When you’ve got hassle listening to in noisy environments and sometimes end up asking folks to repeat themselves however your listening to loss is not extreme, OTC listening to aids may be useful. Hearing aids became available over the counter within the US solely a few years in the past. I examined a few of the prime choices to search out the very best ones you should buy. I analyzed a mixture of in-ear, over-the-ear and in-canal listening to aids that can assist you perceive what you are in for relating to key options, like quantity management and sound high quality so you may make an knowledgeable resolution.
Learn extra: 22 of the Best Gifts Under $50 for 2025
To make sure I used to be getting the very best illustration of three various levels of listening to loss, I relied on my dad and grandfather for testing. My grandfather is a listening to help knowledgeable, having worn listening to aids for many years. He has an apparent desire for conventional listening to aids, which was balanced by my dad’s thirst for brand new expertise, serving to me gauge the usual shopper expertise. Lastly, I weighed in with the technical aspect of system data that you must know. Having that course of in place, we tried out OTC listening to help manufacturers and began searching for the very best expertise.
Whereas testing, we thought of how straightforward the listening to aids have been to arrange, the match and app efficiency. Under you will discover our testing expertise with the very best over-the-counter listening to aids and the professionals and cons of every system.
What’s the finest listening to help general?
Over-the-counter listening to aids from Audicus at the moment prime our checklist as a result of they’ve an ideal steadiness of superior options and accessibility. I reviewed the Omni listening to help, the premium rechargeable listening to help choice with directional microphones, distant changes and Bluetooth. That feels like loads, although it appears and capabilities precisely the way you anticipate from conventional listening to aids.
The Omni is $1,898 for a pair, which is certainly not probably the most inexpensive choice; nevertheless, the client help and high quality make it price it. To not point out the truth that you’ll be able to finance your gadgets. There are additionally other models from Audicus that you would be able to select from. You would possibly sacrifice a few of the bells and whistles, although you will nonetheless get glorious help from the corporate.
Our picks for the very best over-the-counter listening to aids
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One of many primary issues folks have relating to OTC listening to aids is organising the gadgets on their very own. With out a physician, it will probably really feel daunting to unravel your communication wants, and that is a major barrier to the over-the-counter listening to help market.
I used to be impressed with the Omni listening to help due to the way it carried out and the help that Audicus presents its clients. That is why the Omni OTC listening to help from Audicus is my choose for the very best general OTC listening to help.
Once you unpack the Omni OTC listening to help, you will discover you get greater than different manufacturers provide: a charging case, carrying case, dry capsule, earwax guard disc and a ton of ear domes. An intensive guide particulars what the merchandise do and the way it all works. You may even have entry to Audicus help employees that can assist you arrange your listening to aids and stroll you thru the method. They have been borderline relentless in providing help, which is commonly what folks want.
The Omni OTC listening to help is among the sleekest over-the-ear gadgets I examined. It has an up to date really feel with same-color buttons which are straightforward to press however mix into the silhouette. The Audicus listening to aids are so comfy and light-weight that you just will not even discover you are sporting them.
Professionals:
- Audicus consists of options that different manufacturers do not, notably the dry capsule and earwax guards. The dry capsule is a spongy orange block contained in the charging case, which wicks moisture away from the gadgets whereas within the case. The earwax guard alternative is available in a wheel that simply permits you to change the guard below the silicone dome of the earpiece. Neither characteristic was obtainable in different merchandise.
- The app, referred to as Listening to Distant, is straightforward to make use of. Nonetheless, like different manufacturers, the app took a number of instances to acknowledge my gadgets, one thing the Audicus consultant warned me about.
- The Listening to Distant has 4 “environments” that decide how the gadgets amplify and filter sounds: Automated, Dialog, Auditorium and Automotive/Airplane.
- Audicus presents month-to-month care packages that embody cleansing supplies and different necessities.
