If you’re researching hearing aids, chances are you’ve had some sticker shock.
Walk into a local clinic, and you might see prices between $5,000 and $7,000 for a pair. That’s what sends many people searching for alternatives.
Thankfully, buying hearing aids online is more viable than ever, as long as you know what to look for.
With the right information, you can purchase hearing aids from many of the same manufacturers you’d find in a clinic, often for thousands less.
Can hearing aids be shipped directly to your home? Yes.
Are there trade-offs? Also yes.
Will you get a lower quality product? Not necessarily—it all depends on how you approach the process.
We’ll break it all down in this guide.
Prefer to watch?
- 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.
- 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.
Featured in this article
The 3-Step Framework for Buying Online
Here’s how to make sure your online hearing aid purchase goes smoothly.
Step 1: Determine If You’re a Good Candidate
Not everyone should buy hearing aids online—but many people can.
You’re a good candidate if:
- You have mild to moderate hearing loss
- You’re relatively comfortable using smartphone apps
- You care about value and convenience
Online may not be a fit if:
- You have severe or profound hearing loss
- You’ve had ear surgeries or have unique ear anatomy
- You prefer in-person, hands-on care
Not sure where you stand?
Take a free hearing test via your phone or computer. The test will give you a clear picture of your hearing range and help you decide if online care is a good fit.
Bottom line: Online hearing aids work great if your hearing loss is straightforward and your setup needs are relatively simple.
Step 2: Avoid the Junk — Choose Quality Brands
This is where people often get tripped up.
The online space is a mix of excellent products and complete junk. Since the FDA opened the door for direct-to-consumer sales, the market has been flooded with brands that don’t meet real hearing aid standards.
Here’s what most people don’t realize:
The best online hearing aids are often made by the same manufacturers as prescription hearing aids.
For example:
- Sonova makes both the $1,000 Sennheiser All Day Clear (sold online) and $5,000 Phonak products (sold in clinics).
- WS Audiology makes Sony OTC hearing aids and Signia prescription products.
- GN Hearing makes Jabra Enhance and ReSound.
These hearing aids often come off the same production lines and share core technology. The difference? With online options, you control the programming via an app, rather than through a local provider.
Trusted brands to look for online:
- Sennheiser
- Sony
- Jabra
- We also like ELEHEAR and Nuance Audio
Red flags to avoid:
- Brands you’ve never heard of with no audiology history
- Brands without reviews from trusted 3rd party sources
- Brands without a longer track-record of service and care
Bottom line: Stick with name-brand manufacturers that have a real track record in hearing care.
Step 3: Choose the Right Support Model
One of the most common questions we hear is:
“What happens if I need help?”
The answer: it depends on the retailer.
General Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy
You can purchase hearing aids from Amazon, Best Buy, or even some pharmacies. While the products and pricing might be similar to other channels, the support experience is often very different. These retailers don’t specialize in hearing health and typically can’t answer detailed questions or help you navigate which products are actually worth your time.
Multi-Brand Shopping With Expert Support (e.g., Soundly)
Some retailers—like us at Soundly—offer a carefully curated selection of products (we don’t sell anything we don’t believe in) along with professional audiologist support. That means you get remote setup help, adjustment calls, and ongoing care—all from the comfort of home.
Brand-Backed Telehealth
Certain manufacturers like Jabra offer their own remote care programs, connecting you directly with their clinical teams for adjustments and check-ins.
Bottom line: Remote support has made online care much more viable—even for people who want expert guidance.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Start with a free hearing test. You’ll need a pair of good headphones and a quiet space. The test takes about 10 minutes and gives you a visual snapshot of your hearing range.
Not sure how to read the results? Our team reads hundreds of these charts every week, and we’re happy to help you figure out whether online hearing aids are right for you.
👉 Take our hearing test here
📧 hello@soundly.com
📞 1 (213) 460-1310
We help people make this decision every day. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
