Hearing Aids That Are Actually Affordable (and Good)

According to a recent HearingTracker survey, the average price of a professionally-fit set of hearing aids is $4,672. But you may think, "I don't have or want to spend that much on hearing aids."

Don't worry. Hearing healthcare is changing rapidly, offering more options than ever—ranging from over-the-counter (OTC) self-fitting hearing aids to telehealth-supported products, and mass merchandisers like Costco and Sam's Club. And you can find many more ways to save money or cut initial costs on in-person services at local clinics, as well as hearing aid financing.

In this article, we'll explore the more-affordable options offered by both the traditional medical-model hearing aid manufacturers and the alternative products currently available. Note that for the OTC hearing aids, we provide you with the “official price” of the devices at this writing, but most are perpetually "on sale," and shopping around online can often get you a better bargain.

Most Affordable: Elehear Beyond

At $399, Elehear Beyond is the most affordable hearing aid among those that meet minimum performance standards.

It performs very well in quiet environments, almost on par with the Sony CRE-E10 (detailed below). Like most affordable devices, its performance in background noise could be better. However, it did perform slightly above average in the HearAdvisor lab and received a SoundGrade of A, meaning it does provide significant benefits and will help you hear voices and follow conversations more easily.

You can listen to sound samples by clicking "View product details" > "Lab Recordings" below or comparing them on our Comparison Page. You'll hear the different comparisons better if you wear good-quality headphones.

The Beyond features audio streaming and hands-free calling via Bluetooth with both iOS and Android devices. Its battery will last you for up to 18 hours per charge and a full charge takes as little as 1.5 hours. As with most OTC devices, you can get remote technical assistance, but professional hearing care isn't available.

Note that the Elehear Beyond has an IP rating of X5, meaning its dust resistance is unknown, but it is protected against water jets from any angle. If you need hearing aids that can resist submersion in water, the Rexton Reach, Jabra Enhance Select 500, Sony CRE-E10, or the Audicus Omni 2 are a better choice as they all carry an IP68 rating.

Best OTC: Jabra Enhance Select 500

Jabra Enhance Select 500 offers the best all-around package among affordable receiver-in-canal (RIC) OTC hearing aids. One of its biggest feats is that you can bundle it with a $200 premium care package, which includes remote hearing care for three years and a 3-year warranty; that's in addition to the professional remote fitting you'll get either way. While this raises the cost to $1,995 per pair (versus $1,795), we think the premium package is well worth the extra money (see the Select 500 and Jabra Enhance brand reviews).

Jabra Enhance Select 500 performs particularly well in quiet, but lags behind Rexton Reach and Sony CRE-E10 for amplifying speech in noisy environments. That said, it still provides a significant benefit, similar to the other OTC devices featured here.

With a battery life of 30 hours per charge, Jabra Enhance Select 500 leads the pack among OTC devices. The portable charger holds three full charges. Equipped with Bluetooth LE Audio, it's Auracast-ready and can handle audio streaming and hands-free calling with compatible iOS and Android devices.

While the Select 500 is fitted remotely, much like the Audicus Omni 2, Jabra won't let you use the results of a professional hearing test. Instead, Jabra uses its own online hearing screener to program your device.

Best Performance: Sony CRE-E10

The Sony CRE-E10 is an earbud style OTC hearing aid with great features for iOS users and a sound performance that even surpasses much more expensive prescription hearing aids. Sony's official price is $1,100 per pair, but they're generally available for $1,000 or less at the Sony website, or at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

In the lab, the Sony CRE-E10 scored in the top 5% of all tested devices, thanks to excellent scores for performance in quiet and noise (4.4/5 and 4.30/5, respectively), making it one of the best hearing aids in background noise HearAdvisor has ever tested.

Despite its compact size, the CRE-E10 has a battery life of up to 26 hours per charge, and the charging case holds three full charges. Equipped with Bluetooth, iOS users can enjoy audio streaming and hands-free calling. Unfortunately, the CRE-E10 isn't compatible with Android. The earbuds also lack onboard controls, but the Hearing Control app makes adjustments a breeze.

While Sony and its partner, WS Audiology (which also makes Rexton hearing aids), do offer good remote consultations and technical support, there's no option to receive individualized professional hearing care from a licensed provider.

