Hearing-challenged individuals have long had one option for dealing with this widespread issue: an expensive, bulky hearing aid prescribed by a doctor. That changed in 2022 when the US Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter hearing aid devices, giving consumers access to a vast and growing array of alternatives. Today, there are more hearing aids than ever, and they come in different shapes, sizes, and most importantly, prices. How does a $100 hearing aid compare to a $4,000 prescription device for treating mild to moderate hearing loss? I’ve been testing products for the past four years to answer that question.
\n\nI’ve performed hands-on (ears-on?) testing of more than 65 hearing aid models around my home, outside, and in noisy environments. I’ve found plenty to like on the market today—and even more aids to avoid. The Jabra Enhance Select M3 holds the crown as the best over-the-counter hearing aid, while those seeking a prescription device should seek out a provider to fit them with a pair of Resound Sensia hearing aids. For those just getting started with hearing tech, I almost universally recommend giving Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 earbuds a try. They’re an intuitive way to see how your hearing can…
Original source: https://www.wired.com/