Hearing Aids
By
Nicole Gleichmann
Updated on July 18, 2024
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People who wear hearing aids often struggle to hear audio from cell phones, televisions, computers, and other personal audio devices. Bluetooth hearing aids help solve that problem — they bring the traditional daily benefits of hearing aids along with clearer audio and greater sound control.
But what exactly is Bluetooth technology, and how do you choose the best Bluetooth hearing aids? We explore everything you need to know to decide if Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids are right for you, and review some of the best Bluetooth hearing aids available today.
Highly Rated Bluetooth Hearing Aid Models
Our team of experts has spent more than 200 hours researching Bluetooth hearing aids to discover the best devices for different needs. After we talked with audiologists, read customer reviews, and researched more than 30 models and styles of hearing aids, the following Bluetooth hearing aid models stood out.
Pros
- Extensive battery life, up to 30 hours per charge
- Longer trial and warranty period than most
- Easy-to-use app for volume and listening environment adjustments
Cons
- Requires tech-savviness to use the app for adjustments and support
- Only one style available (RIC)
- No option for in-person customer support
Price $995 to $1,995
- Hearing loss suitability: Mild to moderately severe hearing loss
- Type: Receiver-in-canal
- Trial period: 100-day money-back guarantee
- Warranty: One-year warranty and one-year loss and damage protection (basic package), or three-year warranty and three-year loss and damage protection (premium package)
Jabra Enhanceis a leader in online Bluetooth hearing aids and produces some of the bestOTC hearing aidson the market. Buyers can purchase Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids online with either basic or premium-level care and protection. The premium package, which tends to be about $200 more than the basic, includes three-year access to professional hearing care with the Jabra Enhance Audiology Team. They can custom-program your hearing aids after purchase and make remote adjustments through your Jabra Enhance Select app. Unfortunately, the basic package does not come with this custom service.
Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids are only available in a receiver-in-canal style with the choice of either conventional or rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable version boasts 30 hours of sound per charge, with the portable case holding three additional charges.
These hearing aids are nearly invisible when in-ear and come in seven colors designed to match your hair shade. Both versions allow for direct streaming from Apple devices, while the rechargeable model also supports streaming from select Android devices. You can purchase Jabra Enhance’s Android Phone Clip+ streamer that accommodates all Bluetooth-enabled Android devices for an added fee.
Get Jabra Enhance atJabraEnhance.com
Pros
- Direct smartphone capability (no streamer needed)
- Unlimited programming adjustments and support
- Membership program offers new Spirit 2 hearing aids every 18 months
Cons
- Not the lowest-priced model
- In-person support options are limited to Chicago, Denver, and New York City
Price$1,798 to $1,998
- Hearing loss suitability:Moderate to severe hearing loss
- Type:Receiver-in-canal
- Trial period:45-day money-back trial
- Warranty:Two-year manufacturer’s warranty
Audicus Spirit 2 Bluetooth hearing aids are directly compatible with both Apple and Android smartphones. Because the Spirit 2 works with most Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, you won’t need to carry around a streamer.
The Spirit 2 is available with a choice of disposable or rechargeable batteries and is a mid-range model from Audicus, in terms of pricing and features. Compared with Spirit 1, the Spirit 2 device also has two directional microphones and optional telecoil. It also offers more memory, allows streaming on up to two Bluetooth devices at a time — with seamless switching between devices through tap-controls — has more channels (16) with Speech Finder technology, as well as more listening environments (six), and the ability to scan and auto adjust quicker to those listening environments. Plus, it is 10 percent smaller than the Spirit 1. We chose Spirit 2 over the Audicus Omni line because it comes with a lot of crossover features at a lower price point.
Audicus hearing aids come standard with unlimited programming adjustments and support; a short, 45-day trial; and a two-year warranty. Audicus charges extra for loss and repair coverage. If you purchase the rechargeable Spirit 2, you are eligible to enroll in the Audicus Premier membership program, which includes a one-time fee of $249 and a monthly fee of $99. Program benefits include new hearing aids every 18 months, loss and damage protection, and accessories. Note that Audicus Premier is only available when you purchase rechargeable Series 2 hearing aid models — it is not available for Spirit 1 and costs more ($149 per month) for the upgraded Omni 2 model.
