OTC hearing aids

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What brand / model of Over-the-counter hearing aid(s) have you bought?
Likes? (other than comfort to wear, that's going to be user specific)
Dislikes?
Price?
Would you buy the same ones again?

 

[workinonit]

I owned one set of OTC aids for about a week before I sent them back for a refund. I cant use them. My hearing loss is so drastically different in each ear that simple amplifiers just don't work for me. I use Phonak aids now.

 

[square1]

I owned one set of OTC aids for about a week before I sent them back for a refund. I cant use them. My hearing loss is so drastically different in each ear that simple amplifiers just don't work for me. I use Phonak aids now.

Thanks for that info. I take it the OTCs weren't individually configurable? That's something I wouldn't have thought to check. My loss isn't equal either.

 

[workinonit]

They may very well be configurable now but hte ones I tried were not. I just like the idea of having my audiologist test my hearing periodically and tuning my aids to my specific hearing loss. This last pair of Phonaks that I got are definately life changers for me.

 

[Tinhack]

I had a pair of in-ear OTCs and they were junk. Not only could you not configure them, but they also sounded like the old tin-can and string phones we played with as kids. I sent them back. The only better one's I seen are the old banana style that fits behind the ears. I would like to configure them with an app and fit in the ear. Oh, and yeah, be the same color skin tone--Not a blue and red one.

 

[IXLR8]

Most OTC hearing aids are nothing more than just cheap amplifiers. Most of what you can order online are true hearing aids that can be tailored to the needs of each ear. I have a 70% loss in my right ear and a 15% loss in my left ear. OTC will not work for me. I have been researching online hearing aids and they are about 1/2 the cost of going to a doc and getting them. Most have basic audiology tests you can do online which is enough to have them the initial setup of the frequency amplification curves. Most, but not all, will then let you fine tune them with a phone app. Or be able to adjust them to the situation you are in, noisy restaurant or a quiet home. To get the best initial setup you need to find an audiologist to do full hearing curves and then send those curves into the online retailer. It all comes down to what you are willing to spend for quality and convenience.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Hearing loss varies greatly from one person to the next. What works for one may not for all.

I have moderate age related high frequency hearing loss which is different in each ear. I tried several brands of OTC aids with little success.

Eventually, I decided to throw some money at the problem and bought a pair of in-ear Eargo 5 aids. At $2500, they weren't cheap but so far, they've worked out very well. They are individually tunable for both tone and volume. They have settings to reduce background noise and feedback. They last 16 hours on a charge and are worn inside the ear canal so they are almost completely invisible.

I was reluctant at first to spend that much but there is a 45 day return policy which offers a full refund for any reason. They work so well for me that I bought a second set to have as a spare. The $5000 I spent was still cheaper than the $7000 the audiologist wanted for a pair of custom aids.

 

[workinonit]

I get custom Phonaks from my audiologist for $2800 a pair. That includes hearing tests and her service that goes along with it. And that was with a lifetime warranty that covers damage and loss, even if you wash them in your shirt pocket. The best part is when I have a technical problem I go in and she calls Phonak to get the problem resolved with me right there. These hearing aids have been life changers so far.

 

[EarPlug]

7 Best Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids of 2025

Looking for OTC hearing aids? We hand-tested all the top brands. Learn about Jabra Enhance, Audien, MDHearing, & more.

www.ncoa.org

Best Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids in 2025

Jabra Enhance tops OTC hearing aids with excellent follow-up care and sound quality. Our other best picks include Eargo, Sony, and MDHearing.

www.seniorliving.org

Best over-the-counter hearing aids for 2025

OTC hearing aids provide hearing solutions at a fraction of the price compared to prescription versions. Here are the best on the market from top brands.

www.digitaltrends.com

8 Best Over-The-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids In 2025

Discover the best OTC hearing aids - affordable, high-quality options for mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Find top picks and expert insights at Soundly.com

www.hearsoundly.com

 

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7 Best Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids of 2025

Looking for OTC hearing aids? We hand-tested all the top brands. Learn about Jabra Enhance, Audien, MDHearing, & more.

www.ncoa.org

Best Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids in 2025

Jabra Enhance tops OTC hearing aids with excellent follow-up care and sound quality. Our other best picks include Eargo, Sony, and MDHearing.

www.seniorliving.org

Best over-the-counter hearing aids for 2025

OTC hearing aids provide hearing solutions at a fraction of the price compared to prescription versions. Here are the best on the market from top brands.

