The Best Hearing Aids

Sunday, February 9th

2025 Hearing Aid Reviews

Orka

• $1,899 per pair
• Save $100 with email signup
• Free shipping
• Can connect to multiple bluetooth devices simultaneously
• 3-year warranty
• 45-day risk-free trial

Orka was founded in Silicon Valley in 2018. They're a global hearing aid company that addresses hearing loss challenges through artificial intelligence. Orka focuses on combining hardware, machine learning, and services to create their FDA-registered hearing aids. With their online hearing screening test, potential customers can get results in as little as 5 minutes from the comfort of their home about the hearing threshold of both ears.

One perfected product

If you're shopping with Orka, you won't experience any decision fatigue about which pair of hearing aids to choose since you only have one option. The Orka Two is the only product sold here. It uses AI DeNoise technology that focuses on speech clarity and minimizing background noises. Rather than relying on an app to make adjustments to your hearing aid settings, the Orka Two has easy on-case controls for fast adjustments, coupled with a built-in-power bank.

Great bluetooth capabilities

Orka boasts that the Orka Two will meet all your hearing aid needs in one small device. It's equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 and will connect with your iPhone, Android, laptops, TV, and more. It will connect to multiple devices simultaneously if needed. So if you're watching a show and your phone rings, you don't have to "disconnect” from the tv in order to hear your phone call. The Orka Two can toggle between devices and sounds seamlessly.

Generous perks

The Orka Two was created for people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. The cost per pair is $1,899 and if you sign up for their email list, you can snag $100 off. Orka gives customers free shipping and returns on all orders, which is amazing. They also let customers have a 45-day free trial with their hearing aids. If they aren't happy with how they work for them, they can send them back without any issues. Best of all, Orka has a 3-year warranty on their hearing aids. You'll receive a brand new product for any unintentional damage to the product within this time. You can't beat that.

Virtual assistance

When you purchase Orka Two, you'll have a welcome call with an expert who can walk you through the basics of your new device and hearing health. You can always schedule virtual consultations to address hearing concerns or issues you might run into day-to-day. They also have in-app videos and information and how-to guides on the website to get you started.

Could use a few more customer reviews

We wish that Orka had a rating from the Better Business Bureau. They have some customer reviews on their website, but they are company-posted, so they conveniently didn't add any that are critical. We found a few customer reviews elsewhere, but not many. From what we saw people liked the clarity, look, and performance, though. Even people who have tried different types of hearing aids for years and years said Orkas were the most effective ones they'd purchased.

Love it all

We love everything about Orka Two. The fact that they have all their efforts poured into one product makes shopping easy, their 45-day return policy makes your purchase risk-free, and a 3-year warranty is better than anywhere else we've seen. These aren't cheap hearing aids, but they are also likely thousands of dollars cheaper than what you might find elsewhere. Overall, we think Orka Two could be a great option for many people, so they've earned our highest rating.

Lexie

• Starting at $799
• FDA-approved
• Free ongoing remote care
• Free shipping
• Developed by hearX Group
• For mild-to-moderate hearing loss
• 45-day free trial
• Designed in the USA
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Lexie was rated one of TIME's most influential companies in 2023. They're changing the industry of hearing aids by passing along savings to customers through direct-to-consumer efforts. Through Lexie, customers can take a hearing test, get matched with a pair of hearing aids, and manage their settings through the Lexie app all from home. The business was developed by hearX Group and started in 2018. They've since been featured by The New York Times, HearAdvisor, CNN, and Money magazine.

Easy comparison

There are 3 straightforward options for hearing aids from Lexie.

• Their most basic pair is called the Lumen and it runs at $799. It has similar benefits to traditional hearing aids, sits behind the ear, has 6 preset listening environment modes, and is bluetooth enabled.
• Their mid-tier pair of hearing aids, the Lexie B1, is also $799 with some additional benefits like Bose hardware, receiver-in-canal, more listening environment modes, and is self-fit in the app.
• For $899, you could try the Lexie B2, also powered by Bose hardware. The only difference between these and the B1s is the ability to stream calls for the iPhone. Lexie clearly lays out their three products side-by-side so customers can view the differences/similarities in their features.

