How to Choose a Hearing Aid: Types and Styles
Key Takeaways
- Some of the most popular types of hearing aids include receiver-in-canal (RIC), in-the-ear (ITE), and behind-the-ear (BTE) styles.
- New hearing aid technology, such as automatic sound adjustments and artificial intelligence (AI), has greatly improved the performance of hearing devices.
- Hearing aids cost anywhere from $200–$7,000 per pair, depending on style, technology, and features.
- When buying hearing aids, consider criteria such as your degree and type of hearing loss, your budget, and which features are most important to you.
If you have hearing loss but haven’t purchased hearing aids yet, know you’re not alone. The World Health Organization estimates 432 million adults worldwide have hearing loss severe enough to need treatment. [1]World Health Organization. Deafness and Hearing Loss. Found on the internet at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss Yet people wait an average of 10 years before getting help, often due to the high cost of hearing aids and the stigma associated with wearing them, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. [2]Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss. Found on the internet at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
Treating hearing loss is a key to overall health, and hearing aids can improve not only your hearing ability, but also your brain function and quality of life. Our guide will help you learn about the different types of hearing aids and how to choose a hearing aid that meets your needs. We’ll also walk you through the most popular hearing aid features and how to decide which ones are important for you.
Why you can trust our review
Our Reviews Team recommends products and services we believe provide value in the lives of our readers. We’ve spent more than 5,000 hours conducting in-depth research on hearing aid devices to give you the most accurate hearing aid reviews.
To make these selections, we:
- Consulted with audiologists and geriatric care experts
- Mystery shopped 18 brands
- Selected 12 models as best hearing aids
- Surveyed hundreds of hearing aid users
- Tested various models of hearing aids
- Interviewed experts in the field
- Read thousands of verified customer reviews
Read more about our hearing aid review methodology here.
What is a hearing aid?
Hearing aids are battery-powered devices, worn behind or inside the ear, that amplify certain sound frequencies based on the individual hearing abilities of the user. [3]National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Hearing Aids. Found on the internet at https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids While they cannot cure hearing loss, the right hearing aids can significantly improve your ability to hear and participate in conversations.
The FDA classifies hearing aids as medical devices and regulates them for safety and efficacy. [4]U.S Food and Drug Administration. FDA Finalizes Historic Rule Enabling Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for Millions of Americans. Found on the internet at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/17/2022-17230/medical-devices-ear-nose-and-throat-devices-establishing-over-the-counter-hearing-aids
How do hearing aids work?
Let’s take a look at the working parts of a hearing aid to see how they work.
Parts of a hearing aid
Hearing aids consist of three main parts:
- Microphone: Captures sound waves as they enter your outer ear
- Amplifier: Converts the sound waves into electrical or digital signals (depending on the type of hearing aid) and then amplifies them
- Receiver (or speaker): Sends the amplified sounds through your ear canal
Every hearing aid also includes either a disposable or rechargeable battery for power. Disposable batteries need to be changed every three to 14 days, while rechargeable batteries can last up to five years before replacement (although you will need to charge them after eight to 30 hours of use).
Analog vs. digital hearing aids
Analog hearing aids were developed in the early 1900s with the same technology Alexander Graham Bell used when he invented the telephone. [5]National Institutes of Health. Alexander Graham Bell’s Contributions to the Science of Hearing. Found on the internet at https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/have-you-heard/alexander-graham-bell-contributions-science-of-hearing By converting sound waves into electronic signals, amplifying them, and then converting the amplified signals back into sound waves, analog hearing aids could be used to improve the user’s ability to hear.
The Nicolet corporation began selling the first fully digital hearing aid in 1987. [6]Hearing Health Foundation. Hearing Aid History: Ear Trumpets, European Royalty, and Earbuds. Found on the internet at https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/hearing-aid-history-ear-trumpets-european-royalty-earbuds It was much larger than modern hearing aids, with a pocket-sized processing unit connected by a cord to a behind-the-ear device.
