What Are The Best Hearing Aids in 2024?

Hearing aids have been in the news a lot lately, and for a good reason.

Leading brands now include Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable batteries, and artificial intelligence. In 2022, the FDA ruled that hearing aids can be sold over-the-counter for the first time in 50 years.

These changes caught the attention of The New York Times, which recently reported a significant surge in hearing aid adoption among younger individuals.

Every month Soundly's team works to compile the list of the best products on the market. We wear, record and compare new products and publish our favorites across the spectrum of price and features.

If you need help figuring out where to start, check out our beginner's guide here.

First stop, hearing aid styles.

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is what style of hearing aid you want. Hearing aid styles generally fall into two groups: behind-the-ear styles and in-the-ear styles.

Behind-the-ear styles are chosen by around 80% because they tend to have more features and are often more comfortable.

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 really important to get a product that can match that shape.

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

Option #1 Telehealth

There are a couple of leading brands that offer telehealth programming at a distance. You’ll take a hearing test online or send in a test you get locally. A professional will program your hearing aids to match that test and ship them to your door. The price for this service is typically 50% lower than local care. Jabra Enhance Select is our favorite telehealth option.

Option #2 OTC

If you want to program your own hearing aids using a smartphone you can purchase over-the-counter. OTC hearing aids were formalized in late 2022 and are popular for first-timers and budget shoppers. OTC is only a good option if you have mild-moderate hearing loss. Sony CRE-C20 is one of our favorite new products in this category.

Option #3 Local Care  

You’ll visit a local professional who will conduct a hearing test and use special software to program a hearing aid to match your prescriptive targets. This option is typically the most precise and the most expensive.
‍
Note: Costco offers one of the most affordable in-person care options on the market.

How We Picked Our Favorites

We've curated this list to include a diverse range of hearing aids that cater to various budgets and care preferences. For those seeking a cost-effective solution, MDHearing stands out as a reputable option, offering surprisingly good care for under $300. Sony CRE-C20 is currently our top pick among hearing aids that sit inside the ear, blending innovation with discreet design.

Meanwhile, Rexton Reach is the latest addition to Costco's lineup, delivering exceptional value and advanced technology at a competitive price.

Each product on this list comes with its own unique advantages and trade-offs, tailored to different needs and lifestyles. If you're unsure which option is right for you, get started with your hearing profile here. Our team will make a personalized recommendation.