The Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids and Other Hearing Solutions

Best for…

Best for people who are new to hearing aids

Jabra Enhance Select 300

These hearing aids offer multiple sound modes, Bluetooth streaming capabilities, and an intuitive app.

$1,650 from Amazon

$1,695 from Best Buy

If you’ve never used a hearing aid before, and you want a device that’s easy to set up and packed with useful features, the Jabra Enhance Select 300 is an excellent choice. The Enhance Select pair is ideal for the first-time hearing-aid user, due to the combination of thorough, extended customer service and a generous 100-day trial period when the device is purchased through Jabra directly. Otherwise, the return policy follows that of the retailer.

With a traditional, behind-the-ear design, these hearing aids stay in place comfortably and are water- and dust-resistant. Each Enhance Select hearing aid consists of three elements: the body (which houses the electronics and sits behind the ear), the hearing element or dome (which sits in the ear canal), and the wire connecting them. The 300 pair comes with several different wire lengths and receiver dome sizes. During your initial appointment, Jabra’s audiologist will help you select the right options.

This pair has an IP68 water-resistance rating, so you can remain submerged a few meters under (fresh) water for up to 30 minutes with no damaging effects.

Our tester Fiona — who has small ear canals and usually experiences pretty intense discomfort with the receiver-in-the-ear style of hearing aid — was very happy with how this pair fit. This particular receiver’s materials and form factor didn’t irritate her ear canals, and she said the receiver dome size options were more comprehensive than she’s used to.

Rachel also liked the Jabra set’s fit, and she said when she was looking in the mirror, she couldn’t tell she was wearing these hearing aids. However, due to the shape of her ear, she preferred a more oval-shaped dome. So we bought her some third-party domes, which she said made the Enhance Select pair a perfect fit.

Panelist Tom was happy with his final fit, though he pointed out that the delicate wire connecting the receiver to the body of the hearing aid “can be a touch trickier to manipulate than the more rigid material of a sound tube, specifically for folks with dexterity concerns.” With practice, however, he was able to get the hang of the Enhance Select 300’s design.

Even though this hearing aid’s body rests behind the ears, our panelists were able to wear their glasses comfortably. But if the amplified noise of your hair or glasses rubbing against the Enhance Select 300 is especially distracting or annoying, you may want to consider the fully in-ear Eargo 8 instead.

Our panelists loved how simple it was to set up, customize, and use this pair. We tested the features of the $1,695 Premium package, which includes a video orientation with an audio professional, the ability to upload an existing audiogram, three years of follow-up care and professional adjustments, and three years of warranty and loss/damage protection (there’s a $195 deductible for loss or catastrophic damage).

The Basic package costs $200 less but includes none of the orientation or after-care support, and it offers only one year of warranty and loss/damage protection. We think it’s worth it to spend more for the Premium plan because if something goes awry, you can get the support you need.

If you order directly from Jabra, the Enhance Select 300 hearing aids are preset to your hearing profile based on an online hearing test. If you purchase from a retailer, you’ll need to complete the test at home. With the Premium package, you can upload an audiogram, and then Jabra’s hearing professionals can fine-tune the sound during your remote appointments. Or you can adjust the sound yourself on the go using Jabra’s intuitive app. Changes to the sound profile upload to the hearing aids wirelessly.

The care team received consistent praise from our panelists. We think this is crucial because having access to tech support and audiologists can be a factor that facilitates long-term use. Good tech support can also be helpful to people setting up the devices for loved ones who may be less technologically savvy.

This set’s sound quality is more adjustable than that of other sets. Our testers found it was simple to fine-tune the volume level and the balance of treble, midrange, and bass. They appreciated the inclusion of situational sound modes (such as restaurant and outdoor modes), which were helpful for reducing background noise while amplifying conversation. This feature was less helpful in many of the cheaper devices we tested.

Rachel said she initially found that the 300 pair sounded a little tinny. However, she said as her ears adjusted and she tested other hearing aids, this set sounded the most natural and performed the best for use at her job, which involves a lot of face-to-face conversations.

Via Bluetooth, the 300 set can also play back sound from devices, like smartphones and tablets, and it can transmit your voice for full headset-style capabilities. (Some OTC hearing aids require you to use the microphone in your phone.)

The 300 set runs on rechargeable (rather than disposable) batteries that last all day. The amount of battery life you get using your Jabra hearing aids will vary based on how many calls you take, how long you stream music, and so on. All of our panelists were able to get a full day’s use on a single charge, and the in-case charging made it easy for them to get some extra battery power while they were out and about. Jabra claims that one hour of in-case charging will provide 15 hours of use. Our panelists said this sounded about right, though they never actually ran out of battery power by the end of the day.

The charging case is on the larger side. It’s bigger than a deck of cards, so it isn’t something you can pop into a pocket and forget about. Because our panelists were able to use the 300 set for a full day without recharging, the charging case’s size wasn’t a dealbreaker for us. If it would be for you, consider the more diminutive (and expensive) Eargo 8 or the less-feature-rich Sony CRE-C10.

