LIVE Tracker of Available OTC Hearing Aids

January 18, 2022
Soundly Staff
Written by
Soundly Staff
Brand Insights
Reviewed by
Brand Insights

Our team tracks leading manufacturers and FDA registrations to identify the latest available OTC products.

Image of someone holding Sony OTC hearing aids

The world of hearing health is in the middle of a seismic shift. For the last 50 years, the sale of hearing aids has been restricted to prescription channels.

There are at least 37M people in the U.S. with hearing loss, and while the prescription process works well for some of them, it leaves a lot of others out.

Over the last five years, politicians, community advocates, and hearing professionals have hotly debated what should be done.

Starting on October 17th, the debate ends, and OTC hearing aids officially hit shelves at retailers like Walgreens and Best Buy and through online shops.

At this time, we've identified 13 reputable over-the-counter hearing aids available to the public. We expect that number could double or triple in the months to come.

We'll use this guide as an ongoing resource to track OTC developments and keep an updated list of available products.

Important note: We don't plan to include every single product on the market. There could be hundreds. Our goal is to include all of the OTC hearing aids with some level of traction in the market. If you think we've missed a great OTC hearing aid, send us a note at hello@soundly.com.

Here's the current list of available OTC Hearing Aids 👇

Image of Bose rechargeable hearing aids
Lexie B2 Powered By Bose
Affordable and Rechargeable

Lexie B2 Powered By Bose

Lexie B2 Powered By Bose

$999
Affordable
Affordable
Behind the Ear
Behind the Ear
Rechargeable
Rechargeable
OTC
OTC

Lexie B2 Powered by Bose is the newest edition to the Bose product family. The big news here is that B2 is rechargeable. Based on our evaluations, B1 and B2 are virtually identical in appearance and function outside of their batteries. Lexie B2 Powered by Bose is a registered OTC hearing aid with impressive self-fitting technology and great overall sound quality for the price.

According to Lexie, both B1 and B2 will remain on the market for the foreseeable future. Both products come with 45-day hassle-free returns and unlimited remote follow-up care from a Lexie Expert.


Like its counterpart, B1, the new B2 product does not allow Bluetooth streaming.

Pros

Strong underlying technology

Self-fitting using the Lexie app

Affordable and rechargeable

Cons

No Bluetooth streaming

Only comes in one color

Costs $150 more than disposable battery version

Check for the latest Lexie holiday prices here
Get Started
Lexie B1 Powered By Bose
Best Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids

Lexie B1 Powered By Bose

Lexie B1 Powered By Bose

$789
Affordable
Affordable
Behind the Ear
Behind the Ear
OTC
OTC

After years (or decades) of customer requests, Bose finally released a hearing aid. The iconic brand has a proven track record for quality audio products, and these Bose hearing aids are no exception.

This product sells for just $899 per pair (compared to the national average of $4,500).

To achieve this lower price, Bose did two things: 

  1. Bose created a clinically-proven method for hearing aid wearers to program their own devices using a smartphone app. The process cuts out the middle man and saves (quite literally) thousands. 
  2. Bose formed a partnership with Lexie Hearing. Lexie backs up the Bose name with unlimited, lifetime hearing-specialist support. 

If you are looking for an affordable hearing aid with a proven brand track record and quality care, Lexie B1 Powered By Bose is among the best. 

Overall notes: If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, are comfortable with smartphone tech, and are on a budget, Lexie is one of the most compelling products on the market.

Price: $899 per pair with 45-day risk-free returns

Features: Self-fit, simple to get started, affordable

What audiologists say: “It you're not interested in streaming phone calls and don't mind changing hearing aid batteries, Bose is a budget-friendly option with easy to use app and customer support.” - Garrett Thompson, AuD

Pros

Affordable

Self-tuned

Discreet and modern appearance

Cons

No Bluetooth streaming

Disposable batteries

Less background noise suppression

Check for the latest Lexie holiday prices here
Get Started
Hand holding Sony invisible hearing aids
Sony CRE-C10 Hearing Aid
OTC | Best Budget In-The-Ear

Sony CRE-C10 Hearing Aid

Sony CRE-C10 Hearing Aid

$999
Affordable
Affordable
In the Ear
In the Ear
OTC
OTC

Sony teamed up with WS Audiology (the second-largest hearing company in the world) to co-create its products. Sony's CRE-C10 devices are nearly invisible and offer prescription-grade sound quality controlled through your smartphone. CRE-C10 does not offer Bluetooth streaming or rechargeable batteries.