Best Support: Audicus Omni 2

The Audicus Omni 2 is a receiver-in-the-canal OTC hearing aid with professional remote programming and support built into the price.

If you can't muster the upfront cost of purchasing a hearing aid, you can opt for a monthly Audicus hearing aid subscription that includes the device and services, currently $119/month for the Omni 2 plus a $249 one-time setup fee. Alternatively, if you have single-sided hearing loss, you don't need to buy a pair; Audicus offers per-unit pricing, starting at $949 per ear for the Omni 2. All options include a 100 day trial.

Unlike many other self-fitting OTC devices, the Audicus Omni 2 is programmed remotely, either using a clinical hearing test (not included) or a free online hearing screening. In the HearAdvisor lab, it performed well in quiet and slightly better than the Jabra Enhance Select and Elehear Beyond in noise.

The Audicus Omni 2 features Made for All (MFA) Universal Bluetooth compatibility for audio streaming and hands-free calling with iOS and Android. At 16 hours per charge, the battery life is on the low end, but if that's a concern, know that you can also get this model with a disposable battery that will last longer.

The Audicus Hearing Remote App includes a 3-band equalizer, an option to boost high frequencies, and you can store adjustments to streamed audio and general use separately, which is a nice touch. Note, however, that you have to call Audicus for adjustments to the hearing aid's programming, which isn't as convenient as making changes yourself or through a real-time video call. However, it will suit people who are not as comfortable with technology.

Best Prescription Option: Rexton Reach

At $1,500 per pair, the Rexton Reach R-Li T is one of the most affordable prescription (Rx) hearing aids. It made our list not only because it's an affordable hearing aid, but also because it punches above its weight when it comes to performance and features.

In the HearAdvisor lab, the Rexton Reach R-Li T achieved a SoundGrade of A, placing it in the top 15% of all tested devices. Rexton's BiCore technology can focus on multiple voices and selectively amplify their volume above background noise, even as speakers move around. Compared to premium hearing aids, most affordable devices drop off a cliff when it comes to amplifying speech in noise, but the Rexton Reach is close to the top, with a 2.4/5 professionally-tuned score, outperforming many higher-priced competitors like ReSound Nexia.

The rechargeable receiver-in-canal Rexton Reach hearing aid has a battery life of up to 39 hours per charge, supports Bluetooth LE with wireless audio streaming and hands-free calling from compatible iOS and Android devices, it's Auracast-ready and features a Telecoil.

You can find Rexton Reach hearing aids, including the R-Li T model, at Costco, Hear.com, and in independent practices of the HearUSA / HearCANADA, and Helix networks.

Other affordable and good hearing aids to consider

The best affordable hearing aids listed above strike a balance between performance and price. But you can always find hearing aids that are even more affordable, especially when your hearing loss is mild or if you don't require certain features or benefits. Below are options that might be a better fit for your specific situation.

Lexie hearing aids

The Lexie B2 Plus Powered by Bose is a receiver-in-canal OTC hearing aid that includes audiologist-quality customization and free lifetime Lexie Expert support for $1,000 per pair. The B2 Plus features Bluetooth call streaming from compatible iOS and Android devices.

All of Lexie's hearing aids offer a 45-day trial, remote professional care, and a 1-year warranty. The optional Lexie Club membership (currently $.9.99/month) adds priority support, extended warranty, the Lexie protection plan, and more.

For a more affordable option, consider the Lexie B2. We’ve seen the B2 offered online for as low as $899, but check the latest price. However, note that the B2 can stream phone calls from iPhones only.

Lexie also offers Lexie Lumen, an OTC self-fitting behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid with replaceable batteries currently offered for $699 for a pair. It uses Bluetooth for linking to the Lexie app for control of the hearing aids, but does not offer audio streaming for phone calls.

JLab HEAR OTC

Offered at less than $100, the JLab Hear is the least-expensive OTC hearing aid listed in this review. It works well in quiet and gives you at least some benefit in noise. This hearing aid / earbud hybrid scored well in HearAdvisor testing (SoundScore of 3.6 on a 5-point scale).