How the Jabra Enhance Select 300 hearing aids have held up

Our original testers still love the Enhance Select 300 hearing aids after a year of use. Fiona told us that she still uses her Jabra pair three to four times as much as she did her old prescription hearing aids, specifically in situations where she anticipates difficulty, “like travel or conferences.” Tom, who initially doubted the need for call connectivity, found over time that he increasingly appreciated being able to use these hearing aids with his iPhone.

A small number of readers have mentioned that the initial appointment to set up the device may be scheduled for a week or so after the day you call, especially if you have limited availability. Although you can still use the hearing aids prior to optimization, this wait can be a bummer if you’re hoping to get them set up and perfected on the same day.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

With this set, you need to use a mobile device to change the sound profiles and update the firmware. This requirement could be a dealbreaker for folks on a budget or who are anti-smartphone. If that describes you, we recommend the less-app-dependent Tweak Enhance.

Another flaw is the lack of bass reproduction for music. The Enhance Select 300 set can stream music from your phone, but all of our panelists noted that the bass notes lacked the oomph that would come from a good set of headphones or earbuds. Rachel said for music, she prefers to use her AirPods Pro 2 and then switch back to the Jabra set when she’s ready to reengage with the world.

Also, because the Jabra hearing aids support streaming via Bluetooth, you have to connect each one to your mobile device separately, so they can be a little annoying to set up. Additionally, if you take too long to remove both hearing aids from the charging case, they may not pair as a set; that means you’ll need to reinsert them in the case and take them back out again to reconnect. This is a Bluetooth issue. Our panelists ultimately found that the easiest way to avoid connection issues was to remove both hearing aids from the case first and then put them in their ears.

Like most OTC hearing aids, this Jabra pair doesn’t have telecoil capabilities. Telecoil, T-coil, or induction loop systems essentially offer a way for hearing aids to receive a signal from a local broadcasting device, such as a theater’s audio, a public-transit PA system, or a specially equipped telephone.

Our panel also wished that the Enhance Select 300 was compatible with more non-mobile devices for videoconferencing. Currently, MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad) hearing aids like this set can pair only with select Mac computers that use the M1 chip and all Mac computers with the M2 chip or later; that means folks with older Apple devices or Windows machines are out of luck. You can scroll to the bottom of the page to check this list of MFi compatibility to see if your set meets the requirements.

The newer version of the 300, the Jabra Enhance Select 500, has support for Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast; this allows you to use the set for videoconferencing on Windows 11 laptops or desktops, in addition to MFi Apple devices. But this set usually sells for about $300 more than the Select 300.

Best for…

Best for people who dislike behind-the-ear hearing aids

Eargo 8

These tiny, waterproof hearing aids sit fully inside the ears, so they’re nearly invisible and don’t interfere with glasses. They can’t stream calls or music, though.

$2,499 from Amazon

$2,699 from Best Buy

$2,699 from Eargo

Each petite Eargo 8 hearing aid hovers in the ear canal without fully obstructing it. This unique design may be especially appealing to people who dislike the feel or look of a traditional hearing aid, which either seals the ear canal completely or has a three-piece design that hangs behind the ear (like the Jabra Enhance Select 300).

This set generally costs around $2,700, so it’s in the upper price range of the ones we recommend. But for our panelists who preferred hidden hearing aids, this was the set they’d choose to purchase.

The discreet, small design appealed to our testers. If you’ve tried behind-the-ear hearing aids before and hated how they amplified every swish of your hair or adjustment of your glasses, the Eargo 8 set is worth considering. Each hearing aid is about the size of a multivitamin, and it’s outfitted with soft, silicone “trumpet” tips that look like two layered rows of fan blades. These notched tips hold each earpiece in the center of the ear canal, as if it’s floating. Because the hearing aid is more recessed into the ear, the microphones are less prone to annoyingly amplified bumps or brushes.

The Eargo 8 set lets in the natural sound of the world around you while boosting the necessary frequency ranges according to your hearing profile. This pair also allows for more airflow, which was a big deal for our testers who previously used hearing aids that sealed off the ear.

All of our testers were initially concerned that the Eargo 8 hearing aids would come loose while they were going about their lives. However, whether they were walking through New York City, taking a Pilates class, or showering, this set stayed in place.

Another benefit of the Eargo 8 design is that the hearing aids are less prone to feedback. Our panelists were able to hold their mobile phones (or landline handsets) up to their ears without experiencing squealing or whistling. They could also use the hearing aids simultaneously with over-ear headphones.

The IP68 rating means the Eargo 8 hearing aids can handle water, sweat, and dust. This set can even survive up to 30 minutes under several meters of (fresh) water without damage.

The setup process is straightforward, and the customer support is good. If you’ve already seen an audiologist, and you have an audiogram, you can upload that data to the Eargo app as a baseline. Or you can use the hearing aids to take a hearing test in conjunction with the app. Whichever method you choose, you have free access to Eargo’s audiologists, who will help you with setup, fit, and adjustments. They’ll also talk you through cleaning your ears and the device.

