by Ben Thompson, AuD
Today, consumers are in the driver’s seat as there are several excellent hearing aids on the market, at a variety of price points. It should be said, though: not every hearing aid is appropriate for every person, a choice should be tailored to the individual’s hearing test, preferred service model (online vs in-person), dexterity, cosmetic taste, budget, insurance benefits, and other factors. This article is an independent review provided and written by the audiologists at Treble Health, who have decades of experience helping patients hear better with hearing aids.
The purpose of this review article is to help you choose the hearing aid that is the best match, so you can hear to the best of your potential. Our mission is to help people hear well, stay healthy longer, and live a full life with family and friends. For a personalized recommendation that suits your hearing needs, you can book an appointment with a telehealth audiologist.
A quick look at the best hearing aids
- Absolute Best Hearing Aids: Phonak Paradise P90
- Best Online Hearing Aids: Lively 2 Plus
- Best Value Hearing Aids: Costco Kirkland Signature 10.0
- Best Invisible Hearing Aids: Phonak Lyric
*Watch the Best Hearing Aids 2022 video by Treble Health
Absolute Best Hearing Aids
Our Top Pick: Phonak Paradise P90RL (Price: $6800-$7300)
Phonak, a perennial leader in the world of hearing aid technology, created another exceptional product in the Paradise P90RL. Most importantly, the P90s deliver on sound quality. Our patients say that the Paradise sounds clear and crisp, while maintaining a natural quality. In addition, it has essentially all the other features you would want in a hearing aid: a rechargeable battery that lasts all day, a comfortable and discreet fit, Bluetooth streaming for phone calls and music/media, an app for volume adjustments, the option for a telecoil, waterproofing, and an array of accessories. It is reliable and sturdy, rarely needing to be repaired. It typically comes with a 3-year warranty for repair and loss.
At most clinics the programming, fine-tuning, and all audiology services associated with the hearing aids will be included in the price, for at least the length of the warranty. You get the benefit of in-person care, including Real Ear Measures which any quality audiologist should perform. This verifies that the output of the hearing aids is personalized to your hearing, and that you can get the best performance out of these great Paradise P90RLs. If money was no object, this would be the hearing aid we recommend, because in our opinion it is the best hearing aid of 2022.
Oticon More 1 R (Price: $6800-$7300)
Oticon’s newest product, the More 1 R, is another great option. For years, Oticon and Phonak have traded the top spots in terms of patient and professional reviews. Although it gets the 2nd rank here, it is still world-class. The sound quality of the Oticon More 1 is excellent, though perhaps a bit sharper than the Phonak.
Oticon, too, has many great features and functions: a rechargeable battery, Bluetooth streaming, a three year warranty, a comfortable fit, reliability, and an app for volume control. The Oticon More 1 also comes with in-person care and all the benefits thereof. It gets high marks from us and is a very good option for most people with age-related hearing loss.
*In early 2023, the company launched it’s latest product: Oticon Real
Lyric (Price: $3400-$3800, for a 12-month subscription)
Lyric is a truly unique hearing aid. Unlike typical hearing aids that are removed nightly, Lyric remains in the ear canal 24 hours a day for about two months at a time. One can shower and sleep with them in their ears. At the end of the two month period, an audiologist removes them, throws them away, and inserts two brand new devices.
Unlike typical hearing aids that are purchased and used for 4-6 years, with Lyric you pay for an annual subscription. Because you get new hearing aids every two months, you’re essentially paying for the devices plus services for a 12 month period. At the end of that time, you decide if you want to renew the subscription for another 12 months.
Lyric hearing aids are quite expensive, on an annual basis they’re certainly the most expensive hearing aid on the market. That being said, the ease-of-use and sound quality are second-to-none (Lyric does not suffer from the bass-heavy occlusion effect of other in-ear hearing aids, due to its deep insertion). Lyric patients tend to be some of the most satisfied of any hearing aid user. In a sense Lyrics are simple, they don’t have Bluetooth streaming, an app, telecoil, or several other sophisticated features. But the combination of invisibility, convenience, and ultra-clear sound make it one of the absolute best hearing aids on the market.
