FDA Ruling · August 2022

The FDA Changed Everything in 2022. Here's What It Means For You.

For the first time, adults with mild to moderate hearing loss can buy a hearing aid at a store or online — no audiologist visit, no prescription, no $4,000 fitting fee. But not every OTC aid is the same, and they are not right for everyone.

What We Cover

Every guide is written for real people — not audiologists. Plain language. Honest tradeoffs. No sponsored rankings.

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Best OTC Hearing Aids

Four top picks for 2024: Sony CRE-10, Jabra Enhance Plus, Lexie B2 Plus, and Eargo 7. Honest pros, cons, and who each one is really for.

Essential Read

Mild vs Moderate Loss Guide

OTC aids work best for mild to moderate loss. Here is how to know where your loss falls and which product tier makes sense.

Must Know

OTC vs Prescription Hearing Aids

OTC is cheaper and easier to get. But it is not right for everyone. This guide tells you exactly when OTC wins and when it does not.

Quick Reference

Brands Compared

Sony, Jabra, Lexie, Eargo, Audien, and more — compared on price, form factor, app quality, return policy, and warranty.

Three Things Most People Get Wrong

The OTC market is new. The marketing is confusing. Here is what audiologists and early buyers report.

OTC does not mean low quality

The FDA's 2022 ruling removed the audiologist requirement for mild to moderate loss. The devices themselves use the same digital signal processing as many prescription aids. Sony, Jabra, and Eargo make serious hardware.

OTC is NOT for severe hearing loss

This is the most important thing to get right. If you have moderate-severe or severe loss, OTC aids will underperform. You need a prescription device fitted by an audiologist. Buying the wrong tier is the most common mistake.

The fitting process is different, not absent

Prescription aids are fitted by a professional. OTC aids use smartphone apps with guided hearing tests. The Lexie B2 Plus and Jabra Enhance Plus do this well. The DIY process works — but only if you follow it.

Why Trust HearingAidOTC?

FDA Ruling Context

Every review is framed around the 2022 deregulation. We explain what changed, what did not, and what it means for your purchase.

Loss Level Matching

We match products to loss levels honestly. We tell you when a product is a bad fit — even if it is popular.

No Paid Placements

Rankings come from specs, verified buyer reports, and audiology community feedback. No brand pays for position.

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