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👋 Soundly Readers Get $50 off Lexie Lumen and B1 hearing aids with code SOUNDLEX23.
There's a good chance you've been inside a CVS in the last month. With almost 10,000 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and 300,000 staff, CVS is a giant in health (and travel-sized toiletries).
In mid-October 2022, CVS added over-the-counter hearing aids to their shelves. The move came after the FDA created a new class of hearing aids that could be sold over the counter.
I'm excited to see hearing aids on the shelves (or websites) of America's biggest pharmacy because it means millions of Americans now have a new way to access hearing care products without going through the sometimes prohibitive local clinic process.
Are OTC hearing aids at CVS the answer for those with hearing loss? Let's take a closer look at what the retailer offers, its process, and its prices.
CVS Now Has Hearing Aids | Reviews, Brands, Process
Soundly conducts in-depth research to guide prospective hearing aid wearers. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Who will benefit from OTC hearing aids at CVS?
- OTC hearing aids are appropriate for people who want lower-cost products that they can program at home without the help of an audiologist.
- OTC hearing aids are best for those with mild-moderate hearing loss. Take a free hearing screener here if you aren't sure where you stand.
- In general, OTC hearing aids offer fewer premium features and fine-tuning options than prescription devices but also significantly lower prices.
Where to find OTC hearing aids at CVS?
At the time of this writing, the CVS hearing aid operation is still getting up to speed. If you search for hearing aids on the CVS website, you will find two options:
Option #1: Order online and pick up at a local store
Option #2: Order online and have the product shipped to your home
Based on my initial research, it does not appear that CVS will carry the product on its shelves. That’s consistent with other major retailers.
Walmart sells hearing aids through its vision center, and Walgreens keeps products behind the pharmacy counter.
I did not find a local store with available pickup at the time of this writing.
The online purchase option is available nationwide but doesn’t offer a clear advantage over purchasing directly from the brand since shipping service and support will all be managed directly by that brand and not by CVS. Prices are the same across leading retailers and websites.
I reached out to the CVS team to better understand the retailer’s training process and plans to bring products to local stores. I will update this guide when I hear more.
For now, it appears that buying hearing aids at CVS is best accomplished through CVS.com.
Which over-the-counter hearing aid brands are available at CVS?
At the time of this writing, CVS lists two brands of OTC hearing aids. Both hearing aids come from the same parent company, hearX Group.
HearX is a well-respected player in hearing health and has emerged as a leader in OTC products. Walgreens, Best Buy, and Walmart also carry hearX products.
Go Hearing
Go hearing aids come at just $199 or $299 per pair (I recommend the $299 version). The devices are rechargeable and come with lifetime support from a hearX expert.
These products do not allow Bluetooth streaming or significant customization to your hearing loss. You can switch between a few set programs to match your hearing loss.
Go is appropriate for simple situational use, like sitting in front of the TV or having conversations in quiet environments. If you need a hearing aid that you can wear all day or in dynamic situations, you'll probably want to step up to the next level of technology.
Find Go OTC hearing aids at CVS or shop Go directly online.
Bose Hearing Aids
Bose hearing aids are one of my favorite OTC products on the market. You can choose between B1 with disposable batteries for $849 and B2 with rechargeable batteries for $999. Neither model allows Bluetooth streaming of music or phone calls.
What sets Bose apart is that you can customize the hearing aids with thousands of combinations using the simple Lexie Hearing app interface.
While traditional products require an audiologist to update your hearing aid program, the Lexie app puts that control in your hands (and smartphone).
Bose formed a strategic partnership with Lexie Hearing (owned by hearX) in the summer of 2022. As a part of that partnership, Lexie now handles all follow-up care for Bose products. Each pair of Bose Hearing aids comes with lifetime care from a Lexie Hearing expert.
Bose is an excellent option if you want solid entry-level hearing aids with enough intelligence to handle background noise.
Find Bose OTC hearing aids at CVS or shop Bose directly online.
Soundly readers Get $50 off Lexie Lumen and B1 hearing aids with code SOUNDLEX23.
What's the return policy and warranty for CVS OTC hearing aids?
- CVS offers free 60-day returns on all OTC hearing aid products.
- CVS OTC hearing aids also come with a 12-month parts and labor warranty.
Are CVS OTC hearing aids good?
The OTC hearing aids at CVS lack some of the premium features available at a local audiologist, but they are of a reputable quality and come from a well respected company.
The Bose hearing aid, especially, is one that I suggest to anyone looking for a place to start. You can read my full review of Bose here.
If you want all the latest hearing aid technology, or prefer to work with a local doctor I suggest looking at a prescription product like Phonak Audéo Lumity or Oticon Real. Checkout our OTC LIVE Tracker to see the full range of available OTC products.
Have you tried the OTC hearing aids at CVS? I’d love to hear from you—send me a note at hello@soundly.com.
