💨 In a hurry? Our top hearing aid brands for 2023 are:
Jabra Enhance Select (Telehealth care and affordable pricing)
Phonak Audeo Lumity (Best Bluetooth connection)
Lexie B2 Powered by Bose (Best OTC)
There are more than 120 hearing brands on the market today. Among those 120 brands are 60-year-old market leaders like GN Resound new OTC hearing aid makers like Eargo and top-retailers like Costco.
If it takes you a moment to orient yourself, welcome to the club.
When I got my first pair of hearing aids, the research process sent me down a rabbit hole. This guide is my best attempt to explain the wild world of hearing aid brands in the simplest terms possible.
Let's Start With Some Basics
- There are 5 major, global manufacturers that make around 95% of all hearing aids
- Each manufacturer sells their hearing aids to multiple groups who in turn often re-name the products. A good example is manufacturer GN who sells to Beltone stores under the name "Serene" and sells the same product to private practice under the name ReSound
- In the The past 10 years there have been some net-new manufacturers including Eargo and Orka.
In this guide, we've organized the hearing aid brand landscape into two groups:
- Prescription brands available at local clinics
- Direct to consumer brands available at retail or online
Prefer to watch? Here’s a 5 minute video about hearing aid brands. 👇
Group #3: Worst Hearing Aid Brands
Junk hearing aids have been racking up sales on the internet for a decade, and the problem isn't going anywhere. The brands listed above have their pros and cons, but each is a reputable option with an actual operation behind it. In contrast, some internet brands are just junk. If you aren't sure about the brand you are considering, here are a few factors to watch for.
Clear pricing - Flash sales, more than 50% discounts, and buy one get one free offers are all red flags. Importantly, double-check whether you are getting a PAIR or a SINGLE hearing aid for the advertised price. Many brands advertise a low cost for just one hearing aid.
Return policy - Make sure any hearing aid you buy has at least a 45-day return policy. Also, double-check that there is no minimum trial period. Some cheap brands try to make it hard to return products by requiring that you keep your product for 30 days and then giving you a short time to return them before the 45 day deadline.
Reviews - If you choose to purchase hearing aids outside of an audiologist, make sure you find reviews on a 3rd party site. You might consider searching YouTube for product reviews as well.
Amazon or Alibaba Only - If a product doesn't have an actual website, I would avoid it. A brand that only sells on Amazon or Alibaba is likely trying to make a quick buck.
Specific Brands to Avoid
If you have more questions on which brands to avoid, watch this informative video from Dr. Cliff Olson:
So what's the best hearing aid brand in 2023?
It depends on your budget and goals. Right now, my favorite online product is from Jabra (made by ReSound).
The brand I'm most impressed with for its tech-forward approach, and use of AI is Oticon.
Lexie B2 Powered by Bose is a great option if you are looking for a pair of hearing aids under $1,000.
Regardless of what brand you choose, I hope this guide makes your search a bit more informed.
