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5 Best Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
By Joshmi Joseph | Reviewed by Rachel Hisle | Updated: Jan. 10, 2024
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids redefine accessibility, allowing consumers to make straightforward purchases without consulting an audiologist or hearing professional. Ideal for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, these aids offer a practical solution easily accessible online or through a local retailer. By eliminating the need for professional consultations, OTC hearing aids streamline the process for users seeking to address their auditory needs. In this article, we will dive into some of the best hearing aids available over the counter.
Best Overall
Jabra Enhance Plus »
Pros:
- Self-guided fitting and personalization with the Jabra Enhance app
- Water and dust resistant (P52-rated)
- Bluetooth streaming
- Earbud design
Cons:
- Connection limited to iOS devices
- Limited color options
The Jabra Enhance Plus is a self-fitting over-the-counter hearing aid that has capabilities for hands-free calling and playing music. Its miniaturized, ultra-discreet design ensures a comfortable fit, and compatibility with iOS devices enhances user convenience. The medical-grade hearing enhancement technology with new signal processing offers exceptional audio clarity. With Bluetooth 5.2, the Jabra Enhance Plus eliminates audio dropouts, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity. One important note, however, is that this hearing aid and its features are only available to iOS users, as the Bluetooth connectivity and app are only compatible with the Apple iPhone.
With 12 hours of power on a full charge, the battery life is comparable to many OTC hearing aids in our best list. But with some models reaching 16 to 20 hours of power on a single charge, there is still room for improvement in terms of reaching all full day’s power.
Jabra's advanced algorithms effectively minimize background noise, optimizing speech clarity. The microphone directionality adapts automatically in noisy environments, enhancing speech audibility. And the sound analysis feature mirrors the human ear for a natural auditory experience. Ideal for those seeking discreet, high-performing hearing aids, Jabra Enhance Plus stands out for its use of in-app sound adjustments and sound clarity, making it a top choice for a seamless hearing solution.
Specs:
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Price per pair:
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$799.00 |
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Warranty and trial period:
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One-year warranty; 45-day free trial |
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Battery life:
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Up to 12 hours of battery life; 35 hours with the charging case |
Best Budget
Go Lite OTC Hearing Aid »
Pros:
- Under $200 for a pair
- Small earbud design
- Up to 20 hours of power on a single charge
Cons:
- No Bluetooth streaming options
- No noise or feedback cancellation
- Basic functionalities
The Go Lite OTC hearing aid from Go Hearing offers an affordable and convenient sound boost for users seeking simplicity and effectiveness. This hearing aid is wireless and rechargeable and prioritizes practicality. It is ideal for small group settings and smaller group gatherings as it caters to specific needs without unnecessary complexity. However, with this simplicity comes a lack of potentially necessary features.
The Go Lite hearing aid relies on analog sound processing which simply makes sounds louder as opposed to digital sound processing which helps discriminate between the sounds by suppressing background noise. That being said, the Go Lite also does not include noise or feedback cancellation, features which are at least included in a basic form with all other hearing aids in this list.
One major plus to the Go Lite hearing aids (besides the very low price point) is the battery life. On a single charge, the hearing aids supply up to 20 hours of power. The wireless charging case also holds up to six full charges, ensuring continuous usage and supplying a much longer battery supply than other hearing aids in this list.
Specs:
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Price per pair:
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$199.00 |
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Warranty and trial period:
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One-year warranty; 45-day money-back guarantee |
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Charging:
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Up to 20 hours of use per charge; up to six full charges with wireless charging case |
Best for Music Lovers
HP Hearing PRO »
Pros:
- Modern earbud shape
- Vented acoustical design
- Bluetooth streaming
Cons:
- Battery only lasts up to 8 hours
- Only works with both earbuds worn
The HP Hearing PRO, powered by Nuheara, is an FDA-cleared, self-fitting OTC hearing aid that comes equipped with the HP Hearing App. Along with its vented acoustical design made for music listening, the HP Hearing PRO provides active noise canceling and Bluetooth streaming through a device that looks almost identical to an earbud. One potential drawback to choosing this hearing aid is if you only want to wear a singular hearing aid. As this hearing aid is made with music in mind, the HP Hearing PRO requires both hearing aids to be worn simultaneously.
