Best Hearing Aids in 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Audiologists

Our Experience With Jabra Enhance

Tested by: Corey Whelan

We tested the Enhance Select 300 model with a Premium package. We were impressed with the Jabra Enhance Audiology Team and the mobile app’s on-demand care and adjustments.

We made a Zoom appointment with Dr. Dena Franciotti, Au.D., from the Audiology Team to set up our devices. Dr. Franciotti asked us to put on the hearing aids so she could evaluate the fit. We found that the devices fit very comfortably.

The only drawback is that there is no in-person assistance available. When we tried to change out the wires on our hearing aids per Dr. Franciotti’s recommendation, we realized the process could be challenging for those with dexterity issues or shaking hands. Prescription hearing aids like Phonak and ReSound have a major leg up on OTC brands here, as they offer in-person support and adjustments.

» Related Reading: Jabra Enhance review

We put on our hearing aids for a walk and noticed that the sound quality on a busy city street was very clear and natural. There was no whiny feedback noise or humming sounds. We could quickly change the program using a button on the hearing aids or in the mobile app. We appreciate this useful mobile app, as some OTC providers like MDHearing don’t offer a companion app for their current models.

Making adjustments using the Jabra Enhance mobile app

Jabra Enhance is for you if you:

• Have mild to moderate hearing loss
• Are looking for a BTE hearing aid
• Are comfortable using a mobile app to make adjustments
• Want virtual follow-up care with audiologists

Jabra Enhance is not for you if you:

• Have severe to profound hearing loss
• Would prefer in-person support and adjustments
• Want more discrete in-ear hearing aids
• Don’t have a smartphone

Pricing

• Enhance Select 50R: $995-$1,195 per pair
• Enhance Select 300: $1,495-$1,695 per pair
• Enhance Select 500: $1,795-$1,995 per pair

Jabra Enhance hearing aids cost $995 to $1,995 per pair. All models are available in a Basic and Premium package. The Premium package costs $200 more than the Basic option. It comes with three years of follow-up care and loss and damage protection. Premium devices are custom-programmed to your individual hearing needs, while Basic packages come preprogrammed. We believe the support and customization of the Premium package is worth the extra $200.

When compared to leading providers like Phonak and Resound that require in-person purchases and follow-up care, these prices are very affordable. There are a few cheaper OTC providers, including MDHearing, which has prices starting at $297 per pair. However, Jabra Enhance’s quality, follow-up care, and mobile app are well worth the cost.

The Verdict From an Audiologist

Dr. Reisman’s favorite model: The Jabra Enhance Select 500 Premium package

Why she picked it: These devices offer the highest level of technology and professional support, which means patients are more likely to be successful in their hearing journey.

“Jabra Enhance devices provide an array of benefits, including tinnitus management and hearing loss treatment. With superior sound quality, seamless connectivity, innovative design, advanced noise cancellation, and versatile applications, Jabra consistently delivers exceptional audio solutions that enhance productivity, entertainment, and communication clarity.

It can also be a great solution for someone who is independently tech-savvy and wants an affordable and flexible solution to manage their hearing loss and tinnitus. However, those who require additional support may need to consider alternate options since the hearing aids are locked and cannot be programmed by an alternate professional.” — Dr. Reisman

Our Experience With Eargo

Tested by: Sarah Goldy-Brown

We tested out the Eargo 6 and Eargo 7. The first thing we noticed when wearing both devices was that they felt uncomfortable, even a bit painful, in our small ears. While Eargo devices come with a few different petal sizes to accommodate different ear shapes, the company does note that its devices aren’t right for everyone’s ear shape.

» Related Reading: Eargo 6 review and Eargo 7 review

However, one of our testers had her mom try out Eargo’s devices, and she didn’t experience any pain. They fit like a glove! Luckily, Eargo offers a free fit-and-feel sample, which includes a nonfunctioning replica of its hearing aids to test out.

Eargo's hearing aids are nearly invisible.

Unlike MDHearing, Eargo has a mobile app for adjusting and fine-tuning your hearing aid. The mobile app has Sound Match, an in-depth hearing assessment that adjusts your hearing aid settings to fit your individual hearing loss. We found the sound quality was much better after using Sound Match. We appreciate this customization, as it isn’t available with all OTC hearing aids.

