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November 6, 2021
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According to the National Institutes of Health, only one in five Americans who have hearing loss wears a hearing aid. Still, research has shown that not wearing a hearing aid when you need one can increase the chance of depression, dementia, and falls.
In this guide, I’ll take a look at some of the best over-the-counter hearing aids that provide superior sound quality, affordability, and a comfortable design.
Pro Tip: If you don’t mind getting your aids professionally fitted in person, then I’d recommend checking out our list of the best hearing aids.
The More You Know: OTC hearing aids are generally suited to those with mild to moderate hearing loss. If your hearing loss is greater than this, then take a look at our list of the best hearing aids for profound hearing loss.
With hearing aids being such complicated and expensive devices, we looked for the following characteristics in each company:
FYI: Trying to figure out which hearing aid is right for you? Check out our Hearing Aid Buying Guide.
When it comes to over-the-counter hearing aids, it’s hard to find a company with more advanced devices than Lively. Their hearing aids, both FDA-approved and Bluetooth-equipped, come with three years of follow-up support from a team of licensed audiologists.
Their Hearing Aids: Lively offers The Lively Bundle, which features your choice of FDA-approved hearing aids that are rechargeable or battery-operated. These hearing aids come with a 3-year warranty, 360-degree sound capabilities, Bluetooth connectivity, and 3-years of follow-up care with support from licensed audiologists. Pricing ranges between $1,900 for a rechargeable pair, or $1,350 per pair.
Cost: Lively hearing aids cost $1,350 to $1,900 per pair.
Evaluation Period: Lively hearing aids come with an impressive 100-day money-back guarantee.
Warranty: Lively’s battery-powered and rechargeable models come with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, a three-year loss and damage protection plan, and three-years of follow-up care with their audiology team. Together, these will cover your devices in the event of defects, damage, or loss.
Charging: Lively’s rechargeable unit comes with a convenient traveling case that allows you to charge your hearing aids on the go. Additionally, these batteries lasted nearly two days on a single charge.
Anything Else: I really appreciated that Lively’s staff of audiologists was able to adjust my hearing aids remotely without having to go for an in-person visit.
Ideal For: Lively hearing aids are ideal for those who want an advanced device without the hassle of in-person consultations.
Our Verdict: If you’re looking for high-powered hearing aids with stellar support and a no-hassle online purchase process, then I’d definitely recommend a pair of devices from Lively.
To learn more about Lively, read our Lively Hearing Aids review.
MDHearingAid offers a variety of affordable rechargeable and battery-operated behind-the-ear hearing devices. Their more advanced models even have premium features such as smartphone compatibility, customization, and noise management.
Did You Know: Shopping for a user-friendly smartphone compatible with hearing aids for a loved one? Check out my picks for the Best Smartphones for Seniors.
Their Hearing Aids: MDHearingAid offers a 45-day trial period to ensure that their FDA-registered hearing aids are the right choice. What’s more, their CORE hearing aids can also be customized with their smartphone app available on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices to give you better sound control.
I’d recommend keeping an eye out for ongoing BOGO deals to get the best discounts on their hearing aid line featuring both battery-operated and rechargeable options. Prices for the AIR, VOLT+, and CORE MDHearingAid models range from $399.98-$999.99 per pair.
Cost: MDHearingAid costs $399.98 – $999.99 per pair.
Evaluation Period: Similar to Eargo, MDHearingAid 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 your accidental damage.
Charging: The AIR and CORE models are powered by disposable batteries, while the new and improved VOLT+ model is rechargeable.
Support: Email and phone support are available both before and after your MDHearingAid purchase. This will come in handy during the early configuration of your device.
Anything Else: If you’ve recently had your hearing tested, MDHearingAid can look at your results and advise the best model for you. They’ve also partnered with professional audio engineers to offer a free online hearing test to accurately assess your hearing needs.
Ideal For: MDHearingAid devices are perfect for older adults who want something comfortable to wear, but without a huge price tag attached.
Our Verdict: MDHearingAid offers a budget-friendly alternative to custom-made hearing aids. Thanks to the 45-day trial, you can try them out first to be sure the quality and fit suit you.
To learn more about MDHearingAid, read our MDHearingAid review.
Eargo offers tiny, discreet in-ear hearing aids that fit comfortably inside the ear canal. In addition to their stellar audio quality, Eargo hearing aids come with a 45-day trial period, allowing you to try them out before finalizing your purchase. What’s more, you can download the free mobile app to tailor your hearing preferences to your Eargo hearing aids.
Their Hearing Aids: Eargo makes completely rechargeable and virtually invisible hearing aids for people looking for affordable over-the-counter hearing aids. Four different models are offered, ranging between $1,500-$2,950 per pair, with alternative financing options starting at $70 per month.
Cost: Eargo offers five different hearing aid options: Eargo Neo, Eargo Max, Eargo Neo HiFi, and their latest model, the Eargo 5. Eargo costs between $1,500 to $2,950 per pair.
Evaluation Period: You get a 45-day trial period with any of Eargo’s hearing aids.
Warranty: The Eargo Max, Eargo Neo HiFi, and Eargo Neo come with a one-year limited warranty, while their latest version—the Eargo 5—comes with 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. Their latest model—The Eargo 5—features contactless inductive charging capabilities.
Support: You get lifetime support for the life of your Eargo hearing aids.
