The Best Affordable Hearing Aids: Expert Insights for Budget-Conscious Consumers

MDHearing stands out as one of the original direct-to-consumer hearing aid brands, having sold over a million affordable devices even before the FDA established official OTC hearing aid guidelines. Here’s what we like:

1. Trusted Brand: MDHearing is backed by a real team, including audiologists, and has sold over a million hearing aids, which provides solid peace of mind for users.
2. Simplicity: With straightforward devices that don’t require tech expertise, MDHearing offers an easy-to-use solution for those who prefer minimal setup.
3. Range of Styles: MDHearing provides various styles, from in-ear to behind-the-ear options, catering to different comfort and fit preferences.

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MDHearing maintains a solid 4.3 rating from over 5,000 customers. Most customers praise MD's affordable prices and easy setup. Some customers complain about feedback, fit and less than desired sound quality.

Supporters

• "These hearing aids are a game changer! I knew I was having trouble hearing low talkers and I'm crowded spaces but once I started wearing these out was like a whole new world opened up. I can hear birds singing, I can hear students in the back of the classroom. Now if I try to take them out, it sounds like I have cotton balls in my ears." - Kim C.
• "I would recommend md hearing aids to anyone having hearing issues, I've been fighting my hearing issues for several years and have even used the more costly aids. Md hearing aids have helped me greatly, give them a chance, it's worth it. Md also gives good support following up on their products. It's nice to be able to hear the TV and people talkiRead more about review stating I would recommend md hearingng." James W

Detractors

• "Have trouble with not losing them they fall out of my ear" - Doug H
• "No matter what setting I have them at, they whistle. Can only use one at a time, which doesn't allow me to hear all around me." - Bruce P
• "I cannot get the adjustment to reduce background enough to be able to hear people speaking to me." Jose M

The Go Ultra hearing aids by hearX offer an appealing balance of affordability and essential features. Here’s why they made our list:

• Accessible Price Point: At $499 per pair, Go Ultra provides a low-cost alternative with Bluetooth streaming and rechargeable batteries—features often seen in higher-priced models.
• Simple Setup: With four preset programs, Go Ultra is designed for straightforward use, ideal for users who prefer minimal customization.
• Practical Design: The behind-the-ear style and easy controls make these aids comfortable and user-friendly.

While the sound quality doesn’t quite match premium options like the Lexie B2+, Go Ultra delivers practical features at a fraction of the cost, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious users looking for simplicity and functionality.

Here’s why we picked the Sennheiser All-Day Clear:

• Trusted Manufacturer: Developed by Sennheiser, a leader in audio, and backed by Sonova, the world's #1 hearing aid maker, ensuring high-quality sound and technology.
• Comfortable Design: Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear, available in both Slim and standard models to suit different preferences.
• Affordable Price: Offers premium sound quality and features typically found in prescription hearing aids, all for under $1,000.
• Easy App Control: The intuitive smartphone app allows for quick, user-friendly setup and self-programming, ideal for even mildly tech-savvy users.

Sennheiser All Day Clear reviews are about as glowing as you'll find among self-fit devices. Users comment on Sennheiser's lightweight comfort, clear sound and easy to use app. Some users wished that the battery life was longer for 16+ hours of wear. Here are some sample reviews:

• "One of the best over-the-counter hearing aids you'll find.They're extremely lightweight which I really appreciate because usually whenever I use any sort of earbuds I like it to wear I don't even feel like they're on my ear.The clarity of the audio that comes out of these small little hearing aids is very impressive." - Jay
• "The instructions are not complicated and the all day clear app for the phone is easy to use and works well for personal customization. You can use the hearing aids itself to control the volume and connect to other devices. The all day clear hearing aids are comfortable to wear all day. I feel more confident because I feel like I am apart of conversations and not alienated in life. The battery life is good but you will need to recharge if you are wearing them all day." - Kamille
• "I got my 72-year-old dad the Sennheiser hearing aid, and oh boy, it's a total game-changer! Dad's been dealing with some hearing trouble for a while, but this device has turned things around big time.Being far away from him, I sent the aid his way, and he managed to set it up all by himself using YouTube. Easy peasy! Now, he's raving about how it's like night and day. In group chats, he used to miss out on voices, but not anymore. He's hearing everyone loud and clear, even when Mom calls him from another room." - Britto

Lexie leads the OTC hearing market in volume, with wide availability in pharmacies and strategic partnerships that make it highly accessible. Here’s why it stands out:

1. User-Friendly App with Extensive Adjustments: Lexie’s app offers near-limitless adjustment options, ideal for users who want full control over their sound quality.
2. Top-Notch Customer Service: Lexie excels in customer support, allowing users to connect quickly through the app for any assistance needed.
3. Soundly Extras: Purchasing Lexie hearing aids through Soundly includes a complimentary audiology setup call, ensuring you start with a perfectly tailored fit.

Ease of Use and Setup

• Cindy B. – "After a lot of research on OTC hearing aids for my moderate hearing loss, I chose Lexie B2 Plus. I wanted rechargeable hearing aids that would link to my iPhone, and the price was affordable...One of the most exciting experiences I’ve had was hearing the birds in my backyard! It was almost completely quiet without them on."
• William – "These Lexie B-2's were easy to adjust per the app and proved to be superior to the more expensive ones, plus no trips to the doctor every week or so."

