The 9 Best Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids, Expert-Approved

These are the top hearing aids that you can purchase without a prescription.

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Best Hearing Aids

Verywell Health / Lecia Landis

Hearing loss is a common problem, affecting more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. Yet research indicates that less than 30% of adults aged 70 and older have ever used a hearing aid. This is a disheartening fact since untreated hearing loss can result in several health issues including cognitive decline, dementia, balance issues, cardiovascular problems, frequent falls, and more.

In the past, cost was the prohibitive factor for people purchasing and wearing hearing aids. But in 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Typically, over-the-counter hearing aids aren’t recommended for people with severe or profound hearing loss, but there are plenty of options available without a prescription for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. 

To find the best OTC hearing aids, we consulted audiologists and hearing specialists to find out what influences hearing loss and how it can be corrected. We selected our top nine hearing aids based on special features, style, price, adjustability, professional assistance, and comfort

Best Overall

MDHearing Volt Max

MDHearing Volt Max

MDHearing

Pros
  • Comes with a charging case

  • Equipped with Bluetooth

  • FDA-registered

Cons
  • Requires a smartphone or tablet

Key Specs

Style: Behind the ear | Intended Hearing Loss Support: Mild to moderate | Battery: Rechargeable | Warranty: 1 year

Why We Recommend It 

While MDHearing offers a variety of affordable FDA-registered hearing aids, we particularly like the MDHearing Volt Max. These fully rechargeable hearing aids offer a balance of advanced technology and accessibility. They only take 90 minutes to charge and they come with a sleek, portable carrying case that allows you to charge your hearing aids on the go. 

What we like most about these hearing aids is that they are equipped with Bluetooth technology, which allows you to connect with your smartphone or tablet. With this feature, you can customize your hearing aids and adjust the sound settings through the MDHearing mobile app. The app even checks your hearing to create a personal profile that reflects your specific hearing needs. You can repeat this process anytime to accommodate natural changes in your hearing ability.

Keep in Mind

You'll need a smartphone or tablet to use these hearing aids, so they might not be the best option if you like to keep your tech simple.

Best for Seniors

Jabra Enhance Select 300

Jabra Enhance Select 300

Jabra

Pros
  • Access to audiologists

  • Custom programmed

  • Bluetooth capabilities

Cons
  • Only compatible with iPhones

Key Specs

Style: Receiver-in-canal | Intended Hearing Loss Support: Mild to moderate | Battery: Rechargeable | Warranty: 1 year

Why We Love It

The Jabra Enhance OTC hearing-enhancement earbuds are easy to use and have Bluetooth capabilities. But what sets these earbuds apart from other hearing aids is the customer support and access to audiologists that comes with the premium package.

This means an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist will tailor your hearing aid settings to your type of hearing loss so they work best for you. Plus, there are no in-person visits to an office or hearing center, which is an ideal scenario for people who are housebound, have limited transportation, or no longer drive. 

These hearing aids are not only ultra-discreet and comfortable, but their four-microphone design also reduces background noise and improves speech clarity. You also can switch between adaptive, focus, and surround listening modes, which allows for crystal-clear hearing regardless of what you are doing. 

Keep in Mind

These earbuds are only compatible with iPhones at this time.

Best Budget

Audien Atom Pro hearing aids

Audien Atom Pro

Audien

Pros
  • Enhanced feedback cancellation

  • Portable charging case

  • Unlimited protection plan

Cons
  • Not ideal for more significant hearing loss

Key Specs

Style: Inner canal | Intended Hearing Loss Support: Mild to moderate | Battery: Rechargeable | Warranty: 1 year

Why We Recommend It

Audien Atom Pro hearing aids are smaller than a dime and have a sticker price just as small. If you’re looking for an introduction to hearing aids at an affordable price, this might be the pair for you. These small, inner canal hearing aids come with a rechargeable battery that lasts more than 20 hours. Not to mention they also feature a portable charging case and background noise cancellation.

We especially like the unlimited protection plan offered by Audien. For a small fee, you can extend the one-year warranty to include coverage of lost, broken, or damaged hearing aids. Plus, you can try out their hearing aids for 45 days, 100% risk-free, and get a full refund if you decide you don’t like them.