Cons:
- The Omni over-the-counter listening to help from Audicus is pricey. Nonetheless, Audicus presents financing, in addition to extra inexpensive gadgets.
- The charging case is way greater than the opposite OTC listening to aids on the checklist. Nonetheless, Audicus presents a smaller carrying case that is far more affordable for carrying round.
- In the event you regulate your listening to aids on the system or within the app, they reset every time you set them into the charging case. You’ll be able to name Audicus to have them return to your base setting.
Battery: Rechargeable battery that lasts 18 hours on one cost.
Value: $1,898 for each listening to aids. Financing plans can be found.
Guarantee: Two-year guarantee. 45-day money-back assure.
Fashion: Behind the ear
Bluetooth: Sure
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The Eargo 7 OTC listening to aids will be the smallest listening to aids I’ve ever seen. One listening to help is barely longer than the size of my fingernail and half as extensive. I’d contemplate them a “micro” listening to help that sits absolutely within the ear canal. You’ll be able to’t see them from the aspect, so they’re my choose for the very best invisible-fit OTC listening to aids. They’re nice for individuals who need a discreet hearing-aid expertise or whose listening to gadgets are prone to being bumped or brushed. They’re additionally good for individuals who put on glasses.
The charging case for the Eargo 7 OTC listening to aids is uniquely designed to match the modernity of the product. It is a circle, with the highest third coming off to disclose the listening to aids. It is concerning the width of a soda can and may simply slot in your again pocket.
You begin the setup for the product by scanning a QR code and calling the corporate to register your system. Then you definately set up the app, which is appropriate with iOS 12 or Android 7 or later. The app is among the easiest to make use of, with sound profiles and buttons to extend or lower for quantity. Nonetheless, the app doesn’t present you the present quantity of your listening to aids, which all others do. When you can navigate up or down, you don’t have any means of understanding in case you are at low, center or excessive quantity.
Eargo presents lifetime help from its group of licensed professionals. General, I used to be impressed with the standard and ease of the Eargo 7 OTC listening to aids. This was one of many favorites of my dad, who appreciated how small the system is.
Professionals:
- You’ll be able to’t even really feel you are sporting them.
- They’re functionally invisible to others.
- You get three dome choices.
- Eargo 7 OTC listening to aids have an easy-to-use app that could be very easy. There are 4 specialised listening environments.
- Eargo audiologists and specialists might help you arrange and regulate your gadgets.
Cons:
- The Eargo OTC listening to aids are utterly depending on the app. Since they’re in-canal model listening to aids, there aren’t any buttons to regulate them. You’ll be able to faucet them to filter by way of the sound settings however cannot flip them up or down from the system. This can be a problem for individuals who do not need smartphones or need to have the ability to change the sound from the system.
- They’re the most costly listening to aids on the checklist, and for a great cause: The small dimension requires specialised {hardware} that prices extra. To not point out the devoted help obtainable to customers. There are financing choices obtainable, however they’re nonetheless out of the worth vary for many individuals.
Battery: Rechargeable with a 16-hour single cost. The charging case supplies two further days of energy with out being plugged in.
Value: $2,699. 12 and 24 months financing choices obtainable.
Guarantee: Two-year guarantee. 45-day return coverage.
Fashion: Utterly in canal
Bluetooth: Sure
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Lucid Listening to’s Interact Rechargeable OTC listening to help jogs my memory of a basic over-the-ear listening to help. It has a battery flap on the backside, which can be rechargeable because of the comparatively chunky case. (I would not say it is one thing you wish to carry in your pocket.)
Our testers discovered this OTC listening to help probably the most comfy and straightforward to placed on. It is small and light-weight, simply tucked behind the ear. The domes (each open and closed model) which are included provide the most flexibility to search out one that matches the scale of your ear canal. The system has directional microphones and Bluetooth capabilities.