Nine years passed before a smaller, more practical digital hearing aid was developed by Widex in 1996. From then on, sales of digital hearing aids quickly surpassed analog devices. By 2005, digital hearing aids accounted for 80% of the hearing aid market share, and today nearly all hearing aids are digital. [7]IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society. Hearing Aid History: From Ear Trumpets to Digital Technology. Found on the internet at https://www.embs.org/pulse/articles/hearing-aid-history-from-ear-trumpets-to-digital-technology/
Digital hearing aids incorporate a computer chip that analyzes and processes millions of sound waves into digital signals, then back into amplified sound waves that you’re able to hear. Because of their ability to more precisely analyze sound waves, digital hearing aids provide a better listening experience and less feedback.
Most digital hearing devices also come with advanced features such as digital noise reduction, which was the most important feature people wanted in their hearing aid, according to our 2022 survey of hearing aid users.
Disposable vs. rechargeable hearing aid batteries
A big consideration for many people is whether they want disposable or rechargeable batteries in their hearing aid. While there are pros and cons to each type, the vast majority of hearing aid users today prefer rechargeable batteries. Our hearing aid users survey found rechargeable hearing aid batteries were the second-most important feature for the majority of respondents (right behind digital noise reduction).
Most hearing aids today come with rechargeable batteries, although some companies, such as MDHearing, do carry models that use disposable batteries. Rechargeable hearing aids have two major advantages—you never have to change them, and they tend to be more water resistant because there’s no battery door to allow moisture in.
Hearing aid types and costs
The four main types of hearing aids each have their own size and feel. Cost is mostly dependent on the level of technology and service included in a given hearing aid, but you’ll see some variation in the average prices we’ve found for each type. Learning about different kinds of hearing aids can help you make an informed decision while you’re shopping.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
BTE hearing aids can address every level of hearing loss, from mild to profound. They are also frequently used for children due to their durability and the ease of replacing the earmolds as a child’s ears grow.
BTE hearing aid costs
In our research, we’ve found an average price of $500 for a pair of OTC behind-the-ear hearing aids, with a range from $199 for the Lucid Enrich to $799 for the Lexie Lumen.
Hearing clinics that sell prescription BTE hearing aids set their own prices, but we’ve seen a range between $2,000 and $7,000 per pair. Keep in mind prescription devices usually come with in-person support, reprogramming, cleanings, repairs, and maintenance for the first few years, so prices reflect the cost of both the device and in-person services from an audiologist.
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids
The majority of RIC hearing aids can address mild to severe hearing loss, although there are some high-powered models made by prescription hearing aid manufacturers that can treat profound hearing loss.
RIC hearing aid costs
In our research, we’ve found an average price of $1,320 for a pair of OTC receiver-in-canal hearing aids, with a range from $849 for the Lexie B1 to $1,795 for the Jabra Enhance Select 200.
Prescription RIC hearing aid prices run from about $1,700 to $7,000 per pair, depending on the technology level you select.
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
ITE hearing aids are designed to treat mild to severe hearing loss. If you have profound hearing loss in one or both ears, another style such as RIC or BTE will meet your needs better.
ITE hearing aid costs
In-the-ear OTC hearing aids vary quite a bit in both price level and technology level. Audien sells its most basic Atom hearing aids for $99 per pair, while Sony offers a higher-end model, the CRE E-10, for $1,299 per pair.
Prescription prices, again dependent on technology level and amount of after-purchase audiology support, range from $2,040 to $5,945.
Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids
CIC hearing aids can address mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
CIC hearing aid costs
Only a couple of OTC hearing aid companies, including Eargo and Audicus, make CIC models. Eargo offers three CIC devices with different technology levels and price tags. The least expensive model is the Eargo 5, with a cost of $1,650 per pair. The brand’s priciest model is the Eargo 7 at $2,950 per pair.
Several prescription brands offer both CIC and IIC devices, with costs from $1,540 to $4,260.
Prescription vs. OTC hearing aids
The main difference between prescription and OTC hearing aids is that prescription hearing aids require a hearing health professional’s in-person diagnosis of your hearing quality, followed by prescribing a custom hearing aid tailored to your situation and personal hearing solution.