Keep in Mind

While these hearing aids might be a good starting point for someone with mild hearing loss, they're not a good solution for someone with severe to profound hearing loss. 

Best Invisible

Eargo 7 Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aids

Eargo 7

Amazon

Pros
  • Financing options available

  • Mimics your natural hearing

  • Lifetime remote support available

Cons
  • Must have a smartphone

  • Have to be purchased in pairs

Key Specs

Style: Inner canal | Intended Hearing Loss Support: Mild to moderate | Battery: Rechargeable | Warranty: 2 years

Why We Recommend It

If you're looking for nearly invisible hearing aids, you may like the Eargo 7. These incredibly small hearing aids are less than 3/4 inch from the end to the tip, which is about the size of a thumbnail, making them discreet and comfortable when positioned in the ear canal.

As a bonus, they’re equipped with self-fitting technology that allows you to personalize the devices to your own unique hearing needs. We also appreciate that these hearing aids offer 16 hours of use on a single charge and come with a carrying case that allows you to charge on the go. We love the Sound Adjust+ with Clarity Mode feature, which automatically adjusts the sound profile to your environment giving you a crisper listening experience. This feature works in both loud and quiet environments.

Keep in Mind

You need to own a smartphone to use these hearing aids. Also, you'll have to purchase these hearing aids in pairs, so if you only have hearing loss in one ear, they may not be the right choice for you.

Best Online Buying Experience

Audicus Omni 2

Audicus Omni 2

Audicus

Pros
  • Bluetooth connection to two devices at once

  • Remote adjustment

  • Adaptive directional microphones

Cons
  • Limited in-person locations

Key Specs

Style: Receiver-in-canal | Intended Hearing Loss Support: Mild to moderate | Battery: Rechargeable and disposable | Warranty: 2 years

Why We Recommend It

Sometimes the process of getting hearing aids is what keeps people from addressing their hearing needs, but the Audicus Omni 2 tries to remove some of that burden by making their hearing aids completely accessible online. They even offer an online hearing test that rivals those found in a clinic. Once they receive your hearing test results, a team of audiologists program your hearing aids to address your unique hearing needs.

What makes these hearing aids notable is their sound quality and their comfortable fit. These devices fit snugly behind the ear and are equipped with the latest technology including. You can even have active connections to two Bluetooth devices at once and seamlessly switch between the two with a single tap.

Keep in Mind

If you prefer an in-person appointment, they offer that option as well. However, at this time, that option is only available in three cities—New York, Chicago, and Denver.

Most Versatile

Lexie B2 Powered by Bose

Lexie B2 Powered by Bose

Lexie

Pros
  • App has remote adjustments

  • Digital noise management

  • Long battery life

Cons
  • Only compatible with iPhone

Key Specs

Style: Receiver-in-canal | Intended Hearing Loss Support: Mild to moderate | Battery: Rechargeable | Warranty: 1 year

Why We Recommend It

These self-fitting, over-the-counter Lexie B hearing aids offer advanced features, a competitive price, and a user-friendly app. They also come equipped with noise reduction capabilities to decrease the background noises around you, as well as feedback management to cut down on the ringing that is sometimes common with over-the-counter hearing aids.

These hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled so you can stream phone calls for your iPhone. You can also use the app to adjust the volume, left/right balance, and amount of sound you receive from different directions. Plus, once you charge your hearing aids for three hours, you can expect to get up to 18 hours of hearing improvement.

Keep in Mind

The only downside is that these hearing aids are that they're only compatible with iPhones, so if you have an Android device, this option isn't for you.

Best With Disposable Batteries

Sony CRE-10

Sony CRE-10

Amazon

Pros
  • Comes with four ear tip sizes

  • Easy to set up and customize

  • Excellent sound quality

Cons
  • No Bluetooth capabilities

Key Specs

Style: Completely-in-canal | Intended Hearing Loss Support: Mild to moderate | Battery: Disposable | Warranty: 1 year

Why We Recommend It

The Sony CRE-10 hearing aid offers up to 70 hours of continuous use before the batteries need to be replaced. We love that they're discreet, completely inner canal hearing aids that offer improved sound quality regardless of the environment. They also come with four different ear tip sizes so you can ensure they fit your individual ear canal size.

