Best Hearing Aids of 2024 - Picking the Perfect Hearing Aid

A lot happened in the world of hearing aids last year, with all major manufacturers releasing new innovative products. The class of 2024 offers superior sound processing, excellent wireless connectivity, and next-generation fitness tracking and telehealth capabilities. But each product has its strengths and weaknesses, and we’ve waded through the options to find the very best hearing aids on the market for 2024.

Best hearing aids for background noise

After measuring background noise reduction in over 60 products in the HearAdvisor acoustic lab, we've identified the top performers on the market in 2024. Watch this video to see who came out on top.

However, since the above video was released, two new and important prescriptive hearing aids have hit the market—and both now top HearAdvisor's Leaderboard.

Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio

The first-ever hearing aid to achieve a tuned Speech-in-Noise SoundScore rating above 4 (4.6 out of 5) in independent HearAdvisor lab testing, Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio uses dual-chip technology in which one chip, called DEEPSONIC, employs a Deep Neural Network (DNN) to separate speech from noise. With an industry-leading 10 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) improvement (up to 3.7 dB more than its competitors), tests from Phonak indicate Sphere users are 2 to 3 times more likely to understand speech from any direction compared to two leading competitors.

Grab a pair of headphones and listen to read lab recordings of the Infinio Sphere below. And, visit the product page to hear how Sphere performs in background noise.

Runner Up: Oticon Intent

Intent is the latest hearing aid from Danish company Oticon. Like Phonak's Sphere (above) and Starkey's Genesis AI, Intent uses AI-driven technology to improve environment recognition and speech clarity in noise. Its second-generation DNN 2.0 technology was built using enriched learning from over 12 million sound inputs during its training phase, allowing it to perform in even more diverse listening situations. The overall goal of Intent is to work similarly to the brain, enabling more accurate representations of sound and better access to speech in noisy situations. Oticon claims that these features can result in accessing 35% more speech cues, offering a significant boost in clarity and conversation quality.

And, unlike Phonak's Audéo Sphere, Intent offers impressive rechargeability and battery life, with 24 hours of use time.

Best rechargeable hearing aids

To find the best rechargeable hearing aids on the market, I considered the following four criteria:

• Longest-lasting battery - When fully-charged, which hearing aid provides the highest number of hours of continuous use?
• Fastest charging - Which hearing aids charge the fastest?
• Battery replacement - How often do batteries need to be replaced? And, what is the process like?
• Charging case options - Are the chargers well designed? Are they portable? Do they provide additional charges on the go?

My Pick: Starkey Genesis AI

Released in March 2023, Starkey Genesis AI offers the best rechargeability solution on the market. On a full charge Genesis AI RIC RT provides a whopping 51 hours of operating time (45 hours with some wireless streaming). That’s a full 12 and 21 hours more than their closest competition, Signia and ReSound, respectively!

Genesis AI takes about 3.5 hours to fully recharge from a flat battery, and this is more or less in line with every other rechargeable lithium-ion hearing aid on the market. Starkey also features a turbo charging feature that adds 3 hours of use in just a 7-minute charge, so you can quickly charge the hearing aids when pinched for time. Add to this the fact you get an extra 21 hours of battery life with the full 3.5-hours charge compared to other exceptional hearing aids, and it seems like Starkey wins on all-around recharging.

In addition, I love Starkey's new Premium Mini Charger. It’s a well-designed, and rugged, charging case that offers four on-the-go charges. It’s also easy to slot the hearing aids into the charger, which is a huge win for anyone with dexterity issues.

In terms of battery replacement, it’s hard to find a winner here. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are relatively new in the world of hearing aids, and manufacturers are saying to expect anywhere from 4-6 years from the rechargeable cells. We’ll be reporting back as soon as we get reports of batteries needing replacing!

Replacing a rechargeable battery will require your audiologist to send your hearing aids to the manufacturer for an off-site servicing. This will mean some hearing down time unless you can secure a hearing aid loaner.