www.digitaltrends.com

https://www.hearsoundly.com/guides/over-the-counter-hearing-aids[SIZE=16px]bra [/SIZE]

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7 Best Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids of 2025

Looking for OTC hearing aids? We hand-tested all the top brands. Learn about Jabra Enhance, Audien, MDHearing, & more.

www.ncoa.org

Best Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids in 2025

Jabra Enhance tops OTC hearing aids with excellent follow-up care and sound quality. Our other best picks include Eargo, Sony, and MDHearing.

www.seniorliving.org

Best over-the-counter hearing aids for 2025

OTC hearing aids provide hearing solutions at a fraction of the price compared to prescription versions. Here are the best on the market from top brands.

www.digitaltrends.com

8 Best Over-The-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids In 2025

Discover the best OTC hearing aids - affordable, high-quality options for mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Find top picks and expert insights at Soundly.com

www.hearsoundly.com

Jabra seems to get good reviews across the board at a reasonable cost.
Anyone have them that can give a 1st hand opinion?

 

[Oaktree]

Good info here. Got a couple questions...how comfortable are the in-ear ones? I find the earplug "walkman" style headphones kind of annoying, and they don't seem to stay in place very well. Sure wouldn't want to spend that kind of $$ and have them constantly falling out.
Also, what do they mean by "music compatible"? Does it mean wider frequency response or something else?
What about battery replacement, or do the aids require replacement once the internal battery doesn't hold a charge anymore?
There was mention of tuning. What is that, and do you need a cellphone to do it (I don't have one)?

 

[bdhsfz6]

Good info here. Got a couple questions...how comfortable are the in-ear ones? I find the earplug "walkman" style headphones kind of annoying, and they don't seem to stay in place very well. Sure wouldn't want to spend that kind of $$ and have them constantly falling out.
Also, what do they mean by "music compatible"? Does it mean wider frequency response or something else?
What about battery replacement, or do the aids require replacement once the internal battery doesn't hold a charge anymore?
There was mention of tuning. What is that, and do you need a cellphone to do it (I don't have one)?

I find the in-ear Eargo's quite comfortable. I forget I'm using them after a couple of minutes. They have 3 different sized earpieces so you can adjust the fit.

A cell phone is the most convenient way to program but a technician can also do it over the phone. There are 4 programs that can be set for different tone/volume levels in each ear. Once programmed, you switch by just tapping each ear.

 

[square1]

Jabra Android interface not available. They're out. I hate iPhones <>

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I owned one set of OTC aids for about a week before I sent them back for a refund. I cant use them. My hearing loss is so drastically different in each ear that simple amplifiers just don't work for me. I use Phonak aids now.

Phonak aids have served me for 7 years. 3 years ago I got a new set with permanently installed lithium ion batteries and blue tooth feature. Not having to touch a phone to receive a phone call is awesome as is listening to music videos or podcast whatever without bothering the wife's peace and quiet. I do not watch TV but have that feature which would be nice for someone that did watch a TV to keep it from being blasting the other people away so you could hear it.

I had my first set reconditioned and keep them for backup which comes in handy from time to time.

Hearing well is key to not developing dementia or at least laying it.

 

[reb]

I have used about 6 or 8 different OTC hearing aids and 3 sets of Costco hearing aids. The latest are Jabra. I am not impressed with the latest. Spme of the OTC aids were comparable, IMO.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Someone mentioned hearing aids a while back and the microphone was something you wear around your neck, earpieces in ears and rechargeable batteries. Does anyone remember what it was? I'm thinking about $200.

 

[reb]

I have used about 6 or 8 different OTC hearing aids and 3 sets of Costco hearing aids. The latest are Jabra. I am not impressed with the latest. Some of the OTC aids were comparable, IMO.

 

[TheMan419]

Looked into this for my parents. Costco is made by the same company that makes Phonak. Cheaper cost as well. The folks in the store seemed pretty knowledgeable as well. Consumer Reports also lists them as the best hearing aids on the market.

 

[lexfurther]

Costco hearing aids are not bad from what i heard. Also would recommend to visit hearing aid store, as they often have some discounts available online. That is the thing which will be stuck with you for the next couple of years, right? SO probably quality here is essential.

 

[5030]

Boy am I glad I have good healthcare. I have a pair of Seimens and the total cost exam included was 80 bucks.