There are more than 120 hearing brands on the market today. Among those 120 brands are 60-year-old market leaders like GN Resound new OTC hearing aid makers like Eargo and top-retailers like Costco.
If it takes you a moment to orient yourself, welcome to the club.
When I got my first pair of hearing aids, the research process sent me down a rabbit hole. This guide is my best attempt to explain the wild world of hearing aid brands in the simplest terms possible.
Let's Start With Some Basics
- There are 5 major, global manufacturers that make around 95% of all hearing aids
- Each manufacturer sells their hearing aids to multiple groups who in turn often re-name the products. A good example is manufacturer GN who sells to Beltone stores under the name "Serene" and sells the same product to private practice under the name ReSound
- In the The past 10 years there have been some net-new manufacturers including Eargo and Elehear.
In this guide, we've organized the hearing aid brand landscape into two groups:
- Prescription brands available at local clinics
- Direct to consumer brands available at retail or online
Prefer to watch? Here’s a 5 minute video about hearing aid brands. 👇
Group #1: Prescription Hearing Aid Brands
Today, most hearing aid wearers work with a local audiologist to select and program their hearing aids. These audiologists are licensed to carry medical-grade hearing aids made almost exclusively by five big holding companies. Here are the leading audiologist-prescribed brands on the market organized by their size.
#1. Sonova - Maker of Phonak, Sennheiser, Unitron, Audicus and Lyric
Sonova is a Swiss company that commands more than 30% of the industry. Sonova sells Phonak and Unitron products. Sonova also makes our favorite OTC product under the Sennheiser brand, and an invisible hearing aid called Lyric.
Phonak Sphere Infinio is Sonova’s top selling product.
#2. Demant - Maker of Oticon, Philips and Sonic
Demant is the only company globally that covers all areas of hearing healthcare, from hearing devices and hearing implants to diagnostic equipment and professional hearing care. Demant's top brands include Oticon, Philips, and Sonic. Demant also owns the popular hearing health site HealthyHearing.com.
Oticon Intent is Demant’s most popular product.
#3. WS Audiology - Maker of Sony, Widex, Signia and Rexton
According to the WSA website, one of their brands manufactures 1 in 3 hearing aids worn worldwide. WSA sells hearing aids under popular brands like Widex, Signia, and Rexton. WSA makes our top OTC, in-ear hearing aid pick Sony CRE-C20.
Widex Moment Sheer, Sony CRE-C20 and Signia IX are the most popular hearing aids from WSA.
#4. GN Hearing - Maker of ReSound, Jabra, Beltone, and Interton
ReSound GN hails from Denmark, where they create products Jabra, Interton, and Beltone brands. ReSound is also the manufacturer of an excellent direct to consumer hearing aid, Jabra Select. ReSound has been behind several important breakthroughs over the years, including the first connection to Apple's iPhone in 2013 and a 3rd microphone inside the ear in 2020. In 2023 ReSound became the first hearing aid brand to launch Auracast-enabled devices.
ReSound NEXIA is the most popular hearing aid from GN.
#5. Starkey - Maker of Starkey, NuEar, Audibel
Starkey Hearing Technologies is the only American-owned company in the top 5. Starkey has led the way in AI tech and intelligent hearing aids that track fitness and even translate foreign languages. Starkey is also the manufacturer behind Audibel and NuEar products. Starkey is best known for their excellent, custom-mold devices. Starkey famously fit Ronald Reagan during his presidency.
Starkey Edge AI is currently Starkey’s most popular hearing aid.
For the nerds out there, here’s a breakdown of each hearing aid brand’s market share.
Full Hearing Aid Brand List 👇
If you want to go deeper, the founder of HearingTracker put together an enlightening map of all hearing aid brands on the market. No wonder things can get confusing!
Group #2: Over The Counter Brands
The five brands above provide prescription products that require visits to an audiologist or hearing professional. Alternatively, online hearing aid brands combine convenience, affordability, and app-based programming to give consumers excellent options without the need for in-person visits.
