8 Best Hearing Aids in 2024
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Share on Pinterest Quick look at the best hearing aids
From rechargeable hearing aid units and hearing aids that let you enhance the sound of live music, to pairs that are nearly invisible and those that celebrate your favorite color, you have options.
We’ll explain the main features of hearing aids and how an audiologist can guide you to the right pair for your needs. Plus, we give you our picks for prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids offering the best quality for the price.
Pricing guide
Hearing aid prices can vary significantly, from retailer to retailer and among over-the-counter (OTC) products — priced between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars — and prescription devices, which start around $2,000 and can cost up to $6,000 a pair. Sometimes hearing aids are bundled with additional services, such as follow-up visits and hearing aid maintenance.
Prices are estimated as follows:
Healthline’s picks for best hearing aids
Best prescription hearing aid
Phonak Bolero Marvel Hearing Aid
Healthline's review
These behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are for people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. A hearing care professional, such as an audiologist, will work with you to determine which model and performance level will be best for you.
These hearing aids are powerful enough to produce clear, crisp sounds in noisy environments. This translates into less listening effort during conversations and during events like lectures and plays.
They’re Bluetooth compatible with iOS and Android. You can use them for hands-free calling and for streaming media.
They’re rechargeable and will hold a charge for 24 hours, even if you use them for streaming.
The MyPhonak app lets you adjust and fine-tune your hearing aids remotely.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best invisible hearing aid
Phonak Lyric Hearing Aid
Healthline's review
The Phonak Lyric is placed directly into your ear canal near your eardrum by a trained hearing care professional, making the aids invisible. They use your ear’s natural shape and anatomy to localize sound.
You can leave these hearing aids in your ears for months at a time without seeing a hearing care professional for removal.
They’re not meant to be worn in water, so Lyric won’t be a great choice for swimmers.
They also provide relief from tinnitus. Price is based on an annual subscription.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best battery life
Signia Pure Charge&Go AX
Healthline's review
This receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid uses two hearing processors to provide what the manufacturer refers to as augmented sound. One processor focuses on sounds like conversations. The other focuses on sounds in your environment, including background noise. This lets you hear people’s voices clearly, even in noisy or windy locations.
It comes in a standard and a telecoil version, for people who wish to connect directly to public audio loop systems, like those found in airports and stadiums.
It has a mini charger that provides 36 hours of use on a single charge, with 5 hours of streaming.
This hearing aid can be used by people with any hearing loss level, from mild to profound.
You can use the Signia app to connect with a hearing professional, or to make adjustments manually. Most iOS and Android phones are compatible with the app. Available in 10 colors.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for severe to profound hearing loss
Oticon Xceed Hearing Aid
4 (2+) from ZipHearing
Healthline's review
These behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are designed to isolate sound and focus on the person in front of you, to differentiate between speech and background noise. They’re powered by disposable batteries that you change manually.
They’re available in two power levels – super power and ultra power. Both are designed for severe to profound hearing loss. A hearing care professional can help you determine which power level is best for you.
They use a technology that the manufacturer calls BrainHearing to scan your environment repeatedly, providing speech clarity and reduced listening effort. They can eliminate the feedback noise caused by close proximity to the speaker, such as whistling and static.
They also have Bluetooth technology and direct streaming capability. They’re available in seven colors.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best hearing aid for tinnitus
Oticon More Hearing Aids
4.7 (90+) from ZipHearing
Healthline's review
Tinnitus often results from hearing loss. Oticon More uses BrainHearing Technology, a proprietary hearing technology, to deliver 30% more sound to the brain.
These Oticon More hearing aids come with Oticon’s Tinnitus SoundSupport system, which is controlled through an app. The app is compatible with iPhone and Android. It uses masking relief sounds that reduce your brain’s perception of tinnitus sounds. There’s a library of sounds to choose from, including white noise and ocean sounds.
Oticon More hearing aids have a chip embedded in each device that has been trained on 12 million real-life sounds. According to the manufacturer, this supports your brain to make better sense of the sounds coming into your ears. The result is less listening effort and enhanced speech understanding.
A variety of hearing programs includes MyMusic, which provides rich, crystal-clear sound when you’re listening to live music or streaming music from your device.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for one-sided-hearing loss
Signia Silk X Hearing Aid
4.9 (6+) from ZIPHEARING
Healthline's review
These hearing aids eliminate the wait time typically required for custom-made hearing aids. They come with silicone click sleeves that click onto the hearing aids, providing a secure, custom-like fit.
They’re Bluetooth compatible and can be used to make phone calls and stream media.
Telecare remote support with a hearing care professional is available through the Signia app. You can also use the app to control your settings and volume. Settings can also be adjusted through a mini device you attach to your key ring.
If you have one-sided hearing loss, you can use these hearing aids with a CROS Silk X accessory.