Best Value Hearing Aids
Our Top Pick: Phonak Paradise P30R (Price: $3500-$4000)
Built on the same computer chip as the Phonak P90, the P30 is the least expensive in the Paradise family. Although you give up some meaningful features, this is still a very solid hearing aid and costs about half as much as the P90. If you want a traditional in-person clinical experience at a lower cost, with a device from a top hearing aid manufacturer, this is a good option.
Relative to the P90s, the P30 has the same form factor, rechargeable battery, Bluetooth streaming, telecoil, accessories, and app. You get the same in-person care from an audiologist including Real Ear Measures. The aspects you trade-off are some features in the sound processing algorithm, which may slightly reduce overall sound clarity in noisy situations. However, in independent studies, the value-level hearing aids hold up pretty well compared to the top-of-the-line devices from the same manufacturer. In other words, if the P90s don’t fit your budget, the P30’s performance is close enough that they’re still worth it. The warranty on a value-level hearing aid is typically shorter, usually one or two years versus three.
All things considered, the Phonak Paradise P30 is a great value option for folks who want a traditional in-person audiology experience.
*Phonak unveiled the new Lumity platform in late 2022, and then in spring of 2023 expanded the platform to include a new slim option.
Signia Pure Charge&Go 1AX (Price: $3500-$4000)
Much of the same can be said for the Signia Pure Charge&Go 1AX. The AX chip is the newest from Signia, and it’s very good. As a company, Signia has been among the best at offering a low-cost hearing aid on the same chip as their premium products, without stripping away key features.
Like the Phonak P30, the Pure Charge&Go 1AX is a very good value option for most people with age-related hearing loss. It comes with a rechargeable battery, an app for volume control, Bluetooth streaming for phone calls and media, a sleek design, and most importantly good sound quality. The cost of the 1AX includes in-person care from an audiologist, too. All told, this would be a good choice for someone who wants a traditional in-person clinical experience but is on a budget.
Best Online Hearing Aids
Our Top Pick: Lively 2 Plus (Price: $1,595)
Based on our research and testing, Lively offers the best overall experience for buying hearing aids online in 2022. Critically, they provide telehealth support from audiologists. They also use high quality hearing aids, which are white-labeled ReSound aids (a reputable, if not elite, hearing aid brand that has been in business for decades).
Their audiologists can personalize and program the Lively hearing aid in real-time using a full suite of programming software; no other direct-to-consumer hearing aid brand offers that important service. The hearing aids are rechargeable, they have Bluetooth for an app and streaming, and they come with a 100 day free trial and three year warranty.
There are some drawbacks with Lively, specifically that their hearing aids are the value-level model, i.e. not top-of-the-line. Also, ReSound aids can be slightly under-fit at first, and unless you ask the audiologist for more volume you may not get the full benefit of the hearing aids (and since Lively operates online, they do not verify the fitting using the gold standard Real Ear Measures). All in all, Lively is an excellent value for what you get. If you want to buy hearing aids online and/or you’re on a budget, Lively is a great option.
**Note: Lively was acquired by GN and has been rebranded as Jabra Enhance and now offers several ‘Select‘ models to choose from, both battery powered and rechargeable.
Bose Sound Control (Price: $849.95)
Bose, a brand that is known the world over for high fidelity sound, has entered the hearing aid market with their Sound Control Hearing Aids. These hearing aids are of decent quality, and are priced at a very affordable $850 (relative to other hearing aids). They have the clear sound quality you’d expect from Bose. That being said, in terms of product specs, the Sound Control could be fairly described as “no frills.” There is no Bluetooth streaming, no rechargeable batteries, and the warranty is for only one year. Furthermore, there is a real downside in that Bose offers virtually no audiology services.
The Bose SoundControl hearing aids are purchased online and shipped to your door. At that point, you can have a video call with a technician (not an audiologist), who walks you through the basics of how to wear and use them. There is a smartphone app for basic volume and bass/treble adjustments, but you are left to your own devices to decide how much amplification you need. This relatively DIY-model could easily lead to the user not getting the most out of these objectively good hearing aids; in fact we suspect this will be the case for most people. This is especially the case because the Sound Control aids are not personalized to the user’s hearing test in the first place, they are set to a generic amplification profile. To be clear, with the guidance of an audiologist to advise on the levels for volume, bass/treble, and which domes to use, these Bose HAs could produce a decent output for most people.
