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5 Best Cheap Hearing Aids of 2022
Updated for January, 2022
Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Seniors
Lively Hearing Aids
Best Discreet, Cheap Hearing Aids
Eargo Hearing Aids
Best Cheap Hearing Aids with Batteries
MDHearingAid
Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Glasses
Audicus
Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Listening to Music
Widex Hearing Aids
Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Seniors
Best Discreet, Cheap Hearing Aids
Best Cheap Hearing Aids with Batteries
Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Glasses
Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Listening to Music
Hearing aids do more than improve hearing loss. They boost self-confidence, strengthen self-image, and offer enhanced communicative functioning for overall better quality of life. Bottom line, they are worth the investment. But the large price tag—even with cheap hearing aids—can give some people pause.
“Some of the greatest benefits to hearing aids is they reduce loneliness, delay dementia, and improve overall quality of life,” says Philipp Orso, Head of Audiology at Makehear.
With so many digital hearing aids on the market, it’s hard to know which are worth spending money on. Our experts took a close look at some of the top hearing aid brands to help consumers find the best inexpensive hearing aids for their personal needs.
Why You Can Trust Our Expert Review
Each product we review and recommend has been thoroughly researched. Our review team has interviewed experts in the field, including audiologists and geriatric care professionals. We mystery shop brands and evaluate verified customer reviews from reputable third parties, including Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports.
| Brand | Lively | Eargo | MDHearingAid | Audicus | Widex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for: | Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Seniors | Best Discreet, Cheap Hearing Aids | Best Cheap Hearing Aids with Batteries | Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Glasses | Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Listening to Music |
| Cost: | $1,195-$1,595 | $1,500–$2,950 | $799.99–$1,919.99 (deep discounts available) | $998–$2,798; or $39–$89 per ear, per month with subscription | $2,798–$4,598 |
| Financing: | |||||
| Trial Period: | 100-day | 45-day | 45-day | 45-day | 45-day |
| Warranty: | 3-year manufacturer, 3-year loss and damage | 1 or 2 years | 90-day | 1-year for customers who pay up front; unlimited for members | Typically 2 or 3 years |
| Style: | Behind-the-ear | Completely-in-the-ear | Behind-the-ear | Receiver-in-the-ear | Behind-the-ear, receiver-in-the-canal, in-the-ear, in-the-canal, completely-in-the-canal, micro completely-in-the-canal |
| Hearing Loss: | Mild to moderate | Mild to moderate | Mild to moderately severe | Mild to profound | Mild to severe |
| Bluetooth Capabilities: | Yes, some models | Yes, some models | Yes, some models | Yes, some models | |
| Battery type: | Rechargeable and battery-powered options | Rechargeable | Rechargeable and battery-powered options | Rechargeable and battery-powered options | Rechargeable and battery-powered options |
| Models currently available: | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Hearing test: | Online/at-home | Online/at-home | Online/at-home | Clinics or online/at-home | Hearing centers or audiologist office |
| Adjustment: | Remote by phone app or audiologist consultation | Remote through Eargo support | Remote by smartphone app | Remote by smartphone app or mail-in | Remote by smartphone app |
| Pros: | Generous 100-day trial; 3-year warranty | Virtually invisible and more natural-feeling | Least expensive among inexpensive brands and no hidden costs | Affordably priced; can treat mild to profound hearing loss | Several models, styles, and colors to choose from; can treat mild to profound hearing loss |
| Cons: | More expensive among the inexpensive brands; can’t treat moderately severe or more severe hearing loss | 16-hour use limit when fully charged and adjustment is only available remotely | Only a 90-day warranty and not water resistant | 1-year warranty for upfront payers and only one style to choose from | Most expensive among inexpensive brands and no online or remote hearing test available |
- Cost: $1,195-$1,595
- Financing: Yes
- Trial Period: 100-day
- Warranty: Three-year manufacturer warranty; three-year loss and damage protection
- Styles: Behind-the-ear
- Types of Hearing Loss: Mild to moderate
- Bluetooth Capabilities: Yes
- Battery type: Rechargeable and battery-powered options
- Models available: Two (Lively 2 Lite, Lively 2 Plus)
- Hearing test: Online/at-home hearing test
- Adjustment: Remote by smartphone app or audiologist consultation
- Pros: Generous 100-day trial
- Cons: More expensive among inexpensive brands; can’t treat more severe hearing loss
Hearing loss is a common problem among older adults. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), one-third to one-half of older adults would benefit from hearing aids. Despite the benefit they provide, only about a third of seniors have ever used them, according to calculations by NIDCD Epidemiology and Statistics Program from the annual National Health Interview Survey and hearing exams.
What makes Lively stand out as a top choice for best cheap hearing aids for seniors (besides the price, of course) is the company’s generous trial process. Lively hearing aids come with a 100-day trial period, meaning users have a full 100 days to test the devices out before deciding whether or not to keep them. That’s more than twice as long as the 45 days offered by the other hearing aid companies on our list.
