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Audicus Hearing Aids: Everything You Need To Know

Offering world-class technology and a unique membership program to upgrade your hearing aids every 18 months, Audicus is an option for getting professionally fit hearing aids online. But is it right for you?
Audicus Reviews1

Audicus hearing aids.

Audicus was one of the first companies to market affordable hearing aids online with professional hearing care services, and today offers four hearing aid models—all manufactured by two of the world's largest hearing aid companies, Sonova (parent company of Phonak and Unitron) and WS Audiology (parent company of Rexton, Signia, and Widex). These advanced hearing aids range in price from $699 to $1,399 per ear (e.g., about $1,400-$2,800 per pair) and can also be purchased using a unique subscription plan we'll detail below.

Audicus does everything in-house, including hearing aid programming, shipping, and remote customer care. Founded by Patrick Freuler in 2012, the Manhattan-based company's mission is to provide easy access to fairly priced hearing aids. And, as mentioned, you can either pay upfront to own the hearing aids or lease them through the Audicus Premier membership plan which adds additional perks.

Patrick

Audicus Founder Patrick Freuler discusses how hearing aids can make an impact on overall wellness at a recent Consumer Technology Association event.

Who are Audicus hearing aids for?

If you have difficulty understanding people in noisy environments or wish you could “turn up the volume” to hear well, you might need a hearing aid. Audicus is a good over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid option for people who want to save money but may still want some assistance from a hearing care provider.

Audicus sells hearing aids suitable for mild to moderate and severe hearing loss. You can pick from models with Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable batteries, telecoils, and tinnitus maskers—as well as accessories like remote controls or remote microphones. If you're tech-savvy and self-motivated, Audicus could be a great fit.

The company also has what HearingTracker considers one of the best subscription and leasing hearing aid programs—what Audicus calls its "Premier Membership" program (see below).

The main downside—unless you live close to an Audicus health clinic—is that Audicus won't arrange a professional hearing test or in-person fitting for you like its competitors Yes Hearing and Hear.com. However, the company does offer the option to upload a third-party professional hearing test—something we highly recommend.

Audicus isn't a good choice if you are not at least somewhat tech savvy or can't visit its clinic in New York City. You'll need to be self-sufficient in purchasing the devices online, fitting and maintaining your hearing aids, and navigating Bluetooth pairing and app control through your smartphone. Likewise, if you struggle to hear loud sounds like traffic or sirens or have trouble with one-on-one conversations in quiet, you likely have a more severe hearing loss and should consult an audiologist or ENT before buying online hearing aids.

Although it's always best to get a comprehensive audiological evaluation from an audiologist, there are several hearing screening websites that can give you a good, fast estimate of your hearing status. You should also be sure to check your risk of ear disease before purchasing any hearing aids online.

Audicus Ric

All Audicus receiver-in-canal (RIC) models come with made-for-all Bluetooth (Apple and Android compatible) and have a rechargeability as an option.

How much do Audicus hearing aids cost?

Prices for Audicus hearing aids range from a base cost of $699 to $1,399 per ear ($1,398 to $2,798 per pair). The price, based on the specific model you choose, depends on your hearing loss, lifestyle, and desired features.

Audicus offers subscription plans to cover insurance and supplies.

  • Audicus Protect is a 3-year beefed-up warranty including unlimited repairs, Clean & Care services, and a one-time hearing aid loss replacement. You must initiate the subscription within 60 days of acquiring your hearing aids. The subscription costs $198 for a pair of hearing aids. Audicus Protect covers the hearing aid(s), but a $150/device copay will be charged in the event of loss, and a $50/device copay may apply for each repair if damaged by the user.
  • Audicus Care covers supplies, including domes, batteries, earwax guards, wipes, desiccant drying capsules for rechargeable devices, and cleaning brushes. You'll receive a shipment every 3 months, but you can request up to one shipment per month at no extra charge. This subscription is $12 per month.

Rather than paying for your hearing aids upfront and adding on individual subscriptions, you can buy an Omni Series 2 or Spirit Series 2 hearing aid through the Audicus Premier subscription.

