ROCKFORD, ILLINIOS — HearAdvisor, an independent audio performance lab, has announced the winners of its 2025 Expert Choice Awards, recognizing the best hearing aids and earplugs of the year. Now in its third year, the awards highlight products that deliver exceptional sound quality and performance based on rigorous, objective lab testing.
HearAdvisor remains the only lab worldwide offering independent, data-driven comparisons for hearing aids and concert earplugs, with testing completed on more than 100 hearing aids and 30 earplugs.
New for 2025
- Blind Listening Test: Visitors can now compare the sound of 100+ hearing aids to experience how different products perform in speech-in-noise conditions.
- Lab Notes: Product pages now include detailed device setup and programming information.
Featured Winners
When the FDA finalized the over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid category in 2022, the goal was to expand access to high-quality, affordable hearing technology. While early OTC products showed modest performance, HearAdvisor’s 2025 testing indicates that several budget-friendly models are now delivering on that promise.
With prices ranging from $599 to $1,299, standout OTC products this year include the Elehear Beyond Pro, Lexie B2 Plus, Lucid Engage, Lucid Tala, and Yeasound RIC800. In hearing protection, Etymotic Research’s ER20XS earned top marks for both sound quality and attenuation.
Insights from HearAdvisor
According to Dr. Abram Bailey, AuD, Co-Founder and Business Development Lead at HearAdvisor, this year’s testing shows clear progress in the performance of over-the-counter hearing aids. “We’re seeing better and better performance in OTC hearing aids, even for those on a small budget,” he said, noting that several lower-cost models are beginning to rival traditional prescription devices in key sound quality measures.
Dr. Andy Sabin, PhD, HearAdvisor’s Scientific Advisor, emphasized the lab’s ongoing commitment to transparency and evidence-based testing. “Our mission is to make hearing technology more transparent and accessible through rigorous, and objective, lab testing,” he explained, adding that the goal is to help both professionals and consumers make more informed decisions about hearing care.
Dr. Steve Taddei, AuD, Co-Founder and Lab Director, reflected on how the team continues to refine its approach based on user engagement. “This is our third year testing, and we continue to be inspired by the feedback we receive from the community,” he said. “It reassures and motivates us to keep going, whether through new Lab Notes on product pages or our new listening test.”
Learn More
The full list of 2025 Expert Choice Award winners is available at HearAdvisor.com/awards.
About HearAdvisor
Founded in 2022, HearAdvisor provides objective, science-based evaluations of hearing technology. The lab’s mission is to empower consumers and professionals to make informed decisions about hearing health through transparent, data-driven testing. Learn more at HearAdvisor.com.
Source: HearAdvisor