Helpful experts and how-tos

Lexie's hearing experts are available by phone, video, or chat to help you find the right hearing aids, set them up, make adjustments, and troubleshoot as you go. There are also helpful how-to videos on Lexie's site that walk customers through the basics of switching their hearing aids on and off, how to measure their ear, replacement of slim tubes, replacing the dome, how to change batteries, using the app, and much more.

Try for free

Customers can test out Lexie's hearing aids for 45 days and send them back to their Boston headquarters for a full refund if they aren't satisfied. This policy is applicable once per device model and in order to get all your money back, the hearing aids need to be returned with any additional accessories, the carry case, and charging case.

Free shipping and payment options

All orders from Lexie ship for free. Delivery usually takes between 4 and 6 working days, which isn't bad. If you have an FSA or HSA card, you can use this as payment for your hearing aids here.

Glowing reviews

On top of their "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, Lexie has received a plethora of amazing customer reviews. People say these hearing aids are clearer than those they've tried in the past, customer service representatives are caring and concerned about buyers, and pricing is great.

Highly recommend

The Lexie hearing aid models are ideal for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, so if you fall into this category, we recommend trying out a pair of Lexie's hearing aids and working with one of their professional care team members. This is a great starting place if you don't want too many options and just need a little assistance getting back your sharper hearing. We highly recommend Lexie.

Eargo

• Priced between $1,650 and $2,550
• Financing options
• 45-day returns
• 1-2 year warranty depending on model
• Self-fitting
• "A” Better Business Bureau rating

Eargo set out in 2010 to make hearing wellness nearly invisible to the naked eye. They are an American hearing aid manufacturer out of San Jose, California. Eargo patented their own design that was made by an ear, nose, throat specialist. Eargo's hearing aids are made of specially designed medical-grade fibers called Flexi Fibers that come in two sizes and hold the hearing aids in place in the ear canal.

Over-the-top website

Eargo has a fancy website that needs some major simplifying. They have seemingly endless scrolling, graphics, and font size changes throughout their site that make us want to scream, "Just give it to us straight”. For people who want direct information, especially those from an older generation, they might get a bit exhausted and overwhelmed trying to soak everything in from Eargo's site.

3 models

When it comes to product selection, Eargo has made it simple. They have 3 versions of their hearing aid system: Eargo 5, Eargo 6, and Eargo 7. All of them are teeny tiny, can be connected to an app, and charged wirelessly on-the-go. We'll break down some other differences to help you save time filtering through information on their site:

• Eargo 5
• Cost: $1,650
• Battery life: Up to 16 hours
• Comes with: Contactless charging and storage case
• Warranty: 1 year
• Eargo 6
• Cost: $2,050
• Battery life: Up to 16 hours
• Comes with: Contactless charging and storage case
• Extra features: Water resistant up to IPX 7
• Warranty: 1 year
• Eargo 7
• Cost: $2,550
• Battery life: Up to 16 hours
• Comes with: Contactless charging and storage case
• Extra features: Water resistant up to IPX 7
• Warranty: 2 years

Questionable differences

If you're like us and noticed that there aren't huge differences between the three models, we can only assume that the technology becomes more advanced with each upgrade, otherwise we can't explain the cost difference outside of the 2-year warranty on the Eargo 7. Again, we wish they'd make the differences between them clearer on their site.

HSA approved

You can choose to finance the Eargo 6 or 7 through the company on a monthly plan or pay for it all upfront. Customers can use a health savings account to pay and if you're part of a qualified BCBS insurance plan, you may even have some of your costs covered this way.

Give them a test run

You won't need to work through an audiologist to get these fitted since they are self-fitting, meaning they come in 2 sizes and can be fitted through their app or customer support. If you aren't happy after testing out the Eargo, you have 45 days to return them for a full refund.

Amazing customer reviews

The Better Business Bureau gives Eargo an "A” rating. Eargo doesn't have unfiltered customer reviews on their site, but they do have excellent reviews elsewhere. We read about people who said the Eargo rivaled the expensive ones they got from their audiologist, their online and phone support is fantastic, and the quality is phenomenal overall. Customers say this really is a company with employees who know their stuff and are eager to help people find the hearing solutions they need.