Many OTC hearing aids are produced by the same parent companies behind the prescription models found in clinics, but they are sold under different brand names.
These are some of the top brands you might see in the OTC category.
Sennheiser Hearing Aids (Made by Sonova)
Our current choice for the best overall OTC hearing aid. We've sold and fit hundreds of these devices in the last few months and consistently see outstanding consumer ratings and low returns. Sennheiser hearing aids are made by Sonova, the largest global hearing aid manufacturer.
Sony Hearing Aids (Made by WSA)
For the best in-ear hearing aid, we recommend Sony's CRE-C20. Nearly invisible in most ears, it's perfect for those who value discreet design. Manufactured by WS Audiology (WSA), a global leader in hearing technology, Sony's devices share the same core technology as the Signia Silk (the in-clinic sister product), offering strong performance.
Jabra Hearing Aids
Jabra hearing aids are produced by GN, the world's fourth-largest hearing aid manufacturer. Known for their mature sound processing and reliable manufacturing, the Jabra brand is highly respected in the industry and available both online and at Costco. The Jabra Enhance Select 500 stands out as our top telehealth-provided product for 2025.
Read More About Jabra Hearing Aids
Elehear Hearing Aids (Independent)
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Elehear is a newer brand that has quickly gained popularity among budget-conscious shoppers. Originally specializing in chip design for laptops, Elehear entered the hearing market in 2023 and launched their latest product, the Elehear Beyond, in 2024.
Eargo Hearing Aids (Independent)
Eargo is a pioneer in the OTC hearing aid category, known for its ultra-small, rechargeable devices that rival Sony's invisible options. Unlike many competitors, Eargo operates independently of the big five manufacturers, designing and producing its own products. Since its launch in 2013, the market has grown more competitive, but Eargo continues to lead with its modern, innovative designs.
Lexie Hearing Aids (Bose Partnership)
Lexie has become a leading name in the OTC hearing market, thanks in large part to its licensed use of Bose technology. Their flagship product, the Lexie B2 Powered by Bose, is one of the top OTC options available. Unlike many competitors, Lexie independently manufactures its devices rather than partnering with one of the big five hearing aid manufacturers.
Costco - Gets the job done at a competitive price.
Costco is one of the leading sellers of hearing aids in the US and has developed a reputation for sensible service and low prices. They sell GN's Jabra, Demant's Philips and WSA's Rexton hearing aids. These are no-nonsense hearing aids that get the job done for a fair price. Today, Costco sells more than 10% of all hearing aids in the US and partners with Sonova to manufacture its devices.
Group #3: Worst Hearing Aid Brands
Low quality hearing aids have been racking up sales on the internet for a decade, and the problem isn't going anywhere. The brands listed above have their pros and cons, but each is a reputable option with an actual operation behind it. In contrast, some internet brands are just junk. If you aren't sure about the brand you are considering, here are a few factors to watch for.
Clear pricing - Flash sales, more than 50% discounts, and buy one get one free offers are all red flags. Importantly, double-check whether you are getting a PAIR or a SINGLE hearing aid for the advertised price. Many brands advertise a low cost for just one hearing aid.
Return policy - Make sure any hearing aid you buy has at least a 45-day return policy. Also, double-check that there is no minimum trial period. Some cheap brands try to make it hard to return products by requiring that you keep your product for 30 days and then giving you a short time to return them before the 45 day deadline.
Amazon or Alibaba Only - If a product doesn't have an actual website, I would avoid it. A brand that only sells on Amazon or Alibaba is likely trying to make a quick buck.
So what's the best hearing aid brand for 2025?
It depends on your budget and goals. Right now, our favorite OTC products are Sennheiser and Sony.
Our top pick for prescription care is Signia with Phonak as a strong runner up. Regardless of what brand you choose, I hope this guide makes your search a bit more informed.
