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Tens of millions of adults in the United States have hearing loss. Hearing aids can help people maintain social connections and more.

Prescription hearing aids

Over-the-counter hearing aids

It can take time before you realize you need hearing aids. Once you’ve decided on this important step, you’ll have to choose the right kind for your needs. This can be challenging, as there are different types of hearing aids, levels of functionality, and price points.

For example, some hearing aids come with lots of options and high-tech settings (and are usually more expensive), while others are simpler to use (and often more budget-friendly).

From rechargeable units to hearing aids with batteries, and from pairs that are nearly invisible to those that celebrate your favorite color, you have options.

In this article, we explain the main features of hearing aids and discuss the benefits of both prescription and over-the-counter devices. We also recommend products in both categories that offer the best quality for the price.

First, here’s a basic rundown of some key considerations that will influence which hearing aids are best for you.

Extent of hearing loss

You’ll need to know the extent of your hearing loss before you begin shopping for hearing aids. This matters because some hearing aids, such as over-the-counter (OTC) devices, are only meant for mild to moderate hearing loss. Additionally, hearing loss may be greater in one ear than the other. These nuances make finding the right pair of hearing aids for your situation important.

The American Academy of Audiology stresses the need for consumers to receive a comprehensive audiological assessment, before buying hearing aids. This will also help determine if underlying factors, such as taking ototoxic medications or conditions like ear infections, may be causing your hearing loss.

Prescription vs. OTC hearing aids

Prescription hearing aids include customization for your particular hearing needs and ear shape, and ongoing care from a hearing specialist. This ensures regular assessments of your hearing as well as adjustments to your hearing aids as needed.

Prescription hearing aids, however, can cost thousands of dollars, making them prohibitively expensive for many people. Original Medicare and many other health insurance plans don’t cover the cost of hearing aids. Plans that do provide coverage often have high copays, or high deductibles. Some FSA and HSA plans can help cover costs.

OTC hearing aids are designed for mild to moderate hearing loss, and they don’t come with in-person, ongoing care. However, they’re typically less expensive than prescription hearing aids, which can be a big plus. There are online hearing tests available to help guide your choice in OTC hearing aids, although they’re not as accurate or comprehensive as what you’d receive in person with a hearing specialist.

Types of hearing aids

Hearing aids come in five types, which determine how they work as well as how the device attaches to your ear.

  • Behind-the-ear (BTE): This type is worn behind or on top of the outer ear.
  • In-the-ear (ITE): These are worn in the ear canal.
  • Receiver-in-the ear (RITE)/receiver-in-canal (RIC): The components are placed in and behind the ear.
  • Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC): This type fits deeply inside the ear canal and is virtually invisible.
  • Completely-in-the-canal (CIC): This is worn within the ear.

Additionally, there are rechargeable hearing aids and ones that run on disposable batteries. Your ability to handle small batteries and other hearing aid components will matter in this regard. If you have arthritis that affects your hands, the Arthritis Foundation provides an ease-of-use product list that includes disposable hearing aid batteries with easy-to-handle tabs.

Pricing guide

Hearing aid prices can vary significantly from retailer to retailer. We’ve indicated the price for single hearing aids. In some instances, these prices are bundled and reflect additional services, such as follow-up visits and hearing aid maintenance.

Prices are estimated as follows:

  • $ = under $1,000
  • $$ = $1,000–$2,000
  • $$$ = over $2,000
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Price Best for Available * Style * * Battery life
Phonak Bolero Marvel $$$ mild to severe Rx BTE rechargeable: 24 hours
Phonak Lyric $$$ mild to severe Rx ITC no batteries required: months
Signia Pure Charge&Go X $$ mild to profound Rx RIC
rechargeable: 1 day

Oticon Xceed $$$ severe to profound Rx BTE rechargeable: 3–10 days
Oticon More $$$ mild to severe Rx BTE rechargeable: 24 hours
Signia Silk X $$ mild to moderate Rx CIC disposable: up to 7 days
Jabra Enhance Plus $ mild to moderate OTC IIC rechargeable: 12 hours
Bose Lexie B1 $ mild to moderate OTC RIC disposable: 4–7 days

For this roundup, we reviewed hearing aid brands and products that are consistently recommended by licensed hearing professionals to their patients. The products featured here also meet criteria approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

We did a deep dive into each brand’s best practices, to make sure their products meet industry standards for efficacy and customer service satisfaction. We also looked into each brand’s reputation, to see if changes were made to remedy past offenses, if any.

