Best Over The Counter Hearing Aids in 2021

#3 Audicus

Their Hearing Aids:

Audicus offers three FDA-approved hearing aids, all of which can be purchased individually or as a pair. These devices feature rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth functionality.

Why We Recommend Audicus

Affordably priced hearing aids
Great feedback reduction
Can be purchased individually
Rechargeable or disposable battery options

Hearing loss is one of the more distressing parts of getting older. Seniors who have hearing loss often find themselves struggling to enjoy life as much as they used to. It’s hard to hear the TV or music, and following conversations with friends becomes harder work. This strain on hearing, something that many of us take for granted, can often cause seniors to withdraw from social interaction altogether.

According to the National Institutes of Health, only one in five Americans who have hearing loss wear a hearing aid. Yet, research has shown that not wearing a hearing aid if you need one can increase the chances of depression, dementia, and even falls, not to mention the social impact and health risks of being less active.

Cost of Hearing Aids Can Prevent Seniors from Getting One

One of the barriers to getting a hearing aid is the cost. Currently, Medicare does not cover hearing aids, and neither do most health insurance programs. With hearing aids running anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 per device, it’s easy to see how cost can be an issue, even if a payment plan is available.

Over the counter hearing aids are one possible way of getting around the cost – but are they worth it? Let’s take a closer look, and find out where to get them.

FYI: Most hearing aid companies offer free financing for their hearing aids, some of which come with little to no interest.

Pros and Cons Of An Over the Counter Hearing Aid

Over the counter hearing aids come with their own unique set of benefits and drawbacks. To help you figure out if this type of device is right for you, here are the main takeaways.

OTC Hearing Aid Pros

The main pro of an OTC hearing aid is the cost. With professional hearing aids running upwards of $5,000, they’re not an affordable option for every senior who needs them. OTC hearing aids offer much more affordable alternatives, ones that can also be purchased quickly with little assessment.
You’re not paying for features you don’t need.
For those with mild to moderate hearing loss, an over the counter hearing aid will most likely be able to provide the necessary hearing assistance.
Companies like Eargo and Elevated Hearing (more on them below) can also take the stress out of getting hearing aids fitted by offering a quick, easy, one-stop service. There’s no need to book and attend multiple appointments, and your devices can be with you in just days.

OTC Hearing Aid Cons

Rather than being personally molded to your ear, OTC hearing aids are a one-size-fits-all solution, so they might not be as comfortable, depending on the size and shape of your ears.
Unlike traditional hearing aid companies, who staff hearing professionals, most OTC hearing aid companies offer no such services, meaning you don’t get the same level of support to make sure the option you choose is the right one for your needs and lifestyle.
You might not get the same warranties and guarantees as with a traditional hearing aid company, although in recent years, many OTC hearing aid companies have been stepping up their game in this regard.
The device might not be of the quality you need. Hearing aids aren’t just about making sounds louder; they also hone in on the sounds you need to hear, often while diminishing background noise. A lower quality device simply won’t give you a good hearing experience.

Before You Opt For An Over the Counter Hearing Aid

Before opting for an OTC hearing aid, we recommend seeing a medical professional to be sure you need a hearing aid. Hearing loss can sometimes be caused by a tumor, a benign growth, or even a build-up of ear wax. It’s important to know for sure what’s causing your hearing loss before you get a hearing aid. Otherwise, there’s a risk of an underlying condition going untreated. Additionally, before you pony up a couple of thousand dollars for a hearing aid, you’ll want to make sure the root of your hearing issues isn’t something easily fixed.

Is Over The Counter A Good Option?

Getting a professional hearing aid offers lots of benefits. However, don’t overlook OTC hearing aids as a possibility. OTC hearing aids are a way to reduce the cost of hearing aids and streamline the whole process. What we would say, however, is to buy them from a reputable company such as those listed here.

The More You Know: OTC hearing aids are generally suited to those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Seniors with severe or profound hearing loss should see an audiologist and get professional aids fitted.

What Should I Ask Before Buying An OTC Hearing Aid?

With hearing aids being such complicated and expensive devices, we recommend asking the following questions before buying an OTC hearing aid:

Do they come with any guarantees or warranties?
Is there an evaluation period so I can try them out first?
What happens if they break or don’t work as expected?
Is there any follow-up support?
Will I get any help with choosing my hearing aids?
How are the hearing aids powered? How do I recharge them or replace the battery?
How do I clean them?

The Best Over The Counter Hearing Aids

Let’s take a closer look at our picks for the best OTC hearing aids.