  • Audicus Premier includes a member-only phone support line, unlimited warranty, free cleanings (a $50 value), comprehensive loss and damage protection, regular delivery of supplies, and a hearing aid replacement every 18 months. This program is offered only on the new rechargeable Omni 2 and Spirit 2 Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids. The cost is $99 per month for Spirit 2 and $149 per month for Omni 2. Previously, this "Members-only" subscription program was offered only on an 18-month contract, but now there is no contract, and you can cancel at any time. There is a one-time sign-up fee of $249 (which was the lowest price for the previous membership program).
Premier Membership Buy Hearing Aids Upfront
Cost of hearing aids/pair $99/mth for Spirit 2; $148/mth for Omni 2 $1,998 for Spirit 2; $2,998 for Omni 2*
Loss/damage protection Loss & damage protection included Loss & damage protection + $248/pair
Supplies Regular delivery of supplies included Regular delivery of supplies + $12/mth
Purchasing options Lease or buy-out any time Yours to own forever
Warranty Unlimited warranty 2-year warranty
Cleaning costs Unlimited cleaning Cleaning fee of $100/pair
Upgrades/replacements Hearing aid replacement every 18 mths Not available

Summary of the Audicus Premier Membership plan versus paying upfront for your hearing aids. *Buy Upfront prices are for rechargeable models only (note Premier Membership plan is not available with size 312 battery models and Series 1 hearing aids).

Does Audicus offer financing?

Yes, Audicus offers financing for hearing aids CareCredit and Allegro (both belong to the Synchrony Financial group) to offer 6-, 12-, or 18-month payment plans. However, you can't finance the subscription plans.

Does Audicus accept insurance?

No, and they caution that most insurances won't reimburse for monthly payments. They also can't submit insurance claims on your behalf. For more information, see HearingTracker's guide to paying for hearing aids with insurance.

Audicus hearing aid technology and models

Audicus offers three different hearing aid models: the flagship Omni and the Spirit receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids which are situated behind the ear and have an almost-invisible wire that connects to a receiver (sound generator) and dome earpiece, and the tiny Mini completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids.

Audicus Mini Spirit Omni

Audicus models come in the Mini Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aid, and the Spirit and Omni Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids, with the RICs featuring Bluetooth streaming and app functionality and the option of rechargeability or a size 312 battery.

All of the RIC devices feature Bluetooth and offer a battery-powered or rechargeable option, with the latter being $200/pair more expensive. The CIC does not offer Bluetooth and uses a size 10A disposable battery.

All Audicus hearing aids come with a standard 2-year manufacturer warranty. Available colors for the RIC-style aids are beige, black, silver, or gray.

The company's older Wave hearing aid was phased out in mid-2023.

Audicus Hearing Aid Prices

Model Style Price Rechargeable Bluetooth Remote adjust Enhanced Clarity Speech Finder
Mini CIC $2498
Spirit 1 RIC $1398 ✓*
Spirit 2 RIC $1798 ✓* ✓**
Omni 1 RIC $2398 ✓*
Omni 2 RIC $2798 ✓* ✓**

Audicus hearing aid models, pair pricing, and features. Please use bottom scroller to see full table. *Disposable battery option available. Rechargeable costs $200 more than the displayed price per pair. **Spirit 2 and Omni 2 can connect to and switch between two Bluetooth devices at once.

Audicus Omni

Audicus’ flagship product line, Omni is a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid that sits behind the ear and offers two choices of receivers (standard and medium), making it suitable for moderate to severe hearing loss. Manufactured by Sonova (maker of Phonak and Unitron hearing aids), its Made-for-All Bluetooth capabilities connect to Apple and Android devices, so you can make calls and stream audio from your TV or phone.

Both Omni and Spirit feature 2 directional microphones and universal auto-adaptive programs that adjust to different listening environments, amplifying close sounds while minimizing background noise. Omni features 16 channels, giving your hearing provider room to make the hearing aids sound just right for you. A soft-speech intensifier selectively amplifies soft speech sounds so that they are easier to hear and understand.

One significant difference between Omni and Spirit is that Omni has the Speech Finder feature. Audicus says this technology finds and enhances speech sounds within your environment, regardless of which direction it’s coming from. Your hearing aids determine the location of the speech and direct the microphones to focus on the speech source.

Grab some good-quality headphones and listen the Audicus Omni Series 2 sound samples below:

Audicus Omni 2

0 reviews

Listed prices are for a pair of hearing aids in US dollars unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and may vary by region.

