For improved clarity during phone calls and listening to entertainment, it might be time to try a Bluetooth hearing aid. (Jabra)
Just a couple of years ago, the only way to purchase hearing aids was with a prescription. Today, access to hearing aids has become exponentially easier — and more affordable — thanks to regulators' 2022 decision to allow over-the-counter hearing aid sales. OTC hearing aids provide greater accessibility and affordability, significantly lowering out of pocket costs, often by thousands of dollars. For those with mild to moderate hearing loss, OTC options typically work well, and are comparable to prescription hearing aids.
Both prescription and OTC hearing aids help amplify sound and improve a person's ability to hear, says Meaghan Reed, director of clinical audiology at Mass Eye and Ear, in Boston. They can also help lower the risk of cognitive decline in older adults by as much as 50%. In contrast, untreated hearing loss may raise the risk of depression and is even linked with less physical activity. Unfortunately, according to a 2020 longitudinal study published in Ear and Hearing, the average time it takes someone to seek hearing aid assistance from the point of initial hearing loss (candidacy) is 8.9 years, and hearing aid adoption is often only sought when hearing loss has become much more pronounced.
With increased competition between prescription and OTC hearing aids, companies are racing to create the best hearing aids with the most advanced technology. This includes hearing aids with built-in Bluetooth capabilities that integrate audio into the hearing aid from external devices like your phone, TV or a voice assistant like Amazon's Alexa. With a high-quality Bluetooth hearing aid, you can easily stream music and make calls with a simple tap on your ear, delivered in a way you can hear and enjoy.
Bluetooth isn't a standard feature in hearing aids, but experts say it can make life easier for people with hearing loss. "Bluetooth is one of these new bells and whistles for hearing aids," says Dr. Michael Yong, an otolaryngologist and neurorhinologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. "You can play music on it, take a telephone call ... it's much easier than putting your phone to your ear. It can be really helpful and augment your experience with using technology."
To better understand what to look for in the best Bluetooth hearing aids, our team spoke with a panel of hearing experts. From there, we researched the best OTC hearing aids and prescription hearing aids on the market, rating each model on factors including setup, ease of use, features and value. These are our top picks for the best Bluetooth hearing aids in 2025.
Update, Jul. 21, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best Bluetooth hearing aid remains unchanged.
Bluetooth hearing aids are available by prescription and over the counter in a variety of styles. Before investing in a hearing aid, it's important to have a professional assess your needs, as well as make sure you don't have any underlying conditions, Yong says. Once you have a better understanding of your hearing loss and treatment plan, consider these factors:
Hearing aids come in five main styles, and each has its own benefits.
Behind the ear (BTE): These hearing aids sit behind the ear and house both the speaker and microphone. BTEs usually work for most types of hearing loss and tend to be the most visible of all hearing aid styles.
Receiver in canal (RIC): These have a similar style to BTEs, but there is a thin wire attached to the receiver or speaker that sits inside the ear canal. They're often less visible than BTEs.
In the ear (ITE): ITEs are usually custom-made to fit within the ear, but they're just outside of the ear canal, so they are visible. Many report that these hearing aids are easier to handle.
In the canal (ITC): ITC hearing aids are usually custom-molded to your ear and fit partly in the ear canal. They tend to be more hidden than ITEs.
Completely in canal (CIC): This hearing aid style is the most discreet because it fits inside the ear canal and can be nearly invisible. CICs are usually best suited for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The price of hearing aids ranges from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. Some come in a set, while others need to be purchased separately. Health insurance coverage can vary, making it important to consult your provider before investing in a hearing aid. Some providers may cover some or all of the cost. Some models might also be eligible as an FSA/HSA-approved expense. Just be mindful that batteries and accessories may increase your cost.
Until 2022, all hearing aids in the U.S. required a prescription. Now several over-the-counter hearing aids rival the quality of prescription options. If you're interested in a prescription model, you'll need to have a medical evaluation and fitting with an audiologist. If you prefer an OTC model, you can purchase the aids directly through the maker or affiliated retailer. In most cases, OTC hearing aids come in a set, while prescription aids are typically sold individually. OTC models are more suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss, while a prescription option is likely best if you have moderate to severe hearing loss.
Setup for your hearing aids will depend on whether you invest in a prescription or OTC hearing aid, as well as the model you choose. Prescription hearing aids need a professional fitting and calibration, but you're often on your own for setup with OTC models. This means you'll handle calibration and settings, though there are OTC options that offer additional help for setup, including remote programming and help from a hearing professional. If you're unsure about your ability to set up hearing aids on your own, this is an element worth considering.
Not every hearing aid pairs with an app, but most Bluetooth hearing aids do. These companion apps often offer help with setup, as well as allow you to customize settings, adjust the volume and tailor amplification from your phone.
