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If you’re struggling with hearing loss, you now have more options: You can get hearing aids over the counter without dealing with the hurdles needed to source them through a doctor. Over-the-counter hearing aids are relatively new, but there are already plenty of options to choose from.
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The Eargo 7 OTC hearing aids may be the smallest hearing aids I’ve ever seen. One hearing aid is barely longer than the length of my fingernail and half as wide. I would consider them a “micro” hearing aid that sits fully in the ear canal. You can’t see them from the side, so they are my pick for the best invisible-fit OTC hearing aids. They’re great for people who want a discreet hearing-aid experience or whose hearing devices are susceptible to being bumped or brushed. They’re also good for people who wear glasses.
The charging case for the Eargo 7 OTC hearing aids is uniquely designed to match the modernity of the product. It’s a circle, with the top third coming off to reveal the hearing aids. It’s about the width of a soda can and can easily fit in your back pocket.
You start the setup for the product by scanning a QR code and calling the company to register your device. Then you install the app, which is compatible with iOS 12 or Android 7 or later. The app is one of the simplest to use, with sound profiles and buttons to increase or decrease for volume. However, the app does not show you the current volume of your hearing aids, which all others do. While you can navigate up or down, you have no way of knowing if you are at low, middle or high volume.
Eargo offers lifetime support from its team of licensed professionals. Overall, I was impressed with the quality and simplicity of the Eargo 7 OTC hearing aids. This was one of the favorites of my dad, who appreciated how small the device is.
Eargo OTC hearing aids best features:
Things to consider:
Battery: Rechargeable with a 16-hour single charge. The charging case provides two additional days of power without being plugged in.
Price: $2,550. 12 and 24 months financing options available.
Warranty: Two-year warranty. 45-day return policy.
Style: Completely in canal
Bluetooth: Yes
<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best iPhone Bluetooth OTC hearing aids" description="
The Jabra Enhance Plus OTC hearing aids have a classic earbud look. So much so that the average person likely would mistake them for Bluetooth headphones. The fit is similar to a headphone and visible while wearing it, but really lightweight and comfortable. At no point did I feel they would fall out of my ears, though I could see how after a full day of wear, you would look forward to taking them out.
Unlike other OTC hearing aids, the Jabra Enhance Plus devices completely block out natural external noises from getting into the ear. The devices rely on directional microphones to reproduce natural sounds. This is great for streaming music and phone calls. However, it didn’t stack up as well as the other options for functioning as a hearing aid. It does amplify sounds, and they sound louder, but so did my voice while wearing them. They are great if you mainly hope to amplify sound and use them for music. But they wouldn’t be my pick if you are looking for an everyday hearing aid.
The setup was similar to other OTC hearing aids: You install the app, take a hearing test, connect your hearing aids and adjust as needed. However, one significant drawback of this product is that it is made for iPhones and is not compatible with Android, which I have. However, Jabra has stated that it plans to release it to Android, but there is no date as of yet.
The Jabra Enhance Plus OTC hearing aids are great for iPhone users who, in addition to wanting to enhance hearing, are also looking to play music and answer calls from their devices.
Jabra OTC hearing aids best features:
Things to consider before buying:
Battery: Rechargeable with a 12-hour single charge. The charging case provides up to 35 hours of power without being plugged in.
Price: $799. 12 to 36 months financing option.
Warranty: One-year warranty. 45-day refund period.
Style: In the ear
Bluetooth: Yes
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Lucid Hearing’s Engage Rechargeable OTC hearing aid reminds me of a classic over-the-ear hearing aid. It has a battery flap at the bottom, which is also rechargeable thanks to the relatively chunky case. (I wouldn’t say it’s something you want to carry in your pocket.)
Our testers found this OTC hearing aid one of the most comfortable and easy to put on. It’s small and lightweight, easily tucked behind the ear. The domes (both open and closed style) that are included give you the most flexibility to find one that fits the size of your ear canal. The device has directional microphones and Bluetooth capabilities.
I did have a few struggles with the app, which I couldn’t get to work on my phone, but when I got it to connect successfully from another phone, I found the app pretty standard. You can adjust the volume of your devices together or independently if you have more hearing loss in one ear. It’s worth noting that the reviews for the app are only 2.4 stars on Google Play and 3.1 on App Store and that users complain about the app being frustrated and the devices being disconnected from Bluetooth. Since you can adjust the volume from the devices, you could probably enjoy them if you don’t care about Bluetooth.
Lucid Engage best features:
Things to consider:
Battery: 20-hour single charge.
Price: $699. 12-month financing option available.
Warranty: One-year warranty. 60-day return window.
Style: Behind the ear
Bluetooth: Yes
<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best simple OTC hearing aid" description="
If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward OTC hearing aid, consider the Sontro Hearing Aids from Soundwave Hearing. They were one of the favorite picks of my grandfather for comfort and use. He was able to get them into his ear the easiest. They resemble traditional hearing aids with their over-the-ear design and battery flap on the bottom. These hearing aids are completely battery dependent, with no rechargeable case. Soundwave Hearing includes four batteries with their devices.