Give them a chance

A kicker for us with Eargo truly was their website. We suspect they'd get more business if they made it easier for people to understand what they were trying to buy. It's extremely frustrating to navigate and that's too bad since they have a useful product that is well-liked by those who have tried it. This is the only reason Eargo didn't earn our highest rating. Otherwise, we like that their hearing aids are small, self-fitting, have good battery life, and are easy to recharge. We recommend giving Eargo a chance.

Vivtone

• Prices ranging from $197 to $699
• 45-day return guarantee
• Free shipping
• Free online hearing test
• 1-year warranties
• FDA-registered
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Vivtone has over 20 years of experience in e-commerce and has done extensive research on the hearing aid market. Their goal is to "Help people hear the world again”. They hope to help people living in a muffled world feel better connected to others. The company boasts excellent support and promises that you can reach out to them by phone or email to work with their customer service team on finding the right hearing aids for you.

Take their hearing test

The first step to choosing the right hearing aids for you from Vivtone will be to take their online hearing test. It takes about 3 minutes and a little bit of information to get some feedback about how significant your hearing loss may be. You can also refer to Vivtone's blog posts to find some other explanations about different types of hearing aids and general information to understand hearing loss.

All styles of hearing aids

Regardless of the hearing aid style you prefer, Vivtone has a selection for you. You can search products by behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-canal (RIC), completely-in-canal (CIC), bluetooth hearing aids, invisible hearing aids, and rechargeable hearing aids. Each product listing has multiple photos and clearly outlined details about the modes, channels, battery life, charging capabilities, and more. Customers will find that Vivtone's website is easy to navigate and provides plenty of information to make informed purchasing decisions.

Low prices

The prices of Vivtone's hearing aids range from $197 to $699, which is likely thousands of dollars cheaper than what you might find through an audiology clinic. All orders ship free and come with a 1-year manufacturing warranty. Since it takes a few weeks for your brain to adjust to new hearing aids, you can also return your Vivtone hearing aids within 45 days for a full refund if they don't meet your expectations.

Real reviews

Vivtone has been featured by Business Insider, Fox News, and Digital Journal. They have an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau and provide hundreds of reviews on each hearing aid model they sell. If you scroll to the bottom of each product listing, you'll find ratings and reviews from buyers. Most of them have 4 or 5 star ratings, which is fantastic. Some customers have also uploaded photos of themselves with their hearing aids so you can see what they look like in real life.

Reliable choice

Based on reviews, it seems that customer service is extremely responsive and helpful. They resolve any issues with malfunctions or questions about how to use their hearing aids. People report that Vivtone sells good quality hearing aids for the price. We like that this company has a few (but not too many) choices for people interested in different styles, offers low pricing, and has a 45-day return policy. Vivtone is a reliable choice for affordable over-the-counter hearing aids, so we've given them a high rating.

Chosgo

• Price range from $199 to $1,098
• Money-back guarantee
• Free shipping worldwide
• 1-year warranty
• 45-day free trial

Chosgo is a brand of Retone Hearing Technologies Inc., based out of Guangdong, China. They were founded in 2012 with the goal of helping people obtain hearing aids for an affordable price. They're a traditional manufacturer that eliminates the middleman by selling directly from factory to consumer. Chosgo's products are registered by the FDA and sold all throughout the world.

3 types of hearing aids

From Chosgo, you can shop for rechargeable hearing aids, BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aids, CIC (completely-in-canal) hearing aids, RIC (receiver-in-canal) hearing aids, and accessories. The type you choose to buy will likely be determined by the look you want and what seems most comfortable to you. There are only a few of each type available, which is nice if you feel overwhelmed about what option to go with.

Something for every budget

The price of hearing aids from Chosgo ranges from $199 to $1,098. On the higher end, you'll get extra sound levels, rechargeable batteries, multiple program settings, and often smaller sizing that is more easily hidden within the ear. RIC hearing aids are usually less expensive than other types and some come with the ability to connect to a bluetooth app for easy sound adjustments, have a few different program settings, and allow for basic up and down volume adjustments.