"We like to work with comfortable, rechargeable, Bluetooth-compatible devices to give our patients the best experience," says Dr. Anish Thakkar, director of audiology at Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy and Los Angeles Center for Hearing & Balance. There is a range of Bluetooth capabilities, though. Some devices only sync up with certain phones, or just your phone. Others can stream music and work with tablets, TVs and laptops. If you know how you plan to use your Bluetooth hearing aids, make sure to look for compatible products.
Additional features vary but can include things like directional microphones, noise cancellation, rechargeable batteries and extended battery life. Some hearing aids even have relaxation modes that will pipe in soothing sounds, like the ocean waves. You also may want to look for features like longer trial periods and more robust professional support.
To find the best Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, we consulted with audiologists, otolaryngologists, physicians and hearing-aid specialists to learn more about the nuances and factors to consider when shopping for one of these devices. We also researched the field and narrowed our list based on expert recommendations around setup, sound quality, features and value.
Lexie Lumen Self-Fitting Hearing Aids. These behind-the-ear hearing aids offer six listening profiles, as well as exceptional customer service that's available seven days a week. They also come in five neutral shades.
Widex Moment. These hearing aids have a lightning-fast processing time and allow for hands-free calling for iPhone users. The included app even has a "find my hearing aid" feature, just-in-case you misplace them.
Signia Styletto AX. This over-the-ear hearing aid has a slim design and is packed with features to make your use easier, including Auto EchoShield, which helps create cleaner, crisper sounds and an upgraded eWindScreen to reduce wind sounds.
Hearing aids with Bluetooth connect with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, Reed explained. "This allows sounds to stream directly through the hearing aids," she said. Bluetooth hearing aids can be paired with phones, tablets and computers that can send the sound from the device directly to the hearing aid. "This can include audio from phone calls but also music, videos or podcasts," Reed said.
The benefit of Bluetooth is the potential for clearer sound. "Communicating on the telephone can be challenging and sometimes people can experience feedback — a whistling sound —when putting a phone to their ear near the hearing aid," Reed said. "Wirelessly streaming sound from the phone to the hearing aid can improve the signal that people hear and reduce some side effects such as feedback." It can also be easier to listen to the TV when it's piped directly into the hearing aid, Yong said.
Cost varies widely depending on a multitude of factors, such as OTC or prescription, rechargeable batteries or replaceable batteries, and types of technology. "OTC hearing aids range in price from about $200 to $2,000," Reed said. "Prescription hearing aids are typically more expensive, but it is very important to know that this is often because the services and expertise of the hearing healthcare professional who is involved in fitting and optimizing the hearing aids are a component of the cost." When you bundle the cost of prescription hearing aids with the services, you'll usually end up paying $2,000 to $3,000 per hearing aid, Reed said.
There is a lot of overlap between over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids, but there are some key differences. Prescription hearing aids have a higher level of customization and support, but they may cost more. They also require a professional fitting and evaluation. OTC hearing aids can be purchased and set up without the help of a professional. OTC hearing aids are typically better for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, while prescription hearing aids may be better suited for children and adults with moderate to severe hearing loss, Reed said.
Traditionally, Medicare does not cover hearing aids, Yong said. "But some of the Medicare Advantage plans, depending on what you have, may cover some portion of the hearing aids," he added. Standard plans should help cover the cost of diagnostics and screening, however.
If you are having trouble hearing, it's important to have a professional hearing test done by an audiologist. "There's such a great prevalence of people who have hearing loss as they get older," Yong says. If you're having difficulty hearing, especially in social situations or conversations with background noise, it's best to have an evaluation. "The only way to know is to see a doctor," Yong adds.
The answer here largely depends on you. "Factors that influence this can include tech savviness, dexterity, vision, cognition and degree of hearing loss, to name a few," Reed says. OTC hearing aids rely on the consumer for setup, she points out. "Some OTC hearing aids have preset programs that an individual can select between, and others are called 'self-fitting' and often have a type of hearing test that can help program the hearing aids but may need connection to a phone or other device," Reed says. "This may require someone being comfortable with technology and pairing devices to their phones." Some OTC hearing aid manufacturers offer remote support or videos that can help, though.
"Prescription hearing aids are often set up by the dispensing hearing healthcare professional, and so may be a better option for someone who is less comfortable with technology," Reed notes. If you're struggling to manage your hearing aid, whether it's prescription or OTC, Reed recommends contacting an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist for support.
Meaghan Reed, Au.D., director of clinical audiology, Mass Eye and Ear
Anish Thakkar, Au.D., director of audiology at Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy
Dr. Michael Yong, otolaryngologist and neurorhinologist, Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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