Our tester Tom was impressed with the amount of education and support that the Eargo team provided to new owners: “The app was basic and easy to use, so I didn’t have a lot of questions. But whenever I did, there was usually a video tutorial on the site to walk me through it. Or I could just text, and someone was there to help.”

Eargo offers unlimited lifetime access to its support team and unlimited adjustments by hearing professionals. Eargo says that “lifetime” isn’t capped at a set number of years; it’s true for as long as you are using the device.

The Eargo 8 set comes with a 45-day return policy, which isn’t the longest we’ve seen. But most of the audiologists we interviewed said this amount of time should be sufficient to get a grasp on whether a hearing aid will work for you.

The Eargo 8 includes a two-year warranty, and the warranty page details repair costs for any out-of-warranty repairs. In addition to the warranty against manufacturing defects, Eargo includes a one-year limited warranty against loss and user damage: Essentially, if the damage is from misuse, or you completely lose your hearing aids, Eargo will replace the devices one time within the one-year warranty period for a deductible of $395 per ear or per charger. That’s not exactly inexpensive, but it’s far better than paying full price.

The Eargo 8 is the company’s best-sounding hearing aid to date. This set comes preloaded with four situational sound profiles that you can customize in the app. And unlike previous Eargo models (which we also recommended), this latest version can automatically adjust to your environment to improve sound clarity.

Kathy (who tested the older but similarly designed Eargo 6 set) was pleased with the way the Eargo’s limiters reduced wind noise in Chicago. A lot of the cheaper personal sound amplification devices (PSAPs) that Kathy tested were overwhelmed by even a light breeze, blasting her with gusty noise the moment she stepped outside. But Kathy said the Eargo pair “cut wind noise quickly.” She also found that the situational sound profiles allowed her to hear speech clearly, without too much disruption, when she attended family gatherings or when her grandkids put on music.

When testing the Eargo 8, Rachel found that the situational sound profiles, in an effort to remove background noise, could cause the hearing aids to sound more tinny than the Jabra Enhance Select 300 pair did.

The Eargo 8 hearing aids use rechargeable batteries, with a battery life of around 16 hours. Volume level and other factors can create some variability. All of our panelists were able to wear the Eargo 8 pair for a full day with no issues.

The charging case is slender and oval-shaped, with a circumference that should easily allow it to fit in most jeans pockets. Eargo says that the case, with consistent unplugged use, provides around 14 full charges of the hearing aids, or about two weeks of use. When it’s time to recharge the case, it can be plugged in using a USB-C cable or placed on a wireless charging mat.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

This set requires the use of a mobile device for setup and adjustments. Eargo says you can use the Eargo 8 hearing aids right out of the box, without the app. Yet doing so means you’d miss out on many of the features that allow you to customize this set to your needs.

For people on a budget or those who are anti-smartphone, we recommend the less-app-dependent Tweak Enhance.

The Eargo 8’s Bluetooth connectivity is limited. This pair connects to your phone via Bluetooth, providing access to the app, but it cannot stream music or make calls. If you want to do those things, you’ll have to rely on headphones or your device’s built-in speakers, or choose the Jabra Enhance Select 300 instead.

The Eargo app doesn’t display the hearing aids’ current volume setting. You can adjust the volume using the app, but there isn’t an indicator of where the hearing aids are currently set on a scale from low to high. As a result, you have no way of knowing whether the volume is set at minimum, maximum, or in between.

Plus, a visual indicator would make it easier to track how the volume setting changes over time. For example, if you started out at a volume setting of 6 but a year later are regularly at a volume setting of 9, it could be an indicator that it’s time to get a checkup.

If you’re sensitive to having objects in your ears, this set may not be for you. Our panelist Megan found having these hearing aids seated fully inside her ear canals to be an unnerving feeling. She said she preferred the Jabra set’s behind-the-ear style.

Rachel, who has small ear canals, felt similarly, and she found that even the smallest of the included silicone trumpet tips were too large for her. The Eargo audio professional Rachel spoke with said the tips could be trimmed, removing one of the two rows of fans. As Rachel noted, however, doing so feels a bit final, especially if you are still deciding whether the Eargo hearing aids are right for you.

Lastly, this pair lacks telecoil and Auracast capabilities.

Best for…

Best for people who need hearing augmentation only occasionally

Tweak Enhance

This set isn’t as lightweight or feature-packed as our other picks, but it amplifies sound meaningfully and requires the smartphone app only for initial setup.

$350 from Amazon
(single)

The Tweak Enhance is a less expensive OTC hearing aid that’s been around for a few years, so it’s not as advanced or customizable as our other picks. But while most of the similarly priced or cheaper sets we tested had a too-broad or generic approach in their hearing augmentation, the Tweak Enhance’s amplification and situational sound settings provided a meaningful improvement for our testers.