Anything Else: You can get screened for hearing loss using Eargo’s Sound Match technology through their mobile app. This way, you don’t have to deal with long clinic visits; you can get a remote assessment right away.
Ideal For: Eargo hearing aids are ideal for those who want a discreet and comfortable device they can wear daily.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a hearing aid that you can wear for months without changing out, I’d recommend looking into Phonak hearing aids.
Our Verdict: Eargo is a little more cost-effective than having hearing aids professionally fitted, but these devices still offer good quality, customer support, and a strong reputation. They’re definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for feedback reduction, smartphone compatibility, and remote adjustments.
For more information on their hearing aids, check out my Eargo review.
Pro Tip: Hearing aids can be expensive, but luckily there are affordable financing options and insurance providers that can pick up some (or all) of the cost. Read my article, Does Insurance Cover Hearing Aids, to help you figure out whether your hearing aids might be covered.
Over-the-counter hearing aids can vary when it comes to quality, but Audicus delivers five top different hearing aid models, all of which featuring crisp audio quality and an FDA seal of approval. Their hearing aids start at $499 per ear to an upwards of $1,399 per ear.
Their Hearing Aids: Their models include five options: The Dia II, The Aura, The Clara, The Wave, and The Spirit.
Cost: Audicus hearing aid prices range anywhere from $499 (per ear) to $1,399 (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, which covers manufacturing defects. After this period, you’ll have to purchase an Audicus Protect plan starting at $12 per month, per year, for an extended warranty.
Charging: Some of Audicus’ hearing aids require disposable batteries, while some of the newer models such as The Spirit and The Wave, are rechargeable.
Anything Else: The Wave and The Spirit hearing aid models both have Bluetooth capabilities that can be used like headphones for your favorite smart devices.
Ideal For: Audicus hearing aids are ideal for someone who’s looking for a compact and lightweight device with high-performance audio capabilities.
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.
For more information on Audicus, be sure to check out my review of Audicus.
Hear.com is a great resource for individuals who want up-to-date information on hearing aids and hearing loss. With free consultations and a 45-day risk-free trial for select hearing aid providers through Hear.com, this website is a great destination for all things related to hearing loss and hearing aid care.
Their Hearing Aids: Partnering with a strong network of hearing care providers, Hear.com offers a no-risk trial to help you find the right brand of hearing aids for you. Hear.com also offers a variety of hearing aid options for behind-the-ear and in-the-ear preferences for customers.
Cost: Overall, Hear.com costs are pretty affordable. Although there aren’t any general prices for hearing aids listed on their website, hear.com gives a brief overview of price range. They break down general hearing aids costs by tier levels: Essentials, Advanced, Premium, and Luxury ranging from $139 per month, $169 per month, $199 per month, $229 per month, respectively.
Evaluation Period: If you purchase hearing aids from hear.com, you will receive a 45-day no-risk trial depending on the provider you choose.
Warranty: There’s a three-year maximum warranty on select Hear.com devices.
Charging: Hear.com offers some of the best rechargeable behind-the-ear or in-the-ear hearing aids for individuals with mild and moderate to severe hearing loss.
Anything Else: Hear.com has a plethora of hearing aid resources on their website. Be sure to sign up for emails to receive your free guide today.
Ideal For: Hear.com is a great place to shop for behind-the-ear discreet hearing aid devices from leading manufacturers.
Our Verdict: If you’re looking for guidance on hearing aids and need to compare hearing aid providers, hear.com is a great place to start your research.
To learn more about Hear.com, read our Hear.com review.
One of the barriers to getting a high-quality hearing aid is the cost. Currently, Medicare does not cover hearing aids or exams, but some common health insurance programs might be able to help. 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 flexible 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 at our hearing aid picks, and find out where to get them.
Getting a professional hearing aid offers a lot of benefits, but OTC hearing aids can also be a great possibility. OTC hearing aids are a way to reduce the cost of hearing aids and streamline the whole purchasing process. I’d recommend buying OTC hearing aids from a reputable company such as those listed below.
A quick search of Amazon will turn up lots of results for hearing aids. Most of these are relatively low-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 MDHearingAid, 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. Often, you’ll get what you pay for in these situations.
Buying OTC hearing aids can cut the cost and hassle of getting the hearing support you need. If you need hearing aids right away, you can make an easy online purchase after going through an online hearing test. Hearing aid providers like Eargo and Audicus both provide innovative, high-quality hearing aid devices at a lower cost than many other providers, and with quick and customer-friendly service. With many leading hearing aid manufacturers offering some form of risk-free trial and BOGO incentives for additional hearing aids, there’s little reason to not try one out today.
On average, over-the-counter hearing can cost significantly less than prescription hearing aids. Usually, over-the-counter hearing aids can range between $300 to upwards of $2,950.
Yes, you can buy certain OTC hearing aids without a prescription or required visit to an audiologist now. These products fall under the category of a direct-to-consumer online purchase process.
Hearing aids can help improve quality of life and help individuals hear clearly.
No. In fact, many hearing aid providers offer a free online hearing test to match you with the right hearing aids. However, the FDA recommends seeing a doctor before purchasing hearing aids.
There is some talk that yoga, taking supplements and vitamins, or certain types of essential oils such as cajeput essential oil can help restore hearing naturally.
Vitamins A, C, and E, including magnesium, may help with hearing.
