Are you experiencing hearing loss? Join the club: more than 40 million Americans and hundreds of millions of others worldwide are in the same boat.
Hearing loss is never pleasant to live with, but there are now excellent solutions available. This comprehensive guide tells you everything you need to know about the best hearing aids to buy online. Read on to learn more about prices, brands, types of hearing aids, and everything you need to know to find the right solution for you.
Comprehensive Guide to Hearing Aids
Since there are many factors to consider when looking into hearing aids, we have prepared a guide that covers the different types of devices, prices, and much more. Click on the links below to learn more about each topic.
What is a Hearing Aid?
How Hearing Aids Work
New to Hearing Aids?
Where to Buy Hearing Aids
Analog vs. Digital Hearing Aids
Types of Hearing Aids
The Price of Hearing Aids
CLARIA Hearing Aids
What is a Hearing Aid?
According to WebMD, a hearing aid is an "electronic, battery-powered device designed to improve your hearing." Hearing aids can be beneficial for most degrees of hearing loss.
Hearing aids come in a wide variety of technologies, designs, shapes, and sizes. Read on to learn more!
How Hearing Aids Work
A hearing aid consists of three distinct components:
1. The Microphone
The microphone in a hearing aid picks up incoming sound waves and converts them into an electrical signal that can be sent to the amplifier.
2. The Amplifier
The amplifier receives signals from the microphone, increases their power, and then sends them to the speaker.
3. The Speaker
The speaker takes the sounds transmitted by the amplifier and delivers them directly into the ear.
New to Hearing Aids?
If you're new to hearing aids, this can be a lot of information to take in. We've compiled several resources for you to make the transition a little simpler.
We have also identified the most common difficulties encountered when adapting to a new pair of hearing aids, as well as resources to resolve them.
Avoiding Feedback
When fitting a new pair of hearing aids, feedback (whistling) is a very common issue. We advise you to keep the volume low and not press on the microphone when inserting the devices into your ear, to limit feedback. Finding the right dome size is also essential: if the dome does not provide a correct seal, you will most likely hear whistling.
For more information on preventing feedback, read our article "3 Steps to Avoid Feedback When Putting on Your Hearing Aids."
Getting Used to New Hearing Aids
Getting used to wearing a new pair of hearing aids takes time and effort. Adapting to new sounds and new devices in your ears all day is a big change!
During this adaptation period, it's important to find the right setting for you: the right dome, the correct positioning of the device in your ear canal, a gradual wearing time, and many other details.
For more information on adapting to hearing aids, read our article "7 Tips for Getting Used to Your New Hearing Aids."
How to Properly Clean & Care for Your Hearing Aids
Since you use your hearing aids every day, it's important to adopt the right maintenance habits: cleaning your devices, replacing domes when necessary, and keeping them charged, so they're always ready when you need them!
To learn more about hearing aid maintenance, read our article "How to Properly Clean & Care for Your Hearing Aids."
Where to Buy Hearing Aids
You think you need a pair of hearing aids: where can you buy them?
Today, it has never been easier to get equipped. You can order a pair online (with online hearing tests integrated into the process) or visit a hearing center to consult a hearing aid professional.
Buying Hearing Aids Online
Buying a pair of hearing aids online has never been easier. Major brands like Starkey still don't allow online ordering, but they offer excellent online hearing tests that help assess the user's hearing loss and direct them to a professional for an appointment to purchase their devices.
Brands like MDHearingAid.com offer powerful and universal digital hearing aids, between $500 and $1,000 per pair, which can be purchased entirely online. They also have their own online hearing test.
Several brands sell hearing aids online in a lower price range ($500 or less). At CLARIA, we strive to make online ordering as simple as possible while offering prices lower than anyone else (starting at $89 per pair), so that better hearing is accessible to everyone.
Buying Hearing Aids from a Hearing Aid Professional
Since hearing aids have existed, this has been the traditional way to buy a pair. The process involves visiting a local hearing center, taking a hearing test and getting a diagnosis from a hearing aid professional, then working with them and/or a sales advisor to find the device that meets your needs and budget.
This approach offers the highest possible level of care for hearing loss, as hearing aids can be custom-programmed based on your audiogram. Devices purchased from a hearing aid professional generally have advanced digital features for better sound quality. That said, this route is much more expensive than direct online purchase.
Analog vs. Digital Hearing Aids
All hearing aids are either digital or analog. Analog hearing aids convert sound into an analog signal, while digital hearing aids convert it into a digital signal. Generally, digital models are more expensive because their chip offers more advanced processing capabilities.
Analog Hearing Aids
Analog hearing aids convert sound into an analog signal and amplify all sounds in the same way. CLARIA does not manufacture programmable analog hearing aids, but some analog models may offer this feature. These devices allow the installation of preset programs designed for different situations, such as watching TV at home or dining in a noisy restaurant.