Although you must connect the Enhance to a smartphone app for the initial setup, you can change sound profiles on the device itself, which is helpful for people who don’t want to rely on a smartphone to make everyday adjustments.

This is one of the few good hearing aids we tested that’s available in a single-ear form. The Enhance is sold individually for $350 and as a pair for $700. It has a behind-the-ear design, with the electronics housed in a slim, lightweight chassis, a sound tube that drapes over the ear, and a dome that sits in the ear canal.

The Enhance ships with two pairs of 2B sound tubes and two sizes of domes. Most folks will be able to get a comfortable fit with the provided parts, but Tweak says other sizes are available if you need them; just call the customer service department at (888) 815-3240.

The switches on each earpiece toggle between the sound profiles and allow you to adjust the volume. They are even large enough to use if dexterity is a challenge. One of our panelists has a medical condition that causes muscle tremors, and they were able to use the switches without issue. Tom, who wears glasses, said he was able to wear both the Enhance earpiece and his specs comfortably.

This device doesn’t have a built-in hearing test, and you don’t get assistance from a hearing specialist during setup. Still, our panelists said the included instruction booklet was clear and easy to follow — something that wasn’t a given with other, less-expensive amplification devices.

There are two ways to adjust the frequency-specific amplification levels in the app during initial setup: You can slide virtual faders at specific frequency ranges to amplify what you need, or you can input your audiogram. Our panelists said the more successful approach was using the audiogram because it removed a lot of the guesswork.

Panelist Tom said he would ultimately choose a more advanced pair of hearing aids for himself. But he and other testers said the Enhance earpieces are a fantastic option for those who need hearing help only once in a while or who want a device that’s less technologically complicated and less smartphone-dependent.

Our panelists were surprised that a comparatively inexpensive device sounded so good. Among the more affordable options, the Enhance also excelled when it came to the directionality of sounds and the usefulness of the situational presets. By contrast, some cheaper devices had presets that overcompensated and produced a muffled or overly loud and distracting experience. Our panel found the Enhance to be reliably useful, whether in a quiet home or a busy café.

The Enhance uses a rechargeable battery, and Tweak lists the battery life as being 20 hours. However, as with all battery-operated audio devices, with the Enhance, the volume level, frequency of Bluetooth connectivity, and other factors may affect how much time you get before you have to charge. Our panelists were able to get a full day of use from a single charge with no problem.

The Enhance powers up in a little dock that’s small enough to sit easily on a bedside table. A pocketable carrying case is included for portability, but it can’t charge the device.

Tweak offers a 45-day return policy, which isn’t as long as we’d like. So be sure to wear your Enhance regularly upon receipt to give yourself as much time as possible to adjust to the sound.

The included warranty is 12 months, but you can increase that to 24 months by purchasing an extension at the time you buy the Enhance; the extended warranty costs $75 for one ear or $150 for both ears. This extended warranty also includes one replacement of a lost or damaged device at a discounted rate of $200 per ear for two years from the date of purchase.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Bluetooth connectivity is limited. Because the Tweak Enhance is just for amplifying sounds around you, it can’t stream music or calls from your mobile device. But for some people, that’s acceptable or even preferable.

The Tweak Enhance isn’t water-resistant. We very much wanted to recommend an affordable hearing device that is IP-rated or at least splash-resistant. But none of the water-resistant models we tested under $1,000 sounded good enough that our panelists would want to wear them day after day. Ultimately, we wanted to find the device that was the most likely to be helpful for the least amount of money, so in this case, we prioritized sound quality over water resistance.

We also wish the Enhance had a hearing-test–based setup procedure. Although it’s nice that the app enables wearers to pop in an audiogram, not everyone has access to hearing professionals. While the lack of guidance may make it slightly more likely that a wearer won’t receive an appropriate therapeutic level of amplification, we hope that anyone reading this guide will consider seeking hearing-professional or medical assistance so they can input an audiogram if they can’t find acceptable settings on their own.

Our survey showed that many people with hearing loss have received a hearing test at their doctor’s office but were reluctant to buy a device from an audiologist. For that reason, we decided to recommend the Tweak Enhance despite its lack of a self-administered test.

We are also less than enthusiastic about the 45-day return window and minimal warranty. But we were impressed with Tweak’s customer service, and the Ear Technology Corporation, Tweak’s parent company, has been around since the 1990s. So we are more confident that this company, compared with the makers of less expensive alternatives, will be available to answer questions or repair devices.

If you want true wireless earbuds that offer occasional hearing augmentation: Apple recently added hearing-aid functionality to the AirPods Pro 2. Our panelists said these earbuds were good for people who need occasional hearing assistance, but all of our testers agreed that the Pro 2 is not suited for those who need to use hearing aids all day. Not only is the (four- to six-hour) battery life not long enough, but the situational enhancement sounded less natural here than it did on purpose-designed hearing aids like the Jabra Enhance Select.

