Audicus Spirit Review

Prices, Sound Recordings, Models
No items found.
Updated
January 8, 2024
Methodology
i

Soundly is an independently owned hearing health research tool. Our reviews are conducted by hearing aid wearers and audiologists. We physically review the leading hearing aids on the market for sound quality, comfort, durability, and more. Our review process starts with hands-on unboxing and days, weeks, or months of wear. We also record live sound demos using a calibrated binaural microphone (read more here). We experiment with backend fitting software for prescription products and use test box measures to measure prescriptive accuracy and flexibility. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Read more about our story here.

Watch a video about this product.
Behind the Ear
Rechargeable
Bluetooth
PROFESSIONAL FITTING

Audicus was one of the first brands to program hearing aids remotely and ship them to your door. When the brand launched nearly 10 years ago, Audicus was dubbed the Warby Parker of hearing aids. They make their service simple to use and offer a range of simple but effective products. 

What makes Audicus special 

Unlike over-the-counter devices like Eargo and Lexie, you do not need to program your hearing aids. The Audicus team of hearing specialists walks you through an online test or accepts an existing audiogram. With the results in hand, they program your hearing aids before shipping. This streamlined process saves you time and cuts the cost by about 50%-70% compared to traditional options. 

Omni is Audicus's newest and most feature-rich hearing aid to date. Omni comes with Bluetooth streaming from both Apple and Android devices, an optional rechargeable battery (costs an additional $200/pair), auto adjustments to your environment, and feedback reduction. 

Two Technology Levels

Spirit comes with two technology levels (series 1 and series 2). 

Spirit Series 2 is 10% smaller and offers more flexible Bluetooth streaming and a more powerful onboard sound program for handling background noise.

Is the new technology worth the money? That comes down to your situation. If budget is less of a factor we suggest you opt for the "series 2". If you are budget constrained, rest assured that our reviews and experience wearing "series 1" products was very positive.

Our Take

Audicus is a fantastic option for budget seekers who prefer online services and lower prices. Audicus prices are still higher than over-the-counter devices, but the underlying technology is nearly identical to top prescription devices. 

Research Note 💻: Audicus is currently offering $100 off any Audicus product with code 100HEARING.

Pros 👍
  • Audicus hearing aids are programmed remotely which leads to lower prices and more convenience
  • Audicus offers a diverse range of styles and pricing including an affordable in-the-canal product
  • Audicus offers their products with a monthly subscription starting at $99

Cons 👎
  • Audicus hearing aids are more expensive than some other Telehealth alternatives
  • Audicus hearing aids do not come with hands-on support at a local clinic

Get Notified When Price Drops
Thank you for signing up!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Get Notified When Price Drops
Thank you for signing up!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Soundly Scorecard
+
Hearing Loss Level 🔊
Mild - Severe
  • Audicus Spirit is a fully customizable, prescription hearing aid appropriate for mild-severe hearing loss
  • If you have severe hearing loss and struggle with feedback (squealing) you may need a custom earmold (not available through Audicus)
  • If you have profound hearing loss, you may be a better fit for a high-powered BTE style hearing aid (note available through Audicus)
Care Type 🏥
Telehealth
  • Audicus is a remote care brand that programs and delivers your hearing aids through Telehealth
  • Take or submit a hearing test and an Audicus professional will program your hearing aids and ship them to your door
  • Lifetime support is included with every purchase
  • Audicus Spirit hearing aids come with the capability for remote adjustments. This feature means you don't need to ship your hearing aids back to get program updates.
Sound Quality 🔊
Strong in Background Noise
  • Spirit is Audicus's second-most sophisticated model with 14 programming channels and 4 user listening programs
  • Audicus purchases hearing aids from hearing leader, Sonova
  • Audicus Spirit has strong underlying technology for handling background noise and sudden sounds
Comfort 🦻
Very Comfortable For All-Day Wear
  • Audicus Spirit comes in a small and comfortable receiver-in-canal style that is easy to wear all day
Style  💫
Behind The Ear
  • Sits behind the ear with a receiver (speaker) that reaches into the ear canal
  • Audicus Spirit is similar to the smallest receiver-in-canal devices on the market
  • Choose between four colors including: Beige, Black, Grey and Silver
Battery 🔋
Rechargeable Or Disposable
  • Choose between disposable and rechargeable batteries
  • Rechargeable batteries come at an additional cost
  • 18 hours on a full charge
  • Comes with a plugin charger
Connection 📡
Bluetooth Available
  • Audicus Spirit allows Bluetooth streaming, music listening, and phone calls. iPhone users can take calls hands-free, while Android users must keep their phones close to pick up outbound audio
  • Audicus Spirit uses Apple's MFI connection and Android's ASHA connection to stream content through Bluetooth
  • Audicus Spirit 2 hearing aids can connect to multiple devices (ie. TV and phone) simultaneously
Dexterity Level 🤏
Average
  • Audicus Spirit is reasonably easy to handle but does require the wearer to place the hearing aid behind their ear and insert the receiver into the ear (consistent across all behind-the-ear styles)
  • Audicus Spirit uses a port-based charger that is sometimes trickier to handle than conduction-based methods
Waterproof Level 💦
IP68
  • Audicus Spirit is water resistant with an IP rating of 68
  • This hearing aid can withstand dust and water submersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes
App features 📱
Has An App, Telehealth Capable
  • Customization: Treble/bass, volume, microphone directionality
  • Spirit includes Telehealth options through the Audicus app (Audicus Wave does not)
What's Included
+

