The hearing aid market is progressing and expanding at an unprecedented rate thanks to the innovation of dozens of new companies. Startups are speeding up the rate of innovation and are forcing older hearing aid companies to rush to keep up.
Hearing loss can interfere with your ability to live everyday life, whether you are trying to have a conversation or enjoy a walk in nature, but it can also go unnoticed. It’s very important to treat hearing loss as soon as possible, whether you have minor or severe hearing loss. Many people have a reluctance towards hearing aids, but with the recent improvements in visibility, comfort, and quality, there is no question that they are a great option for all people with hearing loss and you should not hesitate to try one.
Shopping for a new hearing aid can be an expensive and overwhelming endeavor. Choosing a hearing aid is an important decision which can greatly affect your quality of life, therefore it is important to do some research before buying. With so many new hearing aids coming out every year, it’s hard to keep track of them all.
Our goal with this article is help consumers compare some of the new hearing aid companies that are coming out with some of the larger, well-established companies. We want consumers to understand what features each product offers and how they compare to other products. This page will continue to be updated with more reviews and comparisons of new hearing aid companies.
Eargo
Eargo is one of the most exciting, new hearing aid companies. They use a new, unique approach to sound amplification, while still focusing on comfort and minimizing visibility. Eargo sells their product directly to consumers through their website since it’s not yet available in retail stores. Their hearing aids will work for a wide range of people, and their website states that it will work well for “typical high-frequency hearing loss ranging from mild to severe”.
Eargo seems genuinely focused on advancing research and development in the hearing aid world, and are backed by some major venture capital funds. In fact, they just received a funding round of $71 million from Glide Healthcare and Longitude Capital. They are not one of the many fly-by-night scams that are unfortunately prevalent in the hearing aid space.
One of the main benefits of Eargo hearing aids is that they are all completely rechargeable. Fumbling around with tiny batteries when you’re outside and on the go is no fun. With Eargo’s rechargeable models, this is no longer an issue. Remembering to set the hearing aid to charge on the charging dock at night is important.
Although Eargo hearing aids are not programmed by the audiologist, the user can program the hearing aids themselves. There are 4 different “listening profiles” which adjust how the hearing aid amplifies sound, blocks out background noise, and the clarity of the noise you experience.
Eargo has a proprietary “open fit” that they claim allows both air and sound to pass through, while allowing for a comfortable in-ear fit. The air passing through allows your ear to breathe, unlike most other models that do not allow for air flow and entirely block the passage.
Eargo offers 3 different models to consumers: the Eargo Max, Eargo Neo, and the Eargo Neo Hifi.
Eargo Max
Eargo’s Max is the most affordable model and has received praise from the press and consumers. Currently, the Max model retails for $1,850 and has financing options available starting at $86/month.
While the Eargo Max may not be quite as advanced as the Eargo Neo model, it still provides a clean, amazing hearing experience that rivals almost any other brand. It has 4 different sound profiles available, which the user can switch through. Like all Eargo models, the Max sits very comfortably in your ear and is nearly invisible from a distance. The Eargo Max model would be perfect for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Eargo Neo
The Eargo Neo provides an even more clean, precise hearing experience than the Eargo Max. The Eargo team redesigned their original model in order to further improve the sound quality and comfort. The Neo is currently priced at $2,350 and has financing options starting at $109/month.
Using the Eargo app you will be able to do sound wave personalization, and Eargo has a support team ready and available to help you. If you are looking for an even crisper and cleaner sound than the Max, the Neo may be perfect for you.
Eargo Neo Hifi
The Eargo Neo Hifi provides the highest level of quality and comfort available. This is a state of the art hearing aid that provides some of the highest sound quality in the industry. It carries a heavy price tag of $2,650 or financing starting at $123/month. This is backed by a 2 year warranty to protect your purchase.
If you are striving to experience the best sound quality possible, perhaps to dive deep into your music collection, or enjoy the sounds of unfiltered nature, the Neo Hifi is perhaps the best choice available in 2020. It is suitable for individuals ranging from mild to severe hearing loss.
MDHearingAid
MDHearingAid products are good quality affordable hearing aids with good customer support. They are medical grade devices registered with the FDA. The company is midwestern based with more than 10 years in business, and has sold hundreds of thousands of units. The hearing aids are assembled and tested in Michigan. This hearing aid is perfect for customers that are looking for more affordable options since the prices are just a fraction of many competitors. MDHearingAid sells directly to consumers which helps keep the cost affordable.
These hearing aids are not adjustable by audiologists, but they do cover needs for over 80% of customers. Each device comes with different modes to adjust it to the needs of users. MDHearingAid offers four different models.
MDHearingAid PRO
The PRO is MDHeaingAid’s entry-level option and the most affordable solution that it offers. However, even though it is at such a great price, it’s also important to note that it uses analog technology instead of digital (making it a little less “modern” than some of the other models around). But it’s still a great option for a user who wants a cheaper option. There are two audio modes available: one for hearing loss on all frequencies, and another one for high frequency hearing loss.
The PRO can block background noise and it works great for conversations, talking on the phone and watching TV, but other models should be used for large noisy environments. This hearing aid is flexible and has a comfortable fit. It comes with a carrying case and one year supply of batteries if you buy a pair. The PRO is the cheapest model at $199.99 per ear, and the pair bundle is $399.99.
