Best Hearing Aids of 2023

Best Hearing Aids Based on Research and Testing

• Editor’s Choice: Jabra Enhance Select 200 4.27/5
• Best Budget Option: Audien Atom Pro 3.49/5
• Best Invisible Hearing Aid: Eargo 7 3.81/5
• Best for Ongoing Care: Audicus Omni 3.97/5
• Best Value: MDHearing NEO 3.10/5
• Best for Severe Hearing Loss: Phonak Audeo Lumity 3.54/5
• Audiologist’s Pick: Starkey Evolv AI 3.81/5
• Best for Tinnitus: ReSound ONE 3.65/5
• Best High-Tech Features: Widex MOMENT 3.71/5
• Best for Active Lifestyles: Signia Active Pro 3.70/5

Why You Can Trust Our Expert Review

Comparison of Top Hearing Aids

Our team used a five-point system to score hearing aids during our testing summit.

Best Hearing Aids of 2023

What Is a Hearing Aid?

A hearing aid is a medical electronic device worn in or behind the ear to improve hearing by amplifying sounds. These devices can treat mild to severe hearing loss.

Today’s hearing aids use digital technology in a computer chip. A microphone built into the hearing aid receives and converts sounds into electrical signals. An amplifier then makes the electrical signal louder and transmits it to a receiver, or speaker, that produces the amplified sound in the ear for the brain to eventually interpret.

Difference Between a Hearing Aid and PSAP

Because hearing aids are medical devices, they are regulated by the FDA. Other products called personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) also amplify sounds but are not regulated by the FDA because they are considered electronic, not medical devices. PSAP manufacturers don’t have to follow regulations that ensure these products won’t damage your hearing. These devices are meant for people with normal hearing who want to amplify sounds for specific activities, such as hunting or birdwatching.

Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

To make hearing aids more affordable and accessible, the FDA finalized its rules in August 2022 for allowing over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids to be sold in stores. Before then, hearing aids couldn’t be sold in stores unless they required you to see an audiologist and take a hearing test first. OTC hearing aids are available only for adults age 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss based on their own perception of how severe they think their hearing loss is. OTC hearing aids are still considered medical devices, and their manufacturers have to follow FDA regulations, although these regulations are less strict than those for prescription hearing aids.

Difference Between OTC and Prescription Hearing Aids

OTC hearing aids don’t require a hearing test or prescription from an audiologist to purchase and can be bought online directly from the manufacturer or in a store.

Prescription hearing aids require a hearing test and consultation with an audiologist before purchase and treat more severe hearing loss than OTC hearing aids. They are the only hearing aid option available to anyone younger than age 18. Prescription hearing aids are more expensive than OTC hearing aids because they have more sophisticated technology that requires programming from an audiologist to treat more severe hearing loss, and they also include professional services related to customizing the fitting and ensuring the best medical outcome with the chosen equipment.

How To Know if You Need a Hearing Aid

Age-related hearing loss can occur gradually and may be noticed by your family and friends before you notice it. Some common signs and symptoms include:

• Trouble hearing people when they speak, especially in noisy settings
• Asking others to repeat themselves or speak more slowly
• Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
• Turning up the TV volume more than usual
• Having more difficulty understanding women and children because they speak at higher pitches
• Difficulty hearing chirping birds or beeping devices

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you can complete a hearing test to confirm your hearing loss and tell you what type of hearing loss you have. The most accurate testing will come from a test conducted by an audiologist. However, many online hearing aid manufacturers offer hearing tests on their websites as a starting point.

Types of Hearing Loss that Hearing Aids Can Help

When you visit an audiologist, there are three hearing tests you may undergo to diagnose your hearing loss. These include:

• Audiogram Hearing Test: This test measures how well you hear different pitches at different volumes in each ear and can trace hearing loss to a particular part of the ear. It is the gold standard test for measuring hearing function. Your results are graphed on an audiogram. An audiogram is what online hearing aid manufacturers recommend you upload before purchasing hearing aids if you have one.
• Otoacoustic emissions hearing loss test: This test looks at how well the hair cells in the cochlea of your inner ear are functioning and whether there is a blockage in the outer or middle ear. Hair cell damage is associated with age-related hearing loss. In this test, tones are played through probes placed in the ear, and results are graphed on a chart. This test is more commonly performed in newborns to screen for hearing loss.
• Tympanometry Test: This test looks at ear pressure in the ear canal to test how well your eardrum functions. The audiologist places a small probe in each ear to push air through it.