While panelists were less enthusiastic about the Pro 2’s hearing-aid capabilities, after they took the hearing test and loaded the resulting sound profile, they loved the way it improved the sound quality for streaming music and movies. In fact, several panelists said they’d prefer to use the AirPods Pro 2 for commuting and listening to music, and then they’d switch to their hearing aids when they arrived at their destination. For more detail, read our breakdown.

If you want the option to use Auracast audio streaming: Jabra’s Enhance Select 500 is an updated version of the Enhance Select 300, and our panelists liked using these hearing aids just as much as they did our pick. The designs are similar, but there are a few key changes: The 500 set is smaller, has tap controls, and can take phone calls on both Android and iPhone devices. And it has Bluetooth LE, which makes it compatible with videoconferencing on Windows 11 laptops or desktops, in addition to Apple devices with MFi. Furthermore, the 500 set supports Auracast, which will become more useful when more TVs, media players, and venues adopt the technology. Read more about Auracast and what it does.

However, the 500 is usually priced about $300 higher than the Enhance Select 300, so unless you need these features, we’d suggest you save some money. (We have seen the 500 go on sale for the same price as the 300; when that happens, nab the 500.)

If you want a pair that fits like a set of earbuds, but you don’t need to stream audio: The Sony CRE-C10 was a favorite among our panelists, especially those who prioritized a small, discreet form factor and didn’t care about being able to stream audio from a phone or other wireless device. All of our testers liked the CRE-C10’s fit, particularly Fiona, who said the CRE-C10 was the most comfortable pair she had ever tried “by miles” and that she frequently forgot she was wearing them.

You can complete the setup process via an app that is available for both iPhone and Android. Our panel found the hearing-test process to be elegantly designed and easy to navigate, but there’s no option to input an audiogram instead.

Both Tom and Young said that the sound quality was on a par with that of our (more expensive) picks. Tom loved the CRE-C10’s sound, saying the pair offered the “most natural reproduction of voices.” To him, “other hearing aids make people sound like robots,” which the CRE-C10 avoided. Fiona’s audio experience was less successful: Though she could hear the world around her clearly, she said something was “slightly off,” as if she were “at the end of a tunnel.” However, she quickly added that this was an aspect she could forgive because of the CRE-C10’s comfortable fit.

The CRE-C10 set runs on replaceable size 10 batteries. This may be a positive for some people and a nuisance for others. Sony claims that a pair of batteries will last five to seven days under “normal usage,” but the company also recommends opening the set’s battery case when it’s not in use to reduce draw. Though none of our panelists expressed difficulty changing the batteries, size 10 batteries are small, so people with significant dexterity or visual challenges may require assistance in making the swap. We had hoped that this set’s successor, the Sony CRE-C20, would be an improvement. Yet that set came with its own challenges, which you can read about in the Competition section.

The CRE-C10 set comes with a carrying case that is small enough to fit in a pocket. Sony backs the CRE-C10 set with a 45-day return policy only if you purchase it through the Sony website. Beyond that, Sony covers the CRE-C10 with a one-year warranty that doesn’t include loss or damage.

I’m a headphones expert with decades of audio-reviewing experience who has covered hearing health and protection for over a decade. In earning my bachelor of music degree from Ithaca College, I studied psychoacoustics, the physics of sound, anatomy, and physiology, in combination with audio production.

I spent two years researching hearing aids before we tested a single hearing device for this guide. I read dozens of scientific studies and medical classification laws, and I researched ANSI+CTA PSAP and hearing-aid performance-target standards. I met with manufacturers of hearing aids and hearables, and I conducted a lot of interviews, which we’ve detailed in the Sources section.

We also gathered input directly from members of the hearing-loss community by conducting an in-depth survey of members of the Hearing Loss Association of America, a nonprofit advocacy group. The survey elicited nearly 500 responses, and we read them all. Through the participants’ generous insights, we learned which hearing-aid features are critical or unnecessary, which aspects of hearing-aid use are most challenging, and what the community hopes to see in future hearing-augmentation devices.

• I’ve tested over 40 hearing devices and researched many more.
• For each round of testing, we assembled a panel that included four people of various ages, with varying degrees of hearing loss and dexterity and with varying amounts of hearing-aid experience.
• Per Wirecutter’s standards, I don’t own stock or have any other financial interest in a company or industry that I cover or am likely to cover.
• Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

As the name suggests, over-the-counter hearing aids generally encompass hearing aids that are sold directly via manufacturers, big-box stores, and health-care websites. These devices can be set up, tuned, and adjusted by the wearer (so no in-person doctor or audiologist visits are required).

Over-the-counter hearing aids are designed for cognitively healthy adults who have mild to moderate hearing loss and who are able to clearly communicate feedback. (Someone with mild hearing loss is able to hear some normal-volume speech but is unable to discern what’s being said. Someone with moderate hearing loss can barely hear or cannot hear speech at a conversational volume.) People with more-severe hearing loss or who require sound processing that bypasses the inner ear will still need to see a medical professional to be fitted for a prescription device.

Also, children and those who are unable to express themselves or make medical decisions unaided should see a medical professional, since their needs will not be met by the kinds of devices represented in this guide.