On the other hand, OTC hearing aids are readily available without the need for a professional hearing consultation or customized devices that cater to your specific situation. While it is advised that you take a remote, online hearing test before choosing OTC hearing aids, you can still purchase a pair without the involvement of an audiologist or a special in-office visit.
Pros and Cons of OTC Hearing Aids
Choosing a hearing aid
When shopping for hearing aids, think about the following factors.
Type and degree of hearing loss
Your type and degree of hearing loss will help determine which hearing aid you need. [8]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Types of Hearing Loss. July 18, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/types.html Hearing loss is defined as mild, moderate, severe, or profound, depending on how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them. But the degree of your hearing loss isn’t the only factor to consider.
The type of hearing loss also plays a part in which style and model of hearing aid will best meet your needs. Many older adults with sensorineural hearing loss, a common type of age-related hearing loss, have trouble hearing high-frequency sounds, such as women’s and children’s voices, high-pitched beeps, and sounds like “ch,” “k,” and “sh.”
It’s also possible to have low-frequency hearing loss, or a different hearing loss profile altogether. If you’re unsure what type or degree of hearing loss you have, visit a hearing clinic for an exam. The hearing professional can determine your degree and type of hearing loss and guide you to the hearing aid options that will best address your needs.
In-person vs. remote hearing care
Keep in mind you may still want to choose a prescription hearing aid even if you have mild-to-moderate high-frequency hearing loss. OTC brands only include remote customer care, whereas hearing care clinics that sell prescription devices offer both in-person and remote support.
Getting that extra level of care, especially in-person services to help with fitting, cleaning, and maintenance, can make all the difference in your degree of success with hearing aids.
Carr told us some hearing care clinics are now selling both prescription and OTC devices, and the hearing professionals in those clinics are seeing a difference in success rates among customers who regularly come for support vs. those who don’t. “We’re finding that people who have at least a little bit of assistance, whether it’s in person or remote, are doing better.”
Manual dexterity
Regardless of whether you choose an OTC or prescription device, think about the size of each hearing aid and how easy (or hard) it will be for you to handle. Some of the smallest devices fit completely inside the ear canal, for instance. While they’re discreet, they can also be tough to manipulate when placing them in your ears or changing the batteries.
Hearing aid batteries are tiny, and we’ve found them difficult to handle when testing hearing aids. Hearing aids with rechargeable batteries are growing in popularity for exactly this reason.
People with vision problems and/or dexterity issues may want a device with rechargeable batteries that’s a step up in size from the smallest models. In-the-ear (ITE), receiver-in-canal (RIC), and behind-the-ear (BTE) models could all fit the bill.
Technology and features
The best hearing aids in today’s market combine the latest technology with advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity, automatic listening profile adjustments, and artificial intelligence (AI) that allows the hearing aid to “learn” which sounds you want to focus on for optimal sound processing.
New technology is exciting, but it’s important to consider how much you want and need to pay for in order to achieve significant hearing improvement. This is something a hearing professional can help you determine by conducting a hearing exam to see what type and degree of hearing loss you have. They can also talk about your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.
Some people want and will use Bluetooth streaming for audio and phone calls, for example, while others may not want to pay for that capability. It’s wise to consider the features that are really important so you can avoid paying for features you won’t use.
Personal preferences
Think about the activities you enjoy doing and what your typical day or week looks like. If you enjoy exercising and being outside, you may want to find a hearing aid that’s water-resistant. If social events are often on your calendar, a hearing aid that offers automatic sound adjustment for different environments might be a good option.
Budget
Cost is an important factor for many customers when choosing a hearing aid. Our survey found cost ranked No. 2 for the majority of customers when shopping for hearing aids, right behind how easy the devices were to set up and use. While there are many reasons why people who need hearing aids may not use them, cost is one of the major factors.
