As an audiologist, I have worked with numerous patients to help them find the right hearing technology to help them hear better. One of the most critical factors for many of my patients is budget.
With the cost of hearing aids ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, it can be challenging to find the right fit without breaking the bank. While I would love to help all patients get top-of-the-line prescription technology, it's not always feasible for every budget. That's why I want to share some of the best hearing aids you can find for less than $500.
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Featured in this article
Less Than $300 / pair
- U.S.-based licensed hearing professionals available
- All hearing aids come with free shipping and a 45-day trial period
- 10+ years of customer care with 1M+ hearing aids shipped
1. MDHearing Volt ($397/pair)
A solid budget hearing aid with various styles and hundreds of thousands of customers.
2. Lucid Enrich Pro BTE ($299.99/pair)
A no-frills, sub-$300 product from a trusted national brand.
3. EarCentric ($199/pair)
The top-rated PSAP on Amazon with over 4,000 reviews.
4. AirPods Pro ($249/pair)
AirPods hidden transparency mode feature can operate like a budget hearing aid.
5. Audien Atom Pro 2($189)
Popular sub-$200 product with some faults.
Who should consider low-priced hearing aids?
Before we delve into the best budget options, it's crucial to determine if budget hearing devices are suitable for you. Factors such as the severity of your hearing loss, dexterity, independence, and lifestyle play a role.
If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, can handle and insert hearing aids easily, and spend most of your time in quiet environments, these affordable devices can significantly improve your hearing.
They can help you hear in everyday situations like watching TV or having face-to-face conversations.
Who should not consider low-priced hearing aids?
If you have more than a moderate hearing loss, complex listening needs, or already have experience using more advanced hearing devices, these lower-priced hearing devices likely won't provide the benefit you need.
More advanced devices may be required to meet your hearing needs in these cases. Realistic expectations are essential. No one likes to spend money on something that doesn't help.
However, budget may limit your options. If you fall into this category and need help finding affordable hearing aids, check out this article to learn more about low-cost and no-cost options for hearing aids.
Pros of Low-Priced Hearing Aids
- Budget-friendly
- Good situational hearing help
- Most useful for mild to moderate, sloping hearing loss
- Effective in quiet settings
Low-priced hearing aids offer several advantages that make them an attractive choice for many people. Firstly, they are budget-friendly and can provide a hearing enhancement solution without causing financial strain. This democratizes access to hearing aids, particularly for individuals who may be balancing their healthcare needs against other essential expenses.
Secondly, these less expensive devices can be effective for situational use. If you only need a hearing boost for specific settings, such as to hear the television more clearly or to help with one-on-one conversations, these devices can be an affordable and effective solution.
Thirdly, for those experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss, low-priced hearing aids can serve as an excellent first option. They provide an opportunity to assess whether a hearing aid benefits your life with a small investment.
Lastly, despite the lower price tag, some of the products in this category deliver solid quality. They may not have all the high-end features like noise filtering or connectivity, but they do a good job amplifying sound, which is the primary function of a hearing aid. So, if you research carefully, you can find reliable, high-performing hearing devices that suit your needs.
Cons of Low-Priced Hearing Aids
- Typically no audio streaming or Bluetooth
- Less customization
- Weaker performance in background noise
- No in-person support
- Not the best fit for all ears, retention may be challenged
While low-priced hearing aids certainly have their benefits, it's also essential to consider the drawbacks. For starters, these devices often lack streaming capabilities, a feature that's increasingly sought after as more and more people look to connect their hearing aids to their smartphones, TVs, or other devices. This lack of connectivity can limit the usability and accessibility of these cheaper units.
In addition, their performance can falter in environments with a lot of background noise, as they often lack the advanced noise processing features in pricier models. They also offer less customization, which means they might not cater to specific types of hearing loss as effectively as higher-end models.
One of the critical challenges with budget hearing aids is the absence of one-on-one support. Many of these devices require self-setup, which can be difficult for those unfamiliar with the technology. Adjusting settings and managing ongoing maintenance can also be challenging without professional help for some patients.
Finally, not all ear canals are created equal. For those with complicated ear canal geometries or complex hearing loss, lower-priced hearing aids may not provide the correct fit or adequate sound amplification.
Therefore, while these devices can be a cost-effective solution for some, they may not meet the needs of everyone. Before deciding, it's crucial to weigh these considerations against your specific hearing needs and lifestyle.
While low-priced hearing aids may offer excellent value, there are some areas where they lack. These devices often have fewer advanced features, programming options, or customization settings than their more advanced counterparts.
The Best Hearing Aids for Under $500
In curating this list of the best hearing aids for under $500, we considered several factors, such as price, our reviews and product experience, and the benefit-cost ratio, to give you the most bang for your buck.
