Updated April 2024
Best OTC Hearing Aids of 2024
In August 2022, the FDA created a new category of hearing aid you can buy without a prescription, an audiologist visit, or a $4,000 fitting fee. The category is real. But not every product is worth buying, and OTC aids are not right for everyone. This guide covers the four best options and tells you honestly who should buy each one.
The 2022 FDA Ruling — What Actually Changed
Before 2022, federal law required a prescription from a licensed audiologist to buy a hearing aid. That changed on August 16, 2022. The FDA created an OTC hearing aid category for adults 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss.
OTC aids still need to meet FDA safety and performance standards — they are not unregulated gadgets. But the professional gatekeeper is gone for the mild-to-moderate population. That is roughly 30 million Americans.
Who OTC Hearing Aids Are For
OTC aids are designed for adults who struggle in specific situations but can still hear reasonably well in quiet environments. Common signs you are a good candidate:
- You often ask people to repeat themselves in noisy rooms
- Phone calls and TV are harder to follow than they used to be
- You hear fine one-on-one but struggle in groups
- Your loss has been stable for more than a year
- A hearing test showed mild to moderate loss (20–55 dB HL)
Who Should Still See an Audiologist
Do not buy an OTC aid if any of these apply to you:
- Your loss is moderate-severe, severe, or profound
- Your hearing loss came on suddenly (see a doctor the same day)
- You have pain, pressure, drainage, or ringing in one ear
- Your loss is significantly worse in one ear than the other
- You are under 18 years old
Audiologists agree: using an OTC aid when you need a prescription device does not just underperform — it can delay diagnosis of conditions that need medical treatment.
Top 4 OTC Hearing Aids
Sony CRE-10
$1,299/pair · In-canal (ITE)
Battery
Rechargeable
App
Sony Hearing Control
Returns
30 days (Amazon)
Style
In-canal (ITE)
Pros
- Sony audio heritage — clean, natural sound profile
- In-canal fit is discreet and comfortable all day
- App-based hearing test sets the aid to your loss
- Bluetooth streaming from iPhone and Android
Cons
- Does not work well for loss above 35 dB HL
- App requires a current-generation smartphone
- No telecoil (T-coil) for loop systems
Verdict
The CRE-10 is the benchmark OTC aid in 2024. Sony got the sound tuning right. Most buyers with mild loss report it sounds natural within a week of adjustment. The price is high for OTC but justified by build quality and the brand's audio engineering background.
Jabra Enhance Plus
$799/pair · True wireless earbud (ITE)
Battery
Rechargeable with case
App
Jabra Enhance
Returns
100 days (direct)
Style
True wireless earbud (ITE)
Pros
- Earbud form factor — no stigma, looks like AirPods
- Excellent 100-day return window
- Good background noise reduction for mild loss
- Works as regular Bluetooth earbuds too
Cons
- Limited amplification range — mild loss only
- Earbud fit means some users experience occlusion
- Not appropriate for moderate-to-severe loss
Verdict
The Jabra Enhance Plus is the best entry point for someone with mild loss who is reluctant to wear a traditional hearing aid. It looks like earbuds. Nobody will know. The 100-day trial is one of the most generous in the category. Most buyers report satisfaction for TV and conversation in quiet settings.
Lexie B2 Plus
$999/pair · Behind-the-ear (BTE)
Battery
Rechargeable
App
Lexie Hearing
Returns
45 days (direct)
Style
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
Pros
- Best in-app hearing test of any OTC aid
- Behind-the-ear fit is easiest to insert and remove
- Lexie's support team is highly rated
- Handles mild to moderate loss well
Cons
- BTE style is more visible than in-canal options
- App requires iOS 14+ or Android 8+
- Sound profile is more processed than Sony CRE-10
Verdict
If you have never worn a hearing aid, the Lexie B2 Plus makes the setup process easiest. The app walks you through a real hearing test and applies a fitting profile. The Lexie support team — staffed by hearing care professionals — is available through the app. Most buyers report feeling confident within the first week.
Eargo 7
$1,650/pair · Completely-in-canal (CIC)
Battery
Rechargeable
App
Eargo
Returns
45 days (direct)
Style
Completely-in-canal (CIC)
Pros
- Completely-in-canal fit — nearly invisible when worn
- Sound Adjust+ uses phone microphone to adapt in real time
- Best-in-class discretion for mild to moderate loss
- Premium rechargeable case included
Cons
- Most expensive OTC option by a wide margin
- CIC insertion requires some practice
- Not appropriate for severe or profound loss
Verdict
The Eargo 7 is for the buyer who wants the most discreet option available and is willing to pay for it. The completely-in-canal design sits deep in the ear canal — not visible in most social situations. Audiologists agree: Eargo's CIC execution is excellent for the OTC category. The $1,650 price is steep, but the 45-day trial removes risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hearing test before buying an OTC hearing aid?
You do not need a professional hearing test to buy an OTC aid — that is the point of the 2022 FDA ruling. However, most good OTC aids include an in-app hearing test during setup. You should take it. It calibrates the aid to your specific loss pattern and makes a significant difference in sound quality. If you suspect your loss is moderate-severe or severe, get a professional audiogram before buying anything.
Who should NOT buy an OTC hearing aid?
OTC aids are designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss only. You should see an audiologist instead if your loss is moderate-severe, severe, or profound; if your loss came on suddenly; if you have ear pain, drainage, or dizziness; if your loss is only in one ear; or if you are under 18. OTC aids on these profiles will underperform and may delay appropriate care.
How do OTC hearing aids compare in price to prescription?
Traditional prescription hearing aids cost $2,000 to $7,000 per pair when you include the audiologist fitting. OTC aids range from $300 to $1,650. The savings are real. The tradeoff is that prescription aids offer custom earmolds, professional programming, and ongoing audiologist adjustments — which matter more for severe loss than for mild to moderate loss.
What return policy should I look for?
Aim for 45 days or more. It takes time to adjust to amplification, and you need enough time to test across different listening environments — conversations, restaurants, TV, outdoors. Jabra offers 100 days. Eargo and Lexie offer 45 days. Amazon-purchased aids typically offer 30 days. Avoid any OTC aid with a return window under 30 days.
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