Decide on your hearing aid budget and find out whether your insurance plan offers coverage for hearing care. While Medicare and private insurance don’t always pay for hearing aids and exams, a 2022 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found roughly 50% of Medicare enrollees have a Medicare Advantage plan, and 97% of those plans offer some type of hearing benefit. [12]Kaiser Family Foundation. Medicare Advantage 2023 Spotlight: First Look. November 10, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-2023-spotlight-first-look/ If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, check your plan or contact your insurance provider to see if your plan includes hearing benefits.
When it comes time to shop for hearing aids, ask about any fees added on to the cost of the device itself. For instance, is after-purchase support from a hearing professional included in the purchase price, or do you need to pay extra for it?
Many OTC hearing aids are less expensive than those sold through hearing clinics, and some hearing clinics are unbundling the costs of prescription hearing aids and hearing aid services, dropping prices even lower.
Other factors to consider
Company reputation and reviews
Be sure to check the company’s standing on third-party websites such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and TrustPilot. While reading customer reviews is important, BBB also gives you an overview of a company’s reputation.
Customer reviews aren’t always trustworthy because some companies pay or otherwise compensate people for writing good reviews, creating an incentive for the customer to include only positive feedback in a review.
There’s often no way to know whether the review you are reading is completely honest. But with BBB, the business ratings are not based on customer reviews. Instead BBB takes into account other factors, including the following:
- Number of years in business
- History of BBB complaints
- Record of resolving complaints
- Degree of transparency (showing how the company does business)
- Any licensing or government actions against the business
By looking into a company’s business rating in addition to its reviews, you can get a better idea of how trustworthy it is.
Customer service options
When considering which brand of hearing aids to buy, especially if you’re buying them online from an OTC hearing aid company, see what the options are for customer support. Some companies offer a variety of ways to contact them, such as phone, email, online chat, and video consultations.
Customer-friendly policies
Warranties
Having a good hearing aid warranty is an important factor when choosing a hearing aid. Of respondents to our survey, 62% needed to have their hearing aids repaired during the warranty period. Most companies provide a warranty of one to three years from the date of purchase, but not all warranties are created equal.
For example, the Jabra Enhance warranty offers unlimited repairs plus loss and damage coverage for three years, while an Eargo warranty covers unlimited repairs but only one replacement during the warranty period (which is one to two years, depending on the model).
Risk-free trial periods
Check to see if the hearing aid company offers a risk-free trial period for you to try out the devices before making a final decision. Most states require hearing aid companies to offer a trial period of at least 30 days. The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) provides a list of the requirements for hearing aid trial periods in each state. [13]Hearing Loss Association of America. Consumer Protection Laws. May 2013. Found on the internet at https://www.hearingloss.org/wp-content/uploads/ConsumerProtectionLaws.pdf During this time, you can return the hearing aids and receive a full or partial refund.
Hearing aids can take a few weeks to adjust to, so give it some time and take advantage of any hearing specialist support included with your purchase before making a final decision. If you’re still having trouble hearing or your new devices aren’t comfortable, you may want to return them and try a different style or brand.
Common hearing aid features
Hearing aid technology has come a long way in the past 20 years. “Newer hearing device features include smaller, sleeker designs, rechargeability, improved background noise management, and ability to use Bluetooth technology for both app control of hearing devices and audio streaming,” said Hope Lanter, lead audiologist at hear.com. “It is important to consider how hearing aids can improve your life through improved design and feature innovations.”
Let’s take a closer look at advancements in hearing aid technology.
Bluetooth capability
Bluetooth technology allows you to make wireless adjustments to your hearing aids and even turn them into a pair of high-quality headphones. Some hearing aids also have Bluetooth streaming capability, so you can listen to audio and stream phone calls from a phone, TV, or computer.
Bluetooth works by sending a wireless signal to your hearing aids from the device you are connecting it with. Both devices must have Bluetooth technology in order to connect with each other. For example, if your smartphone and hearing aids are equipped with Bluetooth, you can choose the Bluetooth option on both devices and they will connect to each other.
This allows you to listen to, or “stream,” the sound from your smartphone directly to your hearing aids, including music, movies, and phone calls.