Discounts + free shipping

At the time of this review, Chosgo was offering $30 off storewide with a discount code provided on their site. On top of this, you'll always get free shipping, which also saves you a bit of money. Customers get 45 days to test out any of Chosgo's hearing aids they purchase. The company says it can take about 3 weeks for your brain to adapt to hearing aids, so you need to at least give it this long before deciding if they're up to par.

100% money-back guarantee

If customers aren't satisfied, their purchase is backed by a 100% money-back-guarantee (though the retailer reserves the right to assess a 20% restocking fee). On top of this, all hearing aids come with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty that guarantees a free replacement if the product is defective. You could choose to pay extra for a 2-year protection plan that also allows for a replacement in the event of displacement or water damage. However you spin it, you can't really go wrong by at least trying out a pair of hearing aids from Chosgo.

Hit and miss customer service

For questions about your hearing aids or before making a purchase, you can contact Chosgo's customer service by phone or email. When we tried to reach this line, it rang endlessly and then we got a generic voicemail. After a while we received a text from the company and they requested that we send an email. It's possible that we tried contacting them during a particularly busy time, so hopefully others would have better luck.. We also can't be sure that their support staff is in the United States, so it's possible there could be some language barriers. Your best bet may first be to email Chosgo if that seems like a reasonable way to get your questions answered.

Happy customers

Neither Chosgo nor Retone Hearing Technologies Inc. is rated by the Better Business Bureau. Luckily, Chosgo has customer reviews on their site and they're all very positive. A lot of people reported initially being skeptical of the site since they are significantly cheaper than what they were going to be charged by an audiologist to get hearing aids. However, people were surprised by how well they worked and felt relief after finding something for such an affordable price. It seemed that the overwhelming majority of people would recommend this company and felt pleased with their purchase.

Good option

Chosgo seems like a solid choice for hearing aids. We like that they have a basic selection of hearing aids that aren't hard to choose from. Their prices are affordable, and best of all, their ratings from customers are very high. If we had any concerns at all, it would be about potential communication issues between customers and the company since they are China-based. However, this doesn't seem to be a common issue that people report, so we wouldn't be too worried. Chosgo is a good option if you're looking to save a lot on hearing aids.

Elehear

• Priced at $399 or $499 depending on model
• FDA-registered
• Free shipping
• Best for mild-to-moderate hearing loss
• 1-year warranty
• 45-day trial

Elehear is a bit newer to the market, only having been in business since 2017. They aim to elevate speech understanding so that people can enjoy deep social connections in their life.

Online hearing test

To get started, Elehear has a quick online hearing test where you answer a few questions, then test your hearing with some headphones, and quickly get results about how significant the hearing loss seems to be in either/both ears. This is a great first step for people who think their hearing may be slipping but aren't sure if it's worth pursuing hearing aids.

Alpha and Alpha Pro

There are just two options for hearing aids from Elehear: the Alpha and the Alpha Pro. They both have up to 20 hours of battery life and a charging case that allows up to 7 additional charges before needing to recharge itself. The main difference between the two is that the Alpha has a maximum 8dB noise attenuation and costs $399, whereas the Alpha Pro has 12dB noise attenuation and costs $499.

45-day trial period

If you're up for a quick survey, Elehear will provide a $30 discount code you can use toward your order. All purchases ship free and come with a 1-year warranty. If you test out Elehear's hearing aids for a few weeks and find that your hearing isn't improving the way you'd hoped, you have a full 45 days to send them back for a refund.

Hearing aid and bluetooth speaker

The design of the Alpha and Alpha Pro is one where it hooks on behind the ear and a small piece wraps around to fit comfortably inside the ear canal. It can be used as a hearing aid or as a bluetooth speaker if you want to listen to a phone call, audiobook, or music. How convenient! The different noise level adjustments and settings can all be done through Elehear's app that you'll get with your purchase.

Insightful blog posts

There are helpful how-to videos on Elehear's website for wearing, charging, replacing the ear cap, and the wax cap. They also have interesting blog articles about the use of AI in hearing aid creation, how hearing aids affect lifespan, how to communicate better with people who have hearing loss, tips for protecting hearing aids, and much more. It's all very useful and relevant information that is worth your time to read through.

