How Much do Hearing Aids Cost in 2024? Prices and Options Explained

Only one in five people who would benefit from a hearing aid uses one, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America – and cost is one of the main prohibitory factors. The cost of hearing aids isn’t covered by Medicare, while the most powerful hearing aids can have price tags of more than $5,000 per pair.

There are ways to cut the cost of hearing aids, with over-the-counter (OTC) models available for as little as $240 per pair. However, expect to pay more if your hearing loss is moderate to severe, or if you want the latest sound-enhancing technology and advanced features such as Bluetooth connectivity and tinnitus masking.

The most powerful behind-the-ear (BTE) and “invisible” hearing aids tend to command the highest prices, especially if they’re made by a reputable brand such as Signia or Phonak, and include personalized components such as custom-molded earpieces.

In this article, we’ll explain your options and explore what you can expect to pay according to your hearing level. We’ll look at current prices of prescription hearing aids from top brands, as well as cheaper OTC hearing aids that could make all the difference to you but without costing the earth.

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How much do the cheapest hearing aids cost?

You can buy a pair of basic amplifiers from Amazon for under $100, but these devices aren’t the same as hearing aids. Modern hearing aids don’t just make sounds louder; they selectively block and minimize sound – for example, in noisy settings – and use sound-enhancing technology to clarify speech for easier communication.

The cheapest real hearing aids you can buy in the US cost from around $250/pair to $600/pair. They’re best suited to people suffering mild hearing loss, and who need hearing aids to clarify speech when listening to the TV or speaking on the phone. Many of these will be over-the-counter (OTC) models.

Hearing aids that cost between around $600/pair and $1,500/pair may be suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. At this price, they might also include Bluetooth, a smartphone app and noise level adjustments. For example, the Lexie Lumen ($799/pair from Lexie) BTE hearing aids arrive with six preset listening environments, feedback cancellation and noise reduction. If you take a hearing test through the Lexie app, the aid will automatically adjust to your hearing level.

If you’d prefer more discreet ITE hearing aids, then the Jabra Enhance Plus (from $799/pair from Jabra) are a stylish budget choice. They come with Bluetooth, but only work with iPhones.

READ NEXT: Hearing Aid Types Explained

What are OTC hearing aids?

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids were approved for sale in 2022 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and are only suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. They cost from around $250/pair to $1,000/pair, and are available in-store or online without a prescription. This makes them much quicker to buy as well as cheaper.

High-street stores including Walgreens, Best Buy, CVS and Walmart now sell a range of OTC hearing aids, including hearing aids with rechargeable batteries and customizable settings.

Since OTC hearing aids are so readily available, they’re the perfect interim option for giving your hearing a boost while you wait for prescription hearing aids, or apply for help to fund them. We explore funding options in our article ‘Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?‘.

How much do hearing aids cost for moderate hearing loss?

Budget and OTC hearing aids may not be powerful enough for those with moderate hearing loss, or if you struggle to hear in noisy settings such as restaurants, schools and busy streets. Hearing aids that help in these situations tend to cost from $1,500/pair to $2,500/pair.

In this price range, you may need to choose between greater sound-enhancing power and advanced features, rather than expecting it all. But you’re likely to find digital hearing aids that:

• Suppress noise in noisy places and clarify speech in social situations;

• Have a remote control app for customizing your noise environment presets;

• Offer automatic volume regulation – for example, instantly suppressing loud and uncomfortable sounds;

• Come with rechargeable batteries;

• Are discreet in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids or larger behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, depending upon your preference;

• Improve your hearing if you suffer moderate hearing loss;

• Suit you if you use your hearing aids out and about as well as at home.

The rechargeable Signia Charge & Go 1X ($745/aid or $1,500/pair from Direct Hearing) behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are smaller and slimmer than many BTE models, and come packing 16 preset channels that let you quickly switch between all sorts of sound environments.

Moving up the price range, the Phonak Audeo Lumity L30 ($2,247/pair from Direct Hearing) BTE hearing aids include “SpeechSensor” technology that helps you hear better from all directions, and a narrow microphone beam that focuses on the person speaking in front of you.

How much do hearing aids cost for severe hearing loss?

Premium hearing aids help with severe hearing loss and also offer an array of features. In the $2,500+ price bracket, you’ll find features such as smart automatic noise management, health monitoring and advanced smart home connectivity, as well as superb sound-processing technology. Prices will always vary according to the prescription and fitting.

The waterproof Phonak Audeo Lumity Life L90 (~$5,054/pair) BTE hearing aids feature SmartSpeech technology for challenging sound environments, health data tracking and compatibility with Phonak home devices. They still won’t help restore hearing for completely deaf people, but these are a powerful option and one of only a few that are able to enhance sound for people with profound hearing loss.

The Signia Styletto 5 IX (~$4,799/pair) super-slim BTE hearing aids have won industry awards for their ability to clarify speech in all kinds of noise environments. They feature dozens of sound-processing channels, and constantly adjust in real-time using continuous analysis of your surrounding acoustics.

Tiny in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids tend not to be powerful enough to help with severe hearing loss, but BTE models in this price bracket are carefully designed for comfort and discretion. And if your fingers are less nimble than they used to be, you’ll find BTE hearing aids less fiddly to handle than ITE models.

Do I really need two hearing aids, or can I just buy one?

Of course, buying a single hearing aid will save you money, and might allow you to pick up a single, really good hearing aid rather than a pair of more affordable, budget models. In addition, if you only suffer hearing loss in one ear – for example, following an accident – then it makes absolute sense.

However, most hearing loss is gradual and occurs in both ears (bilateral), and often co-occurs with tinnitus. In this instance, you’ll benefit more greatly by wearing two hearing aids.

Our brains simply work better in stereo. You’ll find it easier to process sound waves, and you’ll be better able to determine more easily where a sound is coming from – for example, when crossing the road. Some hearing aids are designed to work in pairs, too. High-end hearing aids frequently stream sound to both ears if, for example, you’re using one ear to take a phone call.

The days of cumbersome single-ear hearing aids are long gone. Today, these devices are more like earbuds – and like earbuds, they work best in pairs.