Runner up: Signia Pure Charge&Go IX

With an impressive battery life of 39 hours without streaming and up to 34 hours with 5 hours of streaming per charge, Signia Pure Charge&Go is an excellent choice in rechargeable RIC hearing aids. Introduced in October 2023, it has impressive sound quality, Bluetooth LE Audio for iOS and Android devices, and offers a new processing method that utilizes multiple “focus streams” to improve speech clarity. Signia’s Pure Portable Charger is robust, compact, and user-friendly. The only caveat with this device is that you need a provider who uses real-ear measurement (REM) during your hearing aid fitting for best results. Although this could be said about any prescription hearing aid, HearAdvisor found that this is particularly important with this device.

Best Bluetooth connectivity

To find the best Bluetooth connectivity on the market, I considered the following five criteria:

• iPhone streaming - Can the hearing aids stream audio from iOS devices?
• Android streaming - Can the hearing aids stream audio from Android phones?
• Laptop streaming - Are the hearing aids able to stream audio from laptops and other Bluetooth-enabled devices?
• Accessory requirement - Is an accessory required to stream audio from certain devices, or to enable hands-free calling?
• General connectivity - Do the hearing aids offer stable multi-device connectivity? How easy is the pairing process?

My Pick: Phonak Infinio and Lumity

While most hearing aid companies went down the path of providing “Made For iPhone” hearing aids (starting with the ReSound LiNX back in 2014), Phonak lagged behind, not launching their first Bluetooth-connected hearing aid until early 2018. For many, the wait was worth it. Because it was the first hearing aid to offer universal Bluetooth connectivity, Phonak Marvel was a raging success. And after a few generations of Bluetooth products, the new Phonak Lumity is a stellar performer.

Phonak was slow to jump into the world of Bluetooth connectivity, but ended up stealing the crown this year with Infinio and Infinio Sphere, which supports up to 8 Bluetooth devices and 2 active Bluetooth connections. This means going back and forth between a phone and laptop, etc., is now as seamless as any other modern true wireless earbud. Connection stability and ease of pairing are as you’d expect, too.

Besides good universal Bluetooth connectivity, Phonak is the only brand to offer true hands-free calling for iOS and Android—and in stereo. The trade-off is that, although Infinio's ERA chip has Bluetooth LE Audio and is Auracast-ready, it isn't currently activated. There have been some reports of sound quality issues related to the hearing aid user’s own voice on the other end of the call, but for the most part, it seems that the convenience outweighs this limitation for most.

We should also point out that Phonak's Lumity hearing aid family also shares this same high-level Bluetooth functionality.

Runners Up: ReSound Omnia and Nexia

ReSound was the first hearing aid company to offer support for both Made For iPhone and Android ASHA Bluetooth protocols, and ReSound promised Omnia would support the upcoming Bluetooth LE Audio protocol through a future firmware upgrade.

And, while at this writing HearingTracker and the HearAdvisor lab are still testing ReSound Nexia, this latest flagship hearing aid can receive Auracast broadcasts, a technology that should become widely available in the next couple of years in theaters, places of worship, airports, arenas, bars, restaurants, and a lot of other venues—meaning Nexia may be moving up this list!

With both Omnia and Nexia, you can get high-quality hands-free calling with iOS devices. For Android, you’ll need to purchase the ReSound Phone Clip+ and pair it to your phone. The microphone on the Phone Clip+ — which can be worn on a lapel — is used to pick up your voice and send it to the caller.

Best discreet hearing aids

To find the best discreet hearing on the market, I considered the following two criteria:

• Visibility - Is the hearing aid visible to those around you?
• Reliability - Does wax and moisture cause performance issues?
• Comfort - Is the hearing aid comfortable in your ear?

My Pick: Phonak Virto Infinio Titanium IIC

Phonak started manufacturing 3D-printed titanium hearing aids back in 2017 with Virto B. My mind was blown at the time, because I didn’t even know it was possible to “print” metal. Apparently printed metal is a thing, and Phonak saw an opportunity to bring the technology into the hearing aid manufacturing process.

In a press release, Phonak stated that their titanium shells were “15x stronger and 50% thinner” than traditional acrylic hearing aid shells. This meant “deeper placement in the ear canal” and a “more discreet fit.” In 2024, Phonak is still ahead of the pack when it comes to hearing aid visibility — no other manufacturer is producing printed-titanium shells that compete on size or “invisibility.”

