Hearing Aid Price Comparison Chart 2024

February 7, 2024
Blake Cadwell
Written by
Blake Cadwell
Soundly Staff
Reviewed by
Soundly Staff

Soundly conducts in-depth research to guide prospective hearing aid wearers. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

In the last year, I’ve tried more than 50 hearing aids—from brands I’d never heard of on Amazon to well-known names like Sony and Bose. I used their smartphone apps, took notes on comfort and ease of use, and worked with Soundly’s audiology team to test them with professional audiological equipment.

What did I find? Some OTC hearing aids can go toe-to-toe with prescription brands you’d find in clinics for 2–3x the price. Others? They’re not much help at all.

In this guide, we’ll break it all down: the products, the pros and cons, and what you need to know to decide between OTC and prescription options.

Let’s dig in.

Prefer to watch? Here's my video guide to the market in 2025. 👇
Sennheiser All Day Clear $1,399 Behind-The-Ear iPhone & Android Rechargeable 1 Year
Sony CRE-C20 $1,299 In-The-Ear No Rechargeable 1 Year
Eargo 7 $2,950 In-The-Ear No Rechargeable 2 Years
Lexie B2+ Powered By Bose $999 Behind-The-Ear iPhone & Android Rechargeable 1 Year
Sony CRE-E10 $1,099 Earbud-Style iPhone Only Rechargeable 1 Year
Elehear Beyond $399 Behind-The-Ear iPhone & Android Rechargeable 1 Year
Jabra Enhance Select $1,995 Behind-The-Ear iPhone & Android Rechargeable 3 Years
AirPods Pro 2 $249 Earbud-Style iPhone Only Rechargeable 1 Year

Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid History

The concept of buying hearing aids directly, without a doctor’s visit, is relatively new. The over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid category was officially created in late 2022 by the FDA after years of bipartisan advocacy and collaboration across multiple presidential administrations. 

The goal was simple: increase hearing aid adoption. Wearing hearing aids is one of the most effective ways to improve overall health, reducing risks associated with falls, social isolation, earnings loss, and even dementia. Hearing aids are safe and highly effective for most users.

The push began in 2015, when the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) sent a letter to President Obama urging action. In 2017, Congress passed the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, laying the foundation for the category. 

From there, the FDA spent years designing a framework that would make sense to consumers while fostering competition in the hearing aid industry. Finally, in 2022, the FDA published its guidelines

OTC Hearing Aid Categories: Self-Fitting, Standard

The 200-page document capped the maximum volume output for OTC hearing aids to ensure consumer safety and divided products into two main classes: standard OTC hearing aids and OTC self-fitting hearing aids.

Self-fitting hearing aids go through more rigorous assessment and provide audiology-grade customization, delivering outcomes comparable to those from in-clinic fittings. Most of the devices listed in this guide fall into that category, making them suitable for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. 

Standard OTC hearing aids are registered with the FDA but do not offer a robust fitting system and typically rely on pre-set sound settings.

For those with severe or profound hearing loss, visiting a clinic for higher-powered options is still necessary. Below, you’ll find additional resources to explore this important topic further.

New Brand Entrants to the Category: Bose, Sony, Sennheiser

The finalized guidelines sparked a wave of new brands entering the OTC category, which continues to evolve. Interestingly, by 2025, the largest prescription hearing aid manufacturers also dominate the OTC market—such as Sonova with Sennheiser and Signia with Sony.

For those curious, we’ve included a full history in the FAQ section of this guide.

What Drives Hearing Aid Prices

To understand hearing aid prices, you need to know about two major factors: technology and care.

Technology

Just like cars, phones or TVs, certain devices come with more features like Bluetooth and rechargeable batteries. Some premium devices include built-in artificial intelligence (our guide on that here). Many brands offer multiple technology levels within the same product family. Think of this like cars which offer a base model and an upgraded model with leather seats.

Read more about technology levels here.

Of course, technology is just one half of the story.

Care Type

The care model you choose (prescription, OTC, big box retail or Telehealth) could have an even bigger impact on price than the underlying technology in your hearing aids. In today's market you have three care options.

Model #1 - Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids (new but growing quickly)

In October 2022, the FDA opened a new category of hearing aids sold over the counter. OTC hearing aids typically come with clear prices ranging from $199 to $1,299 per pair.

Model #2 - Prescription Hearing Aids With Telehealth (Growing but still less common)

The post-pandemic move to remote healthcare increased the popularity of Telehealth hearing aid programming and care. Brands like Jabra and Audicus sell online and provide care through video calls and SMS. Prices for this category are readily available and range from $1,000 - $3,500 per pair.  

Average Telehealth and OTC Hearing Aids

Model #3 - Face-to-Face Prescription Care (Most common)

Most hearing aid wearers visit a local audiologist, take a hearing test and purchase hearing aids through that local clinic. This option offers hands-on support with significantly higher prices. Most locally prescribed hearing aids come with 1-3 years of unlimited support and adjustments from a hearing professional. You're paying for the technology + the time. Additionally, clinic owners have lots of overhead from rent to receptionists and internet bills. Each of those costs gets passed on to the consumer.

Prescription Hearing Aid Average

Why are prices for local care so hard to pin down?

Like car dealerships, the manufacturers don’t set the final price for hearing aids sold in a local clinic. They sell their hearing aids to audiologists, who then price them independently. Ultimately, this means that prices (along with what’s included) vary by provider and location.

Pre-negotiated prices are one way around this challenge (more on that below).

Most local hearing clinics do not charge for initial consultations and build their service fee into the hearing aid cost. A typical pair of hearing aids sold locally at your audiologist might include:

  • Initial consultation
  • A hearing test (sometimes billed separately)
  • Device programming to match your hearing loss
  • Up to 3 years of follow-up appointments and cleanings
  • Extra batteries or accessories

Pre-negotiated versus standard prices

Walk-In Vs. Care Network Pricing

Have you heard of pre-negotiated rates? It's a pretty important concept to understand when it comes to buying prescription hearing aids these days.

Basically, there are two main ways to buy hearing aids - you can either walk into a local clinic and purchase them there, or you can work with a health network that pre-negotiates the price for you. The second option is usually less expensive and doesn't include as much bundled care.

Care Network Vs. Walk-In Prices

“Walk-in” prices

When you contact a local audiologist to book an appointment, they will probably offer you a full-service package at "walk-in" prices. This package typically includes 2-3 years of follow-up appointments and maintenance services. The cost of all of these services is usually combined into one price, which is typically around $6,500 for a pair of hearing aids.

Pre-negotiated prices

If you're on a budget, one option to consider is working with a health network to access pre-negotiated rates for hearing aids. Several emerging health networks have agreements with leading brands like Phonak, Widex, Starkey, Signia, ReSound, and Oticon to offer lower prices.

These health networks leverage the collective buying power of their thousands of customers to negotiate a flat rate with local providers, many of which are the same providers you would find on your own. While the service from these providers may include fewer free follow-up appointments, customers can save around 25%-40% upfront. So, for a pair of hearing aids, you might expect to pay around $4,000.

Use these pages to compare up-to-date prices: 👇

Phonak, Oticon, Widex, Signia, Starkey, and ReSound.

How much should I pay for hearing aids?

When it comes to buying hearing aids, it's a personal healthcare decision, and there's no one right way to make it. Here are some starting points:

  • If you have severe hearing loss or an audiogram that isn't shaped with a traditional downslope, it's best to see a local audiologist who can work with you on a customized care plan. You can also compare products to lock in a pre-negotiated price.
  • For traditional age-related hearing loss that slopes down and to the right, and if you're looking for cost savings, you could try Jabra Enhance Select or Bose (get a pair for $999). Both brands have an excellent return policy.
  • Ultimately if price is less of an issue for you,use a local clinic databaseto find someone with good reviews in your area. If you want to get a price before you visit, ask for a quote on a specific product over the phone.

OTC Hearing Aid Prices: What to Expect

OTC hearing aid prices range from about $100 to $2,000, making them significantly more affordable than prescription hearing aids, which average $4,500 per pair. But what drives the price differences within the OTC category? Broadly, we see three pricing tiers:

  1. Budget-Friendly Options ($100–$500)
    Most hearing aids in this range do not meet our quality standards. We’ve tested dozens, and many are uncomfortable to wear or simply ineffective. Reviews on platforms like Amazon and Best Buy echo these concerns. However, there are exceptions. After extensive testing, we’ve found the Elehear Beyond at $399 to be a reliable and affordable option.
  2. Mid-Tier Options ($800–$1,000)
    This price range offers the best value for most people. Products like Sony, Sennheiser, and Bose hearing aids deliver high-quality performance at a fraction of the cost of prescription models. These devices are backed by trusted manufacturers and feature technology comparable to what you will find in a clinic. For many, this is the sweet spot for balancing quality and affordability.
  3. Premium Options ($1,500–$2,000)
    At the higher end, brands like Jabra Enhance Select and Eargo justify their price with added features. Jabra, for instance, includes professional programming before your devices are shipped, while Eargo invests heavily in R&D to create nearly invisible hearing aids. These products cater to those seeking extra convenience or cutting-edge design.

While prices vary widely, the $1,000 range is where most people find the right balance of cost and quality. If you’re considering an OTC hearing aid, this guide will help you identify the best option for your needs and budget.

Hearing aid pricing matrix.

Final Thoughts

We hope you've found this guide useful in your search for the right pair of hearing aids (and the right care model). You might also enjoy our beginners guide to hearing aids where we cover everything from style to technology level and more.

If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out at hello@soundly.com.

Frequently asked questions

We've tested dozens of hearing aids, and typically find that the break-point for quality is around $700 / pair. Most products under that price are not meaningfully helpful or have major issues with background noise. If you have a common hearing loss in the mild-moderate range, an OTC product from Bose or Sony could be a great option (many people swear by these brands). If you want a more affordable device with prescription programming, we suggest Jabra Enhance Select

These hearing aids aren't perfect, but they give you maybe 80% of the benefit for 25%-50% of the cost.  

Good hearing aids are a significant investment, and prices can vary widely based on the brand and model of care. 

Prescription devices purchased at a local office are typically the most expensive because they often include 2-3 years of bundled service and follow-up appointments. Your purchase includes overhead and time. Most prescription hearing aids come with three years of follow-up appointments, cleanings, and support. 

Telehealth options like Jabra Enhance Select still include three years of bundled services but are less expensive because Telehealth overhead is lower. 

OTC devices are the least expensive because they do not involve bundled services. Quality OTC hearing aids come with free customer service but less built-in time from a doctor.

Some insurance policies cover hearing tests, but the majority of policies do not cover hearing aid devices. It's a good idea to call your insurance company to double-check on this. Read our full guide on the topic here.

Original Medicare does not cover hearing aid costs. It does cover hearing tests in many cases. One option is to get a covered hearing test locally and use it to find a good option online for less. Some Medicare Advantage plans do cover hearing aids. Read our full guide on Medicare and hearing aids.

This is an important (and slightly complex) topic. Most prescription hearing aids come in a few different technology levels. The "economy option" typically has fewer bells and whistles, and the premium option has more. In general, "economy options" are still very credible and achieve significant benefits. Read our full guide to technology levels here.

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