Best Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids in 2025 (2025)

Now, you no longer need a doctor’s appointment to purchase hearing aids. In October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration made over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids available directly to consumers without a prescription.

Unlike traditional prescription hearing aids, you can purchase OTC hearing aids online or in person at big-box retailers like Walgreens or Costco. OTC hearing aids—while usually cheaper than prescription hearing aids—tend to have less advanced technology. They’re approved to treat mild to moderate hearing loss.

Although they may have less advanced technology, some of the best OTC hearing aids can still give prescription hearing aids a run for their money—at a fraction of the cost.

Keep reading for an overview of our results after hand-testing the top OTC hearing aids on the market today.

A quick look at the best OTC hearing aids of 2025

• Jabra Enhance: Best Overall
• Audien: Best Price
• Eargo: Best Invisible Fit
• Audicus: Most Comfortable
• ELEHEAR ALPHA Pro: Best for Travel

Comparison of the best OTC hearing aids as of February 2025

Best OTC hearing aids review 2025

Jabra: Best Overall

Why Jabra is the best overall

Jabra Enhance hearing aids are our best overall pick for having the longest trial period and battery life on this list, as well as Bluetooth streaming in all models. Not to mention, the devices have some of the best sound quality we’ve heard in an OTC hearing aid and come with an intuitive app for adjustments. In fact, Jabra Enhance took the top spot on our best hearing aids list too.

Jabra features

• Bluetooth capabilities: Yes, streaming in all models (no hands-free calling in 50R).
• How to adjust: Phone app, or buttons on hearing aid
• Trial period: 100-day, risk-free trial
• Warranty: One to three-year manufacturer’s warranty

Our experience with Jabra

Jabra Enhance is a high-quality OTC hearing aid that you can adjust yourself using the app. Or, for $200 extra per pair, you can opt for the Enhance Select Premium Package, which gives you three years of remote follow-up care with Jabra’s team of hearing professionals.

Jabra currently offers three OTC models, from cheapest to most expensive: the Enhance Select 50R, the Enhance Select 300, and the Enhance Select 500.

The Enhance Select 500 is Jabra’s flagship model, with the brand’s most advanced sound processing technology that makes it easier to hear in busy areas like a crowded street and the ability to answer calls simply by double-tapping your hearing aid on both Apple and Android phones (Select 300 only has hands-free calling with Apple phones). The 50R is the only Jabra hearing aid that doesn’t come with hands-free calling.

Jabra Enhance hearing aids also stand out for their impressive battery life: The Select 500 and 300 both have a maximum 30-hour battery life. That’s six hours more than the next-longest battery life on this list, Audien. Plus, Audien’s trial period (45 days) is less than half that of Jabra’s (100 days).

Jabra Enhance has a free online hearing test, but if you’ve never had a hearing exam before, experts recommend getting one done in person at a hearing clinic before taking an online hearing test.

To learn more, see our in-depth Jabra hearing aids review.

Audien: Best Price

Why Audien has the best price

Audien hearing aids don’t come with a lot of bells and whistles, but they’re also the least expensive devices in this list, making them an obvious choice for our “Best Price” OTC hearing aid.

Audien features

• Bluetooth capabilities: Yes (Ion Pro only)
• How to adjust: Phone app or buttons on hearing aid
• Trial period: 45-day, risk-free trial
• Warranty: One year

Our experience with Audien

Audien has four models, all with rechargeable batteries: the Atom and Atom 2 are small in-the-canal hearing aids, and the Ion and Ion Pro are larger behind-the-ear models. Because Audien hearing aids are so small and affordable, they lack some of the more advanced features found in other top OTC hearing aids, like Bluetooth streaming (only in the Ion Pro), advanced sound technology, a mobile app (only for the Ion Pro), and the ability to customize your settings.

Without an app, all models except the Ion Pro must make adjustments using the buttons on the hearing aids themselves, which presented slight challenges during testing and wasn’t easy or convenient. And while Audien is making improvements in this area, we think the company’s user manuals and other support materials are thin compared to other top OTC hearing aid companies. The most in-depth information is only available in how-to videos on Audien’s official YouTube channel.

But we think Audien could be a good choice for those looking for an affordable hearing aid as a stop-gap solution or a budget brand to rely on.

To learn more, see our in-depth review of Audien hearing aids.

Eargo: Best Invisible Fit

Why Eargo is the best invisible fit

Eargo’s three completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids are practically invisible in your ear, which makes Eargo an easy pick for “Best Invisible Fit.”