Few customer reviews

Elehear does not have a rating from the Better Business Bureau and they only have 15 customer reviews on their website. All these reviews are 5/5 stars, which is fantastic, but also doesn't feel totally reliable. There are some third-party independent testers who claim that Elehear is a great product, but we would like to see more from customers directly.

Promising option

From everything we see, Elehear seems like a promising option for hearing aids. They are affordable, have great battery life, come with a 45-day guarantee, have free shipping, and seem to have a great app that allows you to get the most out of your hearing aids' functionality. We'd like to see more feedback from customers and a Better Business Bureau rating in the future, but as of right now we trust that Elehear is a good option for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Hear Better

• From $79.98 to $469 depending on model
• 24-hour shipping
• 60-day return policy
• 1-year warranty
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Hear Better was established in 2009. Their mission is to bring people high quality hearing aids at affordable prices since they recognize that suffering from hearing loss can deeply affect day-to-day living. The brands you'll find here include Signia, Siemens, New Sound, and Doctor Paul. Hear Better stands behind their products with generous policies and transparent information about their hearing aids.

Overlapping product categories

There are a few ways you can browse hearing aids at Hear Better. You could either browse the options from the severe hearing loss category or the profound hearing loss category, or search by "affordable hearing aids”, "bluetooth hearing aids”, "rechargeable hearing aids”, "programmable”, "open fit digital hearing aids”, "hearing aids under $100”, or "hearing aids under $200”. These categories have a lot of overlap and we do wish that it was a bit more straightforward to view all the hearing aid options here.

Lots to filter through

You'll need to be patient as you look through all the different hearing aid options here and differentiate them. They have a big selection, so hopefully you will find something that will work for you in the end, but you'll need to be a bit diligent in your search. A wide selection is great in some ways and overwhelming in others, since it can be hard initially to know exactly what features and fit you want. The prices of hearing aids here range from $79.98 to $469.

Generous 60-day return policy

We're used to seeing a 45-day free trial from companies letting customers test out their hearing aids and decide if they want to keep them or try something new. However, Hear Better gives a 60-day return policy, which is great. They outline some specifications for how the hearing aids need to be returned in order for customers to qualify for their full refund, so it's a good idea to read this before packaging up your return.

Quick shipping

When you spend over $100 at Hear Better, your order will qualify for free shipping. They also boast that they ship out orders within 24 hours, so you shouldn't have to wait long to get some hearing relief once you've made a purchase. On top of hearing aids, you can turn to Hear Better for additional parts like cleaning supplies, batteries, sound tubes, wax filters, ear tips, and care kits.

1-year warranty

All hearing aids come with a 1-year warranty from the day you receive the order. Even after one year, Hear Better says they will fix most issues at no cost to you as long as you pay for the shipping costs.

Scarce reviews

Hear Better has a solid "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. They have a few customer reviews on individual products on their site, but they are few and far between. Elsewhere we saw some complaints about customer service while others said they were happy with the selection they found at Hear Better. Overall, we wish we could get more reliable customer feedback to gauge this company's reliability.

Not our favorite

It would be nice if Hear Better was able to simplify their website a bit so that you could easily compare the differences between all their hearing aids and not get mixed up between them. Their selection seems good and helpful for people, but it might be hard to make a decision here. We also wish they had more customer feedback. Hear Better has a generous return policy, good pricing, and fast shipping, but they still haven't earned one of our strongest recommendations.

Otofonix

• Prices ranging from $124 to $449
• Free shipping on orders over $75
• 1-year warranty
• 45-day trial program
• Unfiltered customer reviews on website

Otofonix is a company working to find hearing aid solutions that are available to everyone. They have practically no information about their background or how they came to be, but they've been featured by the Chicago Tribune, Fox, SunSentinel, Hearing Health, and Audiology Online. Otofonix features 6 types of hearing aids that can easily be discovered on their website.

Compare the models

The six models of hearing aids Otofonix offers are called Elite, Encore, Helix, Groove, Apex, and Sona. The easiest way to get an overview of the differences between them is to navigate to their "Compare hearing aids” page. Here you'll see battery life, charging capabilities, number of program settings, price, and more. Oddly, here they only break down the differences between the Elite, Encore, and Helix. For whatever reason, you can't see a side-by-side comparison with all 6. It's possible that they are phasing out some of their other models, but we aren't sure why they don't focus as much on them.