In addition, we read scores of online consumer reviews and spoke with people who use these products. We only chose hearing aids that consistently get more positive than negative comments.

Most of the hearing aids on this list come with financing options, a manufacturer’s warranty, and a 30-day or greater risk-free trial.

We looked at a wide range of features that are important to consumers, including:

  • invisibility, or being discreet to wear
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • ease of use
  • adaptive noise reduction
  • tinnitus relief
  • custom fit options
  • price
  • ability to recharge

Read more about how we vet brands and products.

Establishing the cost for a pair of hearing aids can be difficult to predict unless you’re ordering a pair over the counter. OTC hearing aids don’t require a prescription or consultation with a professional, which can immediately save you money up front.

Prices can vary for OTC hearing aids, but they’re generally under $2,000 and can go as low as $250–$300 for a budget pair. The downside of OTC hearing aids is that they won’t be customized to your specific hearing needs and your options are limited in terms of professional advice if there’s a problem.

Prescription hearing aids cost more, as much as $2,000-$3,000. The upside is that you’re likely to find the right pair for your needs, and you can follow up and with your prescriber to discuss any trouble you’re having with your new pair.

These consultations may vary in price. In some cases, they may be covered under your insurance plan or Medicare, so it’s worth verifying with your insurance to see if the visit is fully or even partially covered.

In general, prescription hearing aids aren’t covered by insurance plans, but some can be eligible for reimbursement through a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). Several of the hearing aids on our list are FSA and HSA eligible.

Research published by the American Auditory Society found that younger people tend to overestimate their level of hearing loss, while older people tend to underestimate it. Getting the wrong hearing aids can lead to frustration and increased levels of isolation.

In addition to hearing loss level, keep in mind:

  • your budget
  • cost add-ons you may or may not want, like app connectivity and Bluetooth streaming
  • your hand dexterity and ability to handle small components
  • money-back guarantees and risk-free trial periods that provide for an adjustment period
  • warranty and insurance options that protect you from loss or damage
  • how noticeable your hearing aids will be
  • battery type (rechargeable or disposable)
  • availability of tinnitus relief tools
  • how program changes and adjustments to hearing environments are made
  • level of noise reduction

Tips for buying hearing aids online

Buying hearing aids online can be a convenient and budget-friendly option. However, there can also be limitations.

  • Online hearing tests don’t give as much information as professional in-person testing. To get the most effective hearing aids for your type and level of hearing loss, consider getting a prescription, prior to purchase.
  • Only buy hearing aids from a reputable retailer with a good track record.
  • Look for consumer-friendly features like free shipping and returns, a trial period, and warranty.
  • Check to see if the purchase includes access to a hearing care professional.
  • Hearing aid use has a learning curve. Talk with a hearing care professional to help you troubleshoot and tailor your experience.
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If only it were that simple! The diversity of the types of hearing aids available make it impossible to definitively answer that question. What’s best for you may be someone else’s absolute worst. We will say that the hearing aid brands on this list are among the most popular in the U.S. for customer satisfaction and are most recommended by hearing specialists.

 

Costco’s business model is largely based upon their massive purchasing power. Costco buys a significantly larger quantity of hearing aids from its suppliers than other U.S. retailers are able to do. This enables them to negotiate cost, and to pass their savings along to their members.

Costco’s hearing aid brand, Kirkland, is manufactured by Sonova International, the parent company for Phonak, a much more expensive brand.

Many people who have used both brands find their components, features, and quality to be very similar, or nearly identical.

Not necessarily. Hearing aid costs are often driven up by the inclusion of features that provide convenience, but don’t necessarily improve sound quality.

However, some more expensive hearing aids are highly advanced at noise reduction and sound isolation. Richness and the naturalness of sound also vary between brands and styles.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids. They do, however, pay their portion of the cost for hearing care, like audiological exams and ENT visits.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are required to cover at least as much as Original Medicare. Many Part C plans also cover some or all of the cost of hearing aids. Some plans require you to purchase specific brands. Check with your plan to find out the type of coverage you can expect.

About 37.5 million adults in the United States have hearing loss and would benefit from wearing hearing aids.

Getting fitted for hearing aids to make sure they fit properly, are comfortable, and match your preferred style is important. But the price and cost of meeting with a professional may be outside of your budget at the moment.

In that case, OTC alternatives, while not specifically tailored to your needs, may be a more budget-friendly alternative.