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    What to Know About Jabra, Lexie, Sony, and Other Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Brands

    What support they offer, where you can buy them, how much they cost, and more

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    Jabra, Lexie, and Eargo hearing aids
    We’ve evaluated over-the-counter hearing aids from some of the major brands on the market, including models from Jabra, Lexie, and Eargo.
    Photos: Jabra, Lexie, Eargo

    Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids—intended for people with mild or moderate hearing loss—are easier to buy and often more affordable than traditional hearing aids, but they often don’t come with as much support from audiologists or other hearing professionals. This help in customizing and troubleshooting can play a critical part in how happy you are with your hearing aid. But before you buy a pair, it’s wise to see what type of support brands offer, as well as their return policies, which could vary depending on the retailer.

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    In addition, look for key features such as the level of customization available, whether the hearing aids have rechargeable or replaceable batteries, and whether they have to be connected to a smartphone app (and whether that app is available for your phone). Also pay attention to the price, which is likely to range from about $200 to nearly $3,000 per pair.

    Here, we break down how some of the major over-the-counter hearing aid brands fare in support and features, as well as where you can purchase them.

    In our testing of over-the-counter hearing aids, we evaluated specific products from some of these brands.

    Find the Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid for You

    We tested 10 OTC hearing aids made by Audien, Eargo, Go Hearing, Jabra, Lexie, Lucid, and Sony.

    Eargo

    Eargo offers four OTC models: the Eargo 6, Eargo 7 (see our evaluation), Link by Eargo, and Eargo SE. In a member survey, Eargo OTC hearing aids performed equivalently with our top-rated prescription brands with respect to battery life, durability, and ease of use. However, due to its higher prices, the brand earned a middle-of-the-pack score on value.

    Price per pair: From $799 for Link by Eargo to $2,950 for Eargo 7.

    Where to buy: Eargo, Best Buy

    Preset or self-fitting? Self-fitting.

    Battery type: Rechargeable.

    Return policy: 45 days if purchased from Eargo; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy.

    Customer service: Lifetime phone-based support, including ongoing access to hearing professionals.

    Warranty period: One or two years, depending on the model.

    Connected device: Pairs with an app for iOS or Android.

    Eargo 7 hearing aids
    The Eargo 7 are among the smallest OTC hearing aids we evaluated.

    Photo: Eargo Photo: Eargo

    Go Hearing

    Go Hearing offers three models, all of them rechargeable: the Go Lite (see our evaluation), Go Prime, and Go Ultra. The Go Prime and Go Ultra have preset hearing profiles, while the Go Lite only offers volume control.

    Price per pair: GoLite, $169; GoPrime, $299; Go Ultra, $499.

    Where to buy: Go Hearing, Best Buy, CVS, Walmart

    Preset or self-fitting? Preset. (Go Lite offers volume control only.)

    Battery type: Rechargeable.

    Return policy: 45 days if purchased from Go Hearing; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy, CVS, or Walmart.

    Customer service: Phone-based support.

    Warranty period: One year.

    Connected device: None.

    Go Hearing hearing aid with charging case
    The Go Lite, priced at $169, is the least expensive model of the brands on this list.

    Photo: Go Hearing Photo: Go Hearing

    HearingAssist

    HearingAssist has three preset OTC models, all rechargeable: the Eaze, Stream, and Connect.

    Price per pair: From $399 to $699.

    Where to buy: Walmart

    Preset or self-fitting? Preset.

    Battery type: Rechargeable.

    Return policy: 60 days.

    Customer service: Phone-based support. 

    Warranty period: One year.

    Connected device: The Eaze doesn’t require an app. The other models pair with an app for iOS or Android.

    Hearing Assist hearing aids
    The HearingAssist hearing aids come with a 60-day return policy and a one-year warranty.

    Photo: Hearing Assist Photo: Hearing Assist

    HP

    HP offers one hearing aid product: the self-fitting, rechargeable Hearing Pro. It might sound like these hearing aids are produced by the computer and printer brand, but they’re actually powered by Nuheara, an audio device company. 

    Price per pair: $499.

    Where to buy: HP Hearing Pro, Best Buy, Crutchfield, Diglo

    Preset or self-fitting? Self-fitting.