Highly affordable

Interestingly, some of the hearing aid models from Otofonix can be purchased for just a single ear. At the time of this review, the cheapest model was the Apex, starting at just $124 per ear. However, they were completely sold out when we tried to add them to our cart. The most expensive model is the Groove at $449 that comes with bluetooth connectivity, a rechargeable base, and 15-18 hours of battery life. It's safe to say that all your options at Otofonix are extremely inexpensive.

Add some accessories

There are plenty of accessories at Otofonix to replace any parts for any of the hearing aid models. Whether you want a cleaning kit, new batteries, a new charger, or ear domes, you can get all the parts you need. Every order from Otofonix ships for free when you spend at least $75.

Try risk-free

All hearing aid models are covered under Otofonix's warranty for one year after purchase. This includes defects in workmanship, not malfunctions due to wear and tear. Luckily, you can try any Otofonix hearing aids for 45 days and send them back for a full refund if you change your mind. To send them back, visit Otofonix's website and fill out the return form for authorization. Here you can also get an email address and phone number to contact customer service if you have any other questions regarding your purchase.

Unfiltered customer reviews

Otofonix is not rated by the Better Business Bureau. They don't seem to be the most well-known or popular company for hearing aids, but customers do like their products. You can read unfiltered customer reviews for each hearing aid model straight from the website. A lot of people say they are a good value for first-time users and they enhance conversations and block out other distracting noises in crowded environments. There are a few people who feel they are mediocre at best, but that's not unusual for any hearing aids on the market, honestly.

Mediocre

We feel like Otofonix probably has options that would work for some people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Truthfully, they don't strike us as a company with anything really wowing or unique. Purchasing hearing aids here is fairly risk-free since they offer a full refund within 45 days. However, there are other higher-rated companies that offer good pricing, more customer reviews, and other perks and policies that give you more bang for your buck. Because of this, Otofonix has earned an average rating.

Fisdemo

• From $99 to $299 depending on model
• Free shipping on all purchases
• 45-day money-back guarantee
• FDA-registered
• 1-year warranty

Based out of Spokane, Washington, Fisdemo recognized that people all around the United States are paying significantly more than is necessary for hearing aids because of the cost difference between manufacture and sale. They began producing medical-grade hearing aids for clients at a fraction of the cost of what they'd get through a hearing clinic or audiologist. We aren't sure when this company was founded or much about its origin story since they don't outline it on the website or anywhere else.

Choose your model and color

There are six FDA-registered models of the Fisdemo hearing aid: Fisdemo J, Fisdemo Crystal, Fisdemo L, Fisdemo Nature, Fisdemo M, and Fisdemo Beau. The website clearly outlines the features of each one and shows good pictures so you can make a smart decision about which model will work for you. They differ in look, features, battery life, bluetooth capability, and modes. A few of the hearing aid models even come in a couple of different colors that you can choose from.

Accessorize

There are a few accessories that Fisdemo recommends adding onto your purchase if you choose to. Some of them include a bluetooth receiver-transmitter, AUX car audio adapter, a hearing aid dryer case, cleaning kit, and anti-loss/anti-drop protective sleeve lanyard.

Very inexpensive

The least expensive Fisdemo hearing aids are the Crystal OTC model for just $99. These wrap behind the ear and come in a transparent color with a blue and red outline. The Fisdemo J are the most expensive at $299 and come in either blue or khaki. These have up to a 12 hour battery life and have bluetooth capabilities, unlike some other models including the Crystal. No matter which pair of hearing aids you try out, you'll hardly spend anything on them. Fisdemo is one of the least expensive hearing aid sites we found and they offer free shipping on all orders. We love the idea of saving tons of money, but that always means you may not get as many features or as good of quality of a product, so keep that in mind.

45 day test period

Like most companies in the hearing aid business, Fisdemo lets customers try their hearing aids for 45 days before deciding if they want to keep them or send them back for a full refund. To start a return, you will need to email the company to get return authorization and then you'll pay the cost of shipping to send them back. If you have any additional questions about this process or anything else, you can always contact customer service by email or the phone number they list on their website.