Busy Café
With device
Quiet Office
With device

The Hearing Remote app provides additional controls over volume and the 6 listening programs, and an added customization control with an equalizer is provided for your fine-tuning—making it the most adjustable and potentially the best-sounding hearing aid Audicus has to offer.

The app also gives you access to customized hearing care from an audiologist with the push of a button. For example, you can change through programs like “Conversation in Noise” and “TV/Music” to fit your environment and easily adjust between 10 volume settings. Likewise, you can apply equalizer settings through the app, and your hearing provider can also remotely adjust its settings.

All Audicus RIC hearing aids feature onboard buttons to control the volume and switch between programs.

Omni is offered in both rechargeable and size 312 battery versions, with the rechargeable version having a telecoil option. Both versions support an optional tinnitus masker for providing tinnitus relief.

Should you choose Audicus Omni 1 or Omni 2?

Audicus told us that Omni 1 offers an "exceptional sound experience with Speech Finder" while Omni 2 provides the "LATEST technology, best sound experience, and everything you need under $3,000."

However, the main differences between the two Omni models is Omni 2 is 10% smaller than Omni 1 and offers two active Bluetooth connections versus only one active connection for Omni 1. Yet it should be noted both can pair with up to 8 devices. Having two active connections is definitely a convenience because, if you're a frequent user of more than one wireless device (e.g., TV connector and smartphone), you don't have to constantly access the menu to switch between them—just tap the hearing aid to switch from one to another.

Omni 2 also has the Series 2 processor for faster scanning and processing of the environment for a better overall sound experience and better performance in noisy environments. However, this comes with a price: Omni 2 is offered at $200 per ear (or $400/pair) more than Omni 1.

The Omni 2 scored relatively high in a 2023 review by the HearAdvisor independent test lab.

Audicus Ric Heairng Aid In Hand

Audicus Omni 2 hearing aid models are about 10% smaller than Omni 1 models.

Audicus Spirit

Spirit is almost identical to the Omni, except it features 14 instead of 16 channels, giving your hearing provider slightly fewer tools. There are also only 4 instead of 6 listening programs to choose from.

However, essentially all of the processing and programming features described above for Omni—except Speech Finder—are employed in Spirit. Both lines aim to analyze your environment, filter out background noise, and improve speech recognition.

As with Omni, Spirit can connect to the Hearing Remote app. Inside the app, you can control the volume and switch between programs, as well as make adjustments with the equalizer. A multifunction button on the hearing aid itself can be used to adjust the volume and change programs.

The rechargeable battery lasts up to 18 hours, but you can also get Spirit with a replaceable (size 312) battery with longer battery life. Both versions support the Binaural Phone and tinnitus masker, and the rechargeable model comes with a telecoil.

Audicus Spirit

4 stars stars
2 reviews

Listed prices are for a pair of hearing aids in US dollars unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and may vary by region.

Should you choose Audicus Spirit 1 or Spirit 2?

Audicus told HearingTracker that they view Spirit 1 as the hearing aid with "reliable quality at the most accessible price point," whereas Spirit 2 is the "LATEST technology and quality sound experience for under $2,000.”

When comparing the two models, Spirit 2 is 10% smaller and offers two active Bluetooth connections versus only one active connection for Spirit 1.

Spirit 2 also features the faster Series 2 processor with a larger memory and faster scanning of the environment for overall improved sound and better performance in background noise. However, Spirit 2 is offered at a $200 per ear ($400/pair) premium compared to Series 1.

Audicus Mini

Mini sits in your ear canal, making it almost invisible; it's Audicus' only completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid. Although it doesn't have any buttons, you can control the hearing aid from its Rexton app where you can adjust the volume, programs, and sound balance. The Mini's compact size limits the technology it can pack, making it slightly less powerful than all other models, but still suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss. Unlike Audicus' RIC models, it does not offer Bluetooth wireless audio streaming (e.g., for music, podcasts, etc), and remote adjustments are not supported with Mini. The replaceable battery (size 10A) can power your aid for up to 70 hours.

Audicus Omni

Audicus Mini "invisible" hearing aids.

How does the fitting process work?

Technically, you don't have to leave your house to get your Audicus hearing aids fitted. Before you make a purchase, however, you need to submit a hearing test and wait for your free consultation.