I did have a number of struggles with the app, which I could not get to work on my telephone, however once I obtained it to attach efficiently from one other telephone, I discovered the app fairly customary. You’ll be able to regulate the amount of your gadgets collectively or independently in case you have extra listening to loss in a single ear. It is price noting that the opinions for the app are solely 2.4 stars on Google Play and three.1 on App Retailer and that customers complain concerning the app being annoyed and the gadgets being disconnected from Bluetooth. Since you’ll be able to regulate the amount from the gadgets, you can in all probability get pleasure from them if you happen to do not care about Bluetooth.
Professionals:
- Lucid Listening to presents a number of totally different OTC listening to aids you’ll be able to select from.
- The rechargeable Interact listening to help is an especially comfy and light-weight over-the-ear listening to help.
- The rechargeable Interact listening to help presents Bluetooth streaming out of your smartphone.
- The Interact listening to aids even have 4 set applications that adapt efficiency to your surroundings. They embody Lucid (its basic setting), Noisy, Music and Wind noise.
Cons:
- Utilizing the app was a battle. Consumer opinions additionally categorical frustrations.
- The charging case is cumbersome, not one thing you’ll be able to comfortably carry in your pocket.
- You’ll be able to’t create customized settings with the equalizers. It’s a must to regulate it every time.
Battery: 20-hour single cost.
Value: $600. 12-month financing choice obtainable.
Guarantee: One-year guarantee. 60-day return window.
Fashion: Behind the ear
Bluetooth: Sure
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In the event you’re searching for a easy, easy OTC listening to help, contemplate the Sontro Listening to Aids from Soundwave Listening to. They have been one of many favourite picks of my grandfather for consolation and use. He was capable of get them into his ear the simplest. They resemble conventional listening to aids with their over-the-ear design and battery flap on the underside. These listening to aids are utterly battery dependent, with no rechargeable case. Soundwave Listening to consists of 4 batteries with their gadgets.
As with different OTC listening to aids, Sontro gadgets have totally different sound environments — Automated (the gadgets regulate to your environment utilizing the directional microphones), Quiet, Noisy and Leisure. I did discover some conventional suggestions whereas we have been dealing with the gadgets and pairing them to a telephone.
Once you begin the OtoTune app, you begin by connecting your listening to aids after which taking a listening to check that helps the gadgets customise to your wants. The listening to check is easy and solely takes three minutes, and wasn’t obtainable with the opposite system apps. Simply hit the left or proper button in your smartphone if you hear the tone performed by way of the system. A tab shows your “report card” or outcomes for low, center and excessive frequency in every ear.
Professionals:
- This over-the-ear listening to help is among the most elementary on the checklist when it comes to the product. They are not rechargeable they usually include a small carrying case.
- The app is very easy to make use of, and you are taking a listening to check to tailor your gadgets to your listening to. There’s a web page within the app that exhibits the outcomes of your check.
- You’ll be able to elevate or decrease the amount from the app.
Cons:
- Sontro OTC listening to aids aren’t rechargeable, so it’s important to depend on 312 batteries.
- There was suggestions throughout testing whereas pairing and placing the gadgets on. It is comparatively widespread for listening to aids, however different gadgets did it far much less.
Battery: 312 batteries.
Value: $649, financing obtainable.
Guarantee: One-year guarantee. 45-day money-back assure.
Fashion: Behind the ear
Bluetooth: Sure
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All of the OTC listening to aids I examined included manuals that stroll you thru learn how to use the gadgets. Along with the packaging, a number of on-line movies can be found on the Listening to Help web site and YouTube in case you have questions. They’re notably useful if you happen to study finest when seeing somebody stroll by way of the system and app. Since most OTC listening to help is thru e-mail or telephone, I assumed this was a pleasant try and bridge the hole. Listening to Help additionally presents appointments with its listening to specialists for added assist.
The case of Listening to Help Management 2.0 OTC listening to aids provide 70 hours of listening time, which is considerably longer than every other case on the checklist. I used to be additionally impressed by the straightforward addition of magnets on the charging slots that make sure the gadgets are charging.