Few customer ratings

There aren't many customer reviews for Fisdemo's hearing aids, but there are a few. Most of them are either 4/5 or 5/5 stars. People say they have good noise reduction, bluetooth integration is easy, they're comfortable, and inconspicuous. This is only based on a handful of reviews, though. Fisdemo is also not registered with or rated by the Better Business Bureau.

Cheap, short-term option

We don't see any major red flags with Fisdemo as a company. We wish we knew a bit more about their backstory, but they otherwise seem decent. Their hearing aids seem like a cheap solution if you have mild hearing loss and don't need a lot of bells and whistles. We also can't be sure they're very durable and will last a long time. We like that they're inexpensive, but it also makes us wonder how they hold up compared with their competitors. People with hearing loss will probably be willing to spend a bit more money on something that will work long-term, so to stay on the safe side, we haven't given Fisdemo one of our highest ratings.

Linner

• Prices from $269 to $359
• FSA and HSA eligible
• FDA-registered
• Free professional consultation
• 30-day return policy
• 1-year warranty
• Get 15% off for referring a friend

Linner is an innovative company based out of Santa Clara, California. They originated in 2016 with the mission to transform how people experience sound with the use of cutting edge technology. Use experience is their highest priority and they are trying to move past the "conservative” and "non-functional” products that have been marketed to seniors for so long. Through their research processes, Linner has created 3 hearing aids for the general public.

Space-themed models

Linner has 3 models of hearing aids for you to choose from.

• The Linner Nova is the first hearing aid model the company offers. It comes in at $299 with 8 hours of battery life, a pocket-sized charging case, IPX5 waterproof rating, and bluetooth streaming with hands-free calling. This hearing aid looks like small earbuds that you'd buy for listening to music and hands-free calls.
• The Linner Mars is $359.99 and has similar features, but a more rounded shape that fits into your ear. We wish they'd do a side-by-side comparison of features between this model and the Linner Nova because it's not clear why these are priced so differently.
• The final option for Linner hearing aids is the Linner Mercury. For $269.99, this model has a 20-hour battery life, 3 sound modes, is sweat and water resistant, and has a 16-channel sound processor. The style of this is more conspicuous as it clips behind the ear with the receiver in the canal.

Free phone consultations

So how do you know which of these models would be best for you? It might help to know that Linner offers free consultations with audiologists to answer your questions and help you choose the right product. You can read through the bios of 4 different audiologists and choose which one you'd like to talk with over the phone. You'll simply select a time for your consultation, fill in your contact information, and then complete your booking. This should help you feel more confident moving forward with any purchase you're considering. Outside of this, the only way to contact the company is by filling out the form on their website.

Referral discounts

If you refer a friend to Linner, you'll get 15% off your purchase, plus additional 15% discounts for every purchase they make. Customers always get free shipping on their orders too.

Lame return policy

We weren't thrilled with Linner's return policy. Where most people recommend slowly wearing hearing aids and taking weeks to adjust to them before deciding if they work, Linner requires returns to be completed within 30 days. It doesn't seem like you can send your hearing aids back if they've been used and you aren't happy with how they performed. We are super disappointed by this since it's not the norm with many OTC hearing aid retailers.

Go for the Mercury

We'll give Linner kudos for allowing unfiltered customer reviews on their hearing aids. We like this a lot and it's informative when buying something as important as a hearing device. There aren't a ton of reviews on any given model, but from what we see, most are fairly good but not great. Some people rave about them and love the bluetooth capabilities, sound quality, and so on. Others say they work for the time being, but they aren't a total game changer. Unsurprisingly, some people didn't realize that their return policy was so inflexible and felt frustrated that they couldn't return the hearing aids. Overall, it seems that the Linner Mercury is the best performing of the three models.

We wish we could rank them higher

We wish that we could give Linner a higher rating. We really like the look of their Nova model in particular since it is so discreet and no one would think you're using hearing aids. The cost of these hearing aids aren't bad at all, but it still hurts if you find they don't work for you and you can't return them. If Linner were to adjust their return policy and allow customers a free trial, we'd feel more comfortable recommending them.