If you don't have a recent hearing test at hand, you can take Audicus' free online hearing screener. The test takes about 15 minutes and is done using headphones in a quiet place. While this test is incredibly thorough, we still strongly recommend seeing a local audiologist for a comprehensive hearing test and audiogram taken in a test booth. Once you have your results, you can upload, fax, text, or email your audiogram to Audicus.

Next, a hearing specialist reaches out to discuss your options, helps you pick a suitable hearing aid, and advises you on your next steps. After purchasing one of their recommended hearing aids, the specialist customizes them for your unique hearing profile and mails them to your house.

All customers are assigned a dedicated support specialist as soon as their order ships.

Delaney Broberg, Audicus

Once the product arrives, the Audicus hearing specialist reaches out to help you fit and fine-tune your hearing aids. If needed, they adjust the frequency range and volume (gain) of your hearing aids and help you with the pre-installed programs. This is done remotely through the Audicus app for the Bluetooth-enabled RIC models.

Note that remote adjustments can't swap out programs or help you pair hearing aids.

Your ongoing Audicus support specialist is available via phone, video, text, and email, depending on what you prefer.

Post-fitting support from Audicus

From the day your hearing aids are shipped, you have 45 days to try them out and decide if you want to keep them. If you're not convinced, make use of the 45-day money-back guarantee and return them for a full refund.

Audicus Wave And Mini Hearing Aids 1200x675

Audicus Wave RIC and Mini CIC hearing aids (not shown to scale).

Your Audicus hearing aids come with access to free lifetime expert support. As an Audicus Plus member, you'll have direct access to the team through a Plus-only phone number.

If your hearing changes or should you not be satisfied with the performance of your hearing aids after remote adjustments, you can ask Audicus for a reprogramming. Reprogrammings are free for the life of your hearing aids, but you may have to fill in a survey and return the aids to Audicus.

What are people saying in consumer reviews about Audicus hearing aids?

At the time of this writing, Audicus has a 4.4/5 rating on the website Consumer Affairs. Almost two-thirds of 255 reviews gave Audicus a 5-star (the highest) rating. Most people were happy with the sales process, and many reported a great experience with their new hearing aids. Comments about customer support, however, were somewhat mixed but generally positive.

This is my second pair of hearing aids. This is a great company with exceptional service. They follow up with your personal customer service rep who is there to help guide [you] through your setup, even though the hearing aids are ready to go right out of the box. I highly recommend them.

William of PA

Several Audicus clients criticized slow communication and long return times for aids sent in for reprogramming or repair. A few people complained about static noise as a problem that did not get resolved.

I like the hearing aids. But at one point, I started getting a lot of static in my last hearing aid, so I sent them back. Audicus just cleaned them and said that was a little speck of earwax, which I didn't fall for. I kept telling the reps what was wrong with it, but they kept reading the same thing off the card. I've had hearing aids many times. I know what can affect them and such. And I didn’t go for it.

Charles J. of ID

Many other issues, such as hearing aids falling out or being uncomfortable, are likely rooted in a poor fit. Audicus will walk customers through re-fittings and ask them to send photos of them wearing the hearing aid. This can be a frustrating process. Issues like this are more easily addressed with an in-person fitting, especially for people struggling with dexterity.

Working with them has been frustrating. When I talked to the specialist about the fact that it wasn't helping my tinnitus, and they weren't comfortable, she tried to have me shift the hearing aid minutely in various positions, and take a picture of my ear to send to her. After about three tries, I had enough. I figured if the hearing aid was so fussy about its position, I didn't want them. But they have very good sales people.

Frances R. of OR

On HearingTracker, Audicus Spirit has a 4-star (out of 5) rating, but you should note this is only from two reviews. One person noted their left hearing aid "no longer works" (they did not comment about getting help or sending it back for repair), but this anonymous user seemed quite happy with Spirit:

Audicus has worked for me. It's a long drive to the nearest town with a hearing clinic, so having the hearing aids delivered to my home saved me a lot of time in the car. And the customer service has been good. This is my second pair of hearing aids from them, but the first time I've had rechargeable ones. I love not changing batteries anymore. The bluetooth is also helpful for my phone.