Find Audicus Spirit 2atAudicus.com.
Pros
- Advanced technology for noise cancellation, speech enhancement, and comprehension
- Tapping feature for convenient pause and play
- Available in eight colors
Cons
- Requires an in-person visit with a hearing professional before purchase
- Warranty varies depending on retailer
Price $2,299 to $2,399
- Hearing loss suitability:Mild to profound hearing loss
- Type:Receiver-in-canal
- Trial period:45-day risk-free trial
- Warranty:Depends on retailer
Phonakis a well-known hearing aid brand, and its Audeo Paradise 90 Bluetooth hearing aids provide clear sound for people with all levels ofhearing loss. With features including speech enhancement, noise cancellation, and ADP 2.0 — an algorithm that makes listening and understanding easier — the Phonak P90 hearing aids utilize cutting-edge technology to help people achieve better hearing.
The P90 Bluetooth hearing aids come with either standard or rechargeable batteries. For ease of use, the P90 has built-in tapping technology so you can pause or play audio streaming by tapping near your hearing aids.
Get Phonak Audeo Paradise90 atYeshearing.com.
Pros
- Shorter sound-processing time for clearer, real-life sound
- Customizable for different listening situations
- Battery lasts up to 37 hours on a single charge
Cons
- Hearing aids are pricey; financing options vary by retailer
- Can use store locator online, but must purchase in person
Price $1,399 to $2,299
- Hearing loss suitability:Mild to moderately severe hearing loss
- Type:In-the-ear or behind-the-ear
- Trial period:45-day risk-free trial
- Warranty:Three-year manufacturer’s warranty and three-year loss and damage warranty
Hearing aids take time to process sounds and send them to your ear. The delay between when the sound occurs and when you hear it — caused by the processing time — creates an artificial sound.Widexutilizes PureSound technology to shorten the processing time, creating more real-life sound.
The Moment BTE 13 D hearing aids marry clear sound with Bluetooth connectivity. You may pair your Moment hearing aids directly with an Android, iPhone, or iOS device. This style is also our top pick for hearing aid wearers withtinnitus.
The app provides deep functionality and customization that enhances the user experience. For example, users can also build their own presets along with the preset hearing programs, such as a mode for listening to music, directional modes, and a “Social” setting that highlights speech frequencies in noisy environments. The ability to adjust the low, middle, and high frequencies means creating a setting for virtually any environment is possible.
An “A/B testing” feature also lets you compare sounds with AI to build a truly personalized hearing profile for specific situations.
Widex also regularly updates the app with useful features. In fact, the Bluetooth streaming function was added to the app for Android devices in a 2021 update that makes use of Android’s Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) driver. This means that the devices become more versatile without needing to pay extra.
The Bluetooth media streaming is a little tinny and doesn’t give the same depth of sound as in-ear headphones. But people with different levels of hearing loss in each ear have the option to adjust the volume level of each ear individually. The app also allows the user to choose how much environmental noise they can hear alongside any streamed media, meaning that the devices needn’t interfere with the user’s awareness and understanding of conversations and sounds happening around them.
Get Widex MomentatWidex.
Pros
- Advanced technology picks up sound from your hearing ear
- Extra miniPocket remote control for adjustment without a smartphone
- Five styles available (RIC, ITE, CIC, ITC, and BTE)
Cons
- Requires in-person appointment with a specialist or hearing center
- Can be expensive, especially as a single-side hearing device
Price $1,649
- Hearing loss suitability:Mild to moderate hearing loss
- Type:In-the-ear
- Trial period:45-day trial
- Warranty:Three-year manufacturer’s warranty and three-year loss and damage warranty
Contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aids assist people who have hearing loss in just one ear. TheSigniaCROS X line of hearing aids offers Bluetooth connectivity designed to enhance audio clarity for people with one-sided hearing loss. The CROS X hearing aids have rechargeable batteries.
GetSignia CROS X atYeshearing.com.