    Battery type: Rechargeable.

    Return policy: 60 days.

    Customer service: Phone-based support.

    Warranty period: Two years.

    Connected device: Pairs with an app for iOS or Android.

    HP Hearing PRO hearing aids
    The Hearing Pro is the only over-the-counter hearing aid model offered by HP.

    Photo: HP Hearing PRO Photo: HP Hearing PRO

    Jabra

    Jabra offers four OTC hearing aid models: the Enhance Select 300, Select 100, Select 50R, and Enhance Plus (see our evaluation). In a member survey, Jabra OTC hearing aids performed equivalently to our top-rated prescription brands in areas such as battery life, durability, and ease of use. It also scored favorably for value.

    Price per pair: From $799 to $1,995.

    Where to buy: Jabra, Best Buy

    Preset or self-fitting? Enhance Plus: self-fitting. Select models: preset.

    Battery type: Rechargeable.

    Return policy: 45 to 100 days if purchased from Jabra, depending on the model; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy.

    Customer service: Phone-based support service. Customers can also go to a certified Jabra Enhance Center for help. Service fees may apply.

    Warranty period: One to three years, depending on the model.

    Connected device: The Enhance Plus pairs with an app for iOS only; the Select models are compatible with iOS and Android.

    Jabra hearing aids
    With a price of $799, the Jabra Enhance Plus are the least expensive hearing aids from Jabra.

    Photo: Jabra Photo: Jabra

    Lexie

    Lexie Hearing has three OTC hearing aid models: the B1 and B2 Plus (both powered by Bose), and the Lumen (see our evaluation).

    Price per pair: B1 and Lumen, $799; B2 Plus, $999.

    Where to buy: Lexie, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart

    Preset or self-fitting? Self-fitting.

    Battery type: B1, Lumen: replaceable battery. B2 Plus: rechargeable.

    Return policy: 45 days if purchased from Lexie or Walgreens; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy, CVS, or Walmart.

    Customer service: Phone support and video call support via app. And if you use Lexie’s in-app coaching services to help you get used to your hearing aids, you can earn rewards.

    Warranty period: One year.

    Connected device: Pairs with an app for iOS or Android.

    Lexis hearing aids
    The B2 Plus, the updated version of the B2 (pictured), offers a charging case and an in-app hearing test.

    Photo: Lexis Photo: Lexis

    Lucid

    Lucid Hearing offers a wide array of OTC and prescription hearing aids. We evaluated its Enlite and Engage models.

    Price per pair: From $200 to $1,300.

    Where to buy: Lucid, Best Buy

    Preset or self-fitting? Preset.

    Battery type: Rechargeable and replaceable battery models.

    Return policy: 90 days if purchased from Lucid; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy.

    Customer service: Phone and video-based support with licensed hearing professionals. You can also go to a Lucid Hearing Center for in-person support.

    Warranty period: One year.

    Connected device: Some models pair with an app for iOS or Android.

    Lucid Engage Hearing Aids with case
    The Lucid Engage offers four preset audio profiles.

    Photo: Lucid Photo: Lucid

    Sony

    Sony has two self-fitting models on its roster: the C10 (see our evaluation) and the E10 (see our evaluation).

    Price per pair: C10: $1,000; E10: $1,300.

    Where to buy: Sony, Best Buy

    Preset or self-fitting? Self-fitting.

    Battery type: CRE-C10: replaceable battery; CRE-E10: rechargeable.

    Return policy: 30 days if purchased from Sony; 60 days if purchased from Best Buy.

    Customer service: Support via Sony customer service.

    Warranty period: One year.

    Connected device: Pairs with an app for iOS or Android.

    Sony CRE-C10 hearing aids
    The CRE-C10 hearing aids connect to the Sony Hearing Control app, where you can adjust sound quality and volume.

    Photo: Sony Photo: Sony


    Catherine Roberts

    Catherine Roberts is a health and science journalist at Consumer Reports. She has been at CR since 2016, covering infectious diseases, bugs and bug sprays, consumer medical devices like hearing aids and blood pressure monitors, health privacy, and more. As a civilian, her passions include bike rides, horror films and fiction, and research rabbit holes. Follow her on Twitter @catharob.