Lively conducts online hearing tests, and adjustments are made via a smartphone app or via an audiologist consultation, which may be a drawback for seniors who are less familiar with technology.
See our full Lively Hearing Aid Review.
- Cost: $1,500, 2,000, 2,500, $2,950 (May be free for federal employees)
- Financing: Yes
- Trial Period: 45-day return policy
- Warranty: One- or two-year warranty, depending on model; unlimited repairs and one-time replacement
- Styles: Completely-in-the-ear
- Types of Hearing Loss: Mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss without complications
- Bluetooth Capabilities: Yes, some models
- Battery type: Rechargeable
- Models available: Four (Max, Neo, Neo HiFi, 5)
- Support: Lifetime customer support
- Hearing test: Online
- Adjustment: Remote through smartphone app or with assistance from company
- Pros: Virtually invisible and more natural-feeling
- Cons:16-hour use limit when fully charged and adjustments only available remotely
When it comes to discreet hearing aids, Eargo has a definite corner in the market. The company’s innovative, medical-grade silicone fiber hearing aid is virtually invisible. Unlike other completely-in-the-ear hearing aids, the Eargo was modeled after a fishing fly. Odd as it sounds, the silicone “wings” on the device enable it to sit suspended in the ear canal, which allows air to flow naturally in and out of the ear for a more natural feel.
Eargo has four models (Eargo 5 was just released) ranging in price from $1,500 to $2,950. The higher the model price, the better the feedback reduction. The latest model also offers induction charging and auto adjusting via the Eargo mobile app.
However, Eargo hearing aids are also not much bigger than a tiny fishing fly, which means seniors with dexterity issues may find them difficult to handle and put in place. These rechargeable hearing aids also only hold their charge for about 16 hours, which is less than the 24 to 30 hours of other rechargeable brands and far less than the three days to three weeks provided by traditional disposable battery-powered hearing aids.
See our full Eargo Hearing Aid Review.
- Cost: $799.99, $1,199, $1,919.99 (discounts available)
- Financing: Yes
- Trial Period: 45-day
- Warranty: 90-day
- Styles: Behind-the-ear
- Types of Hearing Loss: Mild to moderately severe
- Bluetooth Capabilities: Yes, some models
- Battery type: Rechargeable and battery-powered options
- Models available: Three (Air, Volt+, Core)
- Hearing test: Online/at-home
- Adjustment: Remote by smartphone app
- Pros: Least expensive among inexpensive brands and no hidden costs
- Cons: Only a 90-day warranty and not water resistant
Hearing aids are either battery operated or use rechargeable batteries. While there are pros and cons to each, battery-operated hearing aids are by far the most common. They’re also less expensive and much more readily available than rechargeable batteries. MDHearingAid offers both rechargeable and battery-powered hearing aid options.
We think the battery-operated Air option with the buy-one-get-one-free discount is a steal at $399.98 for a pair. One drawback with the MDHearingAid AIR device is the 90-day warranty, which is far less than other hearing aid brands on our list.
See our full MDHearing Hearing Aid Review.
- Cost: $998–$2,798 per pair and pay up front or join the membership program for $39–$89 per ear, per month
- Financing: Yes
- Trial Period: 45-day
- Warranty: One-year for customers who pay up front; unlimited for members
- Styles: Behind-the-ear, receiver-in-the-ear
- Types of Hearing Loss: Mild to profound
- Bluetooth Capabilities: Yes, some models
- Battery Type: Rechargeable and battery-powered options
- Models Available: Five (The Dia II, The Clara, The Aura, The Wave, The Spirit)
- Hearing Test: Clinic locations nationally or test from home
- Adjustment: Remote by smartphone app or mail-in
- Pros: Affordable and can treat mild to profound hearing loss
- Cons: One-year warranty for up-front payers, only one style to choose from
Some styles of hearing aid, such as behind-the-ear models, can pop off of the ear when sliding on eyeglasses. The newly designed Audicus Aura hearing aids are small enough to fit directly in the ear canal. It’s not only discreet but it helps prevent the device from getting knocked out of place.
Another reason Audicus made our best cheap hearing aids list is because the company offers an affordable subscription package. For a monthly fee of $49 per ear, per month for The Aura, users get a pair of hearing aids with some of the latest technology; unlimited access to hearing specialists and technicians; and full protection against defects, damage, and loss of the device. Then, every 18 months, Audicus will upgrade the hearing aids to the newest model.
Those who don’t wish to be locked into a subscription can pay up front in full, but they aren’t eligible for the benefits the membership offers.
See our full Audicus Hearing Aid Review.
- Cost: $2,798–$4,598
- Financing: Yes
- Trial Period: 45-day
- Warranty: Typically two or three years
- Styles: Behind-the-ear, in-the-ear
- Types of Hearing Loss: Mild to severe
- Bluetooth Capabilities: Yes, some models
- Battery type: Rechargeable and battery-powered options
- Models available: Four (Moment, Evoke, Unique, Dream)
- Hearing test: Hearing centers or audiologist office
- Adjustment: Remote by smartphone app
- Pros: Several models, styles, and colors to choose from; can treat mild to profound hearing loss
- Cons: Most expensive among inexpensive brands and no online or remote hearing test available
Widex is one of the best-known names in hearing aids with a plethora of models, styles, and even colors to choose from. The company has upped the ante when it comes to hearing aids specifically designed for listening to music.
