Best over-the-counter hearing aids of 2023

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A quick look at 5 of the best nonprescription hearing aids

Best for a budget: Walmart Go Prime
Best for battery options: Audicus Wave
Best for streaming: Hearing Assist CONNECT
Best for customized results: Lexie Lumen
Best for most listening environments: MDHearing VOLT

Around 30 million Americans over 18 years of age require hearing aids but do not have them. One major barrier to the devices is cost. The FDA’s 2022 ruling can help address this issue.

Read on to learn more about what over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are, who may benefit from them, and where to buy these devices online.

What are nonprescription hearing aids?

Nonprescription or OTC hearing aids are medical devices that can help people with hearing loss.

These hearing aids are only suitable for people who are 18 years or older with mild to moderate hearing loss. These devices do not require a medical exam, prescription, or fitting from a hearing care professional.

Additionally, companies do not need to be licensed sellers to offer these devices for purchase.

Although they operate under different regulations from prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids must meet government standards for safety and effectiveness.

Who may use these hearing aids?

Nonprescription hearing aids are only suitable for people who are 18 years and older and have mild or moderate hearing loss.

Clinical data on the effectiveness of OTC hearing aids is limited. However, a 2018 review that looked at direct-to-consumer hearing devices found that people reported improvements in hearing, communication, quality of life, and social engagement.

Another benefit of nonprescription hearing aids is that they may make hearing devices more accessible to people on lower incomes. People can save an estimated $3,000 when purchasing a pair of hearing aids.

Learn more about the cost of hearing aids here.

How we chose

Medical News Today chooses products that fit the following criteria where possible:

FDA approval: MNT chooses products that have received FDA approval.
Hearing aid styles: MNT chooses products in a range of styles, such as in-the-ear, in-the-canal, and behind-the-ear.
Features: MNT chooses products that have a range of features, such as rechargeable batteries, white noise, and smartphone app connectivity.
Price: MNT chooses products that are available in a range of budgets.

Nonprescription hearing aid comparison chart

The following table compares the OTC hearing aids in this article.

PriceType of hearing aidRechargeableWarranty

Walmart$299 per pairCICyes1 year

Audicus$699 per earRICoptional2 yearsHearing Assist$599.99 per pairITEyes1 yearLexie$799 per pairBTEno1 year

MDHearing$1,199.98 per pairBTEyes1 year

How to choose nonprescription hearing aids

OTC hearing aids are only suitable for people who are 18 years of age or older and have perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Eligible people may wish to consider the following factors before purchasing an OTC hearing aid:

Environment: People who are often in different environments, such as outside in rural areas, in busy cities, and traveling, may wish to purchase a hearing aid that has more noise profiles to filter out background sounds more effectively.
Battery: People may wish to choose rechargeable hearing aids if they do not want to purchase replaceable batteries.
Type of hearing aid: Certain styles of hearing aid may be more discreet than others. For example, CIC hearing devices are almost invisible. Learn more about different hearing aid types here.
Warranty: People may wish to choose a hearing aid that has a longer warranty. These devices can be expensive to repair or replace, and a longer warranty may save costs. Some companies may also offer an optional warranty extension.
Price: While OTC hearing aids are less expensive than prescription devices, they are still available in a range of budgets. Generally, the more expensive a device is, the more features it offers.

Learn more about how to shop for hearing aids here.

Pros and cons of nonprescription hearing aids

Before purchasing these devices, people may wish to consider the following advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

less expensive than prescription hearing aids
do not require fitting appointments or an appointment with a hearing care professional
available online and in retail stores, making them accessible to more people
available in a range of styles with similar features to prescription devices

Cons

do not offer as personalized an experience as prescription devices
if a person’s hearing loss is due to an underlying medical condition, they may not receive the medical care they need
not suitable for children, people with severe hearing loss, or those with hearing loss due to injury or illness

Over-the-counter vs. prescription hearing aids

The following table compares nonprescription and prescription hearing aids.

OTCPrescriptionSuitable agesadults 18 years of age and olderall agesHearing lossmild-to-moderatemild-to-profoundRequires prescriptionnoyesRequires medical examnoyesRequires fittingnoyesRequires license to sellnoyes

Finance options for hearing aids

Prescription hearing aids can be expensive, and even OTC hearing aids may not be affordable.

Some employer-sponsored healthcare coverage will cover the cost of hearing exams and hearing aids, but not all will. It is important to check a person’s employee benefits to see whether they can claim coverage.

However, several organizations offer financial or other support to make hearing devices more accessible. The following are some options a person may consider:

The Hearing Aid Project: Provides a directory of state and federal charities and agencies that may offer financial aid or free hearing devices.
The Miracle-Ear Foundation: Miracle-Ear, a hearing aid company, offers the Gift of Sound program, which gives eligible customers a free hearing aid with the same warranty terms as paying customers.
Lions Club: Lions Club organizes hearing aid recycling. People who are in need of a device should contact their local club to discuss whether they are eligible to choose a recycled hearing aid.

Frequently asked questions about nonprescription hearing aids

Here we answer some common questions about these devices.

Do off-the-shelf hearing aids work?

Nonprescription hearing aids are medical devices that the FDA regulates.

This means that OTC hearing aids may work for adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. However, these devices are not suitable for people with severe hearing loss or hearing loss due to an injury or underlying medical condition.

Are cheap hearing aids worth buying?

OTC hearing aids are less expensive than prescription devices, with President Biden stating that the average American can expect to save up to $3,000 per pair of hearing aids.

However, it is important to only purchase a nonprescription hearing aid if it meets a person’s requirements. People who need extra features may spend more than someone who requires a simpler device.

Does Medicare cover hearing aids?

Medicare Original (Parts A and B) does not cover the cost of hearing aids or hearing exams.

However, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, may cover some of the cost of hearing care. A person should contact their plan for more information.

Learn more about insurance and Medicare coverage for hearing aids here.

Summary

Nonprescription hearing aids offer a more accessible and affordable way for people to treat hearing loss. People can save up to $3,000 per pair of hearing devices compared with prescription aids.

These devices do not require a prescription, medical exam, or professional fitting. However, they are only suitable for adults over 18 years of age with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. People who do not meet these criteria should contact a healthcare professional for the next steps.

OTC hearing aids are available online and in retail stores.