Although working in person with an audiologist has its benefits, our survey of HLAA members reinforced the notion that many people are looking for alternative devices that they can purchase and set up from home. Frequently, this preference emerges due to issues surrounding transportation, time commitment, and geographic location. If you cannot easily get yourself to and from a doctor’s office or an audiology office, or you don’t have many providers nearby, going the OTC route is a great option.

Financial constraints were another common concern among our HLAA survey respondents. More than half (53%) reported that they had zero insurance coverage for hearing aids. Of those respondents with coverage, 32% said they were partly covered, and only 11% said they had insurance plans that fully covered hearing aids. (The remaining 4% said they were unsure of what their plans covered.)

Finally, many members of the hearing-loss community and audiologists we spoke with expressed trepidation over a system in which it’s possible that someone recommending a particular model may benefit financially from the sale and also may participate in exclusive partnerships with manufacturers. If you’d prefer to separate the medical office from the purchasing process, and you’re willing to possibly engage in some trial and error to find the best hearing aids for your needs, you are well suited to the over-the-counter approach.

For this guide, we focused on over-the-counter hearing-aid and hearing-augmentation devices that are available directly online from manufacturers or via telehealth websites. We looked at devices with varying degrees of sound enhancement or augmentation, with prices ranging from $95 to $6,500.

I know from years of testing headphones that no one earbud works for every listener. The same is true for hearing aids. Preferences for attributes like rechargeable versus replaceable batteries, water resistance, and over-ear versus in-ear design are largely dependent on someone’s lifestyle. However, our HLAA survey respondents broadly agreed that some features are essential:

• A generous trial period: 84% of our respondents stressed the importance of a trial period that is long enough to allow you to get used to the new device and make adjustments as necessary.
• Customizable sound: 78% agreed that it’s essential to have access to an audiologist who can adapt the hearing aid’s tuning based on the wearer’s input. Adjustability through an app or the seller was slightly less preferred, at 64%.
• Multiple sound-environment settings: 73% of respondents said they wanted presets in the hearing aid that are designed to handle the varying auditory demands of locations, such as a busy restaurant versus a quiet lecture hall.
• Bluetooth compatibility: 69% of hearing-aid wearers in our survey said they wanted their hearing aids to connect to a phone or laptop via Bluetooth.

Hearing aids vary wildly in cost. We wanted to get a sense of what, if any, benefits you gain by spending more money. We knew we couldn’t test every single inexpensive OTC hearing aid available, so we sought out the highest-rated representatives in a few price ranges. Then, based on the knowledge we collected in our research and according to the criteria above, we called in 16 devices to test in our first round, 11 sets in our second round, and 15 in our third round.

Our testing process consisted of both objective and subjective testing, and each round of testing took several months to complete. For the objective testing, we focused on measuring each device’s maximum gain (how much it could amplify sounds) and its frequency response (what frequencies of sound the hearing aid boosted and by how much, and how the characteristics of different sound modes varied).

We were surprised to learn from our sources that — despite the detailed OTC hearing aid law and the fact that PSAPs and hearables have a legally limited amount of gain based on ANSI standards — there isn’t an FDA oversight board that tests the efficacy or safety of any hearing-augmentation device, including prescription hearing aids. The entire industry essentially polices itself by relying on doctors and wearers to flag deviations or return the things they buy. Because we know the potential risks of listening at too-loud volume levels, we wanted to find out whether any of the devices that we called in would fall outside the ANSI gain specifications.

In 2021, writer Brent Butterworth and I met with Linda Kozma-Spytek, the senior research audiologist at the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University, to discuss what we might be able to reasonably measure. Brent used his GRAS Model 43AG ear/cheek simulator with a KB5000 simulated pinna, in conjunction with an Audiomatica Clio 12 audio analyzer and TrueRTA software, to analyze the frequency response and the gain of our test samples. We then compared these numbers to the ANSI PSAP or hearing-aid standards to check that they fell within guidelines.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that, in regard to gain, all of the devices we tested did indeed meet the standards for their category. This may be because we chose models that had good customer reviews or because the self-policing system works. Either way, it was encouraging data.

As for frequency response, all of the products boosted sound in the range most commonly required for hearing enhancement — generally around 2 kHz to 3 kHz for language comprehension — but the range of frequencies and the amount of boost in each frequency band differed. We had hoped to find some correlation between the frequency response characteristics and the opinions of our test panelists, but we couldn’t. Ultimately, the quality of the hearing test, the directionality of the hearing aids’ microphones, and the ability of the hearing aid to adapt to fine-tuning during the fitting process had more impact on our panelists’ opinions.

For our subjective testing, we relied on paid testers with varying degrees of hearing loss and dexterity and with varying amounts of hearing-aid experience and technological savvy. This was important because we knew that if one hearing device was liked by a diverse group of people, the chances were higher that others might find it helpful too.

