Best Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids in 2022

March 17, 2022 amie-clark

Author: Amie Clark | March 17, 2022

Share: copied!

The Senior List is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews.

Lively Hearing Aids - Best Customer Care

Overall Rating:

4.7 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
(800) 854-2772

What We Like ↓

MDHearingAid Volt+ - Most Affordable Hearing Aids

Overall Rating:

4.8 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
844-554-2820

What We Like ↓

Audicus Dia II - Best Customization Features

Overall Rating:

4.5 / 5

View Packages What We Like ↓

Starkey Evolv AI - Best Smart Option

Overall Rating:

4.5 / 5

View Packages What We Like ↓

ReSound Linx Quattro - Best for iPhones

Overall Rating:

4.3 / 5

View Packages What We Like ↓

Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids? Our Favorite Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids of 2022 Our Top Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid Picks for 2022 Criteria Bottom Line

Behind-the-ear hearing aids are an effective way for people with any level of hearing loss to regain hearing function. Not only are they often more affordable than smaller models, but they’re also harder to misplace, making them a great alternative to invisible hearing aids.

In this rundown, we’ll compare the features of our favorite behind-the-ear hearing aids.

Pro Tip: Not sure what fit, style, or brand of hearing aids to choose? Read our hearing aid buying guide.

What Are Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids?

Behind-the-ear hearing aids are the most traditional style on the market. They fit snugly over your outer ear and behind your ear, and have special tubing that delivers sound directly to your ear canal.

We recommend behind-the-ear hearing aids if you’re on a budget and don’t mind people occasionally noticing that you’re wearing hearing aids. Many behind-the-ear aids now have rechargeable batteries, a smaller design, directional microphones, and better amplification features.

Best Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids in 2022

Lively Hearing Aids : Best Customer Care
MDHearingAid VOLT+ : Most Affordable Hearing Aids
Audicus Dia II : Best Customization Features
Starkey Evolv AI : Best Smart Option
ReSound Linx Quattro : Best for iPhones

Our Favorite Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids of 2022

Hearing aid model	Cost for a pair	Warranty	Standout features
Lively Hearing Aids	$1,350 to $1,900	3 years	Rechargeable and battery operated 100-day risk-free trial Preprogrammed Bluetooth capability Nearly invisible design Direct stereo streaming
MDHearingAid Volt+	$599.98	90 days standard Extended warranty for $9.99 per month	Rechargeable 45-day risk-free trial Water-resistant coating Improved battery life Two directional microphones for noise reduction Four sound settings
Audicus Dia II	$998	1-year manufacturer’s warranty	Moisture-resistant coating For mild to moderate hearing loss Reduces background noise 45-day risk-free trial
Starkey Evolv AI	$2,500 to $4,200	Warranties vary depending on the retailer	30-day risk-free trial Smartphone compatible Personalized hearing adjustments AI technology Noise reduction Edge Mode for challenging listening environments Remote care adjustments
ReSound Linx Quattro	$2,462 to $5,000	Warranties vary depending on the retailer	Rechargeable Discreet custom hearing aids Long-lasting battery Android compatible ReSound Smart 3D app for personalizing hearing experience

Our Top Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid Picks for 2022

1. Lively Hearing Aids - Best Customer Care

4.7 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
(800) 854-2772

What We Like Most:

Direct audio streaming from iPhone
Affordable pricing
Discreet behind-the-ear fit
100-day risk-free trial

Overview

Cost for a pair: $1,350 to $1,900

Known for its expert care, extended risk-free trial, and affordability, Lively is our top pick for comfortable behind-the-ear hearing aids. Lively offers only one hearing aid model — available with traditional or rechargeable batteries — but it doesn’t disappoint. With Lively, you’ll get a pair of high-tech hearing aids that reduce unwanted background noise, as well as three years of follow-up care from an audiologist. You’ll also get a full 30-hour battery on a three-hour charge, so you won’t have to constantly charge your hearing aids. Lively hearing aids offer remote hearing adjustments, so you won’t need to schedule in-person visits.

Lively Hearing Aids photo — Lively Hearing Aids

Lively hearing aids are hidden behind your ears for a discreet and nearly invisible look. The lightweight aids are less than an inch in size, so they’re perfect for everyday wear. Lively hearing aids easily pair with your smartphone so you can answer phone calls, stream music, or get remote care from a team of audiologists.

