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Hearing loss can happen at any age—including birth—but it’s most common among older adults. Data shows that about a third of people 65 and older have age-related hearing loss, jumping to 50 percent after age 75. For these individuals, a hearing aid can significantly enhance their quality of life, allowing them to fully engage in social activities or talk freely on the phone.
Until 2022, when the US Food and Drug Administration green-lit over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, seniors could only get hearing aids prescribed by a doctor. The FDA’s approval of OTC devices opened the door to increased access and lower costs, and today, there are more styles available than ever. For many seniors, behind-the-ear (BTE) devices are popular, though in-the-ear (ITE) models are excellent choices for those who want a more discreet option and can maneuver them without dexterity challenges. Based on our testing, the Jabra Enhance Select 300 tops our list for its sound quality, high level of customer service, and ease of use. Here’s our full list of hearing aids for seniors, including over-the-counter and prescription devices, all expert-tested and approved.
Updated August 2025: We've reformatted this guide and added the Starkey Edge AI RIC RT, AirPods Pro 2, and Sony CRE-C20.
What to Consider When Choosing a Hearing Aid
Today’s hearing aids have a bevy of features ranging from Bluetooth streaming connectivity to multiple modes that allow you to adjust the device to changing surroundings. Here’s what senior users need to keep an eye out for.
Style: Behind-the-ear (BTE) or in-the-ear (ITE) aids? If you don’t mind a highly visible hunk of plastic hanging from your ear all day, BTE aids will be fine. Those who don’t want to telegraph their hearing loss will find ITE models much more discreet. We even have a pair of hearing aid glasses if you really want to hide your hearing loss.
Ease of use: Hearing aids are tiny things even steady hands can have trouble with. Are the devices easy to put on and take off? Are in-app support options and the manual intuitive? The more likely you are to remove and replace your hearing aids throughout the day, the more important ease of use will be.
Remote doctor support: Prescription hearing aids require a doctor visit, but OTC aids have a huge range of medical backup, ranging from a full telehealth experience to none at all. If you’re serious about improving your hearing you’ll want access to the former. If your hearing just needs a little boost, this will be less important.
Battery technology: Most hearing aids today use lithium-ion batteries that recharge by dropping them into a case (which itself carries extra charges). But aids with replaceable batteries still exist—and some are pretty good. Replaceable batteries last much longer, but you’ll have to keep buying extras and keep them on hand. They’re also easy to lose (and for pets to swallow). Most hearing aids these days opt for rechargeable, so this is something of a dying breed.
Cost: Even “cheap” hearing aids can be expensive, and most insurance plans don’t cover them. Make sure your chosen brand is within your budget—look for companies that offer easy returns and a 100 percent money-back guarantee.
Can I Get Senior Hearing Aids Through Medicare?
Hearing aids are still not covered by Medicare, so you will likely have to foot 100 percent of the bill for your devices and exams. Private insurance or add-on Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) may include some hearing-related benefits. Consult with your existing health care provider to navigate your options. Outside of insurance, there may be other ways to soften the blow of the expense of hearing aids.
Like a car loan, financing is available from most hearing aid companies. You can open a line of credit with a hearing care professional and pay in installments—sometimes for up to three years. Good credit is required.
Some states require private health insurance companies to cover hearing aids, while other companies may offer hearing-focused plans for purchase. Shop around.
You may qualify for Medicaid, depending on your financial situation. Some states, such as California and Massachusetts, require these plans to provide hearing aid coverage.
FSA/HSA accounts (short for flexible spending accounts and health saving accounts) are available via employer-sponsored health plans. Some hearing aid brands will allow you to use these accounts to pay for devices.
Local and national nonprofits may help provide financial relief by covering some or all of the cost of hearing aids if you don’t have the means to pay for them yourself.
The market is crowded with hearing aids claiming to be the best choice for seniors, and choosing one can be confusing. Which ones are “best” for you depends on your needs and tastes, but even that can feel vague and clichéd. To sort through the options, I’ve spent the last four years conducting hands-on testing of more than 45 hearing aids that range from sub-$100 OTC devices to prescription hearing aids that cost up to $10,000 a pair. I analyze each product on numerous dimensions, including quality, comfort level, ease of use, and of course audio performance in a variety of real-world environments, including my home, outdoors, and noisy and quiet environments. Additional features such as Bluetooth streaming capabilities are also taken into account when making recommendations.
Ultimately, my goal is to turn down the noise on marketing and help users understand which hearing aids really deliver on their promises. Read our Best Hearing Aids guide for additional details about our testing process.
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