Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids have been on the market for a little over a year. You can now find hearing aids online and on store shelves, and you can buy them without needing to see an audiologist or other hearing care professional.
These over-the-counter devices—intended for people with mild or moderate hearing loss—are easier to buy and often (though not always) more affordable than traditional hearing aids. But before you buy a pair, it’s wise to do some careful research first.
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A Complete Guide to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Look for key features such as the level of customization available, whether the hearing aids have rechargeable or replaceable batteries, what the return policy entails, and whether they must be connected to a smartphone app (and whether that app is available for your phone). Also pay attention to the price, which is likely to range from about $200 to nearly $3,000 per pair.
Here, we’ve broken down a number of these features for a variety of over-the-counter hearing aid brands. Note that while this isn’t a comprehensive list, it includes some of the major players in this space so far, including some of the brands available to purchase at big-box stores like Best Buy.
In our recent testing of over-the-counter hearing aids, we evaluated specific products from some, though not all, of these brands.
These are listed in alphabetical order.
Find the Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid for You
Wetested 10 OTC hearing aidsmade by Audien, Eargo, Go Hearing, Jabra, Lexie, Lucid, and Sony.
Eargo
Models: 5, 6, 7
Preset or self-fitting? Self-fitting.
Battery type: Rechargeable.
Return policy: 45 days if purchased from Eargo; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy.
Customer service: Phone-based support, including ongoing access to hearing professionals.
Price per pair: From $1,650 for Eargo 5 to $2,950 for Eargo 7.
Connected device: Pairs with an app for iOS or Android.
Warranty period: 1 or 2 years.
See our evaluation of the Eargo 7.
Photo: Eargo Photo: Eargo
Go Hearing
Models: Go Lite, Go Prime, Go Ultra
Preset or self-fitting? Preset. (Go Lite offers volume control only.)
Battery type: Rechargeable.
Return policy: 45 days if purchased from Go Hearing; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy.
Customer service: Phone-based support.
Price per pair: GoLite: $169. GoPrime: $299. Go Ultra: $499.
Connected device: None.
Warranty period: 1 year.
Where to buy:Go Hearing,Best Buy,CVS,Walmart
See our evaluation of the Go Hearing Go Lite.
Photo: Go Hearing Photo: Go Hearing
HearingAssist
Models: A wide array.
Preset or self-fitting? Preset.
Battery type: Rechargeable and replaceable battery models.
Return policy: 60 days.
Customer service: Phone-based customer support service. Optional setup call with a licensed hearing professional after purchase.
Price per pair: From $399 to $699.
Connected device: Some models pair with an app for iOS or Android.
Warranty period: 1 year.
Where to buy:HearingAssist,Best Buy,Walmart
Photo: Hearing Assist Photo: Hearing Assist
HP
Models: Hearing Pro
Preset or self-fitting? Self-fitting.
Battery type: Rechargeable.
Return policy: 60 days.
Customer service: Phone-based support, including the option to speak with licensed audiologists.
Price per pair: $499.
Connected device: Pairs with an app for iOS or Android.
Warranty period: 2 years.
Where to buy: HP Hearing Pro, Best Buy, Crutchfield, Diglo
Photo: HP Hearing PRO Photo: HP Hearing PRO
Jabra
Models: Enhance Plus
Preset or self-fitting? Self-fitting.
Battery type: Rechargeable.
Return policy: 45 days if purchased from Jabra; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy.
Customer service: Phone-based support service. Customers can also go to a certified Jabra Enhance Center for help. Service fees may apply.
Price per pair: $799.
Connected device: Pairs with an app for iOS only.
Warranty period: 1 year.
See our evaluation of the Jabra Enhance Plus.
Photo: Jabra Photo: Jabra
Lexie
Models: B1 Powered by Bose, B2 Powered by Bose (shown below), Lumen
Preset or self-fitting? Self-fitting.
Battery type: B1, Lumen: replaceable battery. B2: rechargeable.
Return policy: 45 days if purchased from Lexie; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy.
Customer service: Phone support, video-call support via app, and if you use Lexie’s in-app coaching services to help you get used to your hearing aids, you can earn rewards.
Price per pair: B1: $849. B2: $999. Lumen: $799.
Connected device: Pairs with an app for iOS or Android.
Warranty period: 1 year.
Where to buy:Lexie,Best Buy,CVS,Walgreens,Walmart
See our evaluation of the Lexie Lumen and the B2 Powered by Bose.
Photo: Lexis Photo: Lexis
Lucid
Models: A wide array.
Preset or self-fitting? Preset.
Battery type: Rechargeable and replaceable battery models.
Return policy: 90 days if purchased from Lucid or Sam’s Club; 60 days if purchased elsewhere.
Customer service: Phone and video-based support with licensed hearing professionals. You can also go to a Lucid Hearing Center for in-person support.
Price per pair: From $200 to $1,300.
Connected device: Some models pair with an app for iOS or Android.
Warranty period: 1 year.
See our evaluation of the Lucid Enlite and Engage.
Photo: Lucid Photo: Lucid
Sony
Models: CRE-C10, CRE-E10
Preset or self-fitting? Self-fitting.
Battery type: CRE-C10: replaceable battery. CRE-E10: rechargeable.
Return policy: 45 days if purchased from Sony; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy.
Customer service: Support via Sony customer service.
Price per pair: CRE-C10: $1,000. CRE-E10: $1,300.
Connected device: Pairs with an app for iOS or Android.
Warranty period: 1 year.
See our evaluations of the Sony CRE-C10 and the CRE-E10.
Photo: Sony Photo: Sony
Catherine Roberts
Catherine Roberts is a health and science journalist at Consumer Reports. She has been at CR since 2016, covering infectious diseases, bugs and bug sprays, consumer medical devices like hearing aids and blood pressure monitors, health privacy, and more. As a civilian, her passions include bike rides, horror films and fiction, and research rabbit holes. Follow her on Twitter @catharob.
