We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
- Most tech-forward hearing aids: Starkey Livio Edge AI
- Best invisible hearing aids: Eargo Neo HiFi, Phonak Lyric
- Best hearing aids for natural sound: Lively 2 Pro, ReSound One
- Best low cost hearing aids: Audicus Aura
- Best hearing aids for streaming: Signia Styletto Connect
- Best hearing aids for one-sided hearing loss: Signia CROS Pure Charge&Go X
- Best hearing aids for severe hearing loss: Oticon Xceed
If you’re thinking about getting hearing aids or looking into new ones, you’re not alone. Approximately
Shopping for hearing aids can be challenging, especially if you haven’t purchased them before. Some come with lots of options and settings, while others are simpler to use. We rounded up an array of options based on common concerns.
Note that before choosing the right hearing aids for you, it’s best to speak with your doctor or a healthcare professional and ask for a hearing assessment. They may refer you to a specialist and can help you decide if and what type of hearing aids you might need.
We only chose hearing aids from manufacturers with solid reputations. Hearing aids are medical devices that must meet criteria approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
We read scores of online consumer reviews and spoke with people who use some of them. We only chose hearing aids that consistently get more positive than negative comments.
Most of the hearing aids on this list come with financing options, a manufacturer’s warranty, and a 30-day or greater risk-free trial.
We looked at a wide range of features that are important to consumers, including:
- invisibility, or being discreet to wear
- Bluetooth connectivity
- ease of use
- adaptive noise reduction
- tinnitus relief
- custom fit options
- price
- ability to recharge
Pricing guide
Hearing aid prices can vary significantly from retailer to retailer. We’ve indicated the price for single hearing aids. In some instances, these prices are bundled and reflect additional services like follow-up visits and hearing aid maintenance.
Prices are estimated as follows:
- $ = under $1,000
- $$ = $1,000–$2,000
- $$$ = over $2,000
Most tech-forward hearing aids
Starkey Livio Edge AI
- Price: $$$
- Features: AI-powered speech enhancement; boosts speech sounds; has fall detection and alerts, language translation, virtual assistance, find my hearing aids, Thrive app for caregivers
- Style of fit: behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, in-the-canal, receiver-in-canal
- Battery life: rechargeable devices get 17–20 hours off of one charge; the life of the battery is 5–7 years; disposable battery-operated devices get 3–7 days
These tech-forward hearing aids have Bluetooth connectivity, plus lots of other special features. They’re available in multiple styles, including behind the ear, in the ear, in the canal, and receiver in the canal.
According to Starkey, the company uses artificial intelligence (AI) to adapt to your environment and hearing needs through automatic adjustments that don’t require manual input.
They suppress background noise and boost speech sounds, so you can easily follow conversations. They can also detect falls and can be programmed to notify an emergency contact.
You can program them to listen and transcribe your words or translate conversations through the Thrive Care app.
Pros
- features Bluetooth technology and fall detection
- can translate foreign languages
Cons
- may not be budget-friendly for all buyers
Best invisible hearing aids
Eargo Neo HiFi
- Price: $$
- Features: advanced noise reduction and feedback cancellation, wind noise reduction, very comfortable fit, access to a hearing professional through the mobile app
- Style of fit: invisible in the canal
- Battery life: 1 week
Eargo hearing aids are only sold in pairs, so their cost represents two hearing aids, a charger, and other accessories.
The company doesn’t require a prescription from an audiologist.
The Neo HiFi is Eargo’s most recently developed hearing aid. They’re designed for people with mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss. They can help make sounds like human speech easier to hear.
Eargo hearing aids use a design they call Flexi Tetrapalms that lets them float in the ear canal and is part of what makes these hearing aids discreet.
They come with four settings that you can manually adjust with two simple ear taps.
Pros
- only sold in pairs
- easy to adjust settings
Cons
- not suitable for those with profound hearing loss
Phonak Lyric
- Price: $$$
- Features: uses your natural ear anatomy to generate natural sound, 24-7 tinnitus relief
- Style of fit: completely invisible, placed into ear canal by an audiologist
- Battery life: no batteries required; hearing aids remain in the ear for months at a time, and duration varies from person to person
The Phonak Lyric is placed directly into your ear canal near your eardrum by a professional, making the aids invisible. They use your ear’s natural shape and anatomy to localize sound.
You can leave these hearing aids in your ears for months at a time without removing them.