Temporarily adjusting the noise filter in the Eargo app

Eargo is for you if you:

• Have mild to moderate hearing loss
• Are looking for discreet hearing aids
• Are comfortable using smartphone to adjust settings
• Have wiggle room in your budget

Eargo is not for you if:

• You have very small or uniquely shaped ears
• Want BTE hearing aids
• Don’t have a smartphone
• Have severe to profound hearing loss

Pricing

• LINK by Eargo: $799
• Eargo SE: $1,650
• Eargo 6: $2,250
• Eargo 7: $2,950

Eargo’s prices range from $799 per pair to $2,950 per pair. These starting prices are comparable to Jabra Enhance, but they are around $500 more than MDHearing’s cheapest models. On the other hand, Eargo’s prices for premium products, like the Eargo 7, are much higher than similar options from other OTC brands.

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The Verdict From an Audiologist

Dr. Reisman’s favorite model: Eargo 7

Why she picked it: This model offers an extended two-year warranty, enhanced clarity, and moisture resistance, which is a necessity with a CIC device.

“Eargo hearing aids are certainly an innovation in the hearing aid arena. Its unique design, features, and customer service model have allowed for true evolution in the fitting of direct-to-consumer hearing aids. Just like most devices for those who are candidates, it seems performance and satisfaction are very high for Eargo hearing aids. However, those who are not ideal candidates still tend to struggle. If discretion is very important to you, Eargo hearing aids are certainly worth a try.” — Dr. Reisman

Dr. Reisman highly recommends a medical evaluation before fully inserting CIC devices into the ear.

Our Experience With Phonak

Tested by: Dr. Reisman and Dr. Ingrao

Our resident audiologists, Dr. Reisman and Dr. Brad Ingrao, have been prescribing Phonak hearing aids for decades. In fact, Dr. Ingrao estimates that he fits at least 75 percent of his patients with Phonak hearing aids.

The company’s lineup includes powerful BTE hearing aids like the Naída Lumity line, along with unique options like the Lyric, which is a completely invisible, extended-wear device. Another one of our favorite models, the Audéo Lumity, uses AI technology to automatically adjust to your sound environment. Most OTC hearing aids from brands like Jabra Enhance and MDHearing require you to manually adjust your hearing aid program, and they have a limited number of programs. This makes the Audéo Lumity very versatile and advanced. Plus, it requires fewer manual adjustments.

» Related Reading: Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss

Another one of our favorite models, the Audéo Lumity, uses AI technology to automatically identify and adjust to your sound environment, no matter where you are. Most OTC hearing aids from brands like Jabra Enhance and MDHearing require you to manually adjust your hearing aid program when you enter a different sound environment, and they have a limited number of programs. This makes the Audéo Lumity very versatile and advanced. Plus, it requires fewer manual adjustments.

» Related Reading: Best hearing aids for severe hearing loss

Just remember: Phonak hearing aids must be prescribed, so you can’t purchase them online. You’ll need to visit a hearing care professional in person for a hearing assessment and fitting. This may be a hassle for some older adults, but these in-person visits allow for a much higher level of customization. Hearing professionals have specialized equipment they use to test and adjust hearing aids, which you can see in Dr. Reisman’s photo below.

Dr. Reisman uses Verifit equipment to test Phonak hearing aids and ensure the best experience for her patients

Phonak is for you if you:

• Have severe to profound hearing loss
• Want advanced hearing aids
• Would like in-person support from an audiologist

Phonak is not for you if you:

• Don’t want to purchase hearing aids in person
• Are on a tight budget
• Have mild hearing loss and just want a simple hearing aid

Pricing

Similar to other prescription hearing aids, Phonak does not list its prices online. This is one of the potential drawbacks of medical-grade hearing aids. To get pricing information, you’ll need to visit a local hearing care provider that sells Phonak devices. Prices are not standard and will vary by location.

Dr. Reisman estimates that Phonak hearing aids cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,750 per ear on average. These prices are typical for prescription hearing aids, but they are much higher than OTC hearing aids. For example, Jabra Enhance’s most expensive model, the Enhance Select 500, costs $1,995 per pair, while Phonak hearing aids could cost even more than that per ear. However, Phonak hearing aids, along with other prescription brands, are more advanced, can be better customized to your hearing loss, and are suitable for severe to profound hearing loss.

