8 Best Hearing Aids Out of 27 Our Experts Tested

• Type of hearing aid: ITE (in-the-ear), mini RIE (receiver-in-ear), and RIC (receiver-in-canal).
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to moderate.
• Battery type: Disposable and rechargeable.
• Standout feature: The best quality OTC hearing aids with a choice of styles, technology levels, and support options.

• Plus: Rechargeable, Bluetooth streaming, hands-free calling, 45-day trial period.
• Select 50R: Rechargeable, Bluetooth streaming, 100-day trial period.
• Select 100: Rechargeable, Bluetooth streaming, 100-day trial period.
• Select 300: Rechargeable, Bluetooth streaming, hands-free calling, 100-day trial period.

Jabra Enhance is a leader in the OTC hearing aid market for good reason. Among OTC hearing aids, we’ve found the company offers the best sound technology and features, along with customer service that’s prompt, friendly, and knowledgeable every time we contact them.

Jabra Enhance makes one earbud-style hearing aid, called Jabra Enhance Plus, two receiver-in-canal devices, the Enhance Select 50R and 100, and one mini receiver-in-ear device, the Enhance Select 300. You can also find one prescription model, the Jabra Enhance Pro, at Costco hearing centers. Because the Pro doesn’t come with remote support and has different pricing and features, we chose to test only Jabra Enhance OTC hearing aids for this review.

The Enhance Plus is great for active people who want a device that looks like a pair of earbuds rather than hearing aids. Our testers noted how their hearing improved when using them, but background noise wasn’t as quiet as with the Enhance Select models.

Another perk was how easy the Enhance Plus was to use. Charging, adjusting, and cleaning were smaller chores than they were with many hearing aids. The design was user-friendly too, with a comfortable fit and prominent buttons for adjusting the volume and settings.

The Enhance Plus is a self-fitting hearing aid, which means after you take a quick hearing screen using the Jabra Enhance app, the hearing aids adjust to your hearing loss profile.

The three Enhance Select models are programmed for your hearing loss by an audiologist and come with two purchasing options:

• Basic package: Pre-programmed and designed to set up and use without professional guidance.
• Premium package: Customized to your hearing loss by an audiology professional and offered with ongoing remote audiology support.

All Jabra Enhance hearing aids come with the following features, which are also standard with most other OTC brands:

• Background noise reduction: Cuts down on sounds in your environment that can make it harder to understand speech.
• Feedback suppression: Reduces the whistling common with older hearing aids.
• Directional microphones: Make conversations easier to understand by amplifying sounds in front of you.
• Bluetooth streaming: For listening to music, movies, and phone calls from other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
• Preset listening programs: Offers specific sound processing depending on your environment. The Enhance Plus includes three programs and Enhance Select models have four.

Enhance Select hearing aids are designed with more advanced sound processing capabilities than the Plus, with the Enhance Select 300 offering technology that’s comparable to a basic prescription hearing aid. Among customers who purchased Jabra Enhance hearing aids in our survey of 600 hearing aid users under the age of 45, an impressive 97 percent said their hearing aids had somewhat or significantly improved their quality of life.

When evaluating Enhance Select hearing aids, our testers found their design, which sits behind the ear, even less noticeable than the earbud-style Enhance Plus.

• Price: $99–489 per pair.
• Type of hearing aid: ITE, BTE
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to moderate.
• Battery type: Rechargeable.
• Standout feature: Lowest starting price, updated volume control and charging capabilities, UV sanitation light with the Atom Pro 2.

• Atom: In-the-ear, volume control screw.
• Atom Pro: In-the-ear, volume control screw, noise cancellation.
• Atom 2: In-the-ear, volume button, four programs.
• Atom Pro 2: In-the-ear, volume button, four programs, advanced noise cancellation.
• BTE: Behind-the-ear, volume button, four programs, noise cancellation.

If you’re looking for a low-cost hearing aid without nonessential features like Bluetooth streaming, the Audien Atom 2 or Atom Pro 2 may work for you. 

Of all the Audien hearing aids we tested, our testers liked the Atom Pro 2 best, saying it felt comfortable and secure in their ears and was easier to maintain and clean compared to the Atom 2, thanks to the newly added UV light sanitizing case. We also like that the new charging cases can be fully closed and are now powered by USB-C, making them much more on-the-go and user-friendly.

The Atom 2 costs $189 and the Atom Pro 2 costs $289, making both hearing aids some of the most affordable options on the market. However, there are a few things to know before you buy. The hearing aids don’t have a low-battery warning; you’ll have to remove the hearing aids and insert them into the charging case to see their remaining power level, which is measured by four lights on the case. Neither model is water resistant, nor do they support Bluetooth streaming or connect to an app for making adjustments. 

