The best over-the-counter hearing aids (2025), tested and reviewed

If you’re spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid, make sure you’re getting a product that offers a long-term, sustainable solution to your hearing loss needs. Aside from the obvious things like sound quality, take a few minutes to look at these specifications.

What size and style suits you best? Most hearing aids on the market are classified as behind-the-ear (BTE) or in-ear (ITE). BTE hearing aids are probably what you think of when you imagine a hearing aid, consisting of a plastic case containing the electronics, a thin cable that runs over the ear and into the canal, and a small speaker known as a “receiver,” which sends enhanced sound from a person’s surroundings to their ear. By contrast, the ITE models are stand-alone units that look like a standard pair of wireless earbuds. In-ear hearing aids are popular for their stealthy aesthetic, and they also tend to be much easier to slide in and out of than their behind-the-ear counterparts. However, contemporary BTE hearing aids are much smaller than those of the past. It’s just about what suits you most comfortably.

Replaceable or rechargeable batteries? As with wireless earbuds, most over-the-counter hearing aids are equipped with rechargeable batteries and (usually) a portable charging case for easy transportation. If you take the case’s battery life into account, you’ll find that most OTC models last about a week before needing to be connected to a power source. Without the case, rechargeable hearing aids offer 10 to 24 hours of battery life per charge (but this drops by a few hours if you use them for Bluetooth streaming). Replaceable batteries, like those in the Sony CRE-C10, can last 70 hours or more before dying. It may sound great, but it means having spare parts on hand and struggling with small cells, which can be difficult for people with dexterity issues.

Are you comfortable making adjustments? While prescription hearing aids are fitted in-office by a licensed hearing care professional, over-the-counter devices are self-fitting. In most cases, over-the-counter hearing aid users are expected to be able to adjust the devices to their ears, usually with the help of a smartphone app. It’s certainly a good idea to make your adjustments quickly, but it may cost you in personal care.

What does the company’s customer support look like? If only you could rely on high-quality support from every hearing aid manufacturer! Unfortunately, over-the-counter hearing aid companies are just that. There is no “standard” for customer service in the industry. Companies like Jabra offer comprehensive patient support, but other brands may leave you alone.

Is there a trial run? If you’re not satisfied with your hearing aids, you’ll probably want to have the option to return them without writing off all that money as a sunk cost. Most states require manufacturers to provide patients with a minimum trial period, but I recommend playing it safe by researching this information before purchasing.

What about guarantees? Equally important for a reasonable trial period is the inclusion of a comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty. Most brands cover manufacturing defects for up to a year, but it goes without saying that the longer the coverage, the better the deal. No matter which over-the-counter hearing aid you end up getting, make sure the warranty covers loss, damage, and wear.