We thought carefully about what we would recommend for our friends and family if they had only $500 to spend. With that in mind, each model on our list is paired with a detailed description, outlining who the device is most suitable for.
Whether you prefer a hearing aid with connectivity features, something straightforward for situational use, or you have a specific type of hearing loss, we've got you covered. Our goal is to aid you in making an informed decision that aligns with your budget, needs, and lifestyle.
1. MDHearing Volt ($397/pair)
A solid budget hearing aid with various styles and hundreds of thousands of customers.
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MDHearing is a Chicago-based brand that has sold over 500,000 pairs of affordable hearing aids since 2009. The brand's most advanced product (Volt Max) has directional microphones and respectable noise reduction. MDHearing's latest in-the-ear product is impressively small and nearly invisible in many ears. Importantly, MDHearing devices are significantly less expensive than traditional products. Prices range from $297 - $699, depending on the model and promotion period.
MDHearing offers four models of hearing aids ranging from their in-canal, NEO XS to their budget-friendly, Air model. MDHearing offers four pre-set listening configurations based on expected hearing losses. This approach makes MDHearing less advanced than traditional competitors, but many customers feel the price is worth the tradeoff. MDHearing sells exclusively online and does not require a trip to a local audiologist. The brand has recently invested in a remote care team that includes audiologists and hearing aid dispensers. Customers who need further tune-ups or care can set up a telecare appointment with a professional for free.
All four MDHearing products are rechargeable with 12-20 hours of battery life (depending on the model).
MDHearing comes with a one-year warranty and a 45-day trial period for each purchase of the MDHearing Volt. These hearing aids have manual controls, allowing for volume adjustment and program changes.
- How it works:
- ✔️ Start by purchasing from MDHearing online.
- ✔️ Unbox your product and choose an environment setting
- ✔️ MDHearing has a team of hearing professionals who can coach you through the self-fit process.
- Price: Starting at $297 for a pair
- Features: Rechargeable batteries are available for all models, four pre-set listening modes are available for most models, and no Bluetooth streaming is available
- Our take: MDHearing devices offer less customization, background noise management, and features than prescription devices, but at 10% of the price, they are a compelling option for some folks with more straightforward listening needs.
Less than $500 for a pair
Rechargeable
Multiple styles available
No Bluetooth streaming
Slightly larger size
Only one color available
Less advanced than prescription devices
2. Lucid Enrich Pro BTE ($299.99/pair)
A no-frills, sub-$300 product from a trusted national brand.
The Lucid Enrich Pro BTE is an affordable, budget hearing aid designed to help those with mild to moderate hearing loss. This behind-the-ear device is equipped with 8-channel digital sound processing and omni-directional microphones. The device has two pre-programmed settings and also some wind and background noise reduction. These hearing aids will work best for those with high-frequency sloping hearing loss.
Lucid Enrich Pro comes from a trusted name in hearing health. Lucid is the exclusive partner of Sam's Club and serves tens of thousands of customers each year. One of the standout aspects of Lucid's product range is its price versatility. Lucid offers solutions that range from $299 to thousands of dollars with hands-on clinical support options. So, if you're looking for a budget-friendly hearing aid from a serious company, the Lucid Enrich Pro BTE can be an excellent choice. Read more about Lucid products in our review here.
Note that Lucid Enrich Pro does not offer full customization for your specific hearing loss. The product is also not rechargeable or Bluetooth-enabled. Think of Lucid Pro BTE as a respectable amplifier for simpler use cases.
- How it works:
- ✔️ Start by purchasing from Lucid online here.
- ✔️ Unbox your product and choose from two environment settings; you can also set the volume
- ✔️ Lucid offers support for their products at local Sam's Club stores or over the phone
- Price: Starting at $299 for a pair
- Features: Two pre-set listening modes are available for most models, and no Bluetooth streaming is available
- Our take: Lucid Enrich Pro hearing aids are simple but hard-working. They offer respectable background noise management but probably won't hold up well in complex environments like a busy restaurant. Enrich Pro is worth considering if you are looking for something in quiet settings at a budget price.
Less than $300 for a pair
From a reputable company
No Bluetooth streaming
No rechargeable batteries
Only one color available
Less advanced than prescription devices
3. EarCentric ($199/pair)
The top-rated PSAP on Amazon with over 4,000 reviews.
EarCentric is an ultra-budget-friendly hearing aid option available on Amazon. Retailing at just $199 per pair on Amazon, this device can work well for those with mild to moderate hearing loss who live quiet lifestyles. The device's rechargeable batteries take only 3 hours to charge fully and last 20+ hours on a single charge.