» Also Check Out: Best hearing aids for single-sided hearing loss

The Verdict From an Audiologist

Dr. Reisman’s favorite model: Phonak Naida Lumity BTE

Why she picked it: This model offers great support and audibility for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss.

“These devices are often the only option for individuals with very significant hearing loss. Not only is there sufficient gain, but it also has all the advanced options of other Phonak hearing aids, including Bluetooth, hands-free calls, and Roger wireless microphone compatibility for supporting seamless communication in all environments. For individuals with severe losses, this can significantly improve their quality of life.” — Dr. Reisman

» Learn More: Best Bluetooth hearing aids of 2024

Our Experience With MDHearing

Tested by: Corey Whelan

We tested out MDHearing’s NEO XS, which is an in-ear model designed for more discretion than its two BTE models. When we first placed the devices in our ears, we experienced some whistling in one ear, but that went away completely once it was fully inserted. We have small ear canals and were surprised by how much of the hearing aid stuck out, since it is designed to be more discreet. After speaking with customer service, we tried smaller-sized domes. We struggled to get the domes off and on, even after Stephanie provided advice.

Testing out the Neo XS from MDHearing

Again, this is a drawback with OTC hearing aids. There’s no in-person support, so you have to figure things out on your own. Luckily, after a few tries, we were able to get the smaller domes on. We found that sound was clear and crisp across all channels.

Expert Insights

From Audiologist Dr. Ruth Reisman,

Sound quality can change depending on the ear dome used. If you feel you would like to retain more sound- and noise-management benefits, you may want to try more closed domes.

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We wish that MDHearing had a mobile app for remote adjustments, similar to Jabra Enhance. An app can make changing hearing aid settings easier for those with dexterity issues like arthritis. However, we found that the settings were simple to adjust using the device’s buttons.

MDHearing is for you if you:

• Have mild to moderate hearing loss
• Want lifetime support
• Are on a tight budget
• Want simple hearing aids without bells and whistles

MDHearing is not for you if you:

• Have severe to profound hearing loss
• Want a mobile app for remote adjustments and follow-up care
• Are looking for high-tech features

Pricing

• AIR: $297 per pair
• NEO: $297 per pair
• VOLT: $397 per pair
• NEO XS: $397 per pair

MDHearing’s four models are always on sale, with prices ranging from $297 to $397 per pair. That makes them the cheapest option on our list. Though the company lists higher “standard” prices before discounts, we’ve never actually found a time when the devices weren’t on sale.

» Related Reading: Hearing aid cost guide

These starting prices are around $700 less than Jabra Enhance’s starting prices for a Basic package. Just keep in mind that MDHearing keeps things very simple. It doesn’t offer a companion mobile app for adjustments and follow-up care like Jabra Enhance does. While it advertises lifetime support, this is mostly over the phone or email. Still, if you want to keep things simple and affordable, MDHearing is a great choice.

The Verdict From an Audiologist

Dr. Reisman’s favorite model: MDHearing VOLT

Why she picked it: A few of Dr. Ruth’s patients have reported success and improved hearing with these devices.

“Patients report that this model is easy to set up and get started, but they cannot get support readily, especially if they are outside of the U.S. If the volume feels too loud or you're experiencing feedback with your MDHearing devices, this may be due to overamplification. Reducing the volume with the manual buttons may relieve both issues and help preserve your residual hearing.” — Dr. Reisman

Our Experience With ReSound

Tested by: Dr. Reisman and Dr. Ingrao

Our audiologists often recommend ReSound hearing aids to their patients. Dr. Ingrao says that ReSound is one of his go-to brands. He often recommends the brand for those who want Android- or iPhone-compatible hearing aids or accessories to enhance hearing aids, including remote microphones and media streamers. ReSound has several styles of hearing aids, including a variety of BTE, ITE, and custom models.

Similar to Phonak, ReSound has advanced features that OTC brands like Jabra Enhance don’t offer. For instance, the inclusion of a third microphone on select models, like Nexia, enhances natural sound quality. ReSound’s technology also reduces listening effort in areas with lots of background noise. These hearing aids can be customized to your unique hearing loss. In the image below, you can see Dr. Reisman testing and fine-tuning a pair of ReSound hearing aids.