Pros
- Useful fitness tracker
- Prioritizes active listening
- Beneficial conversation transcription feature
Cons
- Must purchase through a healthcare professional
- High APR rates (30 percent), if financing
Price $1,449 to $2,899
- Hearing loss suitability:Mild to profound hearing loss
- Type:Behind-the-ear
- Trial period:45-day money-back guarantee
- Warranty:Three-year manufacturer’s warranty and three-year loss and damage warranty
TheStarkeyLivio AI combines advanced sound technology with activity tracking for a hearing aid that supports overall wellness. You can think of the Livio AI as a Bluetooth hearing aid plus afitness trackerall in one. Starkey’s Healthable technology tracks fitness goals and active listening for the optimal health and hearing experience.
The Thrive Hearing Control app also boasts some unique features. Using your hearing aids, you can find your phone by having it ring, and the app can transcribe your conversations.
GetStarkey Livio AI atYeshearing.com.
Comparison Table
Hearing Aid
Superlative
Highlights
Jabra Enhance
Best Customer Support
Offers extensive battery life and remote support but requires tech-savviness and lacks in-person support
Audicus Spirit
Best Universal Connectivity
Features rechargeable options and a membership program for frequent updates, but is pricier than others and offers limited in-person support
Phonak Audeo Paradise 90
Best for Profound Hearing Loss
Provides advanced noise cancellation and speech enhancement but requires an in-person visit and has variable warranties
Widex Moment
Clearest Sound
Offers clear, realistic sound with customizable presets and long battery life, but is pricey and requires in-person purchases with varying financing options
Signia CROS X
Best for Single-Sided Hearing Loss
Delivers advanced sound pickup fwith multiple styles and remote control options but requires in-person appointments and can be expensive
Starkey Livio AI
Best for Active People
Combines advanced sound technology with fitness tracking and conversation transcription but only available through a healthcare professional and has high financing rates
The Pros and Cons of Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Hearing aids with Bluetooth capabilities provide new opportunities for people who use hearing aids, but this technology has both advantages and disadvantages. Find out what to expect so you can decide if Bluetooth hearing aids are a good fit for your needs.
Pros
- Better sound quality:With Bluetooth hearing aids, you experience music, podcasts, and phone calls without removing your hearing aids or having to line up devices with the hearing aid microphone. The result is higher quality sound.
- Superior sound control: Many Bluetooth hearing aids allow you to pair one or both hearing aids to a device. When you pair both, you get to enjoy a richer, more balanced listening experience. With just one hearing aid paired, you retain your ability to hear what’s going on around you, which can keep you safe when driving or jogging outdoors.
- Enhanced ease of use: When you pair Bluetooth hearing aids with your smartphone and other Bluetooth devices, you don’t have to switch from one device to another. You may listen to music from your smartphone and seamlessly accept a call or start a conference call from your laptop.
- Convenient hearing aid control:Adjusting traditional hearing aid settings can be challenging if you have limited dexterity. Using either a streamer or smartphone, you gain easy control over your hearing aid settings.
Cons
- Higher price:Because Bluetooth hearing aids contain additional technology, they cost more than your standard hearing aids.
- Short battery life: Bluetooth utilization can drain hearing aid batteries. Look for hearing aids with good battery life and charging cases for convenient charging on the go.
- Learning curve: If you’re new to Bluetooth technology, it will take time to learn. Over time, the process becomes easier and faster.
- May need a streamer: While you can most likely find hearing aids that pair with your existing smartphone, you may need a streamer — especially if you don’t use a smartphone. A streamer acts as a central connection point for Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Why You Can Trust Us
To fully understand this category, our reviews team immersed themselves in the current published research on hearing loss and hearing aid devices, interviewed experts and hearing loss professionals, read thousands of reviews on trusted third-party sites, and deployed a survey of more than 600 hearing aid users to understand their customer experience.
We narrowed down which brands to review within this category by speaking with audiologists and looking at brand market share. We then considered cost, the degree of hearing loss each model could address, and special features offered — from directional microphones to digital background noise reduction to rechargeable batteries.
Once our reviews team makes their selections, an audiologist medically reviews our picks to vet each brand and model.
We determined our top picks for the best hearing aids based on the following criteria:
- Special features
- User experience
- Cost
- Customer service
- Reputation and credibility
- Degree of hearing loss treated
- Warranty
- Trial period
- Financing options
- Level of technology
- Water resistance
- Durability
Learn more about our hearing aids review methodology.