The listening to aids are barely bigger than the opposite over-the-ear gadgets on this checklist, however they’re nonetheless glossy and light-weight. They’ve the standard listening to help look with two buttons on the aspect that can help you flip the amount up or down. General, this was one of many favourite selections of our testers — they’re comfy, straightforward to place in and easy to regulate.
Professionals:
- The app is straightforward to make use of and permits you to program and management your listening to aids out of your telephone.
- The Listening to Help Management OTC listening to aids have directional microphones and superior digital suggestions suppression.
- The Management 2.0 OTC listening to aids are rechargeable, with a 12-hour single cost and a case that gives 70 hours of further listening to with out being plugged in.
Cons:
- Whereas there may be an app that permits you to regulate your listening to aids, buttons on the aspect can help you bypass the app.
- Bluetooth streaming will not be supported on the Management 2.0 mannequin.
- This OTC listening to help is barely bigger than different over-the-ear choices, which can be an adjustment if you happen to put on glasses.
Battery: 16-hour single cost. 70 hours with the rechargeable carrying case.
Value: $699. Financing obtainable.
Guarantee: One-year guarantee. 60-day money-back assure.
Fashion: Behind the ear
Bluetooth: No
OTC listening to aids are supposed to make listening to help accessible to everybody. They’re usually extra inexpensive and don’t require a health care provider’s appointment for buy. Due to this, we approached testing the very best OTC listening to aids with a holistic mindset. Our aim was to gauge your entire expertise of ordering, organising and utilizing the gadgets.
We thought of a number of elements throughout the testing course of.
- Battery life and charging circumstances
- Pricing and financing choices
- Particular options like directional microphones, Bluetooth, app connectivity and suggestions suppression
- Consolation and ease of sporting
- Buyer help
- Efficiency
Along with our hands-on testing, we regarded by way of consumer opinions for the product and the apps to totally perceive long-term efficiency.
Over-the-counter hearing aids are a brand new class of listening to help gadgets you should buy with out visiting a health care provider. The FDA has established regulations that OTC producers should observe to make sure the gadgets are protected and efficient. They’re obtainable for adults ages 18 and over with perceived delicate or reasonable listening to loss. They don’t seem to be appropriate for these with extreme listening to loss or kids.
“These gadgets can be found for buy with out the involvement of a licensed healthcare skilled; they’re topic to regulatory standards reminiscent of output (e.g., loudness) limits and design necessities to make sure that they work nicely and are protected for shoppers,” says Lindsay S. Creed, affiliate director of audiology practices at American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
On the floor, OTC listening to aids do not appear all that totally different from prescription choices. They give the impression of being and function equally. In response to Creed, the principle variations between the 2 varieties are “how they’re bought, the regulatory standards they have to adjust to and who they’re supposed for.”
OTC listening to aids are solely accepted for adults with delicate or reasonable listening to loss. Youngsters with listening to loss or these with extreme listening to loss ought to search skilled assessments to find out their listening to wants.
So, how have you learnt if you should purchase OTC listening to aids? Usually, listening to loss occurs step by step over time. You might not even know it is occurring.
Frequent indicators you’ve gotten listening to loss embody, however aren’t restricted to:
- Mishearing phrases or asking folks to repeat themselves
- Having a troublesome time following conversations if you’re in a loud surroundings
- Issues sounding muffled
- Having to show up the amount to listen to music or TV
When you aren’t required to have a listening to assessment before buying OTC hearing aids, Creed nonetheless recommends it, particularly since most medical insurance plans cowl the price of a listening to analysis.
“One of the simplest ways to know if you happen to want listening to aids is to see an authorized audiologist for a complete audiological analysis. This may inform you in case you have listening to loss and, in that case, what kind and the way extreme. This data, taken collectively along with your way of life wants and objectives, will aid you resolve whether or not an OTC listening to help is your most suitable option or in case your wants could be higher addressed by a prescription listening to help,” says Creed.