Testing and fine-tuning ReSound hearing aids

ReSound is for you if you:

• Have severe to profound hearing loss
• Want a bimodal solution with cochlear implants
• Want powerful rechargeable hearing aids
• Want best-in-class Bluetooth connectivity
• Are looking for advanced telehealth support

ReSound is not for you if you:

• Are on a tight budget
• Don’t need smartphone-compatible devices
• Just want a pair of basic hearing aids

Pricing

Similar to Phonak, ReSound doesn’t list its prices online. Prices will vary based on location and the hearing aid you choose. Dr. Reisman estimates that ReSound hearing aids cost $1,000 to $3,750 per ear, placing them in the same ballpark as Phonak.

Again, there are budget-friendly OTC options that are a few thousand dollars cheaper than Phonak’s, including MDHearing and Eargo. However, OTC hearing aids aren’t suitable for severe to profound hearing loss, and they don’t offer the same level of customization or advanced features that prescription devices like ReSound do.

» Related Reading: Best cheap hearing aids

The Verdict From an Audiologist

Dr. Reisman’s favorite model: ReSound Nexia, rechargeable receiver-in-canal

Why she picked it: This is one of ReSound’s newest models that offers many advantages for those with hearing loss, including a third microphone in the ear to enhance natural sound quality, better hearing in noisy environments, and enhanced connectivity options with Auracast.

“ReSound is a great device, particularly for patients with a cochlear implant in the opposite ear. Its connectivity options for Android devices, for Apple devices, and in various public places are the most expansive of all hearing aid technology.” — Dr. Reisman

Our Experience With Signia

Tested by: Dr. Reisman and Dr. Ingrao

Both Dr. Reisman and Dr. Ingrao have years of experience prescribing Signia hearing aids, and they agree that it offers some of the best all-around options for people who struggle with hearing loss and tinnitus. Signia’s Integrated Xperience (IX) product line features enhanced adaptability for conversations, ensuring that sound levels stay consistent, even as people move around or turn their heads as they speak. This can make it much easier for seniors with hearing loss to stay engaged and socially connected in group settings. This is the kind of advanced feature you simply can’t get with an OTC hearing aid from providers like Jabra Enhance or MDHearing.

The Silk Charge&Go IX is Dr. Reisman’s top pick from Signia, and Dr. Ingrao agrees that the instant-fit domes are a huge plus for seniors who want a CIC model but don’t want to wait weeks just to get the perfect fit. And since the Silk Charge&Go IX is rechargeable, it’s great for seniors who just want to wear their hearing aids during the day and put them to charge at night.

Wearing Signia Styletto hearing aids

Signia is for you if you:

• Suffer from tinnitus
• Don’t mind paying more for advanced features
• Want a mobile app for on-the-go adjustments
• Have any level of hearing loss
• Want rechargeable hearing aids

Signia is not for you if you: 

• Are shopping on a budget
• Don’t want to see an audiologist in person
• Are just looking for something basic

Pricing

Signia is a prescription hearing aid brand that doesn’t advertise prices online. Instead, you’ll need to make a consultation with an audiologist to learn about the company’s prices, and the exact costs may vary based on your location. Dr. Reisman estimates that Signia hearing aids cost $1,000 to $3,750 per ear, which is similar to providers like Phonak and ReSound.

If budget is your top concern, you might be better off with an OTC brand like MDHearing. However, keep in mind that you won’t get the same selection of modern styles and advanced hearing technology.

The Verdict From an Audiologist

Dr. Reisman’s favorite model: Signia Silk Charge&Go IX

Why she picked it: The Silk is a highly successful instant-fit invisible-in-the-canal hearing aid with all the features of an advanced hearing aid that is now rechargeable. Patients love this device because of the cosmetic appeal and the sound quality.

“Signia is one of my favorite hearing aid brands due to their innovative styles, the tools they offer to patients for hearing loss and tinnitus, and the ability to control the hearing aid microphones, which is ideal for my patient base of individuals with auditory processing disorders and normal hearing.” — Dr. Reisman