Digital Hearing Aids
Digital hearing aids convert sound into a digital signal and actually produce a digital copy of the sound, which is then processed. These devices incorporate a more advanced chip that allows for better sound processing and personalization based on the user's audiogram. These are generally the most expensive models on the market.
Types of Hearing Aids
Beyond the distinction between digital and analog, there are many types of hearing aids. Below we detail the different types and formats of devices, and which ones might be best for you.
Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Rechargeable hearing aids are rapidly gaining popularity and becoming the preferred choice for consumers. However, according to HearingTracker.com, 89% of users still wear disposable battery hearing aids. The same site indicates that 70% of consumers prefer rechargeable models, which suggests a market to fill in the coming years.
At CLARIA, we only manufacture rechargeable hearing aids, to meet this preference for more discreet, convenient, and easy-to-use devices.
To learn more about rechargeable hearing aids, consult our complete dossier dedicated to them.
Disposable Battery Hearing Aids
Currently, the vast majority of the market uses hearing aids powered by disposable batteries. Until only a few years ago, major manufacturers almost exclusively sold battery-powered devices.
Today, with the shift in preferences towards rechargeable devices, disposable battery hearing aids are being produced less and less.
Consumers generally shun disposable battery devices for several reasons:
Cost
Hearing aid batteries generally last only a few days, a week at most. As a result: millions of people spend money every year just on batteries. Many spend between $50 and $100 per year, depending on the device.
Convenience
Disposable battery hearing aids can be very inconvenient. If you run out of batteries and don't have any on hand, your device becomes unusable. That's why many prefer rechargeable models, which generally last all day on a full charge.
The only advantage of disposable batteries is that if you always keep some with you, you will never run out of power or be forced to wait for a recharge. This can be practical for people who are rarely near an electrical outlet.
Ease of Use
Hearing aid batteries are very small and can be difficult to replace. Since many users sometimes suffer from arthritis or limited dexterity, rechargeable devices have the advantage of no longer having to handle tiny batteries.
Bluetooth Hearing Aids
As their name suggests, these hearing aids use Bluetooth, a wireless communication technology between electronic devices, to offer enhanced features to their users. Bluetooth hearing aids can connect to phones, TVs, other streaming devices, and much more. Their users can thus take calls, and even watch movies and series, directly through their hearing aids.
Bluetooth hearing aids can often also sync with a smartphone, allowing users to adjust the volume, change programs, and much more from their phone.
These devices are generally in the higher price range, between approximately $500 and $5,000 per pair.
Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids are designed to fit entirely within the ear canal. They are generally suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
CIC hearing aids are the smallest and least visible. Their functionalities are often limited, and they operate with disposable batteries due to their very small size.
CIC hearing aids are technically custom-molded for the ear, as the size and shape of the ear canal vary from person to person; however, there is a category of over-the-counter (OTC) CICs, which refers to non-custom in-ear devices. We consider our CLARIA EV1 and EV3 hearing aids to belong to this category of over-the-counter (OTC) CICs.
In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are halfway between CICs and ITEs. They are designed to fit within your ear canal but are not small enough to be inserted completely.
ITCs offer a sober and discreet appearance while being slightly larger, which allows for more functionalities and better handling. Their size can still make them tricky to manipulate, but they remain larger and easier to use than CICs.
ITCs are generally custom-made for the user and sold only by major manufacturers who perform personalized fittings.
In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom-molded to fit the ear canal and the concha of the ear. There are several formats: some occupy the entire concha, others cover only a part of it.
These devices are significantly bulkier than CICs or ITCs, which allows them to incorporate additional features. They also often offer better battery life and are easier to handle.
True ITEs are generally only purchased from major manufacturers, at prices in the thousands of dollars, due to their custom manufacturing.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are placed behind the ear and are connected to a tube and an ear mold that fits comfortably in the ear canal. They are generally the bulkiest hearing aids, but also the most feature-rich.
BTEs are currently the most common type of hearing aid on the market. They often offer advanced sound processing, directional microphones, and other features designed to improve sound quality and clarity.
More compact and rechargeable BTEs are becoming more widespread, but consumer preferences also seem to be shifting towards in-ear devices.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids resemble BTEs, except that instead of a simple tube connected to an ear mold, they use a wire connected to a receiver placed in your ear canal.
The shape and fit are practically identical to BTEs, but the tube contains a wire and the ear mold contains a receiver that fits into the ear.
This format is generally slightly more compact than BTEs, with some of the technology being relocated to the receiver. Placing the receiver in the canal can improve clarity compared to BTEs. That said, BTEs generally offer more powerful amplification.
The Price of Hearing Aids
Price is a decisive factor when choosing the right device for you. The average price of a pair of hearing aids is $4,600, with the most expensive models costing from $5,000 to $10,000! Below you will find more information on prices and available products in each price range.