CRE-C10 uses a size 10 disposable battery that offers over 70 hours of continuous wear. Size 10 batteries are widely available and commonly used in small devices. Sony's hearing aids were released in mid-October, so there are few reviews of the product, but it's safe to say this will be a leading consideration for those who want an in-the-ear style device.

Pros

Nearly invisible

High quality sound for a lower price

Self-fit at home

Cons

Not as small as OTC competitors like Eargo

Not rechargeable

Does not allow Bluetooth streaming

Purchase CRE-C10 on Sony's website or at some local retailers
Get Started
Hand holding Lexie hearing aids in a case
Lexie Lumen
OTC | Award-Winning App and Customer Care

Lexie Lumen

Lexie Lumen

$799
Affordable
Affordable
Behind the Ear
Behind the Ear
OTC
OTC

Lexie was created by parent company hearX Group which got its start through a popular hearing testing app used by over one million people worldwide. That experience gave Lexie’s founders the confidence to rethink how hearing aids are sold and programmed to drive down prices.

Instead of working with local audiologists, Lexie puts the power in hearing aid wearers' hands with an innovative self-fit app. The results are impressive. Since the brand's launch two years ago, Lexie has had more than 500 reviews online with an average of 4.7 stars.

Pros

Affordable

Award-winning self-fit app

Available at Walgreens nationwide

Cons

Not as advanced as other OTC devices in background noise

Uses a tube to send sound to the ear instead of a wire

Get $50 off Lexie hearing aids with code LEXSOUND22
Get Started
Sony CRE-E10 Hearing Aids in hand
Sony CRE-E10 Hearing Aids
Headphone Hearing Aid Crossover

Sony CRE-E10 Hearing Aids

Sony CRE-E10 Hearing Aids

$1,299 / pair
Affordable
Affordable
In the Ear
In the Ear
Rechargeable
Rechargeable
Bluetooth
Bluetooth

Sony teamed up with WS Audiology (the second-largest hearing company in the world) to co-create its products. Sony's CRE-E10 is slightly larger than CRE-C10 but comes with a slick headphone-like design, rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth streaming (currently only available for iOS).

This hearing aid offers prescription-grade sound quality controlled through your smartphone at home. Sony's hearing aids were released in mid-October, so there are few reviews of the product, but we expect CRE-E10 to be a leading consideration among people looking for a headphone/hearing aid hybrid.

Pros

Rechargeable

Modern design

Self-fit at home

Cons

Not compatible with Android

More visible than smaller options

Likely less comfortable for all-day wear

Purchase Sony hearing aids through their online store or in some select local retailers
Get Started
Eargo 7
Only Rechargeable and Invisible Product On The Market

Eargo 7

Eargo 7

$2,9050 / pair
In the Ear
In the Ear
OTC
OTC
Affordable
Affordable
Rechargeable
Rechargeable

Eargo is the disruptor in hearing health. Their product is rechargeable, invisible, and designed with a patented tip that allows your ears to breathe.

Eargo 7 was released in 2023 with new features that adapt to your environment as you move through your day. Eargo has raised hundreds of millions to design their product from scratch and what they've pulled off is impressive.

Think of this product as the Tesla of hearing health. Eargo is best for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you want to try something new, this is a great option.

Overall notes: Eargo stands out for its design, innovation, size, and telecare team. The only drawback is that Eargo can be buggy. For thousands of happy customers, that's worth the tradeoff.