But what makes these hearing aids even more impressive is that Sony paired up with hearing aid experts while designing them. These hearing aids were designed by both Sony and WS Audiology (a company that produces prescription hearing aids like Widex) to ensure you're getting high-quality hearing aids from brands that are knowledgeable both in audio technology and hearing loss.

Keep in Mind

If you prefer hearing aids with Bluetooth capabilities, these aren’t for you, as they don’t offer this feature. 

Most Powerful

Orka Two Hearing Aids

Orka Two

Orka

Pros
  • Charging case with controls

  • Extensive remote care available

  • Compatible with both iOS and Android

Cons
  • Short battery life

Key Specs

Style: Receiver-in-canal | Intended Hearing Loss Support: Mild to moderate | Battery: Rechargeable | Warranty: 3 years

Why We Recommend It

If you’re looking for amazing processing power and ongoing updates, check out the Orka Two hearing aids. Using a powerful general chip—the same chip used in AirPods—these hearing aids have up to 1,000 times the processing power. They also feature impressive noise reduction capabilities that enable a more natural hearing experience, as well as Bluetooth that is compatible with both iOS and Android.

What’s more, the control buttons are on the charging case, so you can switch settings easily without needing to open the app, making them convenient and accessible. You can’t beat the company’s service and ongoing updates to your hearing aids. Plus, they offer audiologist expertise to wearers so you can even enjoy remote adjustments and ongoing consultations.

Keep in Mind

The tradeoff for all this power is that these hearing aids have a short battery life with only 12 hours of usage time. 

Best Compatibility

Lucid Hearing Engage

Engage by Lucid Hearing

Amazon

Pros
  • Available in three colors

  • Comes with a variety of tip sizes

  • Compatible with both iOS and Android

Cons
  • Must have a Sam’s Club membership

Key Specs

Style: Speaker in the ear | Intended Hearing Loss Support: Mild to moderate | Battery: Rechargeable or disposable | Warranty: 1 year

Why We Recommend It

For high-definition, natural sound, Lucid Hearing’s Engage hearing aids are a great option. They offer both disposable and rechargeable battery options depending on your preference, as well as an app that allows you to customize your sound setting. 

The hearing aids also offer hands-free calling if your phone is nearby and come with a variety of ear tip sizes to ensure a good fit. Additionally, their Bluetooth capabilities are compatible with both iOS and Android devices, which is a rare find in hearing aids. 

Keep in Mind

The one downside to these hearing aids is that you must have a Sam’s Club membership in order to purchase them online or at one of their hearing clinics. 

How We Selected the Best Hearing Aids

We consulted audiologists and hearing specialists to find out what influences hearing loss and how it can be corrected. Then, we looked for over-the-counter devices that could accomplish that goal. The selection process involved extensive research about hearing loss as well as an evaluation of over-the-counter hearing aids based on the following criteria:

  • Special Features: We made sure to look for options that include features that make your user experience more functional and convenient for daily life. These features include Bluetooth connection so you can hear phone calls more clearly, and charging carrying cases so you can ensure your device is always functioning on the go.
  • Style: Not everyone is comfortable with inner ear options, while some people prefer the more discreet look of hearing aids that are completely in your ear canal. To meet a variety of preferences and needs, we selected a variety of hearing aid styles.
  • Price: Affordability shouldn't hinder your ability to purchase hearing aids that will improve your day-to-day life. We made sure to include a wide range of price points for different types of hearing aids to account for every budget.
  • Adjustability: As you go about your day, your listening needs will change—whether that's due to being in a public noisy, environment or on a phone call in a quiet setting. To top it off, your left or right ear may need more or less assistance than the other. We prioritized hearing aids that offer adjustability to audio functioning to meet your individual needs.
  • Professional Assistance: We looked for options that come with professional, remote assistance from the manufacturer or brand so you can avoid confusion or technical issues.
  • Comfort: The less comfortable your hearing aids are, the less likely you are to wear them. We opted for hearing aids that offer different tip sizes and styles so they can be worn consistently throughout long days.

