Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Since 2022 the FDA allows adults with perceived mild-to-moderate loss to buy hearing aids over the counter without an exam. In our two-week tests the best OTC pairs (Jabra Enhance Select, Sony CRE-E10) gave most of the speech-in-noise benefit of prescription aids at a third of the price. Moderate-to-severe loss, sudden loss, pain, or loss in one ear only need an audiologist and a prescription device.

The $4,000–$7,000 pair price typically bundles the audiologist's fitting, follow-up adjustments and several years of service. Costco's Kirkland Signature at $1,499 a pair with fitting shows how much of the price is channel rather than device.

Original Medicare does not. Many Medicare Advantage plans include an allowance; check yours. The FSA/HSA can pay for OTC and prescription aids.

Two testers with audiograms showing mild-to-moderate sensorineural loss wear each pair for two weeks. We measure QuickSIN signal-to-noise loss aided and unaided in a 65 dB recorded café, log own-voice, feedback, comfort and battery, test streaming and calls, and record trial, return and warranty terms.