The best hearing aids of 2024 reviewed by experts

for those with hearing problems, for a long time there was only one solution: an expensive, bulky hearing aid prescribed by a doctor. That changed in 2022 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter hearing aids, giving consumers access to a wide and growing range of alternatives. There are more hearing aids available today than ever before. They come in different shapes, sizes and, most importantly, at different prices. How does a $100 hearing aid compare to a $5,000 prescription device to treat mild to moderate hearing loss? To answer this question, we have been testing the products for the last two years.

To help us with this analysis, we asked an expert. Licensed audiologist Ruth Reisman has analyzed all of these hearing aids in a scientific laboratory and only approved models that amplify sounds at safe levels. At the same time, I conducted hands-on (on-ear?) tests of these hearing aids at home, outdoors, and in noisy environments.

We found a lot of things on the market today that we like – and a lot of help that we would avoid. The Jabra Enhance Select 300 currently takes the crown as the best hearing aid, closely followed by the Eargo Link and the Sony CRE-C10. Here’s our full roundup of the best prescription and over-the-counter hearing aids we’ve tested and approved.

June 2024 Update: We have added Jabra Enhance Select 500 and Linner Mars.

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What to consider before purchasing

Each person is unique and so are their hearing loss needs. To find a device that suits your needs and lifestyle, consider the following factors. For more tips, check out our How to Buy a Hearing Aid guide.

Hearing aids shouldn’t bankrupt you. With such a high price tag and minimal insurance coverage, it’s no wonder so many people put off getting treatment for hearing loss. Between audiologist visits, hearing aid orders, custom fittings, and maintenance, it makes sense to delay treatment instead of saving on your credit card. Before you start looking for hearing aids, it is very important to know your budget. Many brands offer trial periods where you can test the device for a set number of days and return it free of charge if it doesn’t suit you.

It doesn’t have to be obvious that you wear a hearing aid. Despite cartoonish media depictions of hunched seniors shouting “WHAT?!” in every person who tries to talk to them, hearing loss does not distinguish between ages. With nearly 10 million Americans under the age of 60 affected by the problem, more and more should take advantage of the elegantly designed hearing aids available on the market. Similar to the stigma that prevents people from seeking mental health treatment, the hearing loss community struggles with shyness about wearing these devices. Modern in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids have come a long way in terms of subtlety.

Opt for a professional hearing test over the internet. While online tests and apps are a good way to find out if you have hearing loss, a detailed audiogram, which can only be obtained during an office visit, is a much better option. Your hearing care professional can use this audiogram to calibrate your hearing aids to your specific needs.