Audien does not provide post-purchase audiology support, but our call to customer service was answered promptly. There’s also a live chat function on the Audien website for device support, but when testing the feature we received an automated message with a wait-time of several hours before our question was answered.

Audien sells a behind-the-ear model for just under $500, but it doesn’t offer Bluetooth streaming. Because we have found similarly priced hearing aids with more features, we don’t recommend the Audien BTE. 

• Type of hearing aid: RIC (receiver-in-canal).
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to profound.
• Battery type: Rechargeable.
• Standout feature: Top-notch hearing aids with accessories, technology, and advanced sound processing to make listening easy even in large, noisy spaces.

• Audéo L-R: Mild to profound hearing loss, health tracking, tap control.
• Audéo L-RT: Mild to profound hearing loss, health tracking, telecoil.
• Audéo L-RL: Mild to profound hearing loss, health tracking, waterproof.

Phonak is a powerhouse among prescription hearing aids. This brand is known for some of the best sound technology on the market, with accessories designed to make hearing speech easier in group settings, as well as offering lifestyle features, like water resistance, rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth streaming, and activity tracking (like heart rate monitoring and step counting).

Students, other people who are often in classrooms, auditoriums, or conference rooms, and those who enjoy traveling and being active should check out the Audéo Lumity. It features AI-powered sound processing, rapid adjustments when you move between different listening environments, and a variety of accessories, like clip-on and tabletop mics, to pick up sound from across a large room and transmit it directly to your hearing aids.

The Phonak Audéo Lumity is appropriate for anyone 36 months or older, but Phonak also has a dedicated line of hearing aids for children called the Sky Marvel line. Sky Marvel hearing aids have more color options (21 versus 11 with the Audéo Lumity) and are designed specifically for children with a tamper-proof battery door and an app (myPhonak Junior) meant for children to use themselves. But although the Sky Marvel line is designed with children in mind, it’s not waterproof (only water-resistant) like the Audéo Lumity. If durability is your top concern for a child’s hearing aid, we recommend the Audéo Lumity for its waterproof rating.

During testing, we loved the comfortable fit of the Audéo Lumity. One of our team members said, “This hearing aid is very comfortable and ergonomic. It honestly felt like it clicked right into place.” The multifunction button on the outside of the hearing aid, which you use to cycle between programs, makes phone calls, controls Bluetooth, and is cleverly placed on the top of the hearing aid, so when the user presses the button, the device stays firmly in the ear.

We also enjoyed testing the health tracking features accessible through the Phonak app, which include heart rate monitoring, steps walked, and daily hearing aid use. On the flip side, the manual wasn’t user-friendly or easy to follow.

Keep in mind that the Phonak Audéo Lumity, like all prescription hearing aids, is meant to be programmed and set up by an audiologist in a hearing care clinic. If you run into issues, you can watch how-to videos in the app or contact your audiologist for help.

• Type of hearing aid: CIC (completely-in-canal) and earbud style (LINK by Eargo).
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to moderate.
• Battery type: Rechargeable.
• Standout feature: The smallest OTC hearing aids with rechargeable batteries and water resistance.

• Eargo 5: One year warranty
• LINK by Eargo: One year warranty
• Eargo SE: One year warranty
• Eargo 6: One-year warranty, water resistance, automatic sound adjustments
• Eargo 7: Two-year warranty, water resistance, automatic sound adjustments

Eargo is known for being one of the smallest OTC hearing aids on the market. The company makes hearing devices for mild to moderate hearing loss that fit completely in your ear canal, making them almost invisible to other people.

With every hearing aid purchase, Eargo provides tips and domes of different sizes and styles so you can select the best one for your ears. We found these hearing aids to be quite comfortable once we got the right fit. Our survey respondents seem to feel the same: 87% said their Eargos were “comfortable” or “very comfortable” to wear.

We didn’t love the sound quality of Eargos compared to prescription devices, but they were better than some other OTC brands. Our testers noticed that background noise was distracting at times, making it harder to understand conversations.

Another drawback of Eargo is that the devices are too small to accommodate Bluetooth streaming, so if you want that option you’ll need to look at other OTC brands like Jabra Enhance. All prescription brands offer Bluetooth streaming as well.

We did like several features of Eargo that many other OTC devices don’t offer. For instance, you can change programs to select a different listening setting by simply tapping on your ear. This is easier than pushing a button on the hearing aid. But strangely, you have to use the app to adjust the volume, which took some getting used to.

The Eargo 6 and 7 both offer Sound Adjust, a feature that enables them to change the amplification of speech and background noise to accommodate your movements. They’re also water-resistant, and the 7 has added sweat resistance as well. This makes both models a great choice for active people.

