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 👇
LIVE Tracker of Available OTC Hearing Aids
Our team tracks leading manufacturers and FDA registrations to identify the latest available OTC products.
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.
Strong underlying technology
Self-fitting using the Lexie app
Affordable and rechargeable
No Bluetooth streaming
Only comes in one color
Costs $150 more than disposable battery version
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:
- 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.
- 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
Affordable
Self-tuned
Discreet and modern appearance
No Bluetooth streaming
Disposable batteries
Less background noise suppression
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.
Nearly invisible
High quality sound for a lower price
Self-fit at home
Not as small as OTC competitors like Eargo
Not rechargeable
Does not allow Bluetooth streaming
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.
Affordable
Award-winning self-fit app
Available at Walgreens nationwide
Not as advanced as other OTC devices in background noise
Uses a tube to send sound to the ear instead of a wire
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.
Rechargeable
Modern design
Self-fit at home
Not compatible with Android
More visible than smaller options
Likely less comfortable for all-day wear
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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
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
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
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.
Bluetooth streaming for iPhone and Android
Rechargeable
Self-fit
Packaging and recharge case are less sleek than Bose and Sony
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.
Experienced founding team
Hearing test to customize the devices to your loss
One month of expert hearing coaching included
No Bluetooth streaming
Uses disposable batteries
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
Modern headphone appearance
Fantastic music and podcast quality
Easy to use app
Not as comfortable as traditional hearing aids for all-day use
Picks up some wind noise
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.
Affordable
Self-tuned
Rechargeable
No Bluetooth streaming
Slightly larger size
Only one color available
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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.
Rechargeable
Nearly Invisible
Self-fit
Volume and sound adjustments must be made while the product is in the charging case
Does not allow Bluetooth streaming
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).
One of the most affordable options on the market
Rechargeable batteries
Not suggested for background noise
Larger than other OTC options
Less customization to your hearing loss
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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.
Affordable
Bluetooth streaming in HD75R (Android only)
Discreet size
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