#1 Eargo - Best Overall OTC Hearing Aid

855-747-5631

Product Highlights

Rechargeable Batteries
Virtually Invisible In-Ear Models
Lifetime Licensed Support
Flexible Payment Plans
Overview
Eargo offers tiny, discreet in-ear hearing aids that sit snugly in the ear canal. In addition to their stellar audio quality, Eargo’s hearing aids come with a 45-day trial period, allowing you to try them out before finalizing your purchase.

Hearing Aids: Eargo offers three different hearing aid models, including the Max and Neo. The basic design and functionality are the same across devices, but the hearing quality increases with each model. Max is good and features enhanced sound plus better noise reduction. Neo offers the best sound, plus it comes with an app for full control. Each model comes with four sound profiles, which can be toggled simply by tapping the in-ear device.
Cost: The Eargo Max costs $1,850. The Neo costs $2,350, and the Neo HiFi costs $2,950.
Evaluation Period: You get a 45 day evaluation period with any of Eargo’s hearing aids.
Warranty: Both the Eargo Max and Neo come with a one-year limited warranty, while the Neo HiFi has a two-year warranty.
Charging: Eargo devices can be recharged by plugging them into the included carrying case, which can store several charges for portable use.
Support: You get lifetime support for the life of the hearing aids, plus a welcome call to find out how you’re getting on and to talk you through any issues.
Anything Else: Eargo will send out a pair of non-functioning hearing aids so you can try them on and see if you like the fit and feel of the devices before you buy.
What We Loved: Ultimately, what impressed us most about Eargo was the sound quality, among the best we’ve seen regardless of the price range. These devices are also lightweight, discreet, and comfortable to wear.
What We Didn’t: Due to the small size and lightweight build of these devices, we couldn’t help but feel as though it would be easy to lose them.
Ideal For: Eargo’s hearing aids are ideal for those who want a discreet device to wear daily, one with amazing sound quality.
Pros
Lightweight and Comfortable
Stellar Sound Quality
Attentive Customer Service
Secure In-Ear Fit
Cons
Suitable Only for Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss
No In-Person Fittings
Our Verdict: Eargo is a little more cost-effective than having hearing aids professionally fitted, but these devices still offer good quality, one with support, guarantees, and a strong reputation. They’re definitely worth checking out.
Call to order Eargo: 866-334-3974
#2 MDHearingAid - Best Low-Cost Hearing Aid

800-456-2308

Product Highlights

Noise-Reduction Technology
100% Money-Back Guarantee
45-Day Trial Period
Affordable Devices
Overview
MDHearing offers FDA-registered behind-the-ear hearing devices that offer a budget-friendly alternative to custom hearing aids. Their more advanced models even have premium features such as smartphone compatibility.

Savings Tip: Many companies like MDHearing offer promotions on their hearing devices. Currently, MDHearing is offering buy-one-get-one-free deals on its three premium hearing aid models.

Hearing Aids: MDHearing offers four models in total: Pro, Air, Volt, and Core. Pro is an easy to use analog model. Air is a small but powerful digital model. Volt is their first rechargeable hearing aid, and Core is a smartphone-enabled model.
Cost: MDHearing devices range from $399.99 – $1199.99 per pair.
Evaluation Period: Similar to Eargo, MDHearing offers a 45-day trial period on their hearing aids.
Warranty: The hearing aids are covered against defects in workmanship or materials for 90 days after purchase. You can also purchase a warranty plan to cover you for accidental damage.
Charging: Pro, Air, and Core are powered by disposable batteries, while Volt comes with a handy recharging pod.
Support: Email and phone support are available both before and after your MDHearing purchase. This will come in handy during the early configuration of your device.
Anything Else: If you’ve recently had your hearing tested, MDHearing can look at your results and advise the best model for you. They also offer a free online hearing test in order to accurately assess your hearing needs.
What We Loved: Our MDHearing devices were nice and comfortable to wear. We also can’t say enough about how affordably priced these hearing aids are.
What We Didn’t: In terms of battery life, our MDHearing devices didn’t last as long as the others on this list. Additionally, most of their models lack more advanced features, such as Bluetooth compatibility and custom sound settings.
Ideal For: MD Hearing devices are perfect for seniors who want something comfortable to wear, but without a huge price tag.
Pros
45-Day, Risk-Free Trial
Affordable Medical-Grade Devices
FDA Registered
Easy Online Ordering
Can Be Purchased in Pairs or Single
Cons
No In-Person Evaluations
Buggy Smartphone Features
Disposable Batteries
Our Verdict: MD Hearing offers a budget-friendly alternative to custom made hearing aids. Thanks to the 45 day evaluation period, you can try them out first to be sure the quality and fit suit you.
Call to order MDHearingAid: 844-554-2820
#3 Audicus - Best Discreet OTC Hearing Aid

Product Highlights

Affordably Priced Devices
Rechargeable Batteries
FDA Approved
Solid Feedback Reduction
Overview
Over the counter hearing aids can vary when it comes to quality, but Audicus delivers three different hearing aid models, all of which featuring crisp audio quality and an FDA seal of approval.