Here are some additional tests you might receive:

• Auditory brainstem response hearing loss test: This test measures how well the auditory nerve functions. The auditory nerve sends signals from the ear to the brain so sound can be interpreted. During testing, electrodes are placed on the forehead and ears to detect how well signals travel along the auditory nerve. Tumors that grow along this nerve can cause hearing loss.
• Rinne Hearing Test: In this test, the audiologist starts by placing a vibrating tuning fork against the skull bone behind your ear and then moves the fork beside your ear. You have to let the audiologist know in which position the tuning fork is louder. It is conducted to determine which parts of the ear are damaged and causing hearing loss.
• Weber Hearing Loss Test: This test uses a vibrating tuning fork placed against the middle of your head to see if you can hear the vibrations more in one ear than the other. It’s meant to help determine which parts of the ear are damaged and causing hearing loss.

How to Choose the Right Hearing Aid

To choose the right hearing aids, you need to make sure they fit comfortably in your ears and improve your hearing. Here are four steps to take to find hearing aids that are right for you:

1. Schedule an appointment with an audiologist to complete a professional hearing test that tells you what type of hearing loss you have and how severe it is. An audiologist can then make specific recommendations on hearing aids to match your hearing loss and let you try out different hearing aid styles.
2. Consider how hearing aids feel when wearing them. Hearing aids come in different styles that can provide different levels of comfort when in your ears. If you’re very particular about how well a hearing aid fits in your canal, you may be better off getting a prescription custom-fit hearing aid that’s shaped based on a mold of your ears. OTC hearing aids with a variety of ear tips to switch between can increase your chances of finding a comfortable fit that still amplifies sounds in a way that improves your hearing.
3. Note the length of your hair. Sheri Mello, Au.D, with Raleigh Hearing and Tinnitus Center told us that people with long hair typically don’t like the feeling of their hair brushing against and getting snagged on bulkier hearing aid models. She tries to fit her patients who have long hair with in-the-ear hearing aids to avoid this source of discomfort.
4. Factor in your lifestyle, including when you’re likely to use your hearing aids. If you have an active lifestyle, smaller hearing aids that are sweat resistant may be your best option. If you love watching television, hearing aids with Bluetooth audio streaming will enhance audio quality. In our AgingInPlace.org hearing aid user focus group, we learned that people who regularly wear masks have trouble with behind-the-ear hearing aids because of their mask straps getting caught on them.

How an Audiologist Helps a Person Decide Which Hearing Aids Are Right for Them

We interviewed Mello during our Hearing Aid Summit. She provided the following list of questions you should ask yourself when shopping for hearing aids:

• What is my budget?
• Is financing available for my hearing aid?
• Are the hearing aids I’m interested in FDA approved?
• What are other customers saying about sound quality and feedback from the hearing aid?
• Do I prefer to control my hearing aids’ volume by pressing buttons on the hearing aid or by using a smartphone app?
• What is the hearing aids’ reputation for minimizing background noise?