All listening to aids improve the way you hear and talk in your surroundings. However they do it in several methods and with various options. Additionally they look totally different. Some of the essential selections you should make whereas purchasing for listening to aids is the model you wish to put on. There are three primary listening to help types — behind-the-ear, in-the-ear and in-the-canal.
- Behind-the-ear listening to aids: Most individuals consider this model after they image listening to aids. The system sits behind the outer ear with a wire that wraps across the entrance and ends in a dome that matches within the canal. Behind-the-ear listening to aids are usually probably the most inexpensive choice and are so mild you’ll be able to’t really feel them. Nonetheless, they are not as discreet as different choices and may be onerous to placed on in case you have dexterity points.
- In-the-ear listening to aids: Because the title suggests, this model of listening to help fills the ear. Those I examined appear to be every other Bluetooth headphone in the marketplace. In-the-ear listening to aids are mild and simpler to insert than over-the-ear choices. Nonetheless, this model is barely costlier, and a few folks complain of listening to an echo after they communicate.
- In-the-canal: There are two varieties of in-the-canal listening to aids — in-the-canal and completely-in-canal. The Eargo 7 listening to aids are examples of a completely-in-canal model as a result of they’re invisible from the aspect. These are nice for individuals who need a discreet look. Nonetheless, they’re usually costlier and are probably the most prone to ear wax build-up.
OTC listening to aids vary by their capabilities and technology. Some gadgets have directional microphones, whereas others can use Bluetooth to stream music and telephone calls on to your listening to aids. Interested by your way of life and what options you worth most earlier than buying is essential.
Hold these elements in thoughts when shopping for the best over-the-counter hearing aids:
- Listening to help model: Several styles are available on the OTC market. Conventional over-the-ear choices sit behind the ear with a wire that wraps across the entrance and into the canal. There are additionally in-ear and in-canal choices obtainable. Relying in your way of life and wishes, some could also be extra comfy for you.
- App connectivity: Given OTC listening to aids do not require a health care provider’s go to, they’re extraordinarily accessible. Nonetheless, one factor to think about is how dependent a tool is on an app to perform. Many individuals worth remotely adjusting their hearing devices from their phones. Although if you do not have a smartphone or choose to regulate with buttons on the system, you shouldn’t purchase one which will depend on the app to vary settings.
- Value: OTC listening to aids are usually extra inexpensive than prescription listening to aids. Nonetheless, as a result of they’re new to the market, insurance coverage corporations have but to cowl them. There’s a variety of costs, many with financing choices that make them much more inexpensive.
- Buyer help: One potential draw back of OTC listening to aids is digital buyer help. Most often, you will not have the ability to meet in particular person with firm specialists for assist. To exchange this, OTC corporations provide strong manuals, on-line movies and telephone calls to help clients with organising and sustaining their gadgets.
- Trial interval: Like with any product you purchase on-line with out holding it beforehand, it is essential to make sure a trial interval. This may can help you attempt to return the product if it is not the best match for you. All of the merchandise on our checklist provide trial intervals.
Creed advises folks to pay shut consideration to the labeling of OTC merchandise. “Make sure the phrases ‘OTC’ and ‘Listening to Support’ are on the packaging. Be cautious of gadgets labeled as ‘listening to aid-like gadgets’ or ‘listening to assistive expertise’ or these which are marketed as acceptable for youngsters or higher than a reasonable diploma of listening to loss.”
“Amazon has already needed to crack down on so-called ‘rouge’ sellers, so it is actually essential to concentrate on suspicious or too-good-to-be-true claims,” Creed says.
How does insurance coverage work with over-the-counter listening to aids?
Do I must go to the physician to get an OTC listening to help?
How do I clear listening to aids?
The place can I purchase over-the-counter listening to aids?
Are over-the-counter listening to aids pretty much as good as prescription listening to aids?