2 hearing aids custom programmed to your hearing loss 

Charging case for your hearing aids (with upgrade)

Various ear dome sizes to fit your ears 

Unlimited specialist support

2 year manufacture warranty

Return Policy
+

Audicus offers a 45-day risk-free trial

Technology
+

Manufactured by Sonova, a trusted leader in the category 

Spirit offers powerful background noise reduction and intelligent sound algorithms

Rechargeable batteries (with upgrade)

Stream music, podcasts, and phone calls

Change the volume and program using the app or buttons on the hearing aid

Get remote care and program adjustments after initial programming

How to Choose Between Series 1 and Series 2

Spirit 2 is 10% smaller, offers Bluetooth streaming to multiple devices and a more powerful onboard sound program for handling background noise.

Both products offer strong underlying technology.

How It Works
+

All Audicus products are fully programmable by a hearing professional. Unlike some other over-the-counter options, you will not need to self-program your devices. 

Audicus will ask you to take an online hearing test or send an existing hearing test. The company then assigns one of their remote audiologists to program your hearing aids. If you need further adjustments, an Audicus audiologist will access your hearing aids remotely through the Audicus app.

Spirit 2 is available through Audicus Premiere

Audicus offers an optional monthly membership option. This option is great for those who want the latest technology every few years.

  • $149 per month
  • Free upgrades every 18 months
  • Cancel anytime
  • Free supplies shipped to your home
  • Loss or damage insurance

What people are saying:

  • All reviews
  • Customer service
  • Price
  • Appearance

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Name

No items found.
No items found.

The breakdown

What makes Audicus hearing aids different than other options on the market?

Audicus moves the whole fitting process from local shops (with lots of overhead) to one central website and remote audiologists. As a result, they can cut the price to about half of what you could expect from a local audiologist.

Audicus hearing aids are made by Sonova, which sells similar technology for $4,500 through a local care provider.

Hand holding Audicus Spirit hearing aids
Audicus Spirit hearing aidWoman adjusting volume of Audicus Spirit hearing aid

The tech inside

Audicus hearing aids come at a variety of tech levels. The top-end products (Spirit & Omni) include a rechargeable battery (with upgrade), Bluetooth streaming with both Apple and Android devices, and remote telecare adjustments.  

All Audicus products automatically adapt to your environment, have clear sound quality and are fully customizable to your hearing loss. 

Audicus Spirit and Omni hearing aids can be adjusted remotely by your audiologist.

Getting up close

Audicus hearing aids sit almost invisible behind the ear and offer easy to use button controls for volume and program changes.

Audicus Wave, Spirit and Omni also allow you to change the volume and program with a mobile app.

Man adjusting volume of Audicus Spirit hearing aid

Overall notes:

Get started

Ask Soundly

This is some text inside of a div block.
This is some text inside of a div block.
  • This is some text inside of a div block.
  • This is some text inside of a div block.
  1. This is some text inside of a div block.
  2. This is some text inside of a div block.
This is some text inside of a div block.
This is an AI-powered chat experience that synthesizes product manuals, white papers, and our content to give you instant answers. This feature is experimental. Verify all results and speak to your healthcare professional before making final decisions. Learn more in our updated Privacy Policy.