What Are the Best Hearing Aids in 2024?

Hearing aids are getting smaller and smarter. Leading brands (like the ones on this guide) now offer advanced features like rechargeable batteries, self-fitting software and even artificial intelligence.

In 2022, the FDA allowed hearing aids to be sold over the counter for the first time in 50 years, opening the door for new players like Sony and Sennheiser to introduce impressive innovations. This shift caught the attention of The New York Times, which has reported a growing trend of hearing aid adoption among younger people.

The "best hearing aid" varies from person to person. It all comes down to understanding your specific hearing needs. A few things to consider:

• Hearing Loss Level: If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can purchase over-the-counter hearing aids without needing a doctor’s visit. Take our test here to assess your hearing loss level.
• Device Style: Consider your style preference—such as discreet in-ear models or more robust behind-the ear models. More on styles below.
• Care Model: The best hearing aids are tailored to your hearing needs, either through a smartphone app or a visit to a local clinic. Some brands, like Jabra, offer a hybrid of both. Consider which care model suits your preferences and budget, as self-fitting options are usually more affordable.

How We Review Products

At Soundly, our team evaluates the best hearing aids on the market every month. We wear, test, and compare new products, sharing our top picks across various price ranges and features.

As one of the leading independent reviewers and retailers in the U.S., Soundly fits hearing aids from a wide range of different brands each month, giving us a unique perspective on which products truly perform.

A Closer Look at Hearing Aid Styles

One of your first decisions will be choosing a hearing aid style. Generally, there are two types: behind-the-ear and in-the-ear. About 80% of users prefer behind-the-ear styles, as they often offer more features and greater comfort.

These models, like Sennheiser and Jabra, also support Bluetooth streaming, while invisible-style devices, such as those from Sony, do not.

In-the-ear styles are most often chosen for their invisibility (for the smallest sizes), ease of handling (for the larger sizes) and comfort with glasses, masks or oxygen.

If you aren’t sure which style you want, you can read more about each one here.

Next up, let's talk about care models.

The other big decision you’ll need to make before you get new hearing aids is how you want to have them programmed to match your specific hearing loss.

If you search for hearing aids on Amazon you’ll find a lot of devices that boast one-size-fits-all. The reality is that every hearing loss has a different shape and it’s quite important to get a hearing aid that can adjust sound output to match that shape.

So how does that happen? You have basically three options:

Option #1 OTC

If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can now program your own hearing aids using a smartphone and purchase them over-the-counter. This option became available in late 2022 and is popular among younger users and budget-conscious shoppers.

Option #2 Telehealth

Several leading brands now offer telehealth programming, allowing you to take a hearing test online or submit one from a local provider. A professional will then program your hearing aids based on your test results and ship them directly to your door. This service typically costs less than traditional in-person care. Our top telehealth pick is Jabra Enhance Select.

Option #3 Local Care  

For those who prefer face-to-face testing and professional programming, visiting a local hearing care provider is a good option. A specialist will conduct a booth hearing test and use proprietary software to program your hearing aids according to your specific needs. This hands-on service typically provides a highly customized fit, making it ideal for those with more complex (or severe) hearing loss. However, this level of care comes with a higher price, often starting around $4,000. Hear.com and Zip Hearing are good sources for local clinics.

Why We Rank Sennheiser All Day Clear #1

We’ve curated this list to offer a range of hearing aids catering to different budgets and care preferences. You may wonder why we’ve ranked the Sennheiser All Day Clear as our top choice over other strong contenders like Jabra and Sony.

• ‍Overall Value: Sennheiser All Day Clear offers clinic-level technology at an affordable $999 per pair. With the added benefit of a complimentary audiologist setup call (available through Soundly), Sennheiser's overall value is hard to ignore.‍
• Form Factor: These behind-the-ear devices provide all-day comfort, with multiple sleeve options for a personalized fit. Their design balances comfort with low-profile visibility.‍
• Sound Quality: Sennheiser’s technology excels in enhancing speech clarity and minimizing background noise (not a surprise given Sonova's manufacturing role). ‍
• Ease of Use: The All Day Clear offers easy Bluetooth streaming and a user-friendly app for adjustments on the go. All Day Clear is especially good for Android users who have a few less connection options on the market.

Is Sennheiser the only good option? Not at all. We also love Jabra's innovative telehealth service and Sony's discreet style. Ultimately personal goals and needs take priority when choosing the "best" hearing aids for you.

Need Help Choosing? 

Soundly.com is a leading online shopping destination for hearing aid wearers. Our team includes hearing aid wearers, audiologists, and industry veterans. Read more about Soundly's story here.

If you are just beginning your research, we recommend starting with a hearing test. The test will provide you with a chart of your hearing loss and a clearer picture of your options.

You can also take Soundly's 5-minute quiz, and a member of our team will review the results and provide a product recommendation based on your results.