It’s easy to confuse the two terms, but there is a difference between Bluetooth connectivity and Bluetooth streaming. A few hearing aids we’ve found, such as Eargo and some models sold by Lexie, provide Bluetooth connectivity but not streaming.
This means you can connect wirelessly to other devices—the charger and the smartphone app in the case of Eargo—but you won’t be able to take phone calls or listen to music or TV shows. It’s important to find out exactly what kind of Bluetooth connection a hearing aid offers before making your purchase.
Smartphone apps
Newer hearing aid technology has made it possible to use your smartphone to adjust the listening profiles and volume on your hearing aids without even touching them. Some hearing aid companies also offer remote adjustments by audiologists using their company’s smartphone app to connect to your hearing aids.
If you’re comfortable with technology and using apps on your phone, this may be a feature you’ll enjoy having in a hearing aid.
Technology for a better listening experience
Along with Bluetooth, some hearing aids offer the following advanced features.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) ⓘ A technology that enables computers and other digital devices to solve problems and learn from experience, tasks that are normally associated with human intelligence.: You’ll only find this technology in prescription hearing aids. It allows your devices to “learn” the sounds of your everyday environment and which ones you want to focus on. This leads to better sound processing and, according to manufacturers, a listening experience that’s more natural.
- Automatic sound adjustments: While many hearing models include the option to switch between different listening profiles (or settings) based on your environment, some hearing aids can make the switch for you. The Eargo 6 and 7, for example, automatically change hearing settings depending on your situation.
- Background noise reduction: By limiting noise in the environment around you, hearing aids with this feature (also called digital noise reduction) can help you focus on conversations and other nearby sounds more easily. Most hearing aids come with background noise reduction, and indeed it was the number one feature hearing aid customers said they wanted in our Reviews Team’s survey.
- Directional microphones: These tiny microphones pick up and amplify sounds coming from in front of you to help you hear and understand conversations better. Even though it’s been around for nearly 55 years, directional microphone technology is still evolving. ReSound has developed directional microphones that automatically change direction based on your environment, picking up the sounds you need to focus on the most.
- Feedback cancellation: A common problem with old hearing aid models was feedback, which caused whistling sounds in the user’s ear. New models have cut down on this with feedback cancellation. This feature is especially handy when talking on the phone.
- Telecoil: A telecoil (also known as T-coil) allows you to use your hearing aid with other devices or facilities (such as houses of worship and theaters) equipped with a specialized hearing assistive technology called a hearing loop. Most hearing aids have a telecoil option, although completely-in-canal devices are so small they often do not include this feature.
Customization
Prescription hearing aids are fully customizable to your hearing loss, so they can be programmed to match your hearing needs. This is one advantage of taking an in-person hearing test and purchasing devices through a hearing clinic. Not only will the hearing specialist conduct a more thorough exam than an online screening can offer, they may be able to diagnose the cause of your hearing loss, and this could influence your treatment options.
Some OTC hearing aids are classified as self-fitting, meaning the user and/or the app that controls the hearing aid’s settings can be programmed similarly to the way a hearing professional would program them. [15]DeSousa, Karina C, Manchaiah, Vinaya, et al. Effectiveness of an Over-the-Counter Self-Fitting Hearing Aid Compared With an Audiologist-Fitted Hearing Aid. JAMA Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. June 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10102918/ Others come with preset hearing settings you can switch between, depending on your listening environment.
Water resistance
Most modern hearing aids are water-resistant. Among the brands in our Reviews Team’s list of the top hearing aids on the market, every brand except Audien includes some degree of water resistance. But keep in mind all hearing aids are electronic and can be damaged by moisture over time. And since they are expensive to replace, it’s a great idea to keep them away from water whenever possible.
When to see your doctor
If you have symptoms of hearing loss, or your loved ones have suggested you might benefit from hearing aids, it’s a good idea to see your primary care doctor or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. After checking for any physical or medical causes of your hearing loss, they can refer you to an audiologist (a health care professional who specializes in hearing loss) or a licensed hearing instrument specialist for an evaluation. [16]Johns Hopkins Medicine. What Is an Audiologist? Found on the internet at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hearing-loss/what-is-an-audiologist
It’s possible to live with hearing loss and not even know it. Read on to see if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms that could point to hearing loss.
