Why You Shouldn't Put Off Getting Hearing Aids
Modern hearing aids might not be as cumbersome or costly as you think. And research suggests that the earlier you get a device, the greater the benefit.
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More than 28 million adults in the U.S. could benefit from a hearing aid. But few of them have ever tried one: just 16 percent of eligible adults ages 20 to 69, and only about 30 percent of those 70 and older. Studies suggest that people with hearing problems may wait as long as a decade before getting a device.
A delay in getting hearing aids means a delay in enjoying their benefits, which research has found include improved listening ability and a better quality of life.
Hearing Aid Tech Has Come a Long Way
Thibodeau encourages people to see modern hearing aids as what they are: cool gadgets with a variety of exciting features, not just simple sound amplifiers.
Many types of hearing aids can be linked to your smartphone or TV and can feed phone calls, music, or TV audio straight to them. Some models can use your location to tap into preset noise settings so that your hearing aid will automatically adjust to your preferences for your favorite coffee shop or restaurant, for example.
Newer devices are also much better at handling the kinds of problems that hearing aid users have traditionally complained about, such as squealing or background noise. Accessories can help even more. When it comes to background noise, for example, small peripheral microphones, placed close to the people you’re speaking with, can greatly improve your ability to hear the conversation, Thibodeau says.
There’s another key change in newer hearing aids, Johnson says. Many are smaller and sleeker than older models. Don’t assume you know what they feel like before you actually try a few.
And remember: It’s not just you who stands to benefit from hearing aids. A study published in 2020 in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research found that hearing aids reduced the effort needed to have a conversation in a loud area for both the user and the conversation partner.
You Can Find Hearing Aids That Fit Your Budget
It’s true that hearing aids can be pricey and that neither Medicare nor many insurance plans will pay for them. Still, some lower-cost options are available. Costco, for example, sells several brands of prescription hearing aids starting at $1,600 per pair.
Then there are over-the-counter hearing aids, which have been available since October 2022. Some are still quite pricey, but many models are available for under $1,000 per pair. In CR’s latest ratings, four models we tested cost $300 or less per pair.
You’ll need to do a little extra research if you plan to go the OTC route to make sure you’re getting the right pair. And you should be prepared to return any aids that don’t end up working for you. But if you have mild to moderate hearing loss, an OTC can be a great way to dip a toe into hearing help without spending thousands.
Below are a few of the OTC hearing aids that earned CR’s recommendation in our tests. If you’re not sure which kind of hearing aids might be right for you, start with our buying guide. CR members can also access our full ratings of over-the-counter hearing aids.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article also appeared in the September 2021 issue of Consumer Reports on Health. It was updated with new information in 2026.
