If you've been researching budget hearing aids, you've probably come across Audien.
They're everywhere—from Walmart shelves to late-night TV ads—and they claim to have sold over a million pairs. At under $500, they're significantly cheaper than what you'd find in most clinics.
I've been testing hearing aids for years, and the last time I tried Audien products (in 2023), I literally couldn't keep them in my ears for more than 30 minutes. The feedback was overwhelming, the sound felt tunnel-like, and I gave up on reviewing them altogether.
Fast forward to today. Audien has released new flagship models - the Ion and Atom Pro 2 - and I wanted to give them another shot. After wearing both devices for a few days, here's what I found: they've made significant improvements, but there are still some important limitations to consider.
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- 50+ hearing aid brands reviewed and rated by our team of hearing aid wearers and audiologists
- 200+ hours each month spent researching brands and care options
- 2,000,000 people shopped on Soundly in 2024
- 100% independently owned and operated
Read more about our company, services and process here.
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What You're Getting: The Basics
Audien Ion ($489)
The Ion is a behind-the-ear hearing aid that looks similar to competitors like the Sennheiser All Day Clear. Here's what you need to know:
No smartphone connectivity. This device doesn't connect to your phone at all—no Bluetooth streaming, no app for adjustments. Instead, you hold down the onboard buttons to cycle through four preset programs.
Size and fit. It's slightly bigger than our best seller, Sennheiser All Day Clear, but smaller than its closest price competitor, the ELEHEAR Beyond. The rechargeable case provides about 24 hours of battery life with a few additional charges.
Important fit note: I really struggled to get the receiver wire to sit flush in my ear with the default dome tips. Once I swapped them out for the tips I usually wear (which actually come from Sony hearing aids), the fit became much more comfortable and less visible. If you go with this product, definitely experiment with different tips.
Audien Atom Pro 2 ($289)
The Atom Pro 2 sits inside your ear canal—think of it as Audien's "invisible" option, though it's not as discreet as you might hope.
Visibility. While it's beige-colored to blend in, it doesn't curve naturally into your ear like the Sony C20. In my experience, people would definitely notice you're wearing these devices.
Controls. You tap buttons on each side to independently adjust volume and programs. This means you need to count the beeps on your right ear and match them to your left ear.
Cool feature. The charging case includes UV cleaning, which I've never seen in a hearing aid before. It's a nice touch that other brands might adopt over time.
Real-World Testing: How They Actually Sound
Here's what matters most: after years of dismissing Audien products, I was genuinely surprised by the improvements.
What's Actually Better
Speech clarity has improved significantly. When I was listening to conversations with my family or the radio in the car, voices came through much clearer than the previous generation. The sound felt less distorted, and I could tell the devices were doing a better job of capturing and processing speech.
I could wear them for extended periods. Unlike my previous experience, these didn't immediately feel unusable. That's a major step forward.
Overall processing feels more sophisticated. Whatever Audien changed in their algorithms, it's working. The devices feel like they're actually trying to separate speech from background noise rather than just amplifying everything.
What Still Needs Work
Feedback management is a real problem. Both devices create a squealing sound when you're putting them in, taking them out, or even just handling them. Most modern hearing aids have solved this with onboard algorithms, but Audien hasn't quite gotten there yet.
Even their manual talks extensively about managing feedback.
The Atom Ion had initial occlusion issues with the default dome tips. When I first put it on, I felt like I was in a tunnel—my own voice sounded boomy and unnatural. This improved significantly when I changed the tips to the ones from Sony hearing aids. Something to watch for.
The Atom Pro 2 also has occlusion challenges. Because of how it sits in your ear canal, you're entirely dependent on the sound coming through the device. There's no natural sound mixing in, which feels less natural than more open designs.
Sudden sounds are still a challenge. Things like setting down a coffee mug came through louder than I wanted, and louder than what I'd expect from market-leading competitors.
How Audien Compares to Alternatives
At Audien's price points, you have several alternatives but many of them are not great either. That said, there are a couple of notable options under $400 that we find more effective today.
Similar Price Range
ELEHEAR Beyond is the budget option we carry at Soundly, and it addresses many of Audien's limitations. For a similar price, you get Bluetooth streaming, a full smartphone app with EQ adjustments, tinnitus management features, and—importantly—no feedback issues. The sound quality is at least as good, if not better.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 recently rolled out over-the-counter hearing aid features. At around $200-250, they're actually cheaper than the Atom Pro 2, and even if you don't use the hearing aid functions, you've got excellent headphones that work seamlessly with your iPhone.
Step-Up Options Worth Considering
Sony C20 costs about $1,000—significantly more than Audien—but the difference in experience is substantial. It's much less visible when worn, has better sound processing, and feels more natural because of its open-ear design.
Sennheiser All Day Clear also runs about $999 and offers more sophisticated processing, smartphone app control, and a more refined overall experience.
The Reality Check
There's a significant price jump from Audien's sub-$500 range to the $999+ category. If budget is your primary concern and $500 is truly your ceiling, Audien fills a real gap in the market. But if you can stretch your budget even slightly, you'll get meaningfully better products.
Who should (and shouldn't) consider Audien
My Take
I'll give Audien credit - they've made real improvements in the last two years. The fact that I can wear these devices for hours is a big change from my previous experience.
And when I look at their Trustpilot reviews (averaging 4 out of 5 stars), it's clear that many customers are satisfied, especially people who are thrilled to avoid spending thousands at a local clinic.
These devices work for what they are: basic amplification at a very affordable price. But in the broader hearing aid landscape, better value exists with relatively small price increases.
If you're absolutely committed to trying something from the brand, I'd lean toward the Ion over the Atom Pro 2 - just make sure to experiment with different dome tips to solve the occlusion issues.
But honestly? If you can stretch your budget to around $$399 ELEHEAR Beyond offers a significantly better experience with streaming, app control, and no major feedback problems. And if you're looking at the Atom Pro 2 specifically, definitely consider Apple AirPods Pro 2 as an alternative.
The Bottom Line
Audien has come a long way, but they're still not my top recommendation in any price category. The improvements are real and meaningful - I genuinely couldn't wear their previous products, and these new models are actually usable.
But with better alternatives available at similar price points, it's hard to recommend them as a first choice.
That said, if you've already purchased Audien devices and they're working for you, don't feel like you need to upgrade immediately.
Many people are getting real benefit from these products, and that matters more than having the latest features.
Still have questions about Audien or want to explore alternatives? Reach out to us at hello@soundly.com or call (213) 460-1310.
We help people navigate these decisions every day, and we'd be happy to walk through your specific situation.