Signs of hearing loss
According to the National Institute on Aging, the following are common signs of hearing loss: [17]National Institute on Aging. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults. January 19, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-and-hearing-loss/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults#signs
- Asking others to repeat their sentences
- Straining to hear conversations
- Speaking loudly (or asking others to speak loudly)
- Turning up the radio or TV above normal volume
- Having difficulty understanding or hearing in noisy situations, such as in restaurants
Get your hearing tested
Before choosing your hearing aids, it’s important to take a hearing test to find out how severe your hearing loss is. While the most thorough hearing tests are conducted in-person by a hearing professional, free online hearing screenings can also give you an idea of whether you have hearing loss.
In-person hearing tests
Hearing tests conducted by audiologists and other hearing specialists consist of three parts:
- Testing your ability to hear various sound frequencies and tones
- Checking the function of your middle ear, which moves sounds from the outer to the inner ear
- Assessing your ability to understand speech
The audiologist may also check for conditions such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), trauma or diseases that could be causing your hearing loss, and your ability to hear in different situations.
Online hearing tests
While not as thorough as in-person evaluations, online hearing tests can measure the severity of your hearing loss. These tests are popular and can help people with hearing loss get help sooner because they are free, take fewer than 10 minutes, and can be completed on your computer in the comfort of your home.
Our Reviews Team took two online hearing tests in May 2022 on the Phonak and MDHearing websites. Both tests required them to wear headphones and sit in a quiet room with their computer volume turned up to 100%. A series of sounds were played in first the right, then the left ear, from low to high frequencies. When each sound was played, the user was asked to turn the volume down until they couldn’t hear the sound at all. The Phonak test also included a short questionnaire asking about the user’s ability to hear in different situations.
After both ears were tested, they were asked for their email addresses to receive their hearing reports and recommendations. The hearing reports indicated how well each ear could hear at different frequencies and included recommendations for next steps, such as seeing an audiologist, looking into hearing aids, or simply continuing to protect our hearing.
While online hearing screenings can help determine your degree of hearing loss, only a test conducted in-person by a hearing professional can diagnose possible causes of hearing loss. If you are experiencing sudden problems hearing in one or both ears or you have any pain in your ears, contact your doctor or other health care provider for an appointment.
What if your hearing aids aren’t a good fit?
If, after wearing your new hearing aids consistently for a month and receiving audiology support as needed, you’re still having trouble hearing and understanding conversations and other sounds, connect with a hearing care provider to see if further adjustments can be made. They’ll be able to correct any problems with the physical fit and/or reprogram a prescription device to more closely match your hearing loss profile.
Keep in mind OTC hearing aids often aren’t as customizable as prescription devices, so you may not be able to achieve the same level of performance with them. If you purchased an OTC hearing aid that doesn’t offer remote support from an audiology team, you can still take your device to a local hearing care clinic for help with tasks such as cleaning, using the app to select the correct listening setting, adjusting the volume, and properly fitting the hearing aid in your ear.
Bottom line
Hearing aid technology and styles have come a long way in the past 20 years, allowing consumers to find the best hearing aid for their individual needs, budget, and lifestyle. When shopping, consider your lifestyle, budget, and the hearing aid features you want and will use.
Also, take into account whether you’d prefer to buy hearing aids online and potentially save money, or purchase hearing aids in person for a potentially higher price tag but more in-person support.
Lastly, use our picks for the best hearing aids on the market to start your research and journey to better hearing health.
Frequently asked questions
The four most common types of hearing aids are BTE, RIC, ITE, and CIC/IIC.
According to the hearing experts we’ve consulted, both RIC and ITE models are very popular among consumers.
Getting your hearing tested is the first step on your journey to selecting the right hearing aid. See the list above for other considerations before you make a purchase.
The majority of hearing aids sold today are digital hearing aids. Analog hearing aids used to be more common, but digital sound processors provide a better listening experience and are much more popular.
