In 2022, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids to supplement traditional prescription hearing aid options, increasing access and affordability for millions of Americans who suffer from untreated hearing loss. But how do over-the-counter hearing aids compare to prescription hearing aids? And more importantly, do inexpensive over-the-counter hearing aids successfully treat hearing loss?
Since these products first hit store shelves, they have been met with a fair amount of skepticism from both medical professionals and long-time hearing aid users. After all, every patient’s hearing needs are different, so how can an over-the-counter product meet the needs of every patient? And without a doctor, who can you turn to for advice when a problem arises?
These are the kinds of questions I addressed with the help of board-certified audiologist Ruth Reisman, who tested each hearing aid on this list to ensure it was medically sound. I personally wore each aid for extended periods of time, measuring sound quality, ease of use, and overall comfort. I tested over 20 different over-the-counter hearing aids so you don’t have to. In addition to our recommendations, you’ll also find a general primer on hearing aids below, detailing the main differences between prescription and over-the-counter models, as well as some suggestions on the cost of purchasing new hearing aids.
Update August 2024: Added Sony CRE-C20 and JLab Hear.
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What are over-the-counter hearing aids?
Over-the-counter hearing aids (OTC) are FDA-approved assistive hearing devices that can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. Because they’re not custom-fitted like prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids are marketed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
How does it work? While there are some key differences between over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids, all hearing aids work the same way: they use a built-in microphone to pick up sounds around the user and send them back to the ear through a small speaker called an amplifier. These types of hearing aids, whether prescription or not, are collectively referred to as “air conduction” hearing aids.
Where can I buy over-the-counter hearing aids? OTC hearing aids can be ordered online directly from the manufacturer or through commercial online retailers such as Amazon. Alternatively, you can purchase OTC hearing aids at brick-and-mortar stores that sell healthcare devices, such as Best Buy, Costco, Walmart, and Walgreens.
How we test commercially available hearing aids
Photo: Renée Fielder
I worked with certified audiologist Ruth Reisman to conduct hands-on testing of 22 hearing aids. We analyzed each product on a number of fronts, including quality, comfort, and performance standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). For more information about our testing process, check out our “Best Hearing Aids” guide.