What to Look for in Hearing Aids

  • Insurance Coverage: Hearing aid coverage by insurance companies varies by provider. For the most part, hearing aids for adults are not covered by Medicare, but diagnostic evaluations like hearing tests and evaluations are covered if they are ordered by a physician. For children and young adults under the age of 21 who have Medicaid, hearing tests, treatment plans, and hearing aids are covered under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) service. Children also may be covered by their state’s early intervention program.
  • Cost: Depending on your hearing needs and the type of hearing aid you choose, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000 for a pair of hearing aids, Reisman says. While this may seem like a hefty price tag, another way to look at it is to compare the price of your hearing aid over the course of four years, Soiles suggests. For instance, if you purchase a $3,000 pair of hearing aids and use them for four years, you’ll pay about $5.25 a day, or the price of a latte, to be able to hear and interact with the world.
  • Hearing Aid Types: When it comes to selecting the type of hearing aid best suited for your type of hearing loss, a hearing care specialist can help you determine which one meets your needs. Keep in mind that although smaller hearing aids are more cosmetically appealing, they may not offer some features like connectivity and rechargeable batteries.
  • Hearing Loss Type and Severity: The more severe your hearing loss, the more likely you'll need a prescription-level hearing aid. Be wary of purchasing inexpensive hearing aids without consulting a hearing specialist. While these devices can be great for mild hearing loss, they may cause more damage for someone with advanced hearing loss. Always start with a professional hearing assessment, which can provide a baseline for the level of hearing aid you need.
  • Sound Clarity: Your hearing loss type and severity will not only determine the type of hearing aid that you need but also how well it functions for you, Simmons says. Depending on the level of hearing nerve/hair cells in the person's inner ear, some people are able to hear clearly once they obtain a hearing aid, but some people with hearing nerve damage may still struggle to hear clearly, especially those with longstanding, untreated hearing loss. If a person is at this point of hearing loss, it may be time to explore other options such as a cochlear implant, Simmons says.
  • Fit and Comfort: Your hearing aids should fit so comfortably that you forget they’re even in your ear, Simmons says. If your hearing aid causes you pain, talk to your care provider. The fit of your hearing aid also impacts sound quality and makes it more likely that you will wear it consistently. It may take a few days to adjust to the feeling of your hearing aid, so be patient as you adjust to this change.

Our Experts

  • Leslie Soiles, AuD, MS, the chief audiologist for HearingLife
  • Ruth Reisman, AuD, MBA, CCC-A, a licensed audiologist and hearing aid dispenser at Urban Hearing and Audiologists
  • Jasmine Simmons, AuD, CCC-A, a clinical audiologist at Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Clinic

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the best hearing aid companies?

    Finding quality hearing aids that meet your hearing needs is more important than the brand name. Always work with a licensed hearing care professional who can ensure you choose the best option for your budget and lifestyle, Dr. Soiles says. A hearing professional can also help you adjust your hearing aid if your needs change.

  • Will Medicare or insurance cover hearing aids?

    Hearing care coverage can vary by state and provider, with each policy differing in what is included for hearing aid insurance. Medicare covers testing and diagnosis, as long as you are referred by your healthcare provider, but your hearing aids may not be covered. Children and young adults under age 21 who have Medicaid can usually expect to have their hearing aids covered. If your hearing aids aren’t covered by insurance or Medicare, you may have other options for coverage, Dr. Soiles says. Some non-profit organizations provide financial assistance for hearing aids, and you can sometimes find used or refurbished hearing aids at a lower cost.

  • How many years do hearing aids last?

    Typically, hearing aids last around six years or however long they meet a person’s hearing loss needs, Dr. Reisman says, and they usually come with a warranty. Keep in mind that certain lifestyles or times of the year may require extra care. For instance, on hot summer days, you shouldn’t store hearing aids in the glove compartment of a hot car, since the internal temperature can reach over 140 degrees and may damage the electronics. 

Why Trust Verywell Health

Sherri Gordon, CLC, has been covering health and social issues for nearly two decades and has written numerous articles with a health focus. Throughout her career, Sherri has interviewed countless healthcare professionals, including audiologists and hearing specialists, and was able to draw on that experience with these recommendations. With a combination of careful research and extensive knowledge, Sherri gives readers everything they need to make an informed decision.

3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. World Health Organization. Deafness and hearing loss.

  2. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Quick statistics about hearing.

  3. Food and Drug Administration. OTC hearing aids: What You Should Know.