Here’s a quick snapshot of our panelists from all three rounds:

• Dan K. is in his 50s, an avid biker, and the father of two elementary-age kids.
• Kathy M. is in her 70s, very socially active, and a part-time caregiver for two grandkids under the age of 9.
• Fiona R. is in her 20s and recently married, and she just completed her master’s degree while working full-time.
• Tom E. is in his 60s, does Pilates, and lives with his partner and two boisterous dogs.
• Megan M. is in her 40s, works remotely, is a mom, and jogs regularly.
• Young H. is in his 60s and active in his church, where he plays the pipe organ.
• Ann B. is in her 60s, and she’s a medical doctor and college professor emeritus who travels frequently for work.
• Rachel R. is in her 30s and is a social worker who lives in a big city.

Each panelist tested the hearing aids for a couple of months. They spent an average of a week with each device to determine whether it was worthy of further exploration. Some hearing devices had tiny buttons or charging issues that were so frustrating in everyday use they were disqualified early on in the tests. Others got the ergonomics right and earned a longer trial for our panelists to better evaluate the sound amplification and adjustability.

Our panelists explored every facet of the process, from participating in remote audiology appointments to engaging with tech support. They installed over a dozen apps, took hearing tests, made phone calls, and (most importantly) lived their lives. They wore the hearing aids to Pilates, at work, and while caring for grandkids. One even wore hers to her wedding!

Every panelist reported back with extensive notes, ranking their favorites and indicating which hearing aids they would purchase with their own money. A select few panelists were also willing to provide us with long-term-testing feedback, so that we could track how our picks performed over time.

Although I examined each device and explored the apps for setup and tuning, I did not personally wear the hearing aids to test, since I do not have any measurable hearing loss. Quite simply, these devices were not made for me. My role was to facilitate the testing process, compare the testers’ notes, and compile the conclusions leading to our recommendations below.

We’ve tested over 40 pairs of OTC hearing aids and considered many more. Below we’ve listed the most recent models that we tested and dismissed. You can read about previously dismissed competitors in this spreadsheet.

Audicus Omni 2: Although an appointment with a hearing professional is not required before you buy this pair, you do need to take an online hearing test or upload an audiogram before the company’s audiologist can custom-program the hearing aids and have them shipped. As such, this pair isn’t ideal for someone who wants to buy and take their hearing aids home the same day. Our tester appreciated that the Omni 2 set was packaged in a way that made it feel personalized. And they said this set sounded slightly better when streaming music, compared with the Jabra Enhance Select 300. However, these hearing aids are larger and heavier than the Jabra pair. Plus, the Jabra set sounded more natural with voices and had a more intuitive app. Additionally, the retention guard that’s attached to the Omni 2 is challenging to put on and take off, and this could be an issue for people with dexterity issues.

Audien Ion Pro: Our panelists found the Ion Pro’s fit comfortable, and they appreciated the instruction videos on Audien’s website. Ion Pro’s audio-streaming capability with calls, movies, and music was also a plus, but we noted that streaming took a toll on battery life. One panelist watched a few movies on a flight and found that the Ion Pro’s battery died after about six hours. Another panelist, Ann, said the Ion Pro had heavy-handed amplification that caused some sounds to be “painful.” Further, she said the app wasn’t intuitive enough for her to adjust the volume in the moment (the volume controls were grayed out), so she had to occasionally pull out one of the hearing aids to cope. Audien’s customer service was also disappointing. Ann said the rep couldn’t explain the meanings of the various colors of lights on her device and overall “wasn’t helpful.”

Eargo Link: While our panelists appreciated the earbud-like capabilities of the Link set, they found the fit to be a challenge and said this pair isn’t a good option for folks with smaller or sensitive ears. Fiona had difficulty keeping the Link pair in place and discovered that something about the design made her ears itch. For the price, testers said they would like something with a longer battery life and more features, but some said they would just spend less and get the AirPods Pro 2.

Elehear Alpha Pro: The Alpha Pro pair is a solid under-$500 option that earned praise from our testers for its comfortable fit and easy setup. The adjustment process took a little more experimentation, but with some fiddling our testers were able to adjust the sound to their needs. Another positive is the set’s sound quality when streaming music. Fiona’s only gripe was that, when the aids were engaged as headphones, they stopped taking in sound from the outside world. Other minor downsides included the large size of the carrying case (Fiona noted it wouldn’t fit in any of her jeans’ pockets) and the retail packaging (our panelist with arthritis found it hard to open). Still, this set is a decent choice if our picks are too pricey and the downsides aren’t dealbreakers for you.

Elehear Beyond: As with the Alpha Pro pair above, our panel noted that this set was difficult to manipulate for folks with dexterity challenges, especially when it came time to replace the domes. Megan liked that the receiver cable was stiffer, which made the domes easier to place in her ears, but she noted that the Beyond set’s thicker design interfered with her glasses arms. Because Megan has smaller ears, her glasses could not sit properly while she was wearing the hearing aids. Though the hearing test was thorough and easy to complete, our testers needed to tinker to get the sound to their liking. And unfortunately, during Megan’s testing the app prompted a firmware update, which then reset all of the work she had done to customize the sound. Overall, at around $450, the Beyond pair seemed to be a decent set of hearing aids for the price, according to our panel. However, they noted that this set’s flaws could cause enough frustrations that newer hearing-aid users may not like it over the long term.