Hearing Aid Features to Consider

• Bluetooth capabilities: Hearing aids with Bluetooth capabilities can connect to smartphones so you can use your phone to control hearing aid settings like volume and switch between listening programs. Hearing aids with Bluetooth vary in their Bluetooth technology. Some have only Bluetooth connectivity, which means they can only connect to smartphones. Others have Bluetooth streaming, which means they can be used as a pair of wireless headphones that directly stream audio from your smartphone and TV to improve sound quality with these activities.
• Rechargeable battery: Many hearing aid models now offer only rechargeable battery options, although some still make versions that have disposable batteries. Hearing aids with rechargeable batteries may be preferred over disposable batteries because you won’t have to worry about how difficult it is to open the battery compartment and replace them. Rechargeable hearing aids vary greatly in the number of hours they run before needing to be recharged. Some run for as little as 15 hours, while others can run over 35 hours on a single charge. If you plan to use Bluetooth often, which drains the battery faster, you’re better off with a hearing aid that has a longer battery life.
• Feedback suppression: Hearing aid feedback is an annoying whistling sound that occurs when sounds that should be going from the hearing aid’s microphone into the ear canal bounce back to the microphone and get amplified again. Feedback suppression, also called feedback cancellation, is technology that lets hearing aids identify feedback and cancel out these sounds before you hear them.
• Directional microphones: Directional microphones allow hearing aids to better detect and enhance speech sounds while reducing levels of background noise. This improves your ability to hear a person speaking to you in a noisy environment.
• Tinnitus masking: Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears or similar sound you hear when no such sound is being produced in the environment. It’s a common symptom of hearing loss. Tinnitus can become less noticeable when you introduce other sounds into the ear that compete for your brain’s attention. Hearing aids that have a tinnitus-masking feature play white noise or soothing sounds, like the sound of a stream, in moments when you’re experiencing tinnitus so that you notice it less.
• Telecoil: Telecoil, or T-coil, is a technology that predates Bluetooth and allows hearing aids to wirelessly connect to telecoil-enabled phones and sound systems in public venues that have inductive loops, a type of assistive listening system for people with hearing loss. Hearing aids that have a telecoil have a small coil of wire inside of them that picks up electromagnetic signals for wireless connection. A telecoil greatly improves sound quality by allowing audio to be streamed directly into the hearing aid and is most often used for streaming sound in public venues like churches and movie theaters.

Types of Hearing Aids

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids sit behind your ear and have a plastic tube that loops over the top of your outer ear. That tube connects to an earpiece that sits in front of the ear canal. The piece behind your ear, known as the hard shell, holds the hearing aid technology—the microphone, amplifier, speaker, battery, and, when included, the T-coil. BTE devices can treat more severe hearing loss because they’re capable of more amplification than other styles, are easy to repair, are generally comfortable, and have room to hold more advanced technology. They’re also less likely to have feedback and whistling than in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids. BTE devices are not as discreet as ITE hearing aids and can irritate the back of your ear, especially if you wear glasses.

Mini Behind-the-Ear (mBTE) Hearing Aids

Mini BTE hearing aids, also known as receiver-in-canal hearing aids, are similar in appearance to BTE hearing aids but have a slimmer hard shell and a receiver that sits in the ear canal at the end of the plastic tube instead of in the hard shell like with the BTE. Smaller wires of the mBTE that fit in the ear are meant to reduce the sensation of a clogged ear canal that can accompany the BTE models. A drawback of mBTE hearing aids is that they don’t amplify low frequencies as well as some other hearing aid styles and, therefore, may not be the best option for severe hearing loss.

Traditional in-the-ear (ITE) Hearing Aid

The hard shell of ITE hearing aids sits completely inside of the outer ear instead of behind the ear like with BTE hearing aids. ITE hearing aids are custom-fit to your outer ear shape and size. They are capable of Bluetooth streaming and telecoil and can treat mild to severe hearing loss. ITE hearing aids are the largest of custom hearing aids and may pick up more wind noise than smaller hearing aids. Because of their larger size, they completely block the ear canal. Blocking the whole ear canal may not be the best idea for people with milder hearing loss who can still process some sounds naturally. These and other hearing aids that go farther in the ear canal may be more difficult to place if you don’t have good hand dexterity.

In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids

Like ITE hearing aids, in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are custom fit to your ear canal but smaller in size and, therefore, less visible than ITE hearing aids. ITC hearing aids can treat mild to moderate hearing loss in adults. Because they are smaller in size than ITE hearing aids, they may not be able to fit some technology, like telecoil or longer battery life, into their hard shell, but they’re able to fit more technology than completely-in-the-canal hearing aids. ITC hearing aids are known to be susceptible to earwax clogging their speaker, which can affect sound quality.

Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC), or invisible, hearing aids are the smallest hearing aid style available and are not visible once placed in the ear canal. They are appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss. Because they’re hidden in the canal, they’re less likely to pick up wind noise, but their small size also limits how much technology they offer—these hearing aids are too small to offer Bluetooth streaming and batteries with a longer battery life, for instance. With their placement in the ear canal, they’re also more susceptible to earwax clogging their speaker.

Digital vs Analog Hearing Aids

Besides style, hearing aids can also be distinguished by the technology they use to process sound. Analog hearing aids amplify all sound waves, without being able to distinguish speech sounds from background noise. Digital hearing aids, by contrast, use computer chips to analyze sounds, distinguish between them, and amplify speech instead of background noise. Compared to analog hearing aids, digital hearing aids allow for better hearing aid programming so settings can be better tailored to each individual’s hearing loss. Digital hearing aids are more common than analog ones. The ones we reviewed are all digital hearing aids.

How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost?

“Today’s hearing aids have advanced automatic features such as background noise reduction, Bluetooth connectivity, and some even have fall detection that will alert your loved ones if a fall is detected,” Taylor said. “The price of hearing aids can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on the style and automatic features. However, not everyone needs or wants all of the technology that is available in today’s hearing aids.”

Based on our research, the best OTC hearing aids that treat mild to moderate hearing loss range from $99–$2,450 per pair. Prescription hearing aids are more expensive because they’re custom-fit, have more sophisticated technology, and require appointments with audiologists for purchase and hearing aid updates. Prices for prescription hearing aids range from $2,000–$7,000 and vary by the retailer that sells them.

How to Find Affordable Hearing Aids

If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can purchase OTC hearing aids, which are capable of treating your hearing loss at a relatively more affordable price than prescription hearing aids. You can find OTC options online, at pharmacies, or in stores as low as $99 per pair.

If you have more severe hearing loss, you’ll need prescription hearing aids from an audiologist. You can visit several hearing clinics in your area to compare prices. Reading hearing aid reviews, visiting manufacturers’ websites, and searching online for hearing clinics that sell particular brands can help you narrow down affordable options. Yes Hearing, an online prescription hearing aid retailer, sells popular brands at a discount after you visit one of their partner hearing aid clinics for testing and hearing aid selection.

Many prescription and OTC hearing aid manufacturers and retailers offer financing to make hearing aids more affordable. Medicare Advantage plans and private insurance may help cover some of the costs. In a survey of 1,000 respondents and during our hearing aid focus group, we learned that the many participants used insurance to cover a portion of their hearing aids cost. Check with your individual plan before purchasing to verify hearing aids are covered. Discounts may also exist through organizations like AARP, Kiwanis, Lions Club, and Allegro Credit. Hearing aids are also typically eligible to be paid for with HSA/FSA health savings funds.

Where to Buy Hearing Aids

Now that OTC hearing aids are available nationwide, you have more options to buy. You can purchase hearing aids online, at retailers, in the clinic, or through hearing professionals who can visit you at home. Keep in mind that prescription hearing aids are not available online or at retailers because they require an audiology appointment.

Online from Manufacturers and Retailers

While OTC hearing aids can be purchased online, some companies like Jabra Enhance  still require a hearing test and consultation with their audiologists before you can purchase them. Most of the online hearing aids we reviewed do not require a hearing test or consultation with an audiologist, although some like the Eargo 7 and the Jabra Enhance Select 200 do have remote support from hearing care professionals and audiologists through their apps if you need them. 

You can also find OTC hearing aids available on big-box retailer websites. You just have to browse their site as if you were purchasing any other product. For example, Best Buy sells seven different hearing aid brands online including Jabra, Lexie, and Eargo. All you need to do is place one in your cart. 