For $849, and the quality of the hearing aid itself, there’s no doubt that the Bose Sound Control delivers outstanding value for the money.
*Note: In late 2022 it was announced that Bose had partnered with Lexie Hearing and no longer sells devices direct to consumer. The latest B2 rechargeable self-fitting Lexie Hearing aids powered by Bose are available at less than $1,000/pair.
Eargo 5 (Price: $2500-$2950)
The newest product from Eargo is called the Eargo 5. It is a similar, though improved, version of the form factor they have come to be known for. The patented method of suspending a hidden hearing aid in the ear canal, without plugging up the ear, is as impressive now as when Eargo first launched in 2015. Most hearing aid users mention invisibility as a top consideration, and for the majority of Eargo wearers they are virtually undetectable (for some people with very small ear canals, they may be visible, as well as being uncomfortable). There is an app that enables volume changes, but it does not have Bluetooth streaming for phone calls or media. The warranty is a fair two years of coverage. Eargo hearing aids can be recharged by placing them in the carrying case.
While Eargo has an innovative design, it comes with some drawbacks. For one, Eargo is not personalized to the user’s hearing test. They have preset amplification profiles to choose from, which are just not as good as a personalized fit. The second drawback gets technical: the proximity of the Eargo speaker and microphone tends to limit the output of the device (before producing a loud screeching sound known as feedback). For this reason, the Eargo can only produce sufficient sound for speech enhancement of mild hearing losses and the lower end of moderate hearing losses. In our experience, many people who first seek out hearing treatment have a more significant deficit than this. Therefore, Eargo may not be appropriate for a significant number of people with hearing loss, and they may not realize they’re not getting enough amplification. Using a hearing aid that does not produce enough sound (without feedback) significantly reduces the benefit that properly fit hearing aids can provide. An Eargo proponent might argue that you can use a “closed dome” which will increase the output but, again getting technical here, that produces a boomy “occlusion effect” that could be avoided altogether by using the more popular RIC-style device where the speaker and mics are further apart. In my mind, the ideal Eargo user is one who has a mild hearing loss, who highly values invisibility, and who wants the entire process to take place online. If that’s you, Eargo is a great choice.
*In January 2023 at CES, Eargo unveiled its latest Eargo 7 hearing aids. Currently offered online on Eargo’s website for same price point as the Eargo 5
Best Costco Hearing Aids
Costco Kirkland Signature 10 (Price: $1399)
The Costco Kirkland Signature 10 hearing aids offer the most extraordinary value of any raw device on the market, though they are slightly offset by anecdotal reports of inconsistent professional services. In terms of the hearing aid itself, this is an exceptional device for the price of $1400. The Signature 10 is a white-labeled Phonak Paradise P90 RT, which is listed as the top overall hearing aid on the market elsewhere on this list and in our “Best of 2022” YouTube video.
It is a phenomenal all-around device, with a natural and clear sound quality in various environments, and all the most important features (specifically a rechargeable battery, Bluetooth for streaming, and a smartphone app). The trial period is 180 days, the longest available on the market, and the warranty is a respectable 2 years for loss and 3 years for repair.
If you purchased the P90 in a traditional clinic, you could pay up to 500% more than the Costco price. However, it is a mistake to judge the Costco offering by the device alone. The expertise of the person working with you is of utmost importance, especially if you’ve never used a hearing aid before. In fact, the price of a traditional hearing aid typically includes audiology services for years; which makes up at least half of the overall cost. Some users of Costco hearing aids report having great service performed by audiologists, while others had providers with less training or questionable expertise. We’ve heard of multiple accounts of long wait times for follow-up appointments, and sub-optimal care generally. It seems that in terms of the availability of expert audiologists and the quality of services, Costco is a mixed bag.
All things considered though, the Costco Kirkland Signature 10 hearing aids are a great value. If you have a Costco nearby, they’re worth your consideration.