• Type of hearing aid: ITE (in-the-ear) and RIC (receiver-in-canal).
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to moderate.
• Battery type: Disposable and rechargeable.
• Standout feature: The best quality OTC hearing aids with a choice of styles, technology levels, and support options.

• Lumen: Telecoil, disposable batteries.
• B1 by Bose: Rechargeable.
• B2 Plus by Bose: Hands-free calling, rechargeable, on-the-go charging case, in-app hearing test with recommended settings.

Lexie is a fairly new member of the OTC hearing aids market, but the company has already made a name for itself. By partnering with audio giant Bose and backing its devices with clinical research, Lexie has developed a line of hearing devices that deliver excellent sound quality at a fraction of the cost of prescription hearing aids.

Coupled with a user-friendly app is outstanding audiology support that’s helpful and attentive without being pushy. The company carries three models, each with its own set of features.

The Lumen is the lowest-priced option and doesn’t incorporate Bose sound technology or a rechargeable battery, but it does include a telecoil. Hearing aids with a telecoil can pick up sound directly by a signal emitted from a hearing loop installed in some public facilities, such as auditoriums, places of worship, and museums. Sound quality when using a telecoil is similar to Bluetooth streaming because both bypass background noise. All Lexie hearing aids include Bluetooth connectivity (meaning they can use Bluetooth to connect to the Lexie app).

The B1 is the next step up and offers Bose sound technology for improved clarity, but no Bluetooth streaming (meaning it can’t stream audio to your hearing aids), telecoil, or rechargeability. The top-of-the-line Lexie model, the B2 Plus, is the only Lexie model with Bluetooth streaming (for phone calls on iPhone only) and a rechargeable battery. When our testers placed an iPhone call through the B2 Plus hearing aids, the audio quality was strong and clear. All three models are self-fitting, like Jabra Enhance Plus, so they automatically adjust to your hearing profile after you take an in-app hearing screen.

We found all three Lexie hearing aids had good sound quality, and we were impressed with the Lexie app, which walks you step-by-step through the setup process and hearing screen, demonstrating everything more clearly than most other hearing aid apps. This is really important with OTC hearing aids, which are meant to be fitted and adjusted by the user without professional help.

You can do all of the following from the Lexie app:

• Watch videos on how to set up and adjust your hearing aids.
• Change volume and listening settings.
• Order hearing aid supplies.
• Read articles and watch tutorials on hearing loss, hearing aid use, and ways to troubleshoot issues.
• Contact audiology or general customer support.
• Earn and redeem rewards for wearing your hearing aids consistently.

The Lexie hearing aid app shows you how to put your hearing aid on correctly.

We did find some drawbacks with Lexie. Changing the batteries in the Lumen and B1 was inconvenient since both the battery door and the batteries are tiny and could be hard to manage for people with dexterity issues. If you drop them, they’re nearly impossible to find.

We also didn’t like the user manual. A few of the instructions were confusing, and the manual was long and hard to follow. Most other OTC hearing aid manuals are shorter, easier to use, and have larger text and more pictures.

While you can make hands-free calls with the B2 Plus, Lexie doesn’t offer Bluetooth audio streaming. The sound quality also isn’t as great as what you’ll find in Jabra Enhance, but we still were impressed with the audio.

• Type of hearing aid: BTE (behind-the-ear), RIC (receiver-in-canal), and ITC (in-the-canal).
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to moderate.
• Battery type: Rechargeable.
• Standout feature: Some of the most affordable audiology support you’ll find with an OTC hearing aid.

• Air 3: Telecoil, one-year warranty, four environmental settings.
• NEO: Discreet model, one-year warranty, one environment setting.
  
• NEO XS: Smallest model, one-year warranty, multiple environment programs.
• Volt: Dual directional microphones, one-year warranty, four environment settings.
• Volt Max: Connects to app, dual directional microphones, two-year warranty, automatic environment adjustments.

MDHearing sells OTC hearing aids that are more basic in functionality than many other devices, but the company’s commitment to hearing care with generous audiology support helps it stand out from the crowd.

This brand is known for reliable and prompt remote audiology service provided by hearing professionals, something that not all OTC brands offer. One of our testers bought a pair of MDHearing Volt Max devices and received help through email, chat, and over the phone from the company’s audiology team. MDHearing audiologists also sent follow-up emails to see how he was doing for several weeks afterward. Additionally, the company offers help over video sessions as needed.

We found MDHearing devices comfortable to wear and easy to set up. Testers appreciated the small size and comfort of Neo XS, noting it did not fall out when shaking their heads. One tester commented that Neo XS is good for people who have limited experience with technology.

But we didn’t like how the buttons used to make adjustments on the Neo and Air 3 were small and hard to push. The devices were also noisy when taking them out of our ears.