What to Look for When Buying Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Most people use a smartphone as their central connection point for Bluetooth devices. Because it is convenient to use a smartphone, Bluetooth connectivity is an important factor to consider when shopping for Bluetooth hearing aids. Most hearing aid manufacturers design Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids to connect with either Android or Apple iOS devices.
If you have an iPhone, look for Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing aids. For Android users, the best hearing aids have Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) technology. Universal Bluetooth hearing aids are compatible with both Apple and Android phones and other devices.
Consumers without a smartphone require a separate device called a streamer. A streamer acts as a central link for your Bluetooth-connected devices. Similarly, you may find that you need a streamer in the future if you buy a different smartphone or have some Apple and some Android devices.
Other factors to consider include:
- Price:Bluetooth hearing aids range in cost, from around $700 to $5,000 or more.
- Battery: Consider the battery life and whether the hearing aid uses rechargeable or disposable batteries. Rechargeable batteries are the most convenient for adults who spend lots of time away from home.
- Style: Consider whether you prefer in-the-ear, in-the-canal, or behind-the-ear Bluetooth hearing aids.
What Is Bluetooth Capability?
You’re probably familiar with Bluetooth devices. Bluetooth technology is common in wireless headphones, speakers, smartphones, newer vehicles, computers, and televisions.
Bluetooth is a form of wireless technology in which devices use radio waves to communicate over a short distance. Bluetooth helps users connect their electronic devices wirelessly, enhancing the ease of use.
When you connect two Bluetooth-compatible devices — such as a smartphone with a set of Bluetooth headphones — it’s called “pairing the devices.” Once paired, you can take calls or listen to music without having to hold your phone up to your ear or deal with wires.
What Are Bluetooth Hearing Aids and What Do They Do?
Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids facilitate wireless connectivity with Bluetooth-compatible devices, including your smartphone, music player, computer, and television. With Bluetooth, you can stream sound directly to your hearing aids.
Here are a few of the things you can do with Bluetooth digital hearing aids that you can’t with traditional hearing aids:
- Hands-free calls: You can take calls and use wireless communication without lining up your phone with the hearing aid microphone.
- Audio on the go: You don’t need to take out your hearing aids to put in headphones. Instead, stream audio directly to your hearing aids while walking or working out. Another perk? You can retain your ability to hear what’s going on around you.
- Control personal volume:You can watch TV with your family or friends and adjust your sound without changing the volume for everyone.
- Smartphone app control: Pair your smartphone with your hearing aids for easy hearing aid control. You won’t need to manipulate your hearing aids directly — instead you use the app to adjust settings like volume and connectivity.
How Do I Find Bluetooth Hearing Aids Near Me?
Yes Hearing is a valuable tool for finding high-quality hearing aids with local service. Yes Hearing works with the most trusted hearing aid brands to bring customers the same products at an average of 30 percent savings. Locations are scattered across the United States, so you can work with a local doctor to help you select, fit, program, and service your hearing aids.
Here’s how Yes Hearing works:
- Call Yes Hearing at 855-806-8817. A representative answers any questions and helps you find a local Yes Hearing provider.
- Call the local provider to make an appointment.
- During the consultation, the audiologist works with you to select the best hearing aids for your needs.
- Once your hearing aids arrive, make another appointment to get them set up.
- You have a 45-day trial, during which you qualify for a 100 percent refund.
- If you decide to keep your new Bluetooth hearing aids, visit your Yes Hearing provider for ongoing care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bluetooth hearing aids work?
Bluetooth hearing aids work just as well as traditional hearing aids for general daily use and provide better sound quality when using audio devices. Bluetooth hearing aids enhance audio clarity for people with hearing aids when paired with smartphones, computers, speakers, TVs, tablets, and music players.
What are the best Bluetooth hearing aids?
The best Bluetooth hearing aids for you depend on whether you use an Android or Apple smartphone, how much you’re willing to spend, and what features you want. A healthcare provider can help you select the best pair.
How much do Bluetooth hearing aids cost?
Bluetooth hearing aids have a higher price point than similar hearing aids without Bluetooth connectivity. You can expect to spend a minimum of $700 per ear, with the highest-quality Bluetooth hearing aids costing as much as $5,000 per pair. Medicare Advantage plans may help cover hearing aid costs.