OTC hearing aids found online are not customized to your specific hearing loss like prescription hearing aids.  This purchase process is only appropriate for people with mild to moderate, age-related hearing loss according to new FDA rules. If you’re not sure about your severity of hearing loss, many brand and retailer websites offer online hearing tests so you can screen yourself and receive a general report of your hearing loss. However, most of these online hearing tests do not offer audiograms that map out your hearing loss to specific frequencies and pitches. It’s best to visit an audiologist for a thorough exam to make sure you’re purchasing what you need. Severe and profound hearing loss cannot be treated with OTC hearing aids found online and should be treated with prescription hearing aids through an audiologist.

In-Store at Retailers

You can also find OTC hearing aids at local in-person retailers. Since the recent FDA ruling, OTC hearing aid brands have established partnerships with big-box retailers like Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, and Sam’s Club. Select brands are available at each retailer, so if you’re looking for a specific brand and style, call ahead to see if they carry it. Some retailers even have exclusive deals to sell certain brand models, like Costco’s Jabra Enhance Pro. 

Big-box retailers typically do not offer hearing tests and fitting on-site. Costco and Sam’s Club are exceptions. A membership to either store includes access to their in-store Hearing Aid Centers, which offer free hearing tests, fittings, and follow-up appointments when you call ahead. If testing reveals severe to profound hearing loss, you’ll need to visit an audiology clinic to receive a prescription hearing aid.

Audiologists and Hearing Clinics

Both OTC and prescription hearing aids can be purchased in person at audiology clinics. When purchasing prescription hearing aids, your audiologist will complete an audiogram to determine which frequencies and pitches are affected by your hearing loss. An audiologist can then make recommendations for hearing aids based on your hearing loss and fit you with a hearing aid that matches the shape and size of your ear. Prescription hearing aids also require an audiologist to access hearing aid software to program them to your specific hearing needs.

Some hearing aid companies like Audicus or Phonak have flagship stores or partner clinics that staff audiologists for testing and fitting. You can find these locations listed on the company’s websites. All flagship stores and partner clinics have hearing aid specialists on staff to test your hearing and order the best hearing aid for your needs. Once they arrive, you will return to the store or clinic to receive and test your new hearing aids. 

ZipHearing is a discount retailer that works similarly. It offers discount prescription hearing aids when purchased through one of its partner clinics across the country. Once you provide your zip code and phone number to a phone representative, they connect you to one of their partner hearing clinics in your area to make an appointment with an audiologist. Their process works exactly the same as company flagship stores and partner clinics, except you’ll pay less because ZipHearing offers buys directly from the manufacturer to sell to you.

Buying Hearing Aids Using In-Home Services

For some, mobility is a barrier to receiving hearing care. If you need in-person hearing services but have limited transportation, there are services available that can come to you. Some local clinics offer in-home visits, but with an additional fee for transportation time. Call your local hearing clinic to see if they offer in-home services. Fees and availability depend on the clinic.

Online retailers like Yes Hearing offer cheaper in-home services. Similar to ZipHearing, they offer discount-price prescription hearing aids when purchased through a Yes Hearing specialist. However, Yes Hearing can perform in-home testing at no extra cost. To get started, you’ll have to book a free online consultation to speak with a specialist and find the right product based on your budget, lifestyle, and degree of hearing loss. Once you order your hearing aids, a Yes Hearing specialist will deliver it to help you fit and adjust the device according to your needs. 

How We Research and Test Hearing Aids

Our hearing aid team hosted a research summit to test, score, and compare products on the market to determine which ones are the best. During the summit, our researchers performed in-depth testing on each hearing aid to score quality of features (like product durability and Bluetooth connectivity), user experience, pricing, customer service and support, and reputation. Check out our research methodology article for more details.

We interviewed expert audiologists Brad Ingrao, Au.D, with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Sheri Mello, Au.D, with Raleigh Hearing and Tinnitus Center, about the hearing tests they use in their offices, different types of hearing loss, specific hearing aid models, and the industry as a whole.

Next, our team conducted an online survey in August 2022 and held two focus groups—one for hearing aid users and the other for non-hearing aid users. The last step of our rigorous methodology process included the team physically testing 11 hearing aid models in our Raleigh, N.C. testing laboratory.

Overall, we’ve spent more than 4,000 hours researching hearing aid brands and consulting with audiologists to help you find the device that’s best for you.