Lively has some of the most affordable pricing and financing options available. Its rechargeable hearing aids are $1,900 per pair, and the battery-powered models are $1,350. These hearing aids are available in a variety of colors and come with a three-year warranty, which is pretty generous compared to other providers. You can also try Lively hearing aids risk-free for 100 days.

Pros

Three-year manufacturer’s warranty
Less than $2,000 per pair
Rechargeable or battery-powered
100-day risk-free trial
Up to 30 hours of rechargeable battery life
Remote hearing adjustments
Bluetooth connectivity

Cons

Limited hearing aid options
Not intended for people with severe hearing loss

FYI: To learn more about Lively hearing aids, read my Lively hearing aids review.

2. MDHearingAid VOLT+ - Most Affordable Hearing Aids

4.8 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
844-554-2820

What We Like Most:

Under $600 for a pair
Long-lasting battery
Resistant to water, sweat, and dirt
Four audio settings

Overview

Cost for a pair: $599.98

Of the three hearing aid models offered by MDHearingAid, the rechargeable and water-resistant Volt+ is our favorite behind-the-ear model. It can withstand water up to three feet deep for 30 minutes, and it features improved battery life and dual microphones that focus on important conversations and sounds rather than background noise. Volt+ hearing aids are also equipped with advanced feedback-cancellation technology that eliminates whistling, buzzing, and other unwanted noises.

MDHearingAid Volt+ hearing aids are nearly invisible and as thin and lightweight as a pencil. They come with clear tubing and customized tips that fit in your ear canal. For additional comfort, you can easily adjust the volume directly from your hearing aid using four different sound settings. Even if you wear glasses, these aids fit perfectly and don’t require any additional accessories.

Volt+ hearing aids from MDHearingAid cost $599.98, or you can finance them for $50 per month. MDHearingAid also provides a basic 90-day warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship from the date of purchase. If you’d like an extended warranty, then you’ll have to purchase it separately for $9.99 per month.

Pros

Rechargeable batteries
Water-resistant design
Directional microphones for background noise reduction
Four sound settings
45-day risk-free trial
Free lifetime support

Cons

Extra accessories not included
Extended warranty costs $9.99 per month

FYI: To learn more about MDHearingAid, read our MDHearingAid review.

3. Audicus Dia II - Best Customization Features

4.5 / 5

View Packages

What We Like Most:

45-day risk-free trial
One-year warranty
Unlimited expert support
Affordable monthly membership options

Overview

Cost for a pair: $998

The Dia II is Audicus’ most affordable hearing aid, starting at $998 per pair. You may want to consider it if you have mild to moderate hearing loss and you’re looking for a discreet, traditional behind-the-ear hearing aid that filters out background noise. It doesn’t have Bluetooth capability and it’s powered by traditional batteries, but the Dia II — and its 45-day risk-free trial — is still a bargain if you’re looking for hearing aids under $1,000.

With a comfortable and discreet open-fit behind-the-ear style, the Dia II has 10 channels and an auto-adaptive program that adjusts to different environments while amplifying important sounds and eliminating background noise. It also has additional environmental and volume programs you can use with the classic remote to easily customize volume and hearing preferences wherever you are.

Audicus Dia II hearing aids start at $998 per pair and come with a one-year warranty. You can purchase the aids online or contact Audicus directly for more information. If you don’t want to pay up front, then you can choose a monthly membership that starts at $39 per month per ear.

Pros

45-day risk-free trial
One-year warranty
Unlimited expert support
Affordable monthly membership options
Filters out background noise
Comfortable behind-the-ear fit
Adapts to the environment automatically

Cons

No rechargeable battery
No Bluetooth capability

4. Starkey Evolv AI - Best Smart Option

4.5 / 5

View Packages

What We Like Most:

Natural sound quality
Voice AI technology
Stream TV, music, conversations
Fall-detection alerts

Overview

Cost for a pair: $2,500 to $4,200

Starkey’s latest hearing aid model, the Evolv AI, is available in a behind-the-ear style and uses advanced AI technology and personalized hearing adjustments to provide great overall sound quality. The rechargeable Evolv AI comes with activity tracking for daily movement, exercise, and steps, and it also has fall detection built into the hearing aids that can alert your close contacts in the event of a fall.