The HP Hearing PRO comes equipped with Ear ID, a tool that tests hearing thresholds from low frequency to high frequency in each ear. Following the test, Ear ID automatically self-fits the HP Hearing PRO hearing aids according to the user's needs. The HP hearing app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
On a full charge, the HP Hearing PRO hearing aids can power up to eight hours of hearing processing and up to five hours of Bluetooth streaming. While the portable charging case can provide extra power on the go, eight hours may not be enough for sufficient full-day coverage.
Specs:
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Price per pair:
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$499.00 |
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Warranty and trial period:
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Two-year manufacturer’s warranty; 60-day money-back guarantee |
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Charging:
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Up to 8 hours battery life; wireless charging case included |
Best for a Discreet Fit
Eargo 7 »
Pros:
- Sound Adjust+ with clarity mode
- Water- and sweat-resistant, with a rating of IPX7
- Less than ¾ inches from end to tip
Cons:
- Comparatively higher price point
- Lacks Bluetooth streaming
The Eargo 7 hearing aid comes equipped with Sound Adjust+ and Clarity Mode, innovative noise reduction technologies that ensure clear speech in any environment along with comfort for users. The Eargo 7 boasts a virtually invisible design and measures less than ¾ inches from end to tip.
Eargo's self-fitting technology allows users to personalize their devices at home, eliminating the need for in-office appointments. Each Eargo 7 order comes with additional petals and mic caps for self-adjustment and care. Sound Match, clinically proven to offer a sound self-fit comparable to clinic-fitted hearing aids, offers a tailored experience for improved hearing. Eargo provides support through the Eargo app and Eargo Support for user convenience.
The Eargo 7 is both waterproof and sweatproof meaning that it can handle brief exposure to and submersion in water. The closed petals minimize sound leakage and reduce feedback, while the open petals create a more natural listening experience. With up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge and up to two days with the portable carrying case, Eargo 7 hearing aids are a reliable choice for those seeking comfort, convenience, and performance. Overall, Eargo 7 offers a discreet and innovative option at a considerably higher price tag.
Specs:
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Price per pair:
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$2,950.00 |
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Warranty and trial period:
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Up to two-year warranty; 45-day return period |
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Charging:
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Up to 16 hours of battery life; up to 48 hours with charging case |
Best for Professional Support
MDHearing AIR »
Pros:
- Includes lifetime professional support
- Can purchase a singular hearing aid
- Comes with four pre-programmed sound settings
Cons:
- No mobile app available
- Not fully customizable
- Users report limited filtering settings and background noise cancellation
MDHearing AIR stands out as a practical and cost-effective solution for individuals seeking high-quality sound without the hefty price tag. This FDA-registered over-the-counter hearing aid employs background noise reduction and feedback cancellation for an optimal auditory experience.
The MDHearing ComfortTips are included to provide all-day comfort during extended use. The user-friendly controls facilitate easy sound adjustments, with four preprogrammed sound settings. While MDHearing AIR doesn’t require a smartphone app to make sound adjustments, users report this lack of external control limits filtering settings and background noise cancellation. The hearing aids are reported to offer between 12 and 16 hours of battery life on a single charge, with the portable charging case allowing for up to three more full charges.
Backed by a dedicated team of licensed hearing professionals, the AIR hearing aids are designed to assist 94% of Americans with hearing loss. While some providers limit support to one year or the term of your product warranty, all MDHearing hearing aids come with lifetime professional support for both device and user issues. The risk-free 45-day trial, coupled with free shipping and a 100% money-back guarantee, makes achieving better hearing simple and more accessible. The package includes the FDA-registered AIR hearing aid, a charging case, a cord, a cleaning tool, an instruction manual, and a quick-start guide.
