Beltone vs. Miracle-Ear hearing aids

Who makes them, and the pending merger

Beltone was founded in Chicago in 1940 and is made by GN Hearing, part of Denmark’s GN Store Nord and the maker of ReSound. Beltone hearing aids share GN’s core technology, and the newest line, Illuminate, launched in the U.S. in August 2026.

Miracle-Ear was founded in Minneapolis in 1948. Italy’s Amplifon, one of the world’s largest hearing care retailers, bought it in 1999, and Miracle-Ear’s corporate BBB profile lists Amplifon’s chief executive as its leader.

The two may soon share a parent. On March 16, 2026, GN agreed to sell its hearing business, including Beltone and ReSound, to Amplifon for about $2.5 billion (DKK 17.0 billion). GN’s second quarter report said the deal was still expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Neither company has said what will change for Beltone stores or customers.

For now, they are separate networks with separate pricing, warranties and care programs. If you buy before the deal closes, keep a copy of your warranty and care terms, since those are the promises your store has to honor.

Price: what to expect

Neither chain publishes prices for its own models. You get a price after a hearing test at a store, and it usually bundles the devices, fitting and follow-up care.

Beltone’s own cost guide lists general ranges per device: basic aids $1,000 to $2,000, mid-range $2,000 to $3,000 and premium $3,000 to $4,000 or more. A pair costs about twice that.

Miracle-Ear’s cost page says its models range from $1,000 to $8,000 a pair and that the average hearing aid price falls between $1,000 and $10,000 a pair. It works that out to about $1 to $7 a day over a three to five year life.

Both offer financing through partners, and Miracle-Ear lists CareCredit and Wells Fargo Health Advantage. Both accept insurance, and Miracle-Ear notes that FSA and HSA funds can be used. One catch on each side: Beltone’s Belcare program applies only to private-pay purchases, and Miracle-Ear says its lifetime aftercare is not included when you buy with some insurance benefits.

To compare fairly, ask both stores for a written quote naming the model, its technology tier, what follow-up care is included and the price per ear. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans and VA benefits do.

Trial, warranty and care

This is where the two differ most.

Beltone gives you 30 days from receipt to return aids in original condition for a refund, minus any professional service, deposit or restocking fees, or longer if your state requires it. It includes a 1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty and 1 year of lost, stolen and damaged coverage with a deductible, with extended plans for sale. Its hearing loss protection gives you a more powerful aid at no charge if your hearing measurably worsens within 2 years.

Miracle-Ear advertises a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a 3-year limited warranty plus 3 years of loss and damage protection on almost all of its hearing aids. It says details are at the store or on its warranty page.

Both offer free ongoing care. Beltone’s Belcare covers annual hearing consultations, inspections and cleanings for the life of the aids. Miracle-Ear’s lifetime aftercare covers cleanings, adjustments, minor repairs and free annual hearing evaluations at any of its locations.

Because many stores in both networks are locally owned, confirm the return fees and warranty terms in writing at the store you use.

Reviews and complaints

Public ratings say more about individual stores than about either brand, because most Beltone and Miracle-Ear locations are independently owned and have their own BBB and Google profiles.

At the corporate level, Beltone Corporation in Chicago holds an A+ from the BBB, is not accredited, and shows 9 complaints in the last three years. Miracle-Ear, Inc. in Minneapolis is listed as not rated and not accredited, with 107 complaints in three years and 45 customer reviews.

Beltone’s Trustpilot page has only 9 reviews, too few to read much into. Beltone says its locations have more than 101,000 five-star Google reviews nationwide, a figure we could not check independently.

The companion apps rate similarly: Beltone HearMax has 4.7 out of 5 from about 21,000 App Store ratings, and the Miracle-Ear App has 4.6 from about 21,000.

Before you buy, read the reviews for the specific store you will use, ask who will do your follow-up visits and whether they are a licensed audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist, and ask how long the store has been open.