Many of the features that come standard with top-of-the-line hearing aids to improve hearing in noisy environments—such as speech enhancers, directional microphones, and feedback cancellation—actually interfere with the sound of music. Widex has spent decades creating the Dream hearing aid to handle speech in noisy environments as well as give a more true-to-life musical listening experience.
However, at about $1,500 to $2,400, the Widex Dream hearing aids are among the more expensive of our top picks. If you’re looking for cheap hearing aids that are even more affordable, you may want to look elsewhere.
See our full Widex Hearing Aid Review.
MORE ADVICE Discover more tips for comfortably aging in place
How to Save Money on Hearing Aids
Even the best inexpensive hearing aids can still cost a pretty penny, ringing in anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. And unfortunately, most insurance and Medicare plans don’t cover hearing aids. However, some insurance companies and Medicare Advantage plans may cover a portion of the cost. Check with your provider to find out what benefits your plan offers.
Many hearing aid companies, including those on our list, offer financing with little or no interest, which can make the devices much more affordable than paying the entire amount up front. Financial assistance may also be available through local civic organizations, such as the Kiwanis or Lions Clubs.
Why Are Hearing Aids so Expensive?
There is a lot that goes into the designing and manufacturing of hearing aids. Much of the cost comes from continuous research and development to improve the technology that goes into the devices to make them smaller, more powerful, and more natural sounding.
A smaller portion of the cost comes from the professional overhead required to conduct hearing tests, fit users with the devices, and adjust them to users’ individual needs.
How to Choose the Affordable Hearing Aid for You
Before you purchase hearing aids, you want to be sure you’re making the right choice. Here are some questions to help you narrow down your selection when shopping for cheap hearing aids:
- Do I need one hearing aid or two?
- Which hearing aid style is recommended for my type of hearing loss?
- What feature preferences and needs do I have to enhance my hearing aid experience (e.g., enhanced music listening, wind noise reduction, ability to stream phone calls and podcasts, directional microphones, etc.)?
- Do I have issues that may hinder my ability to operate the hearing device’s programs (e.g., vision loss, manual dexterity issues, etc.)?
- What sort of trial period and warranties come with the hearing aids?
How We Chose the Best Cheap Hearing Aids
We discovered which cheap hearing aids were on the top of our list based on the following:
- Price
- Audiologist care
- Warranty and adjustments
- Tech features
- Comfort and fit
- Durability
Bottom Line
There’s a lot to consider when selecting the best affordable hearing aids for your specific needs. For seniors who want the option to thoroughly test out hearing aids, we recommend Lively.
For those who prefer a more discreet device, we prefer the Eargo. Music lovers will love the special enhancements provided by the Widex Dream hearing aids. Glasses wearers will appreciate the ease of use with The Aura Audicus model. And finally, for those who prefer battery-operated devices rather than ones with rechargeable batteries, we highly recommend the MDHearingAid affordable Air model.
While you cannot undo the damage that has already been done to the hearing nerve, wearing hearing aids can slow down the decline of speech understanding by stimulating the auditory never and the brain, Dr. Orso says. The sooner you can aid hearing loss, the better the long-term outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Hearing Aids
Do inexpensive hearing aids really work?
Hearing aid manufacturers spend a lot of money in research and development to improve comfort and technology of hearing aids and, unfortunately, that comes at a price. Be prepared to spend at least a couple hundred dollars. In the end, it’ll be worth the investment. With proper care, your hearing aids can last up to seven years.
How can I get a hearing aid for free?
Why are hearing aids so costly?
What are the best hearing aids under $100?
Does Medicare pay for hearing aids for seniors?
Basic Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans may cover a portion of the cost. Check with your provider to see whether your plan offers any hearing aid benefits.
About the Author
Jennifer Walker-Journey is a writer with special interest in the research, development, and federal regulations of medical devices, pharmaceutical drugs, and psychedelic therapies. Her clients include law firms, healthcare systems, financial corporations, public health entities, and digital marketing groups. Her work has been featured in USA Today, HowStuffWorks, Psychedelic Spotlight, Health, AARP, Everyday Health, Women, and Sea Island Life, Salamander, and Omni magazines. She is also a contributor to the books Birmingham: Magic for the New Millennium and Birmingham At 150: Built To Last. When she is not writing, she runs, almost daily, and still considers qualifying for the Boston Marathon among her greatest accomplishments.
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwjourney/
- Email: [email protected]
- Portfolio: https://muckrack.com/jennifer-walker-journey-1
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665209/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4811604/
https://www.hear-it.org/hearing-aids-improve-quality-of-life
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK74399/
https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/financial-assistance/
https://www.hear-it.org/hearing-aids-improve-quality-of-life
https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/financial-assistance/
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