The best rechargeable hearing aids of 2025, according to audiologist (original) (raw)

Hearing aids have become more accessible than ever thanks to the Food and Drug Administration's 2022 ruling that gave the green light to sell hearing aids over the counter (OTC). Prior to the ruling, hearing aids were available only to those with a prescription, typically costing thousands of dollars per hearing aid. Not only has the increased competition between OTC and prescription hearing aids driven down the cost — to only a couple hundred dollars in some cases — there's been a boom in hearing aid technology, styles, colors and extra bells and whistles. Today, there are OTC hearing aids that rival traditional prescription brands, with both types available in various styles and colors, often boasting Bluetooth technology for streaming, improved background noise cancellation, automatic adjustments for your environment and the choice between replaceable or rechargeable hearing aid batteries. The result is that regardless of your level of hearing loss, lifestyle or budget, the best hearing aid for you is within reach. For this article, we will focus on the best rechargeable hearing aids.

"A rechargeable hearing aid can be advantageous to battery hearing aids since you do not have to buy the specialized and sometimes hard-to-find batteries over and over again to continue using your aids," says Dr. Cory Bovenzi, an otolaryngologist (head-and-neck surgeon). Dr. Michael Yong, an otolaryngologist and neurorhinologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, agrees and adds that "rechargeable hearing aids [allow you to] avoid having to manipulate very small batteries and place them inside the hearing aid."

To better understand what to look for in the best rechargeable hearing aids, we consulted with a panel of audiologists and otolaryngologists. We then took their feedback and researched the top-rated rechargeable prescription and OTC hearing aids, analyzing each for features like battery life, ease of use, setup, cutting-edge technology, additional features and overall value. Based on our research, these are the best rechargeable hearing aids of 2025. We plan to perform a more robust review of rechargeable hearing aids this year, fully testing these and other popular models.

Best overall rechargeable hearing aid

More rechargeable hearing aids we like in 2025

Factors to consider when buying a hearing aid

There are many different elements to mull over when buying a hearing aid. Most importantly, you'll want to find one that will suit your level of hearing loss, needs and lifestyle. At the baseline, "the goal is that they can turn sounds up loud enough to optimize audibility for an individual with hearing loss," says Meaghan Reed, director of clinical audiology at Mass Eye and Ear. "The amount of volume that an individual needs to help them communicate and meet their listening needs varies person to person." Beyond that, there are some specifics to keep in mind.

Style of hearing aid

There are five main styles of hearing aids, each with its own perks and considerations.

Behind the ear (BTE): BTE hearing aids rest behind your ear. They feature the speaker and microphone, and typically work for most types of hearing loss. These are usually the most visible of all hearing aid styles.
Receiver in canal (RIC): RICs are similar to BTEs, but they're slightly less visible, thanks to a thin wire attached to the receiver or speaker that sits inside the ear canal.
In the ear (ITE): These usually have a customized fit to rest snugly just outside your ear canal. They are visible but not overly obvious.
In the canal (ITC): These hearing aids are typically custom molded to your ear. They fit partly in your ear canal and are less visible than ITEs.
Completely in canal (CIC): CIC hearing aids are the ones that are considered the most "invisible" because they fit inside the ear canal. These tend to be a good fit for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Cost

Hearing aids have a vast range of prices, from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. While you shop, be aware that some hearing aids are sold as singles — mainly with prescription hearing aids — while OTC hearing aids are sold in pairs. Also, check with your health insurance company during your search to see what, if anything, it will cover. Certain models may also be eligible as an FSA/HSA-approved expense.

Prescription or OTC

As mentioned above, there are affordable OTC hearing aids with a level of quality similar to that of prescription devices. That said, OTC hearing aids often fall short of the customization and personalization features that come with prescription aids because you need to meet with a professional to obtain prescription aids. Prescription hearing aids are also a better choice if you have moderate to severe hearing loss, while those with mild to moderate hearing loss will often be well suited for OTC models.