For its price, JLab Hear features impressive technology, including rechargeability, iPhone and Android audio and call streaming, and good sound quality. We want to be clear that it doesn't match the performance of a high-end prescription or OTC hearing aid, but hey, it's under $100, and in a pinch could at least serve as your backup or replacement hearing aid.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer surprising hearing benefits for what's primarily a set of wireless earbuds. Equipped with everything you'd expect from quality earbuds, they also include an FDA-approved hearing aid feature.

Within Apple's Health app, you can either take a built-in hearing test or enter the results from a third-party audiogram. Not only can the AirPods Pro 2 enhance streaming audio, they can also amplify external sounds and serve as hearing aids.

With a battery life of up to six hours, the AirPods Pro 2 aren't an all-day or everyday solution, but they're a relatively low-cost option for experiencing the benefits of better hearing.

Note that while you can use the AirPods Pro 2 with Android, you need an iOS 18+ device to take the hearing test and configure the hearing aid features.

Why are hearing aids so expensive?

A standard medical-model hearing aid will set you back anywhere from several hundred dollars for a set of OTC devices to over $4,000 per ear for a top-of-the-line prescription hearing aid. Hearing aids are expensive because you're paying for multiple things:

1. The hardware
   Hearing care professionals order hearing aids through wholesale accounts and often pay $1,000-2,000 per device, depending on the technology level. Hearing aid manufacturers claim that the prices are this high due to the research and development that goes into creating the products.
2. Network costs
   Distribution, including honoring warranties and returns-for-credit, as well as helping to train professionals on the use of their products, add to the device costs that manufacturers pass down to hearing clinics.
3. Professional services
   Finally, you're paying for services, such as fitting your hearing aid and up to 5 years of free follow-up care. While most hearing aids come bundled with services, it is possible to find providers who will sell you follow-up services as an add-on when you purchase your hearing aids, and some others offer follow-up care on a pay-per-appointment basis.

Let’s not forget that modern hearing aids are more than just a battery-powered microphone with an amplifier. Recent advances in chip technology, artificial intelligence, and digital data processing have massively improved the sound quality these high-tech listening devices can achieve, especially for more severe hearing loss. On top of that, wireless technology, mobile apps, and new battery technology have taken convenience to the next level. Advanced features like this, as well as health options like tinnitus programs, further drive up the price.

Of course, hearing aid manufacturers benefit from progress in other fields. Still, considering their limited niche, their research and development cost per unit sold is enormous, compared to, for example, a set of consumer earbuds, where the market is so much larger. What’s more, with only a handful of manufacturers dominating the hearing aid market, it’s much less competitive than the markets for most consumer electronic devices.

Typical pricing for low- and high-level technology

Do some of the affordable options above seem too expensive for you? Here is an overview of what you can expect to pay for the flagship models offered by leading medical-model hearing aid brands. These numbers are based on data provided to HearingTracker by hearing care professionals across the country.

When buying hearing aids, you can almost cut your costs in half if you're willing to settle for a lower technology level. Below, we show more ways how you can cut your costs substantially. But, in exchange, you may have to compromise on technology, features, and services.

Another reason we’re so acutely aware of the price of hearing aids is that, unlike many other medical aids and services, they’re typically not covered by health insurance.

Best options for affordable hearing aids

Hearing aid prices aren’t regulated. While some hearing clinics may not be willing to slim down their margins, you may find better deals by shopping around. It always comes down to finding the right care provider and product for your needs.

Check your insurance coverage and compare prices

As noted above, while Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, many private health insurances do. Third-party care providers like Epic and TruHearing work with insurance companies to provide hearing care benefits to their members. If your insurance is among them, you could get a large portion of the cost covered.

If your insurance covers hearing aids, be sure to ask whether they will accept out-of-network care providers. If they do, you could reach out to different hearing clinics to compare prices. Often, hearing care clinics can offer you a better deal than your insurance’s third-party care provider.

Buy a lower-end or basic technology model from a local provider

Depending on your type of hearing loss, you may not need the most advanced technology level—or want to pay for it! For most hearing losses, a well-fitted basic hearing aid will give you all (or most) of the benefits of better hearing while not breaking the bank. In fact, a study by the late-great audiologist-researcher Robyn Cox, PhD, showed that a quality economy-level hearing aid could attain very similar outcomes to a premium-level hearing aid—if it's fit by a professional who knows what they're doing and uses clinical best practices.