They also provide relief from tinnitus. Their price is based on an annual subscription.
Pros
- sits inside your ear canal so it isn’t noticeable
- can remain in your ears for months
Cons
- must be placed by a professional
Best hearing aids for natural sound
Lively 2 Pro
- Price: $$
- Features: hands-free calling, charging case, Bluetooth streaming
- Style of fit: behind the ear
- Battery life: 30 hours
The brand calls the Lively 2 Pro their “most natural and immersive hearing experience.” It features streaming capabilities and a music mode, which can help improve the sound of live music.
While this isn’t the most budget-friendly pick on our list, Lively does offer a 100-day trial period, a 3-year warranty, and free shipping and returns. If you’re unhappy with your experience, you can return it within the trial period for a full refund.
This model is available in eight different colors, and it’s available to ship directly to consumers with personalized audiologist support.
Pros
- includes Bluetooth connectivity
- automatic volume control
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- other top picks have a longer battery life
ReSound One
- Price: $$$
- Features: a microphone and receiver are in the ear to generate natural sound, including the sound of your own voice; directional sound identification supports one-to-one conversations in noisy environments; supports speech clarity in windy environments
- Style of fit: behind the ear
- Battery life: 25 hours
These behind-the-ear hearing aids have three microphones: two on the hearing aid itself and one at the opening of the ear canal.
This technology is made to support your ability to pinpoint and localize sound. The ReSound One aims to mimic the ear’s natural ability to funnel sound into the ear canal.
You can purchase this hearing aid as a rechargeable device or with disposable batteries.
Pros
- can choose between models with rechargeable or disposable battery operation
- designed to produce natural sound
Cons
- very expensive compared with other options
Best low cost hearing aids
Audicus Aura
- Price: $
- Features: built-in wax guards, comfortable and discreet design, one-tap setting changes
- Style of fit: completely In the ear
- Battery life: 1 week
These affordable hearing aids have an ergonomic design for a comfortable fit. They’re small and nearly invisible. Their smaller size means they may reduce earwax buildup around the unit.
You can change settings with a simple ear tap.
They’re meant for mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
It’s important to note that these hearings aids are shipped directly to customers and without the input or support from an audiologist.
Pros
- easy to change settings with a tap
- small size makes them less noticeable
Cons
- may accumulate some earwax over time
- not suitable for severe to profound hearing
Best hearing aids for streaming
Signia Styletto Connect
- Price: $$
- Features: Bluetooth media streaming; sleek design; natural sound generation including your own voice; streamlined mic enables hands-free calls; small charger case for charging on-the-go
- Style of fit: behind the ear
- Battery life: charges last for 4 days
These hearing aids double as high-tech earbuds that allow you to stream TV, music, and telephone calls.
They’re meant for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The brand claims they provide a natural hearing experience with clear, clean sound.
These come with a lithium-ion charging case that provides 4 days of streaming without the need to recharge.
They pick up and process the sound of your own voice separately, making it sound as natural to you as it does to others.
The Signia app for iOS or Android allows you to change and personalize your settings.
Pros
- ability to stream content, like earbuds
- battery lasts for up to 4 days
- available in three different colors
Cons
- may not be budget-friendly for all
Best hearing aids for one-sided hearing loss
Signia CROS Pure Charge&Go X
- Price: $$
- Features: Bluetooth for media streaming; app for setting adjustments and communication with a hearing professional; face mask mode for clearer voice quality; directional hearing configuration
- Style of fit: behind the ear
- Battery life: daily, overnight charging required
This small, behind-the-ear hearing aid has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can stream phone calls, music, and TV directly to your ear from other devices. They’re designed to provide enhanced hearing in noisy environments.
They can also charge overnight for a full day’s worth of reliable hearing performance, plus they have a fast-charging option. In addition, they detect your voice and process it to generate a natural sound.
Pros
- allows for content streaming
- comes with a fast-charging option
- available in 10 colors
Cons
- other top picks offer longer battery life
Best hearing aids for severe hearing loss
Oticon Xceed
- Price: $$$
- Features: provides 360-degree sound without static or whistling; scans your surroundings 100 times per second to reduce listening effort and enhance speech clarity
- Style of fit: behind the ear
- Battery life: 3–10 days
These hearing aids are designed to isolate sound and focus on the person in front of you, to differentiate between speech and background noise.