Just as we address vision issues with glasses, contacts, or surgery, it’s important to correct every type and level of hearing loss. Even mild hearing loss raises the risk of social isolation, dementia, falls, and depression.
The most comfortable hearing aid is the one that fits your ears the best. If your hearing aids aren’t comfortable, get remote support from the company or visit a hearing clinic in your area. An audiologist or hearing instrument specialist will be able to help you find the correct size of tips or domes to achieve the proper fit.
Behind-the-ear-hearing aids are often the best choice for people with more severe hearing loss and people who want more features in their device. Most in-the-ear hearing aids can’t treat profound hearing loss, and they often come with fewer features.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
Glossary
- Audiologist: a health professional trained to treat hearing loss. Audiologists are not medical doctors, but they do have either a Master’s or doctorate degree in audiology.
- Bluetooth: technology that allows your hearing aid to connect wirelessly with any other Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a phone, TV, or electronic tablet
- Digital noise reduction: enables the user to hear speech more clearly by blocking out some or all background noise
- Directional microphone: microphone inside a hearing aid that helps pick up voices in front of you, so you can hear conversations more clearly than background noise
- Feedback cancellation: also called feedback suppression, this feature helps reduce the whistling noise common in older model hearing aids
- Telecoil (T-coil): small copper wire in a hearing aid that allows it to be used with devices (such as telephones) and facilities (such as theaters and places of worship) equipped with hearing loops technology; especially helpful for people with moderate to profound hearing loss because it amplifies the speaker’s voice and helps cut down on background noise
- Tinnitus: a condition often linked to hearing loss and which causes constant or periodic ringing or buzzing in the ear
Sources
- World Health Organization. Deafness and Hearing Loss. Found on the internet at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss. Found on the internet at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Hearing Aids. Found on the internet at https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids
- U.S Food and Drug Administration. FDA Finalizes Historic Rule Enabling Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for Millions of Americans. Found on the internet at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/17/2022-17230/medical-devices-ear-nose-and-throat-devices-establishing-over-the-counter-hearing-aids
- National Institutes of Health. Alexander Graham Bell’s Contributions to the Science of Hearing. Found on the internet at https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/have-you-heard/alexander-graham-bell-contributions-science-of-hearing
- Hearing Health Foundation. Hearing Aid History: Ear Trumpets, European Royalty, and Earbuds. Found on the internet at https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/hearing-aid-history-ear-trumpets-european-royalty-earbuds
- IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society. Hearing Aid History: From Ear Trumpets to Digital Technology. Found on the internet at https://www.embs.org/pulse/articles/hearing-aid-history-from-ear-trumpets-to-digital-technology/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Types of Hearing Loss. July 18, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/types.html
- Federal Register. Medical Devices; Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices; Establishing Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids. August 17, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/17/2022-17230/medical-devices-ear-nose-and-throat-devices-establishing-over-the-counter-hearing-aids
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hearing Aids and Personal Sound Amplification Products: What to Know. January 12, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hearing-aids-and-personal-sound-amplification-products-what-know
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Finalizes Historic Rule Enabling Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for Millions of Americans. August 16, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/17/2022-17230/medical-devices-ear-nose-and-throat-devices-establishing-over-the-counter-hearing-aids
- Kaiser Family Foundation. Medicare Advantage 2023 Spotlight: First Look. November 10, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-2023-spotlight-first-look/
- Hearing Loss Association of America. Consumer Protection Laws. May 2013. Found on the internet at https://www.hearingloss.org/wp-content/uploads/ConsumerProtectionLaws.pdf
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Hearing Aids. October 11, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids
- DeSousa, Karina C, Manchaiah, Vinaya, et al. Effectiveness of an Over-the-Counter Self-Fitting Hearing Aid Compared With an Audiologist-Fitted Hearing Aid. JAMA Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. June 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10102918/
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. What Is an Audiologist? Found on the internet at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hearing-loss/what-is-an-audiologist
- National Institute on Aging. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults. January 19, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-and-hearing-loss/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults#signs