Sound Quality and Listening Experience

• Faith Li – "The Lexie B2 hearing aid doesn't get time to charge as I just love wearing them. I am grateful for the gift of hearing and that I no longer miss out on the moments."
• Listener T. – "The sound quality through the aids was fine, once I had them set appropriately. The noisy room filter allowed me to focus on the person in front of me in a restaurant."

Affordability and Value

• Carolyn – "I kept putting off getting hearing aids because they are so expensive and my insurance doesn’t cover them. Once the audiologist mentioned the high quality, I looked into them...What a difference they have made!"
• Kyle, MD – "The Lexie B2 Plus hearing aids are very good introductory hearing aids...The sound quality is excellent and extremely natural."

Challenges

• DJR-NJ – "Customer service and support were excellent! Unfortunately, I was unable to wear the devices because the wires were too short. They did respond quickly to my calls and sent the longest wires they make, but I still couldn't wear them long enough to judge their performance."
• James - "Android App on my phone kept dropping connection with the Lexie hearing aids. The app was more consistent on my iPad"
• Shopper A - "Android phone tries to play audio through hearing aids with No Way To Turn it off unless it's a phone call. Otherwise, you must turn your media volume off. Phone call through hearing aids mutes your microphone so caller can't hear you."

Sony’s CRE-C20 is a big step up for in-ear OTC hearing aids, packing new features that make it our top pick. Here’s why we chose it:

1. Sound Quality Boost: Sony borrowed tech from in-clinic product Signia Silk for sound processing, and the difference is clear. The CRE-C20 delivers noticeably better sound than past models.
2. Long-Lasting Battery: With 28 hours on a single charge, you can count on the CRE-C20 to get you through a full day.
3. Invisible, Comfortable Fit: Designed to be invisible in most ears, the CRE-C20 fits comfortably and stays discreet—even more so than many other IIC models we’ve reviewed. We especially like the slightly curved design that improves in-ear comfort.

If you’re looking for an in-ear OTC hearing aid, the CRE-C20 wins on sound, battery, and comfort.

Sony CRE-C20 is Soundly's top-performing in-ear OTC hearing aid. Our customers love the discretion and sound quality and often comment on how comfortable CRE-C20 is compared to other in-ear options. Some customers do report that the app setup is more involved than simpler products like Lexie or Sennheiser. Some sample review:

• "Over the past few years, I have tried a half-dozen or more OTC hearing aids and none of them were better than the Sony CRE-C20  aids that I have had the opportunity to evaluate. I have tried less costly and more expensive OTC's - doesn't matter - these were the answer to my inability to hear in many situations." - Ern
• "In terms of function, I was very impressed with the overall sound quality once it was dialed in.  Initially they sounded a bit tinny, but that was easily adjusted with the Sound Balance control.  It took a couple of days of use and adjusting before I really felt they were dialed in.  At that point I wore them all day in different environments to put them through their paces.  One of my main concerns is the ability to hear clearly and understand what the person I’m speaking with is saying in a louder environment.  The CRE-20Es did a fantastic job with toning out the background noise and producing a clear and easy to understand conversation experience.  I tend to have to listen and read lips at the same time but quickly realized I could hear the conversation very well, even in a loud restaurant environment." - Stanley
• "These are IP68 Sweat and water resistant - I was able to wear these biking multiple times without any fear of them falling out or being damaged." - James
• "I shut down and restarted the app, turned off my phone, uninstalled and reinstalled the app, and nothing seemed to work.  I tried the next day, and then it worked." - Trobadaur

The Jabra Enhance Select 500 offers an impressive blend of clinic-grade technology, affordability, and user convenience. Here’s why it stands out:

1. Professional-Grade Technology at a Lower Price: Jabra’s Enhance Select 500 provides the advanced sound quality of clinic-only brands like ReSound but at less than half the price.
2. Professional Programmed Hearing Aids From Home: Jabra’s pre-programmed approach ensures a personalized fit without needing in-clinic visits—customers simply take or upload a hearing test, and Jabra's audiologists program the hearing aids before shipment.
3. Seamless Bluetooth Streaming: Equipped with LE Audio, the Enhance Select 500 delivers high-quality, direct streaming for calls and media, with excellent sound quality and range.
4. Purchase Perks: Jabra offers 100-day returns, unlimited remote adjustments, and seven-day-a-week customer support.

Overall

Users commend the Jabra Enhance Select 500 for its natural sound quality, discreet design, and effective customer support. Many report significant improvements in hearing clarity and comfort.

Positives

• Natural Sound Quality: "The sound quality is excellent, and the ability to adjust settings via the app is a great feature." — Timothy T.
• Discreet Design: "These hearing aids are virtually invisible and very comfortable to wear throughout the day." — Angel M.
• Customer Support: "The customer service team was incredibly helpful and guided me through the setup process with ease." — Damian.

Complaints

While the majority of feedback is positive, some customers have reported issues with device durability and the need for adjustments. However, these concerns are relatively infrequent compared to the overall satisfaction expressed by users.

For a comprehensive view of customer experiences, you can visit Jabra Enhance's review page.