In terms of comfort, the new Virto Infinio is about as comfortable as any other “invisible in canal” (IIC) hearing aid on the market — which is to say, pretty comfortable for most people. Most people prefer open-fitting hearing aids over custom-fitted in-canal style hearing aids.

In terms of reliability, the Virto I Titanium is as reliable as any IIC can be. It’s the only one that I’m aware of that has an IP68 for moisture and dust protection. Having said that, ear canals are a hostile (warm, damp, waxy) environment for even the most robust of hearing aids, so if you are someone who perspires a lot or produces a lot of wax, you might want to consider going with a behind-the-ear (BTE) thin-tube style hearing aid that doesn’t put any electronic components deep in your ear.

Runner-up: Starkey Genesis AI and Evolve AI CICs

Both the Genesis AI and Evolv AI CICs are good examples of Starkey's "go-to" reputation for custom in-the-ear hearing solutions. These CICs are rechargeable, almost invisible, Bluetooth-compatible with Apple and Android, and offer fully hands-free phone calls for iPhones. The biggest difference between the Genesis and Evolv AI platforms is that Genesis AI offers DNN sound processing.

Unfortunately, we don't have any audio recordings to share of the Genesis AI CIC, but it's well known that Starkey customs produce some of the best sound quality on the market.

The hearing aid that really is invisible: Phonak Lyric

The hands-down absolute most invisible hearing aid in the world is the Phonak Lyric. It’s so small and goes so deep into the ear canal that it has to be initially inserted by an ENT specialist or specially-trained audiologist; more recently, the FDA has given the green light for limited self-replacement by consumers. And while it would probably win on both visibility and comfort, there have been reports about poor reliability for some people. And this can be a real nuisance if a dead hearing aid means a trip back to the specialist for extraction and re-insertion! While many people have absolutely no problems, those with heavy wax production, unique ear canal shapes, or other contraindications may not be good candidates for this aid, so it's not for everyone.

Best hearing aids for general health and fitness

At least three manufacturers—Starkey, Phonak, and Signia—now offer hearing aid models that track metrics like step-counting distance walked, and hearing aid wearing time (see our review of Hearing Aids as Health and Fitness Trackers).

To find the best hearing aids for general health, I looked at the following factors:

• Usage reinforcement - Do the hearing aids encourage consistent usage?
• Activity reinforcement - Do the hearing aids encourage you to stay physically active?
• Fall monitoring - Do the hearing aids detect falls and alert your loved ones?

My Pick: Starkey Genesis AI

The winner in this category should be obvious to anyone familiar with the hearing aid industry. Starkey is the front-runner on taking a holistic approach to general wellbeing—the My Starkey App app tracks physical activity (steps, exercise time, and stand time) and hearing aid “engagement” to provide a single “Wellness Score” that gives the wearer continuous feedback on how well they’re doing.

Starkey’s new Genesis AI hearing aids work seamlessly with the My Starkey app—motion sensors onboard the hearing aids provide a constant stream of data to the app about physical activity. The onboard motion sensors are also able to detect falls (mild hearing loss can triple the risk of a fall in older adults). If and when a fall is detected, the My Starkey app will send notifications to specified contacts from your phone book to alert them of the incident.

Honorable OTC mention: Lexie Lumen

I thought it would be useful to note an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid in this review: Lexie Lumen is a direct-to-consumer hearing aid that is purchased for $799 (or on a $42/m subscription plan) on the internet, and shipped right to your front door. While Lexie Lumen doesn’t come with any onboard sensors, it does have a novel app that monitors hearing ability and provides subscription discounts for those who wear their hearing aids regularly. While there are plenty of other hearing aids that provide usage monitoring, Lexie is the only company willing to pay you to wear your hearing aids!

The best hearing aids for tinnitus

And if you’re specifically in the market for hearing aids that have special tinnitus-masking features, be sure to check out our comprehensive review of the best hearing aids for tinnitus relief.