The Average Price of Hearing Aids
For years, the average price of a pair of hearing aids has been $4,600. The reason: until recently, a handful of large companies in the sector held a monopoly on the market.
Major manufacturers go through audiologists, hearing centers, salespeople, affiliates, and many other intermediaries to sell their devices. Adding up the cost of a physical point of sale, audiologists, reception staff, and the rest, leads to exorbitant prices averaging $4,600 per pair.
Many people have spent $6,000, $7,000, or even more on hearing aids! This is the biggest purchase most Americans make, after their home and car.
For some people, especially those with severe to profound hearing loss, high-end hearing aids are sometimes the only option. Going through an audiologist guarantees you the best quality device, adjusted to your degree of hearing loss. But for millions of people, a device costing several thousand dollars is simply out of reach.
At CLARIA, our goal is to eliminate intermediaries. No more audiologists, salespeople, superfluous functions, and custom adjustments. We offer a universal product that about 90% of our customers love and use daily. Our entry-level model costs only $89 per pair, and our best model $249 per pair.
This universal approach will not suit everyone, but it has undeniably helped thousands of our customers improve their daily lives, and we will continue to offer an affordable solution to those who cannot afford expensive hearing aids.
Why are Hearing Aids So Expensive?
For years, a pair of hearing aids has cost an average of over $4,600, according to the AARP. A truly staggering price for most Americans facing hearing loss!
This is because a few large manufacturers dominate the hearing aid industry. These manufacturers collaborate with audiologists, hearing centers, and salespeople to offer consumers a place to have their hearing tested. The result is a high-quality hearing solution, adapted to your degree of hearing loss, but involving audiologists, hearing centers, and salespeople significantly increases the cost.
The Best Cheap Hearing Aids
If you have a budget of $1,000 or more, you will probably find what you are looking for elsewhere. At CLARIA, our mission is to design and offer affordable hearing aids to those who cannot afford traditional devices.
Some brands offer products in the $500 to $1,000 range. Our favorite is undoubtedly MDHearingAid: it offers features like Bluetooth, digital technology, and many others. If your budget allows, we encourage you to try a more high-end option! But if you want to stick to a contained price, we think we offer the best cheap hearing aids on the market.
If you're looking for affordable hearing aids, we invite you to discover our products here.
CLARIA Hearing Aids
CLARIA hearing aids are designed to offer the best possible quality at the lowest possible price. At CLARIA, all our products are rechargeable, compact in-ear hearing aids. We strive to continuously improve our devices while maintaining the lowest prices on the market.
Will CLARIA hearing aids work for me?
The short answer: it depends. A hearing test can determine the type of hearing loss you have and the frequencies affected. For most people with mild to moderate hearing loss, CLARIA should be suitable. However, the devices may not be sufficient for severe to profound hearing loss, or loss in extremely high frequencies.
We recommend you get a hearing test to assess your degree of hearing loss. For most degrees, you can try CLARIA: if the devices work for you, you'll save thousands of dollars! Otherwise, return them for a full refund, and we'll even recommend another brand to try.
CLARIA EV1 Hearing Aids
Our best-selling product, the CLARIA EV1 hearing aid, has already helped over 50,000 people hear better. It is now one of the most popular hearing solutions in the world!
This hearing aid is small and discreet, with a powerful rechargeable battery and solid amplification.
Click here to learn more about the EV1 hearing aid.
CLARIA EV3 Hearing Aids
The CLARIA EV3 hearing aid is our greatest achievement to date. We listened to feedback from thousands of customers about the EV1 and worked with leading engineers and manufacturers to design a device that is smaller, more comfortable, easier to use, and has better sound quality.
The EV3 ticks all the boxes, with a sleek, redesigned look that is 26% more compact than the EV1. The device comes with a wireless charging station capable of charging both earbuds at the same time. It also offers enhanced sound quality and amplification over a wider frequency spectrum.
Click here to learn more about the EV3 hearing aid.
Conclusion
In summary, choosing a hearing aid can be intimidating. Nobody likes having to sift through dozens of articles, products, and websites to find the right solution.
That's why we've gathered everything we could here, to give you the information you need to make this important decision!
We hope you now have a clearer understanding of hearing aids and can make an informed choice. If your hearing loss is severe to profound, it's probably best to turn to a high-end manufacturer who can offer you a custom-made device.
But if you're looking for a solution for $250 or less, try CLARIA! We invite you to learn more about our products here.
Ultimately, our number one mission is to make hearing accessible to everyone. We want you to know all the existing options, but if you're looking for an economical solution, discover CLARIA. It's no accident that we have thousands of satisfied customers: we hope you'll soon be one of them!
Susan Wright
Editor-in-Chief, CLARIA