Unfortunately, you cannot purchase Starkey Evolv AI hearing aids online, so you’ll need to talk to a representative to request an appointment. All new Starkey hearing aids come with warranty coverage that includes repairs due to an internal component failure, repairable external damage, and remakes due to improper fit.

Pros

Natural sound quality
Voice AI technology
Stream TV, music, conversations
Fall-detection alerts
Rechargeable batteries
Medication reminders
Edge Mode for difficult hearing environments

Cons

Affordability
Need to schedule an appointment for purchase

Did You Know: Starkey and Widex are two of the most popular hearing aid companies for behind-the-ear options. Read Widex vs. Starkey Hearing Comparison to help you decide which is right for you.

5. ReSound Linx Quattro - Best for iPhones

4.3 / 5

View Packages

What We Like Most:

Direct streaming from iPhones and Android devices
Rechargeable
Superior sound quality
Fuller range of sounds

Overview

Cost for a pair: $2,462 to $5,000

ReSound Linx Quattro hearing aids allow direct streaming on Apple and Android devices, so it’s easy to answer calls, listen to music, and stream TV. The rechargeable Linx Quattro lets you fine tune your hearing preferences and adjust to your environment, and its full range of sounds makes it easy to focus on one-on-one conversations. The ReSound Smart 3D app enables you to discreetly personalize your hearing preferences, and the free ReSound Relief app features engaging activities and soothing sounds for people with tinnitus.

The Linx Quattro comes in receiver-in-ear, completely-in-canal, and behind-the-ear designs. The behind-the-ear fit is comfortable and easy to wear on a daily basis without worrying about it falling out.

Pricing is not available on the company’s website, so you’ll have to contact a ReSound hearing professional for more information. ReSound typically offers a one- to four-year warranty, depending on the model you choose. To purchase a ReSound hearing aid, contact ReSound or speak with a local ReSound hearing professional.

Pros

Direct streaming from iPhones and Android devices
Rechargeable
Superior sound quality
Fuller range of sounds
Available in multiple fits

Cons

More expensive than other hearing aids
Must be purchased through a hearing health provider

How We Chose the Best Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids

To choose the best behind-the-ear hearing aids, we considered many factors.

Comfort: We looked for behind-the-ear hearing aids that are lightweight, fit easily into the ear canal, and provide a comfortable and flexible fit that can be worn on a daily basis.
Affordability: Most behind-the-ear hearing aids are more affordable than other styles, so we tried to find hearing aids that were less than $3,000 per pair.
Size: We looked for brands that offer a range of size, color, and shape options for behind-the-ear hearing aid models. Larger behind-the-ear hearing aids often have a longer battery life and better amplification and sound quality than more discreet models.
Performance: We wanted behind-the-ear hearing aids that don’t require constant battery charges or replacements. We also focused on behind-the-ear hearing aids that provide optimal performance through dual microphones and were able to reduce feedback and unwanted whistling noises.
Additional features: We looked for behind-the-ear hearing aid models with special features such as Sound Match technology, more channels, and Bluetooth connectivity. These additional features help make behind-the-ear hearing aids a worthwhile investment.

Bottom Line

Behind-the-ear hearing aids are not as discreet as some other styles, but they offer some of the most powerful technology and they’re great for just about any user.

To learn more about behind-the-ear hearing aids — as well as other designs — check out our rundown of this year’s best hearing aids.

Also read our helpful guides and reviews:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do behind-the-ear hearing aids work?
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are placed behind your outer ear, and contain a small tube or wire for sound to travel into your ear canal.
What is the difference between behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing aids?
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are typically more noticeable than in-the-ear hearing aids, which are placed directly inside the ear canal. Behind-the-ear hearing aids have a speaker placed inside the hearing piece.
How do you keep behind-the-ear hearing aids in place?
You can keep behind-the-ear hearing aids in place by making sure the tubing or wire is the proper length. You can also purchase accessories such as retaining clips or surgical tape to make it more comfortable for everyday wear.
Do behind-the-ear hearing aids interfere with glasses?
You can still wear behind-the-ear hearing aids with glasses. If you’re worried about comfort, though, then you can look into other styles, such as invisible-in-canal hearing aids.