Over-the-counter hearing aids are available at major pharmacies, electronics retailers, wholesale clubs, and dozens of online stores, all without a prescription or hearing exam. Since the FDA created the OTC hearing aid category in October 2022, adults 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss can walk into a store or visit a website and buy a pair the same way they’d buy reading glasses.
Where to Buy In Store
The fastest way to get OTC hearing aids is to visit a pharmacy or electronics retailer that stocks them. Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Best Buy all carry OTC models on their shelves. Wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club also sell them, often at competitive prices. You can pick up a pair, take it home, and start using it the same day.
Availability varies by location. Larger stores and pharmacies in urban areas tend to have more brands and models on display, while smaller locations may carry only one or two options. Calling ahead or checking the store’s website saves a wasted trip.
Where to Buy Online
Online shopping gives you access to the widest selection. Many brands sell directly through their own websites, including Eargo, Audien, Jabra Enhance, Lexie (which uses Bose technology), and Audicus. You can also find OTC hearing aids on Amazon, Walmart.com, and Best Buy’s website.
Some OTC hearing aids are classified as “direct-to-consumer” devices, meaning they’re sold exclusively online rather than in physical stores. These DTC models are still FDA-regulated OTC hearing aids. They just don’t have brick-and-mortar retail distribution. If you prefer trying before buying, look for brands with generous return windows.
What They Cost
Prices range widely, from under $100 to over $2,500 per pair. At the low end, basic models like the Audien Atom start around $98 per pair. Mid-range options with Bluetooth connectivity and rechargeable batteries typically run $400 to $800. Premium OTC models from brands like Eargo and Jabra Enhance can cost $1,200 to $2,700, approaching prescription hearing aid territory.
For context, prescription hearing aids can run as high as $7,000. Even a premium OTC device represents a significant savings over that. And if you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), OTC hearing aids are eligible for reimbursement. The IRS also allows you to count the cost of hearing aids, batteries, repairs, and maintenance as a medical expense deduction.
How to Know If OTC Is Right for You
OTC hearing aids are designed for a specific level of hearing loss: mild to moderate. You’re likely in that range if you have trouble following conversations in noisy restaurants, need to turn the TV louder than others prefer, find phone calls difficult to hear, or feel mentally tired after sustained listening. These are the scenarios the FDA lists on required OTC packaging as signs the product is appropriate for you.
OTC hearing aids are probably not enough if you can’t hear speech even in a quiet room, or if you struggle to hear loud sounds like power tools and engines. That suggests more significant hearing loss that benefits from professional fitting and stronger amplification.
When to See a Doctor Instead
Certain symptoms point to medical conditions that an OTC device won’t address. Skip the store and see an ear, nose, and throat doctor if you’ve had sudden hearing loss (especially in one ear), blood or fluid draining from your ear in the past six months, ear pain, recurring dizziness or vertigo, pulsating ringing in your ear that matches your heartbeat, or any facial weakness or numbness. These can signal infections, growths, or neurological issues that need treatment, not amplification.
An unusual ear shape from birth or injury is another reason to get professional help first, since OTC devices are built for standard ear anatomy.
How Self-Fitting Works
Unlike prescription hearing aids, which an audiologist programs during an office visit, OTC models let you adjust settings yourself. Most brands pair with a free smartphone app over Bluetooth. Through the app, you control overall volume, adjust bass and treble balance, and switch between listening modes (like a setting optimized for conversation versus one for noisy environments). Some devices walk you through a built-in hearing test that automatically tunes the amplification to your specific hearing profile.
You’ll need a compatible smartphone for most models. Both iOS and Android are generally supported. A few budget models skip the app entirely and use physical buttons on the device for basic volume and tone adjustments.
Battery Life and Device Styles
Most rechargeable OTC hearing aids last 16 to 24 hours on a single charge, enough for a full day of use. You drop them into a charging case overnight, similar to wireless earbuds. Models that use disposable batteries last longer per battery (typically about a week) but require regular replacements.
OTC hearing aids come in several physical styles. Behind-the-ear (BTE) models hook over the top of your ear with a small tube directing sound into the canal. Receiver-in-canal (RIC) devices are similar but smaller, with a tiny speaker that sits inside the ear canal. Completely-in-canal (CIC) models are the most discreet, fitting entirely inside the ear canal with nothing visible from the outside. In-the-ear (ITE) devices sit in the outer bowl of the ear and tend to be easier to handle. Budget models are most commonly ITE or BTE, while the smallest CIC designs tend to cost more.
Tips for Shopping Smart
Check the return policy before you buy. Adjusting to hearing aids takes time, often a few weeks, and not every device will feel right. Many brands offer 30- to 45-day trial periods, but policies vary. A store-bought pair follows the retailer’s return rules, while direct-to-consumer brands set their own terms.
Look for the FDA’s OTC hearing aid labeling on the box. Legitimate OTC hearing aids are required to display specific warnings and usage guidelines on the outside packaging. Products marketed as “personal sound amplification devices” (PSAPs) are not the same thing. PSAPs aren’t regulated as medical devices and aren’t designed to compensate for hearing loss.
Give the device at least two weeks of consistent daily use before deciding it doesn’t work. Your brain needs time to readjust to sounds it hasn’t been processing clearly, and the first few days can feel overwhelming or tinny. Gradually increasing your wear time helps with the transition.