The best hearing aids for music

Looking for a hearing aid with decent music quality when streaming over Bluetooth HearAdvisor Audiologist Steve Taddei, AuD, provides you with some great options in his article, Best Hearing Aids for Music of 2024: OTC & Rx Options.

Top hearing aid brands, rated by 500 audiologists

We surveyed five hundred audiologists in Q4 2020 to find out which hearing aid brands are the best on the following metrics: sound quality, battery life, value for money, reliability, connectivity, rechargeability, aesthetics, ease of fit, ease of use, and product support.

Survey Disclaimer

Survey results reflect the attitudes of audiologists, who may or may not be familiar with all hearing aid brands. For better or worse, each audiologist has their brand preferences, and our survey results reflect those preferences. Take the results with a grain of salt. Infrequently selected brands not included in the charts below.

How do I choose the best hearing aid?

Before trying to pick your own hearing aid, watch this video from our partner Doctor Cliff, AuD. You might be surprised by how complicated the process is.

Don’t have time to watch the video?

Here are Cliff’s notes 😉 on what to consider when purchasing a hearing aid. Keep in mind that your hearing professional should be helping you understand the options:

1. Your hearing loss severity - You need a hearing aid that is capable of providing adequate amplification. If you have a severe or profound hearing loss, you’ll need a device that can produce higher sound levels.
2. Your ability to hear speech in noise - Speech in noise testing should be performed at every hearing evaluation. If you perform well on the test with amplification, hearing aids are likely to help you in noisy environments.
3. Brand accessibility - Certain brands may not be accessible in your area. This may limit your options.
4. Important features - Your hearing professional should get to know your listening needs and goals and suggest hearing aid features that can give you the most satisfaction and benefit.
5. Your lifestyle - More advanced hearing aids are geared towards meeting the needs of those with the most active lifestyles. If you find yourself in more complex listening environments you should consider purchasing higher technology.
6. Best practices - Does your hearing care provider follow best practices? If you aren’t receiving real ear measurement testing, you probably won’t get the most out of your hearing aids, even if they are top-of-the-line!

Looking to understand the available hearing aid features? Check out Hearing Tracker’s hearing aid matching engine.

How much do hearing aids cost?

We recently conducted a survey – with the help of the Hearing Loss Association of America – to learn more about the cost of hearing aids in the United States. Our survey showed that the overall average price paid for a single hearing aid was $2372. For a breakdown of hearing aid prices by brand, please read more on our page about the cost of hearing aids.

Looking to pay for hearing aids with healthcare insurance? Medical insurance coverage is available for some consumers.

Where to purchase hearing aids

Hearing aids are typically purchased from a local hearing healthcare practice. When shopping for hearing aids, we recommend working with a local practice that offers critical services like Real-Ear Measurements (REMs). You can search our database of local practices and filter by services using our Hearing Aids Near Me map.

Most hearing clinics offer an array of different hearing aid models (and should work with multiple brands). Depending on your specific needs, and budget, you may pay anywhere from $1,500 - $8,000 (or more) for a pair of hearing aids.

There are also a few trusted online retailers, like ZipHearing, that work with local clinics to offer fixed price hearing aid + service bundles. We know that ZipHearing works directly with reputable hearing aid manufacturers, which is important because some online retailers sell “grey market” products that have dubious product warranties. The company also has a good reputation within the audiology community. Note: HearingTracker parters with ZipHearing and other national providers to offer discounted hearing aid prices to its visitors.

If you’re considering purchasing prescription hearing aids from an online retailer, be sure to do a comprehensive investigation of the business before sending them your credit card details. There have been many fly-by-night operations, like BuyHear.com, which left customers in the lurch after shutting down operations. And, aside from the fraud risks, prescription hearing aids are also capable of producing very high decibel levels—we recommend having them fit in person by a licensed professional who performs real-ear measurements.

If you're looking for a safer do-it-yourself option, and have no worse than mild to moderate hearing loss, take a look at all the OTC products we've reviewed including Walmart hearing aids, Amazon hearing aids, Sam's Club hearing aids, Lexie, Jabra Enhance, Sennheiser, and Audicus.