In the HearingTracker Forum, user "dhthinker" posted that he received immediate hearing improvement from the Audicus hearing aids after purchased. However, during his 45-day trial period, he also visited Costco and received a professionally administered hearing test then tried a Costco KS10 hearing aid which he perceived "to be identical" in technology to Spirit (both are made by Sonova). Because of the professional fitting, he ended up opting for the KS10:

That said, when the Hearing Specialist configured a set for me to walk around the [Costco] store they seemed to work better than the Audicus—even though the exact same product apparently. This goes to show you the value of a human hearing test versus an online test. I’m a technology guy so online stuff doesn’t give me any angst. However, it appears this is one case where a thorough hearing test conducted in a sound proof room can provide a better solution.

Pros & Cons of Audicus hearing aids

Pros

Affordable upfront cost
Option to get new hearing aids every 18 months
FDA-approved medical-grade hearing aids
Remote care and adjustments from a professional
45-day trial period with a money-back guarantee and 2-year product warranty

Cons

No remote option for profound hearing loss
For cheaper models, reprogramming can only be done in-office or by shipping your hearing aids in to Audicus HQ.
In-person care in only one location
Subscription model could cost you more versus paying upfront, so you need to do the math before purchasing

Should you buy Audicus hearing aids?

With Audicus, you'll receive first-hand remote care and support. It's a great choice if your hearing loss has been properly diagnosed and you already have experience with hearing aids. Unless you can visit a physical Audicus clinic, you will only receive virtual help with fitting your hearing aids and learning how to use them.

The Audicus Plus membership significantly lowers your upfront cost. In the long run, however, the subscription model could cost you more than purchasing your aids with bundled care from a local provider. Although Audicus hearing aids should last for 3-7 years, the Audicus Plus plan allows you to upgrade your aids every 18 months. This makes Audicus an attractive option for those eager to keep their technology up-to-date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Audicus offers hearing aids from $699 to $1,399 per ear (or about $1,400 to $2,800 per pair), and these can be purchased upfront, through third-party financing, or via a subscription plan. The company also offers a unique Audicus Plus membership program called Audicus Premier which, for a monthly fee, provides you with a pair of premium technology hearing aids that you can upgrade for free every 18 months.

Most receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids like those from Audicus or purchased from a hearing care professional last 3-7 years; however, similar to cell phones, rechargeable hearing aids generally have a shorter practical lifespan of 3-5 years because the battery power gets shorter as the years pass. All of the RIC hearing aids offered by Audicus have an IP68 rating, meaning these hearing aids are resistant to dust, dirt, and moisture, allowing for submersion in water up to a maximum depth of 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) for up to 30 minutes. But this doesn’t mean that the hearing aids are “waterproof,” and we don’t recommend testing them in water! The Mini completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids are not IP rated and, in general, are not as robust as RICs due to their small size and their location within the ear canal which continually exposes them to ear wax and moisture.

At HearingTracker, we're very excited about the developments surrounding the new Auracast system, which will enable Low-Energy Bluetooth audio signals to be transmitted to anyone with a compatible receiver. So, for example, at the airport you’ll be able to receive important flight/gate changes and other announcements by having them streamed directly into your hearing device. As Auracast is new, at this writing Audicus did not know if their Bluetooth hearing aids would be able to accommodate it. "This is something we have been looking at, but we currently have no timeline for getting a device that supports this." Audicus' Delaney Broberg told HearingTracker. Audicus Spirit and Omni can be equipped with telecoils (upon request) that give users the ability to tune into audio from loop systems frequently found in theaters, lecture halls, and places of worship.

HearingTracker independently reviews products and services. When you buy through our links or using our discount codes, we may earn a commission.

Tina Sieber Phd

Health Writer

Tina Sieber is a technology journalist with over 10 years of experience and a PhD in Biochemistry. Following an episode of sudden one-sided hearing loss, she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor in 2018. She has since started writing about hearing loss and reviewing hearing aids for major tech publications. 

Discussion
Member

Tina,

Your article on the Audicus Omni 2 is great and it gave me most of the answers I was looking for. I am curious though; I would assume the Omni 2 was/is a fully digital product, but you never say that in your article. Is it digital or analog? Also, the Audicus representative I spoke with said, each hearing device (left & right) are individually preprogrammed, at their center, based off my audiogram for each ear. Are you familiar with this??

Thanks for the article and hopefully answers to my other questions,

Ric Holland

Abram Bailey, AuD

Ric, yes, they would be fully digital, and in terms of programming, apologies, but I only know as much as what is said in the article above. You would need to reach out again to Audicus for more detailed information on the programming.

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