As with other OTC hearing aids, Sontro devices have different sound environments — Automatic (the devices adjust to your surroundings using the directional microphones), Quiet, Noisy and Entertainment. I did notice some traditional feedback while we were handling the devices and pairing them to a phone.
When you start the OtoTune app, you start by connecting your hearing aids and then taking a hearing test that helps the devices customize to your needs. The hearing test is simple and only takes three minutes, and wasn’t available with the other device apps. Just hit the left or right button on your smartphone when you hear the tone played through the device. A tab displays your "report card" or results for low, middle and high frequency in each ear.
Sontro hearing aid’s best features:
Things to consider:
Battery: 312 batteries.
Price: $749, financing available.
Warranty: One-year warranty. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Style: Behind the ear
Bluetooth: Yes
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All the OTC hearing aids I tested included manuals that walk you through how to use the devices. In addition to the packaging, several online videos are available on the Hearing Assist website and YouTube if you have questions. They are particularly helpful if you learn best when seeing someone walk through the device and app. Since most OTC hearing support is through email or phone, I thought this was a nice attempt to bridge the gap. Hearing Assist also offers appointments with its hearing specialists for additional help.
The case of Hearing Assist Control 2.0 OTC hearing aids offer 70 hours of listening time, which is significantly longer than any other case on the list. I was also impressed by the simple addition of magnets on the charging slots that ensure the devices are charging.
The hearing aids are slightly larger than the other over-the-ear devices on this list, but they are still sleek and lightweight. They have the traditional hearing aid look with two buttons on the side that allow you to turn the volume up or down. Overall, this was one of the favorite choices of our testers — they are comfortable, easy to put in and simple to adjust.
Hearing Assist hearing aids best features:
Things to consider:
Battery: 16-hour single charge. 70 hours with the rechargeable carrying case.
Price: $699.99. Financing available.
Warranty: One-year warranty. 60-day money-back guarantee.
Style: Behind the ear
Bluetooth: No
OTC hearing aids are intended to make hearing assistance accessible to everyone. They are generally more affordable and do not require a doctor’s appointment for purchase. Because of this, we approached testing the best OTC hearing aids with a holistic mindset. Our goal was to gauge the entire experience of ordering, setting up and using the devices.
We considered several factors during the testing process.
In addition to our hands-on testing, we looked through user reviews for the product and the apps to fully understand long-term performance.
Over-the-counter hearing aids are a new class of hearing assistance devices you can buy without visiting a doctor. The FDA has established regulations that OTC manufacturers must follow to ensure the devices are safe and effective. They are available for adults ages 18 and over with perceived mild or moderate hearing loss. They are not suitable for those with severe hearing loss or children.
“These devices are available for purchase without the involvement of a licensed healthcare professional; they are subject to regulatory criteria such as output (e.g., loudness) limits and design requirements to ensure that they work well and are safe for consumers,” says Lindsay S. Creed, associate director of audiology practices at American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
On the surface, OTC hearing aids don’t seem all that different from prescription options. They look and operate similarly. According to Creed, the main differences between the two types are “how they are sold, the regulatory criteria they must comply with and who they are intended for.”
OTC hearing aids are only approved for adults with mild or moderate hearing loss. Children with hearing loss or those with severe hearing loss should seek professional assessments to determine their hearing needs.
So, how do you know if you should buy OTC hearing aids? Generally, hearing loss happens gradually over time. You may not even know it’s happening.
Common signs you have hearing loss include, but are not limited to:
While you aren’t required to have a hearing assessment before buying OTC hearing aids, Creed still recommends it, especially since most health insurance plans cover the cost of a hearing evaluation.
“The best way to know if you need hearing aids is to see a certified audiologist for a comprehensive audiological evaluation. This will tell you if you have hearing loss and, if so, what type and how severe. This information, taken together with your lifestyle needs and goals, will help you decide whether an OTC hearing aid is your best choice or if your needs would be better addressed by a prescription hearing aid,” says Creed.
All hearing aids enhance how you hear and communicate in your environment. But they do it in different ways and with varying features. They also look different. One of the most important choices you must make while shopping for hearing aids is the style you want to wear. There are three main hearing aid styles — behind-the-ear, in-the-ear and in-the-canal.
OTC hearing aids vary by their capabilities and technology. Some devices have directional microphones, while others can use Bluetooth to stream music and phone calls directly to your hearing aids. Thinking about your lifestyle and what features you value most before purchasing is important.
Keep these factors in mind when shopping for the best over-the-counter hearing aids:
Creed advises people to pay close attention to the labeling of OTC products. “Ensure the words ‘OTC’ and ‘Hearing Aid’ are on the packaging. Be wary of devices labeled as ‘hearing aid-like devices’ or ‘hearing assistive technology’ or those that are advertised as appropriate for children or greater than a moderate degree of hearing loss.”
“Amazon has already had to crack down on so-called ‘rouge’ sellers, so it’s really important to be aware of suspicious or too-good-to-be-true claims,” Creed says.