Specs:
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Price per pair:
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$1,199.98 |
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Warranty and trial period:
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One-year warranty; 45-day free trial |
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Charging:
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12-16 hour battery life; up to three full charges with charging case |
The Bottom Line
The accessibility and affordability of quality hearing solutions that are available over the counter provide a viable option for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Consider Jabra Enhance Plus for its comprehensive package, user-friendly features, and professional support options, or the Go Lite OTC Hearing Aid for a discreet design under $200 per pair.
Prioritize a product that aligns with your comfort, lifestyle, and budget, and take advantage of trials and guarantees to ensure satisfaction with your choice. Most importantly, always consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on hearing health.
Things To Consider When Buying Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Sound Quality
Choosing over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids necessitates careful consideration of sound quality, an important factor influencing the device's overall effectiveness. The primary purpose of hearing aids is to improve auditory experiences, making clarity and precision in sound reproduction crucial. When selecting OTC options, users must prioritize devices that deliver superior sound quality, considering noise and feedback cancellation, sound distortion, and sound amplification, to ensure effective communication in various scenarios, such as general conversing, watching television, or participating in group settings.
Battery Life
Battery life is another important consideration when purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids as it directly impacts the convenience and overall effectiveness of the hearing aid. Consider how long, on average, you’re awake, on the go, or simply need clearer hearing. This will help you determine the minimum length of battery life you need.
Many OTC hearing aids provide power for up to 12 hours, so if your active day is longer than this you’ll want to consider a hearing aid with longer battery life. Additionally, take into consideration your hearing aid usage. With simple sound amplification and noise cancellation in use, you’ll likely be able to make it near the full estimated battery life. If you plan to do a lot of Bluetooth streaming with your device, using it as a headphone alternative, your length of power may decrease.
Warranty and Support
Warranty and support are integral considerations when purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, both play an important role in the overall user experience and product reliability. A robust warranty provides users with a safety net, ensuring protection against unforeseen issues or malfunctions. OTC hearing aids are a significant investment in one's auditory well-being, and a comprehensive warranty reflects the manufacturer's confidence in their product's durability and performance.
Having an open and available line of support is vital as well. Users may encounter challenges during the initial setup, usage, or maintenance of their hearing aids, making responsive and knowledgeable support a valuable resource. Effective customer support ensures timely resolution of issues, contributing to a positive user experience and satisfaction. You can typically gauge how well a company handles its customers’ issues by reading online reviews.
Connectivity Options
While the main purpose of hearing aids is to enhance external sound, connectivity options also play an important role in everyday functioning. For example, some hearing aids come with Bluetooth connectivity, meaning that they can connect to the manufacturer’s app for setup and maintenance. Others come with Bluetooth streaming. This feature also allows you to connect to various audio sources, such as smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices, to listen to music and engage in other multimedia content.
How We Chose the Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
At U.S. News 360 Reviews, our contributor consulted with experts, including audiologists and directors of audiology programs, to create this list of the best over-the-counter hearing aids. Based on experts’ feedback, our contributor’s experience with these devices, and thorough research on price, comfort, and features, we narrowed our selection. Overall, this list of the best hearing aids is compiled based on the real-world data available to us and can help you choose the best brand and model for you.
WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?
Our contributors and editors have years of experience researching, testing, and reviewing products.
Joshmi Joseph, the author of this piece and a contributor for 360 Reviews, has extensive product reviewing experience with a concentration on consumer products and consumer health. Joshmi has scientific research experience in the fields of neuropsychology and organic chemistry with two peer-reviewed, published papers in PubMed. As a human factors engineer who has worked as an EMT, she has expertise conducting user interviews as well as researching and designing for a medical alert system. She focuses on how people – especially those with disabilities – can more easily interact with and use products.
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