Signia hearing aids come with tinnitus-relieving tools, including Notch Therapy. Notch Therapy can identify and reduce your tinnitus frequency. Sound masking is also used.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid
Jabra Enhance Select 300
4.6 (2.7k+) from Jabra
Healthline's review
The Jabra Enhance 300 is an RIE aid that prioritizes speech and reduced background noise to support hearing even in noisy environments. It also offers a music mode for improving the sound of live music.
It’s designed for mild to moderate hearing loss.
It’s available in five colors and comes with a charging case that provides 24-hour service on a full charge.
The Jabra Enhance requires a smartphone to control and customize your hearing aid settings, however. But this function also allows hands-free calling.
Jabra offers a 100-day trial period, a 1-year warranty, and customer care and technical support 7 days a week. You can extend your coverage to 3 years by purchasing a premium care and protection package. If you go with the premium package, you’ll get unlimited access via Zoom to an audiologist. You can request the same audiologist for every appointment, if you choose.
Pros & cons
Product details
Most comfortable OTC hearing aid
Bose Lexie B1 OTC Hearing Aid
3.9 (83+) from AmazonHealthline's review
If your hearing aids aren’t comfortable, you probably won’t wear them. Since they’re self-fitting, the Lexie B1 overrides that potential issue. They come with an ear measuring tool and domes in multiple sizes, so you’ll be able to give yourself a professional-level hearing aid fitting at home.
They’re also self-tuning. You can amplify quiet sounds to better hear conversations in noisy rooms, plus adjust treble and bass for crispness and tone.
You can also use the Lexie app to store multiple hearing environment settings, like watching TV, parks, and restaurants.
The Lexie B1 uses disposable 312 zinc-air batteries. If you prefer a rechargeable hearing aid option, the Lexie B2 is also available at a slightly higher price.
Pros & cons
Product details
Style of hearing aids
Here are common acronyms for the five style types of hearing aids:
Hearing aids compared
Product, price, and availabilityBest for StyleBattery lifePhonak Bolero MarvelRx$$mild to moderately severe BTErechargeable: 24 hoursPhonak LyricRx$$ – $$$$mild to severeITCno batteries required: monthsSignia Pure Charge&Go AXRx$$$mild to profound RITErechargeable: 36 hoursOticon XceedRx$$$severe to profound BTErechargeable: 3–10 daysOticon MoreRx$$$mild to severe miniBTE and miniRITErechargeable: 24 hoursSignia Silk XRx$$ – $$$mild to moderate CICdisposable: up to 7 daysJabra Enhance Select 300OTC$$mild to moderate RIErechargeable: 24 hoursBose Lexie B1OTC$mild to moderate RICdisposable: 4–7 daysRx=prescription, OTC=over the counter
Hearing aids: Key factors
Numerous factors influence which hearing aids best suit your needs. Here are a few important ones to keep in mind.
Level of hearing loss
“Degree of hearing loss, type of hearing loss, and configuration of hearing loss all contribute to a final hearing care plan, including the recommendation of devices if appropriate,” said Dr. Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center.
The American Academy of Audiology stresses the need for consumers to receive a comprehensive audiological assessment before buying hearing aids. This will also help determine if underlying factors, such as taking ototoxic medications or conditions like ear infections, may be causing your hearing loss.
Prescription vs. OTC hearing aids
Prescription hearing aids include customization for your particular hearing needs and ear shape and ongoing care from a hearing specialist. This ensures regular assessments of your hearing and adjustments to your hearing aids as needed.
“What matters is how the hearing aids are programmed for the individual,” Palmer said. “There are some differences between levels of technology and manufacturers for specific signal processing and features. The audiologist keeps up with all of this — it changes all the time — and makes sure they are selecting the right combination of features and signal processing and tuning them correctly for the individual.”
Prescription hearing aids can also cost thousands of dollars. Original Medicare and many other health insurance plans don’t cover the cost of hearing aids. Plans that do provide coverage often have high copays or high deductibles. Some FSA and HSA plans can help cover costs.
OTC hearing aids are designed for mild to moderate hearing loss, and they don’t come with in-person, ongoing care. However, they’re typically less expensive than prescription hearing aids, which can be a big plus. There are online hearing tests available to help guide your choice in OTC hearing aids, although they’re not as accurate or comprehensive as what you’d receive in person with a hearing specialist.
Other factors
Within both categories are rechargeable hearing aids and those running on disposable batteries. Your ability to handle small batteries and other hearing aid components will matter in this regard. If you have arthritis that affects your hands, the Arthritis Foundation provides an ease-of-use product list that includes disposable hearing aid batteries with easy-to-handle tabs.
