks
Other high-tech features include 17 channels, four customizable programs, and the ReSound Relief app, which can help relieve and manage tinnitus. ReSound One is available in three models at participating hearing centers through a licensed audiologist. You can use a discount network such as ZipHearing that helps you locate a provider in your area who facilitates the order and then helps fit you with your new hearing aids. We reviewed ReSound hearing aids to compare models, pricing, features and more. Get ReSound One at Ziphearing.com. Type of Hearing Aid Receiver-in-the-canal, behind-the-ear, and in-the-ear models available Hearing Loss Mild to moderately severe hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Yes Battery Rechargeable and standard disposable battery Warranty and Trial Period Three-year manufacturer’s repair warranty, plus three-year loss and damage warranty and a 45-day money-back trial Financing Dependent on retailer Singers and musicians will appreciate the pure, natural sound from Widex Moment hearing aids. What Widex does differently is process sound immediately to remove unnatural sounds in the environment, offering one of the fastest processing times available. The Widex Moment can process sound 8 to 20 times faster than other digital hearing aids, according to the company’s internal studies. This is a strong selling point for the Widex Moment: The majority of our survey respondents ranked digital noise reduction as the most important feature in a hearing aid.
High-Tech Features
The company’s PureSound technology and SoundSense give this hearing aid an edge over other high-quality clear-sounding hearing aids. By combining the fastest processing times with noise reduction and directional microphones, you may get clearer sound — even in the most difficult hearing situations.
Other Perks
The Moment also comes with TruAcoustics for better speech recognition, as well as the company’s Fluid Sound Controller, which selects the most suitable listening settings based on the environment. It’s also small (the company claims on its website that the receiver-in-the-canal Moment model is the smallest rechargeable hearing aid on the market), which is excellent news for customers who want a discreet look in one of the best in-ear hearing aids. Widex Moment is available in several models at participating hearing centers through a licensed audiologist. You can use a discount network such as ZipHearing that helps you locate a provider in your area who facilitates the order and then helps fit you with your new hearing aids. Check out our comprehensive Widex Hearing Aids review to learn more. Get Widex Moment at Ziphearing.com. Type of Hearing Aid Depends on the model — receiver-in-the-canal, in-the-ear, completely-in-the-canal, and in-the-canal, and behind-the-ear models Hearing Loss Mild to moderate hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Yes Battery Rechargeable Warranty and Trial Period Warranty length and terms vary by retailer; Signia provides a 45-day money-back trial Financing Dependent on retailer If you have single-sided hearing loss, a contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aid is worth considering. A CROS hearing aid allows users to pick up sounds from the hearing-impaired ear through a microphone-equipped device and transmit it wirelessly to the hearing ear, which is fitted with a receiver-equipped device. In other words, your hearing-impaired ear now hears sounds via the hearing ear.
Continued Customer Care
Signia, a German hearing aid company, offers a range of hearing aids that are CROS compatible. The company is also known for excellent service and care through its TeleCare platform, which provides remote assistance for tuning, messaging, questions, video or voice calls, and other issues.
Other Perks
Through the Signia app, users are able to personalize and optimize the hearing experience, which many customers love. Signia CROS hearing aid models are available at participating hearing centers through a licensed audiologist. You can use a discount network such as ZipHearing that helps you locate a provider in your area who facilitates the order and then helps fit you with your new hearing aids. Check out our expert Signia hearing aid review to compare models and prices of this German hearing aid manufacturer. Get Signia at ziphearing.com. Type of Hearing Aid Receiver-in-the-canal, in-the-ear, or behind-the-ear Hearing Loss Mild to profound hearing loss Bluetooth Capabilities Yes Battery 3 or 312 standard disposable battery and rechargeable battery options Warranty and Trial Period Warranty length and terms vary by retailer; Starkey provides a 45-day money-back trial Financing Dependent on retailer Starkey hearing aids have been around for decades, providing users with quality devices and excellent customer care. And the Evolv AI does not disappoint. This hearing aid uses unique technology with integrated sensors and artificial intelligence including Mask Mode, which helps you better hear people when they are wearing masks, are located more than six feet away, or when talking in a crowded room. The Mask Mode is specially designed to help clarify speech in a conversation with people wearing masks, but the AI technology has proven to help improve general speech audibility and intelligibility, according to the company’s internal study.