Ask your hearing care provider if you really need the additional features of more advanced and expensive models. For example, will you stream audio from your phone to your hearing aids, do you need a tinnitus program, or would a rechargeable device really make your life that much easier? If the answer is no, you might do fine with a simpler model.

Because most hearing care practices now have to compete with the likes of Costco and Sam's Club (see below), it's becoming fairly common for them to offer hearing aids for around $1,500 a pair—if you insist on their lowest-technology level aid (and if that hearing aid is suitable for your hearing needs).

Pay for services as you go

Another way to reduce the upfront cost is to purchase hearing aids independently of additional services. Here's a little-known fact about hearing healthcare (and much of healthcare in general): if you have a relatively simple problem that requires only a couple of office visits, you'll still pay about the same as a person with a complex problem who requires double the number of visits. We can debate the merits or fairness of this, but in most hearing care practices, you'll pay the same as everyone else for services—no matter how many appointments you require.

Recognizing this, it's becoming increasingly common for clinics to unbundle their prices, so you can purchase a hearing aid and pay separately for the services—such as a hearing test, real-ear measurement, device programming, orientation, replacement parts, and maintenance—as you go.

Depending on your situation, this may or may not save you money in the long run, but it could help reduce the initial purchase price. Some practices even offer different service packages based on hearing loss and needs. Moreover, if you’re not happy with the service you’re receiving or have to relocate, you’ll be able to switch providers more easily.

Alternatively, if unbundling is not an option, you could inquire how to finance your hearing aids. Just be careful to review the payment terms to ensure interest payments don’t balloon the overall cost excessively, and also make sure to pay off the hearing aids by the agreed-upon date(s) so you don't incur extra interest charges.

Weigh the merits of a subscription hearing aid plan

If you want to take the sting out of the initial hearing aid payment, you can also look into subscription hearing aids like Lyric and Audicus. With these devices, rather than buying them outright, you can pay a monthly fee that covers your aids and additional benefits, including maintenance, support, accessories, loss and damage protection, software updates, and regular hardware upgrades. Since you're essentially leasing the aids, you can cancel your contract anytime, though restrictions and penalties may apply. Generally, the support for these aids consists of only online assistance, but some companies offer in-person office visits, too. Check out our article “Pros and Cons of Subscription Hearing Aid and Financing Plans” for details, as well as some of the OTC aids below.

Veterans Affairs (VA) hearing aid care

If you’re eligible for VA healthcare, you might also qualify for its hearing aid care. Members can schedule an appointment to have their hearing evaluated. If the audiologist recommends a hearing aid, the VA will cover the hearing aid and all associated costs.

Unfortunately, not everyone with hearing loss automatically qualifies for coverage under the VA. The VHA Directive 1034, which governs the prescription and provision of hearing aids to veterans, refers to 38 CFR 17.149 in regard to which veterans are eligible for hearing aids.

To get VA healthcare, veterans first need to apply for eligibility. This is typically done by applying for disability starting with the VA’s Form 10-10EZ. If the veteran is registered with the VA and receives healthcare services, they can make an appointment directly with a VA audiologist to determine their hearing status and the need for a hearing aid. For more information about obtaining a hearing aid from the VA, visit the VA Rehab and Prosthetics page.

Look into reputable online hearing aid retailers

There are a few trusted online retailers, like ZipHearing and Yes Hearing, 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 retailers sell “grey market” products that have dubious product warranties. The company also has a good reputation with the audiology community. Note: HearingTracker partners with ZipHearing and other national providers to offer discounted hearing aid prices to its visitors.

Consider purchasing at Costco or Sam's Club

Both Costco hearing aids and Sam's Club hearing aids are dispensed by state-licensed hearing care professionals at a great price point. Here’s how these companies can sell hearing aids at such low prices:

1. Being mass wholesale clubs, they enjoy huge volume discounts on their devices. Costco is one of the largest distributors of hearing aids in the United States and buys hearing aids in bulk, which brings down the price significantly; Sam's Club Hearing Aids are staffed and run by Lucid Hearing and has its own hearing aid brand.
2. Both employ a shop-in-shop model, which minimizes overhead substantially vs. traditional brick-and-mortar offices/clinics.
3. Both usually employ state-licensed hearing aid specialists, which are generally paid less (on average) than audiologists.