JLab Hear OTC: This is a hybrid earbud/hearing aid that offers four preset amplification modes. Although our panelists appreciated that this pair is affordable and plays music, they said the setup and pairing processes weren’t intuitive, especially for people who lack experience with Bluetooth earbuds. Ann said it took her “a couple of hours” to get the Hear OTC set up and ready to use in a conversation, and she wasn’t sure she would’ve figured it out without someone else’s help. She did find the volume controls easy to use, and she enjoyed the phone-call capabilities. Overall, this JLab pair wasn’t a favorite for frequent, day-to-day use, but our panelists said it could be an affordable “first step” for people who are new to hearing aids and want to see if the amplification is helpful.

Lexie B1 Powered by Bose: This pair was remarkably similar to the now-discontinued Bose Sound Control hearing aids. Fiona, who was on both of our testing panels, said she had to check her notes because she thought she was retesting a pair she’d already tried. The panel concluded that the directionality of sound was decent, but the performance in noisy situations was middle-of-the-road. The consensus: Of the Lexie hearing aids, the B2 is the better choice.

Lexie B2 Powered by Bose: Our panelists said the B2 was comfortable to wear, and the amplification was clearer and less tinny-sounding than on similarly priced devices. The battery life was sufficient for a full day of use, and the charging case, though not pocketable in size, was easy enough to use and to keep in a small bag. However, the panelists found some aspects of the app cumbersome or difficult to read. And the process of discovering appropriate settings took more trial and error than in the Jabra system. One panelist mentioned that she was startled when the B2 blasted her ears as her husband turned on a vacuum cleaner, so she wished the B2 had more of a limiter. Despite those issues, everyone agreed that, for the price, the Lexie B2 would be a runner-up to the Jabra Enhance Select for those who like a behind-the-ear design.

MD Hearing Neo XS Pro: Our panelists appreciated that MD Hearing includes helpful care instructions; it even includes a card to stick to the fridge for service reminders. However, testers made it clear that setup was a pain. Connecting took multiple tries, and Fiona described the hearing test as “painfully long.” If you have a current audiogram, she recommends inputting that data rather than spending the time on the test. Overall, our panelists found the Neo XS Pro tricky to get in and out of the case, and they said its buttons were easy to activate accidentally and the fit was unstable.

MD Hearing Volt Max: This pair had the same setup issues as the Neo XS Pro. Our tester Fiona found that the domes included with the Volt Max were surprisingly comfy, but unfortunately both the sound quality and the app experience were middling. She specifically said the process of making minor adjustments was too cumbersome, so her pursuit of the ideal fit was frustrating and difficult to update over time. She said she’d rather purchase the similarly priced Elehear Alpha Pro.

Sony CRE-C20: Our testers appreciated this set’s small size and secure fit, but they had difficulty getting the hearing aids into the charging case properly, and that led to one or both hearing aids not charging overnight. Another challenge was the app, which one panelist found difficult to navigate; part of the trouble came from the app’s text being incompatible with her phone’s large-font setting. During the setup process, the app disconnected from the hearing aids several times, and it eventually displayed a pop-up suggesting that the tester contact Sony support (a message the panelist couldn’t figure out how to clear). The panelist also noted a constant hum in the hearing aids, even at the lowest volume setting, and found the volume controls were slow to react and too broad in frequency.

Zepp Clarity Omni: Our panelist Fiona had a difficult time getting a setup appointment with Zepp Clarity’s audiologist. But once she did, she said the audiologist’s customer service was excellent: patient, thorough, and clear. However, Zepp’s Android app had a bug that made it impossible for her to set up and test the hearing aids using that OS. On the iPhone, setup and updating was a breeze. Fiona also said that the Omni set sounded sibilant, artificially amplifying high pitches like the clack of fingernails on a keyboard. As for calls, “The experience was less than desirable. I got a weird, slight ping-pong effect … Audio never fully dropped from either ear, but one side would get slightly louder, then the other.”

Zepp Clarity Pixie: Our panel’s experience with this set didn’t start out well. The Pixie pair kept squealing with feedback, and the little antenna-like grip that sticks out of the ear transferred a lot of noise when hair brushed against it. Our panelist Ann reached out to Zepp’s customer service for help and told us that the experience was wonderful. After her appointment, Ann said the Pixie set was nice to use, but she wished that she didn’t have to go through customer service to get the Pixie to work for her. In fact, she said if she had purchased this pair, she likely would have returned it based on how frustrating the initial experience was. Overall, she preferred the Jabra app and setup experience, saying it was better for someone who is reluctant, skeptical, or new to hearing-aid use.

This article was edited by Adrienne Maxwell and Grant Clauser.