Best hearing aids for seniors in 2024, according to experts and testers

Cost: $1,595-$1,795 | Covered by Insurance: Reimbursement available | FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes | Type of hearing aid: Receiver in canal (RIC) | Battery Type: Rechargeable | Remote/App customization: Yes

Jabra Enhance offers four OTC hearing aids, but the Select 300 stands out thanks to its discreet design and impressive sound quality.

Available in five different colors (Sparkling Silver, Warm Grey, Champagne, Gold and Bronze), the Select 300 is incredibly small and discreet. Described by the company as a “mini,” it’s smaller than a paperclip and has a slim, nearly invisible design. It’s a receiver-in-canal (RIC) style hearing aid, meaning the hearing aid is worn behind the ear with the microphone attached to a nearly invisible wire that allows it to be discreetly hidden in the canopy of the ear.

In terms of sound quality, Jabra Enhance is the best you can get without a prescription. Using advanced technology, the Select 300 is designed to prioritize speech and reduce background noise to help you hear one-on-one conversations better, even in a noisy environment. On top of that, it has Bluetooth capabilities, including hands-free calling and music streaming. It’s worth noting that the hands-free calling feature only works for iOS users with an iPhone 11 or newer. In addition, some Android users might require an extra accessory for Bluetooth features.

There are two Select 300 options to choose from: premium, which costs $1,795, or basic, which costs $1,595. The premium package offers a three-year warranty as well as three years of follow-up care and remote adjustments from the audiology team. The premium package also offers a fully customizable hearing aid, whereas the basic package is pre-programmed with three hearing profiles to choose from.

Cost: $4,000 – $6,000 | Covered by Insurance: Depends on the provider | FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes | Type of hearing aid: Receiver in canal (RIC) or Behind the ear (BTE) | Battery Type: Disposable and Rechargeable | Remote/App customization: Yes

Oticon is one of the top hearing aid companies in the world thanks to its cutting-edge technology, innovative research and dedication to sound quality. The Oticon Real is designed to support the way your brain naturally interprets sound. It has an on-board Deep Neural Network (DNN) – a form of machine learning – that was trained using 12 million real-life sounds. The end result is a hearing aid with a more natural, open sound experience. Building on previous models, the Real offers two new features for an even better hearing experience:

- Sudden Sound Stabilizer – reduces the sound of both soft and loud sudden noises to reduce disruptions

- Wind and Handling Stabilizer – minimizes distracting noises that come from handling hearing aids (such as your hair or glasses touching them) and wind

The Oticon Real is an over-the-ear hearing aid that comes in two styles: behind-the-ear (BTE) with the receiver in canal (RIC) or behind-the-ear where the hearing aid hooks over the top of your ear and rests behind it with the microphone attached to the hearing aid. This style does not have a wire that fits in your ear canal. RIC devices are generally considered more powerful and work best for those with more severe to profound hearing loss.

The hearing aids come in nine colors to choose from: Chroma Grey, Steel Grey, Grey Silver, Silver, Chestnut Brown, Olive Green, Hear Pink, Diamond Black and Terracotta.

There are a total of four different styles and battery combinations available:

- Rechargeable BTE

- Rechargeable RIC

- Disposable battery BTE

- Disposable battery RIC

Each model is available in three performance levels (1, 2 or 3) which offer a different level of sound processing.

Rechargeable versions come with either a desktop charger or a portable SmartCharger. Either way, you’ll get about 24 hours of power on a single charge.

Cost: $2,550 | Availability: Over-the-counter | Covered by Insurance: Yes | FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes | Type of hearing aid: Completely-in-canal (CIC) | Battery Type: Rechargeable | Remote/App customization: Yes

Eargo offers high-quality, over-the-counter hearing aids best suited for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

The brand's latest model, the Eargo 7, is a nearly invisible, completely-in-canal hearing aid with self-fitting technology. Although they’re pricier than other OTC brands, Eargo has a prescription-level sound quality. It uses a feature called Sound Adjust+ that automatically adjusts to your environment, reduces unnecessary background noise and helps you hear speech more clearly.