Different hearing aids also have different enhancements and options, from noise cancellation and Bluetooth connectivity to special settings for being outdoors or listening to live music. There is also a range of technological support packages available, from minimal to having online help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
At the end of the day, using your hearing aids once you get them is what matters most — even when it means going through an adjustment period. “Hearing aids need to be worn full time, all waking hours, to provide maximum benefit,” Palmer said. “It takes about 3 weeks of full-time use for the brain to adjust [to hearing aids]. The individual cannot adapt to the sounds if they are not exposed to them, so full-time use is essential.”
How we chose the best hearing aids
For this roundup, we vetted 16 hearing aid brands and products that licensed hearing professionals consistently recommend to their patients. The products featured here also meet criteria approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
We analyzed each brand’s best practices to ensure that their products meet industry standards for efficacy and customer service satisfaction. We also examined the companies’ reputations to see if changes were made to remedy past offenses.
In addition, we read scores of online consumer reviews and only chose products that consistently get more positive than negative comments.
Most of the hearing aids on this list come with financing options, a manufacturer’s warranty, and a 30-day or greater risk-free trial.
We also looked at a wide range of features that are important to consumers, including:
Read more about how we vet brands and products.
What to consider before buying hearing aids
Your first step when beginning your hearing aid exploration should be to speak with an auditory specialist who can assess your situation, Palmer said. “Each person has a unique hearing loss and unique ear canal characteristics.”
She recommends finding someone who works with all the major hearing aid manufacturers to help find the right technology for your needs.
Other factors to keep in mind when considering hearing aids include:
Learn more about what to look for, and how to shop for hearing aids.
Research published by the American Auditory Society found that younger people tend to overestimate their level of hearing loss, while older people tend to underestimate it. Getting the wrong hearing aids can lead to frustration and increased isolation levels.
How to care for your hearing aids
Hearing aids are sophisticated technological equipment. According to the manufacturer’s instructions, they must be cleaned regularly. Many hearing aids come with wax guards designed for this purpose.
To prolong the life of your hearing aids and avoid damage, follow these additional tips:
Frequently asked questions
What are the best hearing aid companies?
There are many reputable, high quality hearing aid companies. They include Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Starkey, Widex, Jabra, Miracle Ear, and Signia, among others. There are others, and this isn’t an exhaustive list.
“All of the hearing aid manufacturers make excellent products,”said Dr. Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
She recommends going to an audiologist who works with all major brands to ensure you get the right match for your needs.
Additionally, when considering hearing aid brands, you might also consider things like available support, warranty, and insurance options that protect you from loss or damage to your hearing aids.
There are many reputable, high quality hearing aid companies. They include Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Starkey, Widex, Jabra, Miracle Ear, and Signia, among others. There are others, and this isn’t an exhaustive list.
“All of the hearing aid manufacturers make excellent products,”said Dr. Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
She recommends going to an audiologist who works with all major brands to ensure you get the right match for your needs.
Additionally, when considering hearing aid brands, you might also consider things like available support, warranty, and insurance options that protect you from loss or damage to your hearing aids.
What is the easiest hearing aid to use?
Ease of use is determined by many factors, including technological comfort, type of battery, and ability to quickly alter or change program settings.
Many people find that the Phonak Lyric is the easiest hearing aid to use, since it’s inserted into the ear by a hearing professional, and left there for many months.
Others prefer a hands-on approach, and the ability to fine-tune their hearing aids either through an app or through their devices.
Ease of use is determined by many factors, including technological comfort, type of battery, and ability to quickly alter or change program settings.
Many people find that the Phonak Lyric is the easiest hearing aid to use, since it’s inserted into the ear by a hearing professional, and left there for many months.
Others prefer a hands-on approach, and the ability to fine-tune their hearing aids either through an app or through their devices.
Which are the best hearing aids on the market?
There are many comparable hearing aids. For this roundup, we chose the Phonak Bolero Marvel because its sound quality is considered superior by many users.
There are many comparable hearing aids. For this roundup, we chose the Phonak Bolero Marvel because its sound quality is considered superior by many users.
Do more expensive hearing aids work better?
Hearing aids can top $8,000 per pair. The most expensive hearing aids may, in some instances, produce better sound with less noise or interference. They may also include special features, or a smaller size.
But you can still get excellent, comparable sound quality from hearing aids that are much less expensive.
Hearing aids can top $8,000 per pair. The most expensive hearing aids may, in some instances, produce better sound with less noise or interference. They may also include special features, or a smaller size.
But you can still get excellent, comparable sound quality from hearing aids that are much less expensive.
Takeaway
About 37.5 million adults in the United States have hearing loss and would benefit from wearing hearing aids.
Getting fitted for hearing aids to make sure they fit properly, are comfortable, and match your preferred style is important. But the price and cost of meeting with a professional may be outside of your budget at the moment.
In that case, OTC alternatives, while not specifically tailored to your needs, may be a more budget-friendly alternative.
Posted : 2024-08-29 10:49
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