Costco and Sam's Club hearing aids can be a great deal if the hearing aid center you visit is staffed with a skilled provider who adheres to best practices and isn't over-taxed in terms of having available time to spend with existing clients. Given the latter, these stores may not be the best for people with more severe or complex hearing losses who require more professional time, counseling, accessories, etc.

At Costco, you can get brand-name hearing aids from Jabra, Philips, and Rexton. Costco even mandates the use of real-ear measurements at all of its hearing centers. Additionally, because they sell hearing aids from global hearing aid manufacturers, you can get these aids reprogrammed and serviced at most hearing aid clinics (i.e., unlike Sam's Club, they are not "locked" so other providers can adjust them). Costco’s standard 3-year warranty covers repairs and replacements, as needed. During a 2-year loss-and-damage warranty period, you can even get one hearing aid per year replaced, free of cost.

Sam's Club's Lucid Hearing Aids offer good sound quality and a range of options in terms of Bluetooth, rechargeability, extended warranty/care packages up to 3 years, with prices ranging from about $1,299-$5,000 per pair (although costs can vary depending on add-on features and services). We think Sam's is also a good place if you're torn between a prescription or OTC hearing aid. For example, Lucid Engage received an Expert Choice 2023 Award from the HearAdvisor test lab, and a Lucid-certified clinician will even program your OTC aid for $198—or you can trade it in for a prescription aid if you're still in the 90-day trial period. However, Lucid hearing aids at Sam's Club are "locked,” meaning you can't get them reprogrammed by another professional outside the network.

Check out the better-performing OTC hearing aids

Try searching for hearing aids on Amazon or your favorite search engine, and you’ll be flooded with options. To help you find the right OTC solution, we regularly update our selection of the best OTC hearing aids. You can also visit the HearAdvisor Leaderboard, select "OTC hearing aids" and view the ranking

Cheap hearing aid options NOT recommended: Don't get ripped off!

Not every affordable hearing device will meet OTC guidelines. Many unscrupulous brands offer cheap hearing aids that promise relief but don’t actually work. Some companies market these devices as “FDA-approved” OTC hearing aids but are not technically OTCs. Unfortunately, the FDA rarely takes action on these scofflaw companies.

Here are some tips to avoid getting scammed:

• Watch out for aggressive marketing, unrealistic promises, short trial periods, and false claims. Another frequent red warning light is the lack of an address, contact information, or direct customer service support. As we mentioned, all hearing aids can malfunction; if yours breaks, you'll need a company that stands behind its products and gives you a solution. The Brattleboro Hearing Center breaks down other common hearing aid scams.
• Don’t trust testimonials on the seller’s website. Instead, check the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and any customer reviews or complaints posted to its BBB listing.
• Read independent reviews. If you’re a member of Consumer Reports, review their hearing aid ratings.
• Use the HearingTracker search engine to look up the product and company. We provide expert reviews on the best (and some not-so-good) hearing aids, implants, and hearables. In many cases, you can find the products on our Comparison Page, which allows you to listen and compare individual products lab-tested by HearAdvisor in several different listening environments.
• Use our Hearing Loss Forum, an online community affiliated with HearingTracker, to search for firsthand experiences about the product(s) you're considering. Also consider becoming a member and helping others in your situation!
• Beware of fake online reviews. They can be hard to spot, but sometimes you’ll notice dead giveaways, like the exact same wording showing up in multiple reviews or comments posted in quick succession with only a few newer comments.
• Is it a new or generic brand? See whether you can find a white-label (unbranded) product version on sites like Alibaba or AliExpress, online marketplaces stocked by Chinese manufacturers. If you do, examine the price difference; that’s the scammer’s margin!

Ivory Hearing has debunked another cheap rechargeable hearing aid. Most online hearing aids follow a similar pattern: to promise the best hearing aids at an incredibly low price, supported by false claims and fake testimonials. Often, they also discredit hearing care professionals.