Active Lifestyle
The Evolv AI is an attractive option for anyone with an active lifestyle. Through the Thrive Hearing app, you can monitor body and brain health and make adjustments to your hearing from your phone. You can think of the Evolv AI as an activity tracker in your ear — it tracks your steps, measures movements, and monitors your more vigorous physical activity. This model also comes with fall detection, a unique feature among hearing aids. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the hearing aid will alert your selected contacts when it detects a fall.
Other Perks
You can also connect to a licensed audiologist via a live telehealth feature to help tune your hearing aids remotely. Starkey Evolv AI hearing aid models are available at participating hearing centers through a licensed audiologist. You can use a discount network such as ZipHearing that helps you locate a provider in your area who facilitates the order and then helps fit you with your new hearing aids. Read our expert review of Starkey hearing aid models if you need more information to help you choose the right model for you. Get Starkey Evolv AI at Ziphearing.com. If a medical condition is causing your hearing loss, an exam with a licensed physician may be necessary. Otherwise, an audiologist can conduct a hearing evaluation to identify the type and amount of hearing loss.
Comparisons and Ratings
Once that’s complete, it’s time for a thorough hearing aid comparison. This includes researching hearing aid ratings and hearing aid reviews. You can gather this information online, talk to friends and family, and call hearing centers for recommendations. Currently, you have two options for purchasing hearing aids:
Online through over-the-counter companiesA hearing center
A hearing center is staffed with an audiologist or licensed hearing instrument specialist who can provide a consultation, product recommendations, and fit you in person with a professional hearing aid. If shopping online, look for companies that offer a virtual consultation with an audiologist or provide a service to connect you with an expert who works in your area. For savings and access to an audiologist in your area, consider purchasing a hearing aid through a discount network. Depending on the brand and model, you could save around 30 percent or close to $1,000 in savings on a pair of hearing aids. According to the FDA’s final rule, OTC hearing aids now have their own set of regulatory standards apart from those of prescription hearing aids. OTC hearing aids are not PSAPs or hearing amplifiers, but FDA-regulated hearing aids just like prescription hearing aids.
OTC Hearing Aids vs. Prescription Hearing Aids
Both over-the-counter hearing aids (also known as “online hearing aids”) and prescription hearing aids (also known as “professional hearing aids”) are regulated as medical devices by the FDA, but based on the new guidelines, the similarities end there.
In-the-Canal
In-the-canal hearing aids are small and designed to fit into the ear canal. This allows them to fit the size and shape of your ear canal and gives users a more discreet look. A variation of this is a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid. This type is even smaller and fits completely in the ear canal. In-the-canal hearing aids are best for mild to moderately severe hearing loss, and completely-in-the-canal hearing aids are best for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Receiver-in-the-Canal
Receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids have a small receiver that fits inside the canal. This allows the ear canal to remain open, which gives users a more comfortable fit. A thin wire connects the body of the hearing aid to the speaker in the ear canal.
In-the-Ear
In-the-ear hearing aids that fit completely within your ear are an excellent option if you need to use a telecoil to receive sound through the circuitry of a hearing aid. A telecoil improves the quality of telephone conversations. In-the-ear hearing aids are best for mild to severe hearing loss.
Behind-the-Ear
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are designed with a small plastic case that contains all the parts. This case sits behind the ear and is connected by a clear tube to an earpiece that fits inside the outer ear. This is a common choice for children since it can accommodate various earmold types, and it’s sturdy, easy to handle, and clean. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are versatile and best for mild to profound hearing loss. A smaller version of this is the mini behind-the-ear hearing aid, which fits completely behind the ear. Instead of a plastic ear mold that fits in the outer ear, a narrow tube inserts into the canal, allowing it to remain open. If you get wax buildup or you like an open fit, this might be a good choice. Your health insurance may offer a hearing benefit to help pay for some of the costs. In general, Medicare Parts A and B do not cover hearing aid costs. Medicaid may offer some support, but you need to ask for clarification. Some nonprofits have programs to help pay for hearing exams and hearing aids. You can find questions related to funding at the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and the Hearing Loss Association of America.
Directional microphones (focus on sounds coming from a particular location)Low battery indicatorBluetoothWireless connectivityWax guardsAutomatic and manual volume controlMultiple program settingsRechargeable batteriesTelecoilTinnitus maskingApp connectivity and smartphone capabilities