Eargo features:

• Bluetooth capabilities: Yes (Link only)
• How to adjust: Phone app or buttons on hearing aid
• Trial period: 45-day, risk-free trial
• Warranty: One to two years

Our experience with Eargo

Eargo’s main selling point is its unique look: The removable tips are designed to resemble petals and allow a more natural airflow. This can reduce the feeling of “plugged ears” when wearing your hearing aids. The Eargo 7 and SE have six different petal tips and mic caps to help you customize your fit. When we tested Eargo hearing aids, we found the variety of tips helped each tester find a comfortable fit.

But the flip side of Eargo’s slim, innovative design is that they don’t have space to allow advanced technology like Bluetooth streaming or fit a battery with longer life, a challenge for all the best invisible hearing aids. Although only the Link can stream Bluetooth, the Eargo 7 and SE have an easy-to-use app for volume and other adjustments. We also like that you can use the app to schedule remote support with an Eargo hearing specialist. During these calls, an Eargo specialist can remotely adjust your hearing aid settings to ensure you’re hearing what you should be.

Our favorite Eargo product, the Eargo 7, is the company’s flagship model and features Sound Adjust+ with Clarity Mode. This automatically adjusts your hearing aids as you move between different sound environments. So if you’re walking from a quiet room into a loud room, the Eargo 7 will adjust automatically so you can still hear conversations without being overwhelmed by the extra sound.

While the Link is a more straightforward earbud style, we like that it has Bluetooth streaming and is sweat- and splash-resistant. This makes it a good candidate for active people who want a discreet hearing aid.

To learn more, see our in-depth Eargo hearing aids review.

Audicus: Most Comfortable

Why Audicus is the most comfortable

Audicus has a lot going for it, but we think it stands out in comfort. After our hands-on testing, Audicus earned top marks for its comfortable, discreet receiver-in-canal style. It’s our clear choice for “Most Comfortable” OTC hearing aid.

Audicus features

• Bluetooth capabilities: Yes, streaming and hands-free calling in all models (except Mini 2)
• How to adjust: Phone app, or buttons on hearing aid
• Trial period: 100-day, risk-free trial
• Warranty: Two-year manufacturer’s warranty

Our expert take on Audicus

We love the comfort of Audicus OTC hearing aids. The company’s three receiver-in-canal models, the Omni 2, Spirit 2, and Wave 2, were the most comfortable OTC hearing aids we tested. According to the company, each of these models are 10% smaller than the previous version, and our testers noticed the slim, discreet design that fit well with little adjustments needed after wearing several hours.

We found Audicus hearing aids remain comfortable for hours with no issues. All Audicus models, except the Mini 2, connect to the Audicus app for adjustments. And all models except the Mini 2 also offer preset programs for you to switch between based on your environment (loud restaurant, one-on-one conversation, etc.).

Audicus hearing aids stand out by balancing functionality with comfort—and for OTC hearing aids, which don’t require you to go to a clinic, comfort is key.

To learn more, read our in-depth Audicus hearing aids review.

ELEHEAR: Best for Travel

Why ELEHEAR is the best for travel

We chose ELEHEAR as “Best for Travel” for its competitive battery life and impressive charging case. The ELEHEAR Beyond (the company’s only model) has a 20-hour battery life (behind Audien’s 24 hours and Jabra’s 24–30 hours), and a fast-working charging case—a quick 15-minute charge powers up your ELEHEAR hearing aids for six more hours of use.

Features

• Bluetooth capabilities: Yes
• How to adjust: Phone app, or buttons on hearing aid
• Trial period: 45-day, risk-free trial
• Warranty: One-year manufacturer’s warranty

Our expert take on ELEHEAR

The ELEHEAR Beyond is an affordable receiver-in-canal hearing aid with an impressive charging case—15 minutes charges your hearing aids for six hours, and your charging case holds four extra charges. With a 20-hour battery life, you could use your hearing aids and charging case for five days without needing to plug them in. This is particularly useful for travelers going somewhere with inconsistent access to electricity.

Our testers loved the Beyond’s comfort and slim profile, especially considering the device’s low price and Bluetooth streaming capabilities (small hearing aids sometimes don’t have enough space to fit Bluetooth technology).

One thing we didn’t like was the ELEHEAR app—while it had lots of good features, our testers found there was a bit of a learning curve and it wasn’t as intuitive as we would’ve liked. However, after some initial confusion, our testers were able to figure it out.

We also didn’t like the buttons on the side of the hearing aid—the volume button is also the on/off button, so it’s easy to accidentally turn off the hearing aids when trying to adjust volume, and vice versa. But again, after some time our testers were able to get the hang of it.