For those needing extra volume, EarCentric includes "a volume booster kit," including slim tubes and a different earpiece, to give you more volume. Add the comfortable dome tips that ensure a perfect fit for more extended wear. EarCentric comes with a one-year warranty, and a support team can provide help via phone or email for questions or troubleshooting.
Given its blend of affordability, long battery life, and dedicated support, EarCentric is a good choice for those seeking practical solutions for their hearing loss. Read more about EarCentric in this side-by-side comparison with a prescription hearing aid.
EarCentric offers one-size-fits-all programming that will only work well for certain hearing loss types. The devices have less advanced background noise management and do not stream Bluetooth. That said, they are less than $200 / pair and offer an accessible way to get started.
- How it works:
- ✔️ Start by purchasing EarCentric on Amazon.
- ✔️ Unbox your product and charge the batteries
- ✔️ EarCentric has remote customer service that can help with setup issues
- Price: Starting at $199 for a pair
- Features: Rechargeable batteries, no Bluetooth streaming is available, no hearing customization (best for high-frequency hearing loss)
- Our take: EarCentric devices offer less customization, background noise management, and features than prescription devices, but with 4,000+ reviews on Amazon and a very low price, the devices are worth a look
Less than $200 for a pair
Rechargeable
No Bluetooth streaming
Slightly larger size
Only one color available
Less advanced than prescription devices
4. AirPods Pro ($249/pair)
AirPods hidden transparency mode feature can operate like a budget hearing aid.
Airpods Pro 2 makes this list for their truly personalized audio experience.
Of course, AirPods come from the darling of consumer technology - Apple. The devices work seamlessly with iPhone and Mac products. These headphones have powerful active noise canceling capabilities and customizable Transparency Mode. Many users even turn Airpods Pro 2 into bootleg hearing aids (our how-to-guide here). Importantly, the Airpods integration with Apple Health makes it easy to upload an audiogram or take a hearing test. Your results are then applied to all Airpod audio.
One other thing we love about Airpods is their built-in volume controls. Volume management is critical if you have hearing loss and want to protect your remaining hearing. Read more about Apple's safety features here.
Important Features
- Personalized Sound: Apple lets you upload a hearing test to your Apple Health app or take one through a partner app like Mimi.
- Comfort: Airpods Pro 2 comes with various ear tip sizes. This is one of the most comfortable earbuds on the market.
- Battery life: 4.5 hours of listening time or up to 3.5 hours of talk time on a single charge.
- Phone call quality: Apple is the best in the game regarding phone call quality. Their new voice isolation feature (compatible with AirPods) just increases Apple's lead.
- Apple integrates beautifully with iPhone and Mac.
- Intuitive pinch-controls to pause music and activate Transparency Mode.
- Airpods Pro 2 offers fine-tuned customization to both streamed and Transparency sound.
- Apple offers a long-lasting battery and great overall sound quality.
- Harder to use without an iPhone
- More expensive than other options
5. Audien Atom Pro 2($189)
Popular sub-$200 product with some faults.
The Audien Atom Pro, is an in-the-ear style device for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. These devices are rechargeable in a convenient charging case, with the charging case also holding a charge. The Audien Atom Pro 2 has a 24-hour battery life on a full charge. While they may not boast high performance in noisy settings, the Audien Atom Pro can be a fair option in quieter environments.
Audien Pro 2 does not include prescription care or a audiology support. The devices come with four programs that target the most commonly missed frequency for those with hearing loss.
These compact devices balance functionality and affordability, presenting a viable option for those seeking a straightforward, no-frills solution to their hearing needs. Read more about Audien in our review here.
- How it works:
- ✔️ Start by purchasing from Audien online.
- ✔️ Unbox your product and choose a listening mode setting
- ✔️ Audien has reasonable customer service.
- Price: Starting at $189 for a pair
- Features: Rechargeable batteries are available for all models, four pre-set listening modes are available for most models, and no Bluetooth streaming is available
- Our take: Audien devices offer less customization, background noise management, and features than prescription devices. Some folks may also find the in-the-ear design less comfortable than behind-the-ear styles.
Less than $200 for a pair
Rechargeable
Multiple styles available
No Bluetooth streaming
Slightly larger size
Only one color available
Less advanced than prescription devices
Conclusion
In conclusion, it's essential to understand that while budget-friendly options may not possess all the features of their high-end counterparts, they still offer viable solutions to those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
From devices designed for those with a quiet lifestyle like EarCentric to versatile options like the Lucid Enrich Pro BTE and the all-rounder AirPods Pro, there are several affordable choices available.
Whether you are searching for your first hearing aid or a situational-use device, these budget-friendly hearing aids blend affordability, functionality, and support. It's crucial to remember that while price is essential, choosing a hearing aid that suits your specific needs and lifestyle should be the primary consideration.
Consult with a hearing professional to ensure you make the best choice for your hearing health journey.
