Start with a free hearing screener such as hearWHO, and check VA audiology if you are a veteran or Medicaid if your child needs aids. For an OTC pair you buy yourself, Jabra Enhance is our top pick for its 100-day trial, 3-year warranty and remote audiologist care at $1,195 to $1,995; MDHearing is the best budget pick from $197 with a 60-day trial, and Audien starts lowest at $98. Choose by confirming your loss is mild to moderate, then comparing the trial length, what is refunded and the written warranty.
Since October 2022, adults with mild to moderate hearing loss can buy hearing aids online or in stores without seeing an audiologist. Prices now start under $100 a pair, but return windows, warranties and support vary a lot from brand to brand.
We compared seven OTC brands we review on price, trial length, warranty and app features, using each company's own site. We left out brands that are closing or no longer selling OTC aids.
Below you will find free options to check first, our picks with their weak spots, what the FDA rule means and the signs you should see an audiologist or doctor instead.
Free and low-cost hearing help to check first
Before you spend money, check whether a free test or a public program covers you.
- Free screening. The World Health Organization’s hearWHO app is a free digits-in-noise hearing screener you can repeat over time.
- Veterans. VA audiology offers diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings and telehealth follow-ups for enrolled veterans. Ask your VA clinic about hearing aid eligibility.
- Children and young adults. For eligible children and young adults 21 and under, Medicaid pays for diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, including hearing aids, under the EPSDT benefit.
- Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans add hearing benefits. Call your plan and ask about the allowance and which sellers you must use.
- HSA and FSA. The IRS lets you count hearing aids, batteries, repairs and maintenance as medical expenses.
What the FDA OTC hearing aid rule means for you
The FDA’s over-the-counter hearing aid rule took effect on October 17, 2022. It lets adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss buy hearing aids in stores or online with no exam, prescription or fitting appointment.
- Output limits. OTC aids are limited in how loud they can get, so they may not be enough for severe or profound loss.
- Labeling. Look for the words “OTC hearing aid” on the box. The FDA says phrases like “FDA registered” or “FDA certified” on packaging may be misleading.
- Warranties. The FDA does not require OTC sellers to offer a warranty, so read the return and warranty terms before you order.
- Not the same as amplifiers. Personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) are for people with normal hearing who want sounds louder in places like hunting or birdwatching. They are not medical devices for hearing loss.
NIDCD says only about one in four adults who could benefit from hearing aids has ever used them, which is the gap the OTC category was meant to close.
When to see an audiologist or doctor instead
OTC aids are not right for everyone. The FDA and NIDCD say to see a professional if:
- You cannot hear speech even in a quiet room
- You do not hear loud sounds, like traffic or appliances, well
- You are under 18
See a doctor first, ideally an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT), if you have any of these:
- Sudden hearing loss or hearing that changed in the past 6 months
- Hearing that gets worse, then better again
- Hearing loss or ringing in only one ear
- Blood, pus or fluid from the ear, or ear pain
- Dizziness or vertigo with hearing loss
- A lot of earwax or something stuck in the ear
- An ear that is misshapen from birth or injury
A hearing test from an audiologist also helps if you buy OTC. Some brands, like Jabra Enhance, can program aids from your audiogram.
How much OTC hearing aids cost
Among our picks, OTC pairs ran from $98 to $1,995, as listed October 2026. Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids or fitting exams, so most buyers pay out of pocket or with HSA or FSA funds.
| Tier |
Price per pair |
What you usually get |
| Basic (Audien, Soundbright Mini) |
$98 to $149 |
Preset sound, one button, 45-day return window |
| App-connected budget (Elehear, Soundbright, Cearvol, MDHearing, Otofonix) |
$199 to $799 |
App control, Bluetooth on some models, 45 to 60 day returns, 1-year warranty where published |
| OTC with audiology (Jabra Enhance) |
$1,195 to $1,995 |
Remote audiologist care for 3 years, 100-day trial, 3-year warranty with loss and damage |
Many budget brands show a high list price next to a sale price. Compare the price you would actually pay, and check whether shipping and accessories are refunded if you return the aids.
How to choose an OTC hearing aid
- Check your hearing first. Use a free screener, or get an audiogram if you can. Rule out the red-flag symptoms above.
- Decide how much adjustment you need. One-button aids suit quiet rooms and TV. App control helps in restaurants and groups.
- Compare the trial. Your brain needs time to adjust. Look for at least 45 days; MDHearing offers 60 and Jabra Enhance 100.
- Read what is refunded. MDHearing keeps original shipping and accessories, Cearvol deducts shipping fees, and Audien requires a consult before a return.
- Get the warranty in writing. Terms ranged from not published to 3 years with loss and damage coverage.
- Check the company is still operating. Lexie and Eargo are ending support in October 2026, and Sony’s OTC aids were discontinued.
Red flags when buying OTC hearing aids
- “FDA registered” claims. The FDA says this kind of packaging language may be misleading. Registration is not approval.
- Sound amplifiers sold as hearing aids. PSAPs are for normal hearing, not hearing loss.
- Conflicting return terms. If an ad and the written policy disagree, the written policy usually controls. Save a copy before you buy.
- Strict warranty conditions. Some warranties are voided by moisture, wax build-up or skipped maintenance.
- Brands winding down. When a company closes, apps and warranty service can end. Pay by credit card for added dispute rights.
If an OTC hearing aid injures you or does not work as it should, you can report it to the FDA through MedWatch.
Terms to know
- OTC hearing aid
- A hearing aid adults with perceived mild to moderate loss can buy without an exam, prescription or fitting.
- Prescription hearing aid
- Any hearing aid that is not OTC, sold through a licensed professional for any age or degree of loss.
- PSAP
- A personal sound amplification product for people with normal hearing; not a medical device for hearing loss.
- Audiogram
- A chart from a hearing test showing how well you hear different pitches.
- Self-fitting
- An aid you set up and adjust yourself, usually through a phone app.
- EPSDT
- Medicaid's benefit for children and young adults 21 and under that covers hearing loss treatment, including hearing aids.