Hearing Aids: Audicus offers three different models of hearing aids: the Dia II, their basic model; The Clara, which offers advanced sound processing; and The Wave, which features Bluetooth compatibility.
Cost: Audicus hearing aids will run you from $499 (per ear) to $899 (per ear).
Evaluation Period: Like the other devices on this list, Audicus hearing aids all come with a 45-day, risk-free trial period.
Warranty: Each Audicus hearing aid comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. After this period, you’ll have to purchase an Audicus Protect plan, starting at $12 per month.
Charging: Each of Audicus’s hearing aids comes standard with long-lasting disposable batteries; however, the Clara and Wave models can be upgraded to use rechargeable batteries for an additional cost.
Anything Else: The Wave, with its Bluetooth capabilities, can be used almost like headphones for your favorite smart devices.
What We Loved: As far as over-the-ear hearing aids go, Audicus’s three models are among the most discreet. We also appreciated the stellar sound quality on these devices.
What We Didn’t: Loss and theft are not covered under the included warranty and can only be added for an additional subscription charge.
Ideal For: Audicus hearing aids are ideal for the person looking for a discreet device with high-performance audio capabilities.
Pros
45-Day, Risk-Free Trial
Different Color Options
FDA Registered
Bluetooth Capabilities
Standard One-Year Warranty
Flexible Payment Options
Cons
Weak Disposable Battery Life
High Cost for Rechargeable Batteries
Our Verdict: If you’re looking for a Bluetooth-enabled hearing aid that doesn’t break the bank, then you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than Audicus.
#4 Nuheara - Best Hearing Aid Alternative

See Pricing

Overview
While not exactly hearing aids, per se, Nuheara offers a budget-conscious alternative to custom hearing aids through their hearing-enhancing earbuds. These work just like the earbuds you use for music and streaming, except they have extra features to enhance your hearing.

Hearing Aids: NuHear’s IQbuds Max are intelligent earbuds that let you selectively control and screen the sound around you, including quieting down background noise while enhancing speech. They also offer superb noise cancellation, speech in noise control, and directional focus.
Cost: IQbuds Max are currently on sale for $319 through Nuheara’s website.
Evaluation Period: Nuheara’s IQbuds come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Warranty: The IQbuds Max are covered under a one-year limited warranty.
Charging: The IQbuds use rechargeable batteries, which can be charged by using their sleek charging case.
Support: In terms of support, Nuheara offers email customer support.
Anything Else: You can use these to stream music, make phone calls, and even connect with digital assistants like Siri. You can also use IQstream TV to connect your Max models to your TV, so you can enjoy the sound while also taking part in conversations with your fellow viewers.
What We Loved: These earbuds were incredibly comfortable to wear, and the audio quality was crisp as any other device. At $319, these were also the most affordable devices on this list.
What We Didn’t: While these earbuds definitely delivered on the promise of great audio quality, they would not be good for people with moderate to severe hearing loss.
Ideal For: Nuheara’s IQbuds would be a great solution for those with mild hearing loss.

Our Verdict: These won’t be for everyone, especially those with severe hearing loss. However, Nuheara offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can check them out for yourself.

What About Buying Hearing Aids From Amazon?

A quick search of Amazon will turn up lots of results for hearing aids. Most of these are relatively lost cost hearing amplifiers that run in the $200-$400 range. With these, we’d advise you to proceed with caution. You don’t get the support you get with Eargo or MDHearing, and you might not get the same warranties.

Many of these devices don’t have any “smart” programming at all and will simply amplify whatever is there. We think these fall into the category of “something is better than nothing,” but if possible, we recommend going with a reputable company that offers some level of support and warranties. This way, you’ll be able to try the devices before you fully commit. Oftentimes, you get what you pay for in these situations.

Bottom Line

Buying OTC hearing aids can cut the cost and hassle of getting the hearing support you need. Eargo and Audicus are both doing interesting things in terms of producing excellent quality devices at a lower cost than many other providers, and with a quick and customer friendly service to boot. With all of these manufacturers offering some form or risk-free trial, there’s little reason to not try one out today.

Written By

Amie Clark

Amie has been writing about senior care products and services for the last decade. She is particularly passionate about new technologies that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. Seeing her parents and grandparents age made Amie ask herself, “Would this be good enough for my loved ones?” In her spare time, Amie enjoys outdoor adventures and spontaneous road trips. Learn more about Amie here

Best Over The Counter Hearing Aids