They use a technology that the manufacturer calls BrainHearing to scan your environment repeatedly, providing speech clarity and reduced listening effort. They can eliminate the feedback noise caused by close proximity to the speaker, such as whistling and static.
They also have Bluetooth technology and direct streaming capability.
Pros
- features Bluetooth technology
- long-lasting battery life
Cons
- higher price point than other top picks
| Hearing aid | Price | Style of fit | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starkey Livio Edge AI | $$$ | -behind the ear -receiver in canal -in the ear -in the canal | rechargeable: 17–20 hours disposable battery: 3–7 days |
| Eargo Neo HiFi | $$ | invisible in canal | rechargeable: 1 week |
| Phonak Lyric | $$$ | completely invisible | no batteries required: months |
| Lively 2 Pro | $$ | behind the ear | rechargeable: 30 hours |
| ReSound One | $$$ | behind the ear | rechargeable: 25 hours |
| Audicus Aura | $ | completely in the ear | disposable: 1 week |
| Signia Styletto Connect | $$ | behind the ear | rechargeable: 4 days |
| Signia CROS Pure Charge&Go X | $$ | behind the ear | rechargeable: 1 day |
| Oticon Xceed | $$$ | behind the ear | rechargeable: 3–10 days |
Once you have identified your hearing loss level, you can work with an audiologist or hearing professional on the fit and features that will be beneficial for you. Things to consider include:
- Trial periods and warranties. If you’re new to hearing aids or are trying out a new type, make sure you have wiggle room to return them if they don’t work for you.
- Visibility. Some hearing aids are completely invisible. Others have small, unobtrusive wires or behind-the-ear parts that can be seen. Your hearing ability, hairstyle, and comfort are factors that may influence your choice.
- Streaming capability. Bluetooth streaming enables you to listen to media and phone calls through your hearing aids, hands-free.
- Budget. Hearing aids can be very expensive and aren’t always covered by insurance. Never look to cut costs by buying used hearing aids or defunct models. Instead, look for hearing aids that work within your budget or those that come with payment plans.
- Battery type. Hearing aids may be rechargeable or use very small, disposable batteries. If you have issues with hand dexterity, you may be better off with a rechargeable model.
- Noise reduction. All hearing aids reduce noise to some extent. Find out the level of noise reduction you can expect in the environments that are important to you, such as restaurants and windy, natural settings.
- Program changes and adjustments. Hearing aids may be adjusted via a remote control, app, or by touching the hearing aid itself.
Here are answers to some common questions about hearing aids.
How can I get a hearing exam?
If you work with a healthcare professional such as an audiologist, they’ll give you a full audiogram, or hearing test, which provides concrete information about your level of hearing loss.
They can also explain the differences between hearing aid styles and make a recommendation about which style might be best for you.
Audiologists may not offer the same variety of brands and styles that you might get from an online retailer.
If you purchase hearing aids through an online retailer, you may have the option of taking an online hearing test. These tests may be accurate, but may not be as comprehensive or personalized as some people would like.
Should I get fitted for a hearing aid?
To avoid this, make sure the ones you choose fit correctly and feel comfortable in your ears, even after all-day wear.
Do my hearing aids need extra technology?
Some people need certain technological functions added to their hearing aids, such as the ability to pair them with their phones. Others simply want to put their hearing aids in and forget about them. Choose hearing aids that accommodate your unique situation.
What can I do if I have tinnitus?
If you have tinnitus, look for a hearing aid that specifically addresses this condition. Many hearing aids come with apps that provide built-in tinnitus therapy sounds or reduce overstimulation.
Are hearing aids covered by Medicare or insurance?
Hearing aids can be expensive and while not usually covered by insurance or by Medicare, it’s possible to find ones that work for you and ways to cover the costs.
Shop around for the best price. Many online retailers and big-box stores sell hearing aids at deep discounts.
Ask if the price you’re paying is bundled or unbundled. Unbundling the costs of your hearing aids may eliminate line items you have no use for.
Hearing aids are an investment, so make sure to only purchase those that come with a risk-free trial of at least 30 days, as well as a manufacturer’s warranty.
What’s the difference between hearing aids and PSAPs?
Make sure you purchase an FDA-regulated medical device instead of a personal sound amplification product (PSAP). PSAPs are sold over the counter and don’t need an audiogram. They’re not meant to be used by people with hearing loss.
About
Get fitted for hearing aids, and make sure the ones you buy fit properly, are comfortable, and accommodate your tech style.