Price: $2,950 for Eargo’s newest product (currently on sale)

Features: Invisible, self-programmed, rechargeable

What audiologists say: “If you are looking for invisible devices Eargo is one of the best options on the market.” - Ramsay Poindexter

Pros

Eargo is a tiny device that sits entirely inside the ear

Eargo is more affordable then custom mold hearing aids

Eargo is self fit using an app

Cons

Only appropriate for those with mild to moderate hearing loss

Requires some tinkering to fine to the product

Eargo is not Bluetooth enabled due to the tiny size

Get a Free (non-working) Eargo Sample
Get Started
Lucid OTC Hearing Aid Customization
Engage From Lucid Hearing
Unique Sound Customization App

Engage From Lucid Hearing

Engage From Lucid Hearing

$799
Affordable
Affordable
Behind the Ear
Behind the Ear
Rechargeable
Rechargeable
OTC
OTC
Bluetooth
Bluetooth

Lucid Hearing is best known as the manufacturer behind all of the Sam's Club hearing center hearing aids. The brand will join the OTC hearing aid market with two strong products. Engage is Lucid's rechargeable, Bluetooth enabled and self-fit hearing aid that sits behind the ear. The product comes in several colors and has one of the most stable Bluetooth connections due to a patented antenna.

Lucid's self-fit app was designed using 100K audiograms to find common hearing loss patterns. Once you download the app you can use the LucidShape screen to change amplified frequencies in real time.

Lucid is an under-the-radar brand in the OTC market but has some of the strongest technology and experience.

Pros

Bluetooth streaming for iPhone and Android

Rechargeable

Self-fit

Cons

Packaging and recharge case are less sleek than Bose and Sony

Purchase Lucid Engage Online or at Select Retailers
Get Started
Sontro hearing aid
Sontro OTC Hearing Aids
Self Administered Test

Sontro OTC Hearing Aids

Sontro OTC Hearing Aids

$999
Affordable
Affordable
Behind the Ear
Behind the Ear
OTC
OTC

Sontro OTC hearing aids come from a U.S.-based startup called Soundwave Hearing. The founding team has a long history in hearing health and hopes to bring that industry experience directly to the consumer through their new product.

Sontro hearing aids use disposable batteries and do not allow Bluetooth streaming at this time. To customize your Sontro hearing aids, you will place them in your ears and use the app to take a short hearing test. The devices then work behind the scenes to change their sound output to match the frequencies where you need amplification.


One thing that makes Sontro unique is its partnership with the hearing care company Amptify. Each pair of hearing aids comes with a month of free onboarding care from Amptify's hearing experts.

Pros

Experienced founding team

Hearing test to customize the devices to your loss

One month of expert hearing coaching included

Cons

No Bluetooth streaming

Uses disposable batteries

Purchase Sontro Hearing Aids Online or at Some Local Retailers
Get Started
Jabra Enhance Plus
Best Hearing Aid Headphone Hybrid

Jabra Enhance Plus

Jabra Enhance Plus

$799 / pair
In the Ear
In the Ear
Rechargeable
Rechargeable
OTC
OTC
Affordable
Affordable

Jabra Enhance Plus is a relatively new product from GN Hearing (the parent company to ReSound). The earbud-style product is self-customized to your hearing loss and can alternate between amplifying the sounds around you, playing music and podcasts or both. Think of this product as a hearing aid/headphone hybrid. It won't fully replace the need for hearing aids but offers a great starting point for someone who isn’t ready to take the leap and needs support in specific situations.

Overall notes: Jabra Enhance Plus won't replace your all-day hearing aids but they can provide a boost to those with mild to moderate hearing loss that aren't ready to take the leap.