The tester who used the Volt Max experienced continuous whistling, even after emailing photos to the MDHearing audiologist to ensure he had the right fit. We found the same problem with the Air 3 during our testing.

“The Air 3 often whistles as I’m inserting it into my ears and taking it out,” said one tester. “It can even be painful because it’s very loud.”

MDHearing doesn’t have Bluetooth streaming in any of its models and has more basic sound processing than you’ll get from any of the other brands on this list.

Despite these drawbacks, we liked the comfort, fit, and listening settings of MDHearing devices better than several other OTC brands we tested. The charger was also easy to use and well-made.

A big benefit of this brand is the company’s unlimited audiology support, which is something that many hearing clinics don’t even offer. We also like how you can take a free online hearing test and schedule a free remote consultation with an audiologist, something that no other brand provides.

• Type of hearing aid: RIC (receiver-in-canal), ITE (in-the-ear), ITC ( in-the-canal), CIC (completely-in-canal), IIC (in-the-canal).
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to severe.
• Battery type: Rechargeable and disposable.
• Standout feature: Industry-leading battery life (51 hours), AI-powered processors, and health features, like fall detection, heart rate monitoring, step tracking, and language translation.

• Genesis AI R: Mild to severe hearing loss, rechargeable, Bluetooth.
• Genesis AI RT: Mild to severe hearing loss, rechargeable, telecoil, Bluetooth.
• Genesis AI NW: Mild to severe hearing loss, rechargeable, no Bluetooth.

Starkey has been making hearing aids for more than 55 years and now offers a wide variety of hearing instruments with the most advanced technology in the industry. This year Starkey released a new model called the Genesis AI. Everything about it has been redesigned, from the device itself to the software to the app. And at 51 hours per charge, this model has one of the longest rechargeable battery lives in the industry. For context, rechargeable prescription hearing aids usually average about 30 hours per charge.

The Genesis AI operates on an updated platform called the Starkey Neuro Processor, which scans the environment 22,000 times per second and adjusts the sound accordingly.

We found the manual easier to use and understand than those from Phonak or Oticon, a point that’s especially important for people who are new to hearing aids. “It’s surprisingly easy to use for a prescription hearing aid manual,” said one tester. Because your audiologist sets up prescription devices, their manuals seem to be written for hearing professionals rather than customers. But some customers will want to read through their manuals at home after having their hearing aids fitted in the clinic, and we appreciated the clear language and directions in the Starkey manual.

The Starkey Genesis AI also has a newly designed app we liked using better than the old version. However, it could be overwhelming for someone who doesn’t use a smartphone often, or who doesn’t need all the health features offered with this device.

All prescription hearing aids come in several technology levels, which is why you see a price range for each model. Stefanie Godbey, an audiologist in Cincinnati, Ohio, says the cost will vary based on the technology level each patient needs and wants. Some people will choose lower-end devices that cost less, while others will be happier and hear better with more advanced hearing aids.

• Type of hearing aid: BTE (behind-the-ear), RIC (receiver-in-canal).
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to profound.
• Battery type: Rechargeable and disposable.
• Standout feature: The Oticon Real has the best sound quality of any hearing aid we tried along with a comfortable, low-profile fit.

• Oticon Real miniRITE T: Mild to profound hearing loss, disposable batteries.
• Oticon Real miniRITE R: Mild to profound hearing loss, rechargeable.
• Oticon Real miniBTE T: Mild to moderate hearing loss, disposable batteries.
• Oticon Real miniBTE R: Mild to moderate hearing loss, rechargeable.

Our favorite Oticon hearing aid model is also the brand’s newest. In the world of hearing aids, “newest” equals the most updated platform, fastest sound processing, and most innovative design and features.

Oticon Real delivers on all these points. Like the Phonak Audéo Lumity and Starkey Genesis AI, Oticon Real incorporates AI technology for extremely accurate sound processing, which has been shown to reduce brain fatigue by making listening to and understanding sounds as easy as possible. They were comfortable and offered the best listening experience we had with any hearing aid in our testing lineup.

One common annoyance among hearing aid users is static when handling the hearing aids, touching their eyeglasses, or brushing their hair. The Real has detectors that sense these movements and reduce noise interference, so conversations aren’t disrupted. We loved this feature, along with the seamless listening experience while moving from quiet to loud rooms.

The Oticon Real app also includes a remote microphone function, which picks up sound from your phone and transmits it to your hearing aids, even when you’re in a different room. We think this feature could be great for students or people who need to hear someone speaking in a conference room or auditorium.

Should you buy Oticon Real?

While pricier than many other hearing aids, Oticon Real also boasts some of the most advanced technology you’ll find in any hearing aid. They were comfortable and offered the best listening experience we had with any hearing aid in our testing lineup.