The Eargo 7 also offers lifetime support from hearing professionals. Customer care is available six days a week, from Monday to Saturday.

Cost: $999 | Availability: Over-the-counter | Covered by Insurance: No | FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes | Type of hearing aid: Receiver in canal (RIC) | Battery Type: Rechargeable | Remote/App customization: Yes

We chose the Lexie B2 Plus hearing aid by Bose as our pick for best customer service, thanks to the brand’s lifetime support policy. The Lexie B2 is available over-the-counter for adults 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss. It’s a self-fitting hearing aid, which means that the settings are programmed for your specific hearing needs using the app. The app also allows you to connect easily to Lexie experts who can offer support via video, chat or phone. While some OTC hearing aid brands give you a set time for free support, Lexie offers ongoing, lifetime support. Customer service is also available seven days a week.

Cost: $3,000 - $6,000 for annual subscription | Availability: Prescription | Covered by Insurance: Depends on provider | FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes | Type of hearing aid: Invisible | Battery Type: None – once battery runs out, a new hearing aid will be inserted by a provider | Remote/App customization: No

If an over-the-ear style like Oticon isn’t your cup of tea, there are other, more discreet options. In the ear (ITE) hearing aids typically come in three forms: low profile (either full or half shell), in the canal (ITC) or completely in the canal (CIC). Then there’s the Phonak Lyric.

Unlike other ITE hearing aids, the Phonak Lyric is 100% invisible. It’s an extended-wear hearing aid that’s placed deep in the ear, near the eardrum, by a trained hearing professional. And unlike other hearing aids, it’s meant to be worn 24/7 for several months at a time. That means you won’t have to worry about charging it, replacing the batteries, or the hassle of daily removal. Instead, when the battery dies, you’ll visit your provider for a replacement.

The Lyric can last up to four months before replacement is necessary, but of course, individual needs can vary. While that means you may need to visit your audiologist more often, the process only takes a few minutes. Rather than paying for each replacement individually, the Lyric is sold on a subscription basis.

There are seven sizes available, ranging from XXS to XXL and subscriptions can be either one or two years in duration. Since it’s worn 24/7, you can shower, exercise and sleep with it. However, it’s worth noting that it's not fully waterproof, so underwater swimming and diving should be avoided.

Cost: $2,500 - $5,500 | Availability: Prescription | Covered by Insurance: Depends on provider | FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes | Type of hearing aid: Receiver in canal (RIC) | Battery Type: Rechargeable | Remote/App customization: Yes

Generally speaking, over-the-ear hearing aids are more powerful than completely-in-the-canal (CIC) options, but they’re also larger and more noticeable. The Styletto AX, though, proves to be a stylish choice. It features an ultra-slim RIC design for a discreet, comfortable fit. On top of the sleek, modern appearance, you can choose from 12 color options.

The Styletto AX uses Signia’s Augmented Experience (AX) platform, which uses a split processing technology to separate speech from background noises to help you hear a conversation better. Other key features include “Own Voice Processing,” which helps improve the sound of your voice as you speak, Auto EchoShield, which helps create cleaner, crisper sounds, and an upgraded eWindScreen to reduce wind sounds.

The Styletto AX is a prescription hearing aid suitable for moderate to severe hearing loss. It’s available in five different performance levels, which offer between 16 and 48 sound processing channels. There is also a Contralateral Routing of Signals (CROS) version for those with single-sided profound hearing loss. Bluetooth is available for both iPhone and Android users, but only iPhone users can take advantage of the hands-free calling feature. Unlike other BTE devices, though, there are no manual controls to adjust volume or sound settings. Instead, adjustments must be made using the Signia app.