Price: $799 for a pair

Features: Self-fit, simple to get started, modern design, Bluetooth streaming and rechargeability

Pros

Modern headphone appearance

Fantastic music and podcast quality

Easy to use app

Cons

Not as comfortable as traditional hearing aids for all-day use

Picks up some wind noise

Purchase Jabra Enhance Plus Directly
Get Started
MDHearing Aid Image in Hand
MDHearing Volt Max
OTC | Most Affordable and Rechargeable

MDHearing Volt Max

MDHearing Volt Max

$699
Affordable
Affordable
Behind the Ear
Behind the Ear
OTC
OTC
Rechargeable
Rechargeable

MDHearingAid is a Chicago-based brand that has sold over 500,000 pairs of affordable hearing aids since 2009. The brand’s latest product (Volt Max) is programmed using a hearing test administered by a smartphone app. MDHearing sells exclusively online and does not require a trip to a local audiologist. The brand has recently invested in a remote care team that includes audiologists and hearing aid dispensers. Customers who need further tune-ups or care can set up a telecare appointment with a professional for free.

Pros

Affordable

Self-tuned

Rechargeable

Cons

No Bluetooth streaming

Slightly larger size

Only one color available

Get MDHearing Aids With VIP Support and 45-Day Returns
Get Started
Image of Lucid Fio in a mans ear
Fio From Lucid Hearing
OTC | Nearly Invisible Design

Fio From Lucid Hearing

Fio From Lucid Hearing

1,699
In the Ear
In the Ear
OTC
OTC
Rechargeable
Rechargeable

Fio is Lucid's invisible style product that offers rechargeable batteries and allows customization using the Lucid app. The Lucid Fio is a lot like the Eargo hearing aid (although slightly larger) at around 40% less price. Like Eargo (and most invisible hearing aids), Fio does not allow Bluetooth streaming. One notable feature in Fio is that in order to adjust programs or the volume, you will need to place the devices back in their recharge case.

Pros

Rechargeable

Nearly Invisible

Self-fit

Cons

Volume and sound adjustments must be made while the product is in the charging case

Does not allow Bluetooth streaming

Shop for Fio Online or At Select Retailers
Get Started
Image of a woman holding Go Hearing Aids
Go Hearing
OTC| Most Affordable

Go Hearing

Go Hearing

$299
Affordable
Affordable
In the Ear
In the Ear
Rechargeable
Rechargeable

Go offers one of the lowest-priced OTC hearing aids on the market. The in-the-ear product provides a handful of programs for customization but is best for simpler listening environments like watching the TV or talking to someone 1-1.

Most consumers looking for a hearing aid are interested in hearing better in background noise. Go is unlikely to deliver on that need. The chip and sound processing are not sophisticated enough to sort out complex environments.

What Go does offer is quality construction, rechargeable batteries, clear sound in quiet environments, and strong customer service through HearX (the same company that services Bose and Lexie products).

Pros

One of the most affordable options on the market

Rechargeable batteries

Cons

Not suggested for background noise

Larger than other OTC options

Less customization to your hearing loss

Learn more about Go through their online store or find Go at some participating retailers
Get Started
Image of Sound World Solutions hearing aids
Sound World Solutions - HD75R and HD75
New Entrant

Sound World Solutions - HD75R and HD75

Sound World Solutions - HD75R and HD75

$595
Affordable
Affordable
Behind the Ear
Behind the Ear
Rechargeable
Rechargeable
OTC
OTC
Bluetooth
Bluetooth

Sound World Solutions is a newer player in the OTC market. Their PSAP devices have gotten some attention over the years from reviewers at The New York Times and in studies about the efficacy of self-fitting devices. Sound World Solutions is now remaking itself as an OTC provider with two OTC models (one rechargeable and the other disposable battery-powered).

Sound World Solutions uses a no-frills app that allows you to turn up the bass, treble, and mid-tones with a few taps. The devices sit behind the ear with a thin tube that sends sound into the ear canal. This hearing aid is pretty basic by most standards, but at $595 per pair, it is also one of the most affordable options available.

Pros

Affordable

Bluetooth streaming in HD75R (Android only)

Discreet size

Cons

Newer company with less support infrastructure

Uses a thin-tube instead of a wire to send sound to the ear

Relatively expensive for the feature set

Learn More About Sound World Solutions
Get Started
–The Soundly team

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