Hearing Aids in 2026: What's Changed and What’s Coming

2025 has been a big year for hearing health. This video looks back at the most important hearing aid launches, trends, and shifts from 2025 and shares what to watch for as we head into 2026.

It’s a helpful overview for anyone early in their research, covering new form factors like hearing glasses, the growing role of AI in hearing aids, how the OTC market is maturing.

Helpful links:

• Take Soundly’s free hearing test: https://www.soundly.com/hearing-test
• Explore hearing aid reviews and comparisons: https://www.soundly.com/shop
• Talk with Soundly’s care team by phone or text: 1 (833) SOUNDLY

If you’re researching hearing aids or planning a purchase in 2025 or 2026, this video is designed to help you get oriented and feel more confident about what’s next.

Subscribe for upcoming “Best of” hearing aid guides and in-depth reviews coming soon.

01:17 — How hearing aid release cycles work
02:16 — New entrants: Nuance Audio hearing glasses (new form factor)
04:20 — AI in hearing aids: what changed in 2025
06:22 — OTC market maturing: fewer brands, higher quality
07:29 — AirPods Pro as a hearing tool: what Apple did (and didn’t) do
08:55 — Looking ahead: what to expect in 2026
09:02 — 2026 OTC picks: best behind-the-ear + in-ear trends
09:54 — 2026 prescription trend: smarter, more AI-enabled flagships
10:05 — Bluetooth outlook: Classic vs LE Audio (Android vs iPhone)
11:16 — Upcoming “Best of” guides in Jan–Feb
11:47 — Wrap-up + how to get help from Soundly