MDHearingAid AIR
MDHearingAid’s AIR model is their best selling product. It’s the perfect balance of affordability and modern technology. Unlike the PRO model, this one uses digital technology to enable noise reduction and help the user listen in different types of environments. Depending on the environment, the user can also select between four different modes, ranging from “quiet” to “noisy”. Another useful feature of this model is its feedback cancellation, which removes the annoying whistle that unfortunately sometimes occurs with hearing aids.
For users concerned with battery life, it’s good to note that the model comes with a carrying case and a year’s supply of batteries if you buy a pair. The AIR costs $399.99 per ear, but is on sale now where if you buy one you get one free.
MDHearingAid VOLT
This hearing aid comes with the rechargeable battery and charger, so users can save on replacement batteries. One charge lasts the whole day and it can be easily recharged in 3 to 4 hours. Another important feature of this model is the dual microphone, which helps with reducing the background noise. Like the previous model, this one also includes feedback cancellation in order to eliminate the whistle. Like with the AIR, the user has four modes to choose from in order to adjust to different environments.
A carrying case and charging dock are included with the device. The VOLT model is also on sale (buy one get one free), with the pair bundle the same cost as a single hearing aid at $599.99.
MDHearingAid CORE
The CORE model comes with the most advanced adjustment out of all of the models. With the device, a user can establish a bluetooth connection to a smartphone or tablet running the MDHearingAID app. The app has many hearing settings available, allowing for increased customizability by the user. The benefit of the model is that users can completely control and personalize the device, and the left and right side can even be adjusted independently.
There are four audio settings. They automatically adjust to different environments to enable better noise reduction and improve sound quality. Two microphones help with focusing on the useful sounds and eliminate noise, and once again there’s feedback cancellation to eliminate the whistle.
It comes with a carrying case and one year supply of batteries if you buy a pair. A single hearing aid costs $799.99, and a pair bundle costs $999.99 (buy one get one 75% off).
Audicus
Audicus hearing aids are some of the most customizable and personalized hearing aids on the market. Their hearing aids come in three models, from oldest to newest: The Dia II, the Clara, and the Wave. Although none of the models can be adjusted by the user, all purchases of Audicus hearing aids include a free online hearing test. A customer can then upload the audiogram results, which are analyzed by a team of audiologists in order to ensure the hearing aid is tuned well.
Audicus uses modern, digital technology to enhance the user’s experience. All of Audicus’ heairng aids are able to suppress excess noise due to two directional microphones: a front mic that focuses on speech, and a back mic to block the extra noise. In addition, all of the models have bluetooth capabilities, which can be useful for a customer interested in streaming directly when watching movies on TV or making calls with a smartphone. Audicus also has an app that allows for customization while streaming.
Audicus Dia II
Priced at $499 per ear, the Dia II is the cheapest model available. Even though it is the oldest of the three available models, the Dia II remains high in popularity due to its affordability and all of the great modern features one gets for the price.
The model uses digital processing, and as mentioned, comes along with a handy pre-purchase customization by a team of audiologists. Few other brands can boast the same service at this price. The Dia II has a behind-the-ear design (available in beige, grey, and silver), which means it may not be as discreet as in-the-ear hearing aids. Still, as a fully digital model at a great price, the Dia II is definitely a contender for a customer looking for a more inexpensive but still quality hearing aid. This model is appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Audicus Clara
The Clara is Audicus’ middle child, with a price of $699 per ear. As a more modern alternative to the Dia II, the Clara allows for increased customization and control. The Clara is good at adapting to different environments by letting the user choose between 10 volume settings, and has different programs tailored to music or noisy conversations. If you purchase the Clara as a pair, you get rechargeable batteries (worth $400) for free. As a receiver-in-the-ear model, this hearing aid is smaller and more discreet than the Dia II (and is available in four colors: beige, black, grey, and silver). This model is appropriate for mild to severe hearing loss.
Audicus Wave
The Wave is the newest model available, and as a mix of fully integrated bluetooth and recharging capabilities, it leads the charge as the most modern of the three models. With a price of $899 per ear, the Wave may be the most expensive of all the models, but it is also the most advanced.
Its bluetooth capabilities allow the user to connect directly to their smartphone so they can enjoy music or answer a call in the car without a lot of hassle. It’s easy to recharge the Wave in its charging case, making it so the user doesn’t have to worry about how much battery life they have left. With its advanced capabilities, the Wave is great for customers willing to pay more for a higher quality experience. This model is a good fit for almost all users, ranging from mild to severe hearing loss.
Comparison
Searching for the perfect hearing aid can be a hard and arduous process, but we’re here to make it easier for you. As technology keeps on moving forwards, more and more options are emerging. Each of these three hearing aid companies are an excellent choice, and each company has its advantages depending on what the customer is looking for.
A side-by-side analysis of the three companies shows that:
- MDHearingAid is the best for customers looking for an affordable model
- Audicus is the best for customers looking for customizable, audiologist programmed models
- Eargo is the best for customers that want top-of-the-line tech and minimal visibility
