Few topics in the world of hearing health bring out as many strong feelings as the brand Nano Hearing Aids. The company sells thousands of hearing aids annually at prices ranging from $250 to $600 a pair.
Nano launched in 2017 with the stated goal of selling more affordable hearing aids directly to consumers online. In theory, their business model has become more acceptable in the US now that the FDA cleared OTC hearing aids for sale in 2022.
Changing regulations has yet to help Nano's reputation. They consistently get critical reviews for their marketing practices and sales tactics. In January, Nano even got sued by the state of Vermont for various marketing tactics, including falsely claiming to be made in the USA.
All that being said, I had never tried Nano hearing aids myself. So last month, I purchased a pair of in-the-ear and behind-the-ear devices to test the controversial Nano experience for myself.
In this review, I'll share what I learned.
Prefer to watch this review?
Click play below for my full Nano unboxing and review.
My Nano Hearing Aid Purchase
I purchased my Nano hearing aids online. The company is nearly always running sales, and I chose the BOGO Gold Bundle, which includes a pair of in-the-ear and behind-the-ear devices.
The purchase process was simple enough, and once it was complete, I was shown a video that explained Nano's mission and their 60-day challenge (more on that later).
The hearing aids arrived about a week later, and it was time for my unboxing.
My experience with Nano customer service.
A quick Google search reveals a significant number of unhappy Nano customers. Some complain about customer service.
Midway through my setup, I called the customer service number to troubleshoot the squealing in-the-ear hearing aids. My wait time was a little over 5 minutes (a little annoying), but when I got someone on the line, they were helpful and knowledgeable.
The customer service agent did need my order number to locate me (vs. my phone number or name). Once I found that number, he walked me through options like changing the ear-tips and batteries.
There wasn't much he could do about the squeal as that appeared to be a hardware limitation.
Nano Hearing Aid Return Policy - 45 Days
I haven’t tried to return my Nano devices so I can’t directly speak to the return process. The process does include several steps so you’ll need to set aside some time to get it right.
One thing did stand out to me during my review. Nano talks a lot about their 60-day hearing journey contest.
The Nano onboarding materials stressed that hearing aids take time to become comfortable and helpful because require the brain to learn how to take in new sounds. Nano is correct here. When I wore hearing aids for the first time the world felt very loud and out of balance. Over weeks and months my brain adjusted.
Nano suggests that users wear their hearing aids for 60 days and send a photo of their hearing aids in use for a $200 coupon. I took note of this timeframe because Nano’s return policy is 45 days.
If you decide to try Nano I’d recommend setting a reminder for 30-days and making a decision about how well the product is working for you.
60 days is too late for a return.
Final Thoughts
Nano's marketing claims are often aggressive and (according to the state of Vermont) unethical. This review isn't about marketing, though.
After a full review, I'm not sure I'd call Nano hearing aids a scam. Their behind-the-ear style device offers some customization, and I could hear the TV more clearly.
That said if you were my aunt, I'd steer you toward other options like Jabra Enhance Select or Bose.
If you've tried Nano hearing aids or have questions about my experience, I'd love to hear from you drop me a note at hello@soundly.com