Cost: $2,000 - $6,000 | Availability: Prescription | Covered by Insurance: Depends on provider | FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes | Type of hearing aid: Invisible in canal (IIC), Completely in canal (CIC), In the canal (ITC), In the ear (ITC), Receiver in canal (RIC) & Mini receiver in canal (mRIC) | Battery Type: Disposable & Rechargeable

Starkey is the leader when it comes to custom-molded hearing aids, so it’s no wonder the Genesis AI is our top choice for best customizable hearing aid. The Genesis AI is available in eight different styles, including receiver in canal (RIC), in the ear (ITE), completely in canal (CIC) and invisible in canal (IIC) fit options.

RIC – There are three receiver-in-canal models that come in seven colors, four technology levels and can be either rechargeable or disposable battery-operated. All RIC options are Bluetooth-enabled. One of the RIC models also offers CROS for single-sided hearing loss.

ITE – There are two in-the-ear models that come in six colors and four technology levels. These options are rechargeable, waterproof and Bluetooth-enabled.

CIC – There are two completely in-canal models that come in six colors and four technology levels. The CIC models use a disposable battery and can be either Bluetooth-enabled or non-wireless.

IIC – The invisible-in-canal model is the most limited version. It has a disposable battery, no wireless capabilities and is available in five colors and four technology levels.

The Genesis AI also offers a ton of innovative features. “These hearing aids were completely reimagined from the inside out,” says Dr. Fabry, the Chief Hearing Health Officer at Starkey. Featuring the all-new Neuro Processor, it “mimics the way the human brain functions to address the top drivers of hearing aid performance: natural sound quality, speech intelligibility in the presence of background noise, comfort for loud sounds and the ability to determine the direction of sound.”

Additionally, the Genesis AI was designed with your overall health and well-being in mind, Dr. Fabry explains. “It features onboard sensors that can track physical activity, social engagement and provide fall detection alerts.”

Cost: $2,000 - $4,500 | Availability: Prescription | Covered by Insurance: Depends on provider | FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes | Type of hearing aid: Behind the ear (BTE) | Battery Type: Rechargeable | Remote/App customization: Yes

For those looking for a high-quality, Bluetooth-enabled hearing aid, the Phonak Slim is the best option on the market. It has universal connectivity, meaning you can pair it with any smartphone, tablet or TV. In fact, you can pair it with up to eight devices at a time!

Another major benefit is the true hands-free calling feature. While many hearing aids are more geared towards iOS, the Phonak Slim allows both Android and iPhone users to make hands-free phone calls. The Slim also has onboard tap control. The integrated motion sensor lets you use Bluetooth features by double-tapping on your ear.

Like other Phonak hearing aids, the Slim has strong sound quality, particularly regarding background noise management and speech clarity. It’s only available in one behind-the-ear style, but as far as RICs go, the Slim stands out for its ergonomic design. It has a unique, seven-degree contour that fits the natural shape of your ear, a serious benefit for anyone who wears glasses or uses an oxygen tank.

Cost: $3,000 - $7,000 | Availability: Prescription | Covered by Insurance: Depends on provider | FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes | Type of hearing aid: Behind the ear (BTE), Receiver in canal (RIC) & In the ear (ITE) | Battery Type: Disposable & Rechargeable | Remote/App customization: Yes

Widex is often considered the favorite hearing aid brand among musicians, which makes sense considering that it has the fastest processing time of any hearing aid company. Faster processing speed equals higher sound quality. That’s why the Widex Moment is our pick for the best hearing aid for sound quality.

The Widex Moment is a prescription hearing aid that uses ZeroDelay technology to process sound in .5 milliseconds. For comparison, most high-quality hearing aids have a processing speed of between 5 and 8 milliseconds. The end result is a smoother, more natural sound experience. One reviewer noted the “uncanny clarity” of the hearing aids, saying, “I could hear upper registers more clearly and crisply.”

Other key features include Bluetooth capability, hands-free calling for iPhone users, and an easy-to-use app with a “find my hearing aid” feature. There are nine models to choose from with BTE, RIC and ITE styles. The BTE and RIC models come in 13 colors, including Shocking Pink, Mediterranean Turquoise and Sporty Red.