Setup

Getting your hearing aids up and running often depends on the type you buy. Prescription hearing aids need a fitting and calibration with an audiologist, so there's very little work on your part. However, OTC aids are set up and calibrated by you or remotely by an audiologist associated with the brand of aids you purchase — meaning, their technicians will help you out where available. If you're not comfortable with the idea of doing this all on your own, you may want to consider going with a prescription model or a company with setup support.

App pairing

A growing number of hearing aids have a compatible app for customization, but this isn't a universal feature. If you're tech savvy and like the idea of adjusting your settings on demand, look for a model with a companion app.

Bluetooth capabilities

Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids will allow you to make and take phone calls, and stream music, audiobooks and podcasts right into your hearing aid. This reduces outside noise and allows you to get more immersive sound. However, not all Bluetooth capabilities are compatible with all devices. Check in advance to see if your technology (i.e., iOS or Android) will sync with the hearing aid's Bluetooth functionality before investing in any particular hearing aid.

Extra features can vary and often are associated with higher costs. Those can include noise cancellation, relaxation modes that pipe in soothing sounds, and directional microphones. Some companies will offer long trial periods and good professional support — those are worth considering, too.

How we chose

To find the best rechargeable hearing aids, we consulted with audiologists and otolaryngologists to learn about the important elements to consider when choosing hearing aids in general and when rechargeable options are a good choice and for whom. We also researched and personally tested the top-rated OTC and prescription aids, then narrowed our selections based on expert guidance on top technology, battery life, setup and essential and extra features.

FAQs

Does Medicare cover hearing aids?

Standard Medicare plans do not cover hearing aids. However, they will usually cover some of the cost of diagnostics and screenings. That said, some of the Medicare Advantage plans may cover part of the cost of hearing aids, Yong says.

How do rechargeable hearing aids work?

"Rechargeable hearing aids have a charging device that can recharge an internal nonremovable battery in the hearing aids," Bovenzi explains. "This can be a convenient option over traditional hearing aids due to the ease of use and eliminating the need to buy new batteries or changing the small batteries out when the old ones expire."

While it's clear that rechargeable devices can vary on how long they can hold a charge, it's usually recommended that you recharge your hearing aids every night so they are ready for you to utilize all day without interruption. (For hearing aids with shorter battery lives, you can charge them when you don't need them during the day.)

A rechargeable vs. battery hearing aid: Which is better?

It depends. "Rechargeable hearing aids usually have several advantages, one of the main ones being that you generally don't have to remove the battery to replace it and you can simply recharge the device by putting it in a docking area," Yong says. "The other big advantage, I would say, is that they lend themselves to routine, which can be really important. Users will usually charge the hearing aids every day at a similar time, which reduces the chance of suddenly running out of battery."

But rechargeable hearing aids can be more expensive up front than their battery counterparts, and that's worth considering. Still, "these devices are generally getting cheaper over time," Yong says.

How long do rechargeable hearing aids hold a charge?

It depends. Some rechargeable hearing aids can hold a charge up to 51 hours while others struggle to last 10 hours. Typically, you'll pay more for hearing aids that hold a longer charge, but not always. In reality, consider how long you need the hearing aids to last each day, and how well you will stick with a nightly routine to recharge the batteries. You may find eight to 10 hours is plenty of time per day, so a nine-hour battery will not be a total deal breaker.

How many times can you recharge hearing aid batteries?

"These batteries can be recharged about 500 to 1,000 times, meaning these can last for a few years before they need to be replaced," Bovenzi says.

Do cheap hearing aids work?

Yes, cheap hearing aids work — they just may not last as long as their pricier counterparts. "As with many other things, when it comes to hearing aids, you get what you pay for," Bovenzi says. "There is a lot of sophisticated technology that is involved in hearing aid development, since they do more than just amplify sound and can have different settings based on your environment and your specific type of hearing loss." Cheaper hearing aids may sacrifice some of the audio quality you'll get with higher-end versions, he says.

Meet the experts

Meaghan Reed, director of clinical audiology at Mass Eye and Ear, in Boston

Dr. Cory Bovenzi, an otolaryngologist (head and neck surgeon) in Denver, Colo.

Dr. Michael Yong, an otolaryngologist and neurorhinologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute