You can buy over-the-counter hearing aids at major pharmacies, big-box retailers, electronics stores, and directly from manufacturers online, all without a prescription or hearing exam. Since the FDA created the OTC hearing aid category in October 2022, dozens of retailers now stock them both in stores and on their websites. The median price for an OTC device is around $150 per ear, compared to $1,560 for a prescription hearing aid.
Who Can Buy OTC Hearing Aids
OTC hearing aids are FDA-regulated devices intended for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. You do not need to see an audiologist, get a hearing test, or obtain a prescription. The FDA explicitly prohibits their use by anyone under 18, and they are not designed for severe or profound hearing loss.
Signs that you fall into the mild-to-moderate range include difficulty hearing people clearly in noisy places, frequently asking others to repeat themselves, turning the TV volume higher than others need, struggling to follow phone conversations, or feeling mentally drained from concentrating just to listen. If those sound familiar, OTC hearing aids are designed for you. If you have significant hearing loss in one ear, sudden hearing changes, or ear pain, those warrant a professional evaluation before buying anything off the shelf.
Pharmacies and Drugstores
CVS is one of the most accessible options, carrying brands like Lexie (powered by Bose), Audien, Go Hearing, Lucid Hearing, and MSA. Specific models available include the Lexie B2 self-fitting rechargeable aids, the Audien Atom Pro 2, and the Go Prime in-the-ear rechargeable aid. Walgreens and Rite Aid also stock OTC hearing aids, though selection varies by location. You can browse online and ship to your home or check in-store availability.
Big-Box and Electronics Retailers
Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, and Sam’s Club all carry OTC hearing aids. These stores tend to have broader selections and competitive pricing, especially the warehouse clubs. Best Buy carries models from major consumer electronics brands, while Costco and Sam’s Club often bundle hearing aids with membership-level discounts.
One advantage of buying in person at these larger stores: some locations have audiologists or trained hearing professionals on staff who can administer a basic hearing screening and help with fitting. This varies significantly by location and time of day, so call ahead if that matters to you. Verizon and T-Mobile stores have also started carrying select OTC models, which makes sense given how closely modern hearing aids integrate with smartphones.
Direct-to-Consumer Online Brands
Several manufacturers sell directly through their own websites, shipping hearing aids straight to your door. Jabra Enhance is one of the most established, offering an online candidacy screening before purchase. Lexie Hearing, Eargo, and Sony all sell direct as well. Buying from the manufacturer often gives you access to better post-purchase support, including app-based adjustments and remote consultations.
Jabra Enhance and Hear.com have built teleaudiology programs that cover the full process: assessment, fitting, and ongoing aftercare, all done remotely. Lexie and Sony use a tiered support system where initial questions go to trained technicians, and more complex issues get escalated to licensed audiologists. If you’re new to hearing aids and want guidance without visiting a clinic, these direct brands offer the closest thing to professional support in an OTC package.
Preset vs. Self-Fitting Devices
OTC hearing aids fall into two categories, and which type you choose affects both the buying experience and how well the device works for you.
Preset hearing aids come with standardized sound profiles designed around common patterns of hearing loss. You pick a program that sounds best and go. These tend to be simpler, less expensive, and require no smartphone. They work well for people with straightforward, symmetrical mild hearing loss who want something plug-and-play.
Self-fitting hearing aids connect to a smartphone app and let you customize the sound to your specific hearing profile. Some, like the Lexie B2 Plus, run you through an in-ear hearing test and automatically recommend gain settings across different frequencies based on your results. Others, like the standard Lexie B2, let you manually adjust overall volume and tone balance based on what sounds comfortable. A clinical trial comparing these two approaches found both effective, but the in-ear test method provides a more tailored fit since it measures your actual hearing thresholds rather than relying on your subjective preference alone.
What They Cost
Survey data from the MarkeTrak 25 study found the median OTC hearing aid costs about $150 per ear. That’s roughly $1,410 less per device than the median prescription hearing aid at $1,560. Premium self-fitting models with app connectivity and rechargeable batteries sit at the higher end of the OTC range, while basic preset amplifiers can be found for well under $100.
Both HSA and FSA funds can be used to pay for OTC hearing aids, batteries, and accessories. Most flexible spending plans classify them as eligible medical expenses, though it’s worth confirming with your specific plan administrator before purchasing. This effectively lets you buy with pre-tax dollars, saving an additional 20 to 30 percent depending on your tax bracket.
Return Policies and Trial Periods
Return policies vary by retailer, not by federal mandate. The FDA regulates the devices themselves but does not require a specific trial period for OTC hearing aids the way some states do for prescription models. Before buying, check the return window wherever you’re purchasing. Many direct-to-consumer brands offer 30- to 45-day trial periods with full refunds, specifically because hearing aids need real-world testing across different environments: quiet rooms, restaurants, phone calls, outdoor settings.
If you buy from a pharmacy or big-box store, the store’s general electronics return policy typically applies. Costco is known for generous return windows. Best Buy and Walmart have shorter ones. Keep original packaging and receipts regardless of where you buy, and test the device thoroughly in your daily routine within the first week so you have time to return or exchange if the fit isn’t right.
Tips for Choosing Where to Buy
- If you want hands-on help: Visit a Costco, Best Buy, or Walmart location with hearing professionals on staff. Call first to confirm availability.
- If you want ongoing remote support: Buy directly from Jabra Enhance, Lexie, or another brand with teleaudiology services built in.
- If you want the lowest price: Pharmacy chains and warehouse clubs carry budget models under $100 per ear. Preset devices without app connectivity are the most affordable.
- If you want the most customized fit without a clinic visit: Choose a self-fitting model with in-ear audiometry, like the Lexie B2 Plus, which measures your hearing through the device and adjusts automatically.