Brands that didn’t make our best OTC hearing aid list

We chose the top OTC hearing aid brands through research and mystery shopping. Find out which others were top contenders but didn’t make our list and why.

• Nebroo: We’ve seen Nebroo hearing aids pop up all over social media, so we took a look, and what we saw concerned us. The company offers vague technical information about their products, a lack of pricing transparency, and scammy marketing tactics (we’ve read reports of people being targeted repeatedly by aggressive email marketing). The company also describes itself as a “tech startup,” and appears to have been created only in 2024. The company’s recent founding as well as its lack of transparency makes us cautious.
• Nano: Nano hearing aids also saw lots of momentum on social media, but we found this brand lacking as well. Although the prices are competitive ($297–$697), only one of the five models has Bluetooth capabilities and an app—you can only adjust the other four models using buttons on the outside of the hearing aid. Also, Nano was sued by the Vermont Attorney General for misleading consumers in 2023. The lawsuit alleges that Nano “ engaged in multiple layers of deception by making misleading statements on its website and in advertisements.”

How much do OTC hearing aids cost?

OTC hearing aids vary in price, but generally cost $100–$3,000 per pair, based on our research.

You can save money by opting for simpler OTC hearing aids with less remote support from hearing professionals, but be sure you’re comfortable handling your fitting and adjustments on your own.

What to look for in an over-the-counter hearing aid

When shopping for OTC hearing aids, consider the following important features:

• Style: Do you want something discreet? Or do you prefer something larger so it can fit more advanced technology?
• Features: What features are must-haves for you? Do you need Bluetooth streaming so you can stay connected with hands-free calls? Or do you prioritize advanced sound processing technology?
• How to adjust: OTC hearing aids are not as customizable as prescription devices, but most will have an app that lets you make adjustments. Are you satisfied with simple adjustments you can make by pushing buttons on the hearing aids, or do you prefer an app for adjustments so you can fine-tune your settings?
• Battery type: Hearing aids with rechargeable batteries tend to cost about $200 more than those with disposable batteries. What’s more important to you: cost savings, or the convenience of a rechargeable hearing aid?
• Trial period: OTC hearing aids usually don’t come with the option to see a hearing professional in person, so it’s very important you have enough time to try out the hearing aids and make sure they’re right for you. Look for a trial period that’s at least 45 days.
• Warranty: And because you have fewer options for getting your hearing aids cleaned/serviced in person, a generous warranty can make sure you have options if your devices break due to manufacturer’s defects. A one-year warranty is common for OTC hearing aids.
• Brand reputation: The OTC hearing aid market is still very new. That means there are lots of companies out there—most are good, but there are some bad actors trying to take advantage of confusion over the new OTC landscape. When comparing OTC hearing aids, it’s a good idea to check how long the company’s been in business and whether they have any pending lawsuits.

Where to buy OTC hearing aids

The convenience of OTC hearing aids is that you can buy them without a prescription at big-box stores like Walmart, Walgreens, and Best Buy.

Some hearing clinics do sell OTC hearing aids, but it’s uncommon.

OTC vs. prescription hearing aids

*Data from University of Michigan

Frequently Asked Questions

Hearing aid technology has advanced rapidly in the past 10 years, making many of today’s OTC hearing aids perform better than the prescription hearing aids of a decade ago. OTC hearing aids can provide excellent sound processing and amplification for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Prescription hearing aids are more expensive than OTC hearing aids and contain more technologically advanced sound components because they treat more severe and profound cases of hearing loss. This means that they are more high-tech compared to OTC devices, as they need to address more difficult hearing health cases. OTC hearing aids are still a suitable choice for less-advanced hearing loss.

Yes, you can buy OTC hearing aids without a hearing prescription or a visit to an audiologist. But experts recommend a hearing exam to rule out any medical conditions or other underlying reasons for your hearing loss, and to determine what level and type of hearing loss you’re experiencing.

Return policies for over-the-counter hearing aids vary by manufacturer and retailer. Many OTC hearing aid providers offer a trial period during which you can return the device if you are not satisfied. Typically, this trial period ranges from 30 to 60 days, allowing you to test the hearing aids in different environments and ensure they meet your expectations. A lengthy return policy is one of the primary features to look for in any OTC hearing aid you’re considering buying. It’s important to review the specific terms and conditions of the return policy before purchasing OTC hearing aids to understand return shipping costs, restocking fees (if any), and eligibility criteria for returns.