**In a surprise move, in November 2022, Costco and Sonova ended their relationship, which means that Costco no longer offers the Kirkland 10.0 hearing aid and that Phonak is no longer carried at the warehouse. As a way to address the issue, Costco offered lower pricing on the existing 3 brands that remain in Costco – Rexton, Jabra and Phillips
Best In-Ear Hearing Aids
In-ear hearing aids have several drawbacks relative to RICs. Importantly, for most people with age-related hearing loss, in-ear aids inherently have far too much bass. Mainly for that reason, about 80% of new hearing aid purchases are RICs.
That being said, they work just fine for the minority of people who have a hearing profile that is a good match (ask your audiologist if they are a good fit for you). For those folks, here are a few good options:
Signia Insio Charge&Go AX ITC (Price: $4000-$7000, varies by model)
The Signia Insio Charge&Go ITC is larger and more visible than most people prefer, but it has one key feature that justifies its place on this list: it is one of few rechargeable custom in-ear hearing aids available today. This can be critical for someone with dexterity issues who cannot handle the small batteries that most in-ear aids use. The larger size also makes it easier to handle, too.
For someone with dexterity or vision problems who wants to maintain the independence of self-managing their hearing aids, and doesn’t mind a slightly larger form factor, this is a great choice.
Starkey Evolve AI IIC (Price: $4000-$7000, varies by model)
Starkey has been making the smallest and best custom hearing aids for decades. They essentially invented the “completely in canal” category, and then the even smaller “invisible in canal” hearing aid or IIC.
Their newest generation, the Evolve AI, is among the best IICs on the market. If you want a custom in-ear hearing aids that are essentially invisible (and it’s appropriate based on your hearing test), this is a great choice. One note of caution is that IICs only come in the disposable battery model, and changing tiny batteries is typically difficult for people with dexterity or vision problems.
*Starkey release their highly anticipated Genesis AI hearing aid platform in spring 2023, with a number of updat.
Hearing Aid Alternatives
Our Top Pick: Apple AirPods Pro (Price: $250)
Not only are the Apple AirPods Pro an awesome product for music and media, they also serve as a relatively inexpensive way to test what it’s like to wear a hearing aid.
The Apple software allows you to enter a hearing test result, turn the AirPods to “Transparency Mode,” and experience a simplified version of how a hearing aid amplifies sounds to compensate for hearing loss. You could try these at home, perhaps speaking to family or watching TV, to see if the amplification helps you hear better. If it does, you can use them as-is, or consider trying proper hearing aids for an even larger hearing improvement. (Note: Only the AirPods Pro has this function, i.e. not the 1st generation “Airpods,” or the newer “AirPods 3,” or the wired “EarPods”).
Jacoti ListenApp (Price: Free)
For a free version of the experiment described above, you can try the Jacoti ListenApp. This is a free app in the Apple App Store that, after taking a brief hearing screener, will amplify sounds via wired headphones, to compensate for a hearing impairment.
Again, we recommend trying it around the house to see if amplification improves your general hearing, as well as TV-watching and conversations with family. If so, you can consider trying a traditional hearing aid.
Insurance Benefits
Although this guide is focused on the best hearing aids (and the trade-offs between cost, quality, and delivery models), insurance benefits can be a big factor in a purchasing decision. Regarding the price of the aids, a hearing benefit can reduce it by 25%, 50%, or it can even cover the full cost.
We strongly recommend you look into your benefit availability before purchasing hearing aids.
Information Overload?
While we at Treble Health tried to provide clear and unbiased information in this review guide, we know that too much information can sometimes add to the complexity of a decision. If you would like answers to your specific questions and/or a personalized hearing aid recommendation, please feel free to schedule a consultation with one of our audiologists at TrebleHealth.com.
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About the Author
Dr. Ben Thompson is an audiologist and tinnitus expert. He completed his residency at University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and is a past board member of the California Academy of Audiology (CAA). Dr. Thompson is the founder of Treble Health. He has a popular YouTube channel and has created over 100 educational videos about tinnitus management and hearing health.
