Audien Hearing Aid Review: 2025 Cost and Pricing
As we all know, hearing aids can be expensive, often upwards of $4,000 for a pair. Making matters worse, original Medicare does not cover hearing insurance (although Medicare Advantage plans often do). Audien Hearing is helping to expand access by offering over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids that cost as little as $99 per pair. Considering that about a third of U.S. adults 65 to 75 years old — and nearly half of those 75 and up — have trouble hearing, based on data from the National Institute of Health, Audien provides a much-needed solution.
At such low prices, Audien’s hearing aids lack many of the useful features of our favorite hearing aids: Most lack smartphone controls or Bluetooth connectivity, for example. But for someone looking to try out hearing aids for the first time, Audien is a good and affordable place to start.
Audien Hearing Aids Pros and Cons
Pros
- Incredibly affordable: Ranging from $99 to $689 per pair, Audien hearing aids are easily the most affordable OTC hearing aid we’ve seen.
- Online purchases: Unlike traditional hearing aids, which require a prescription, you can purchase Audien hearing aids online without consulting an audiologist or hearing health professional.
- Rechargeable batteries: Both Audien hearing aid models use rechargeable batteries that lasted us an entire day on a single charge.
- 45-day trials: Audien hearing aids come with a 45-day trial period, during which time you can return them for a full refund if they don’t suit your needs.
Cons
- Limited features: Only the Ion Pro, the most expensive model at $689, offers streaming/app control plus the ability to answer phone calls with your hearing aids.
- No insurance reimbursement: Because Audien aids do not require a hearing diagnosis or prescription, hearing insurance will not cover Audien. Insurance companies might cover hearing aids when a hearing professional’s assessment is required for a prescription, which is the case with companies such as Beltone.
- No physical retailers: Audien is an online-only business, so you won’t be able to try the hearing aids on in person before you purchase them. That being said, there is a 45-day trial period so you can return them and get a full refund if you’re not happy with your hearing aids.
Audien Hearing Aid Models
Currently, Audien offers three OTC hearing aid series: the Atom Series, the Atom 2 Series, and the Ion series. All Atom Series models are in-the-ear, while all Ion Series models are behind-the-ear. Ion Series aids are the most expensive, but also the most powerful. The Atom Series offers the Atom or the Atom Pro, pictured below; the Atom 2 Series has the Atom Pro 2 or the Atom 2; and the Ion Series has the Ion or the Ion Pro.
Audien Hearing Aid Comparison
| Audien hearing aids | Atom | Atom Pro | Atom 2 | Atom Pro 2 | Ion | Ion Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series | Atom Series | Atom Series | Atom 2 Series | Atom 2 Series | Ion Series | Ion Series |
| Price | $99 | $249 | $189 | $289 | $489 | $689 |
| Style | In-the-ear | In-the-ear | In-the-ear | In-the-ear | Behind-the-ear | Behind-the-ear |
| Battery life | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 48 hours |
| Background noise cancellation | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of hearing modes | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Streaming/app control | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Answer phone calls | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Audien Atom
At $99 for a pair, the Audien Atom is the most affordable pair of OTC hearing aids we’ve encountered, and the relatively limited functionality here reflects this low price. While the Atom hearing aids do use rechargeable batteries that last about a day before needing a recharge, these hearing aids did little to cancel out background noise.
In our experience, these hearing aids effectively amplified the sounds around us; however, for hearing aids, this is not always the best-case scenario. While other hearing aids from Eargo, for example, feature specialized microphones that allow your devices to home in on specific sounds or frequencies, Atom hearing aids do not.
Note: Although tiny, in-the-ear hearing aids can be very appealing, many patients with mild hearing loss cannot wear them because the sense of “occlusion” (the ear canal being blocked) is too bothersome. If you have tried in-the-ear hearing aids and they didn’t work for you, try another style like behind-the-ear or completely-in-canal.
For example, Atom hearing aids worked well in one-on-one conversations or while watching television, as they effectively amplified the necessary sounds. In a crowded restaurant, however, these hearing aids performed poorly, amplifying background noises in a way that interfered with proper hearing.
Additionally, while these hearing aids do feature “wireless” charging, the included black charging dock must be plugged in to charge your hearing aids, meaning you can’t charge these hearing aids on the go, as you can with the Atom Pro model.
Audien Atom Pro
At $249, the Atom Pro hearing aids are a step up from the Atom while still being more affordable than most other hearing aids. While slightly smaller than the Atom, Atom Pro hearing aids operate in a similar fashion.
To charge Atom Pro hearing aids, you can place them in the charging case. Luckily, this charging case does not always have to be plugged in, meaning you can charge your hearing aids on the go. In our tests, we also found that Atom Pro hearing aids had a slightly longer battery life, lasting for 24 hours before needing a recharge.
We also noticed that Atom Pro hearing aids do a much better job than the Atom at canceling background noise. While their performance is not as good as that of Jabra Enhance hearing aids, they at least were able to dull some of the feedback and surrounding noise that we found with the Atom model.
Atom 2
The Atom 2, the first in the Atom 2 Series, costs $189 and is in-the-ear just like the Atom Series, with the same 24-hour battery life. Like the Atom, the Atom 2 lacks noise cancellation, but it does have four hearing modes, allowing you to adjust the volume of what’s happening around you. Additionally, with an A2 chip, you should notice clearer sound.
Atom Pro 2
At $289, the main difference between the Atom 2 and the Atom Pro 2 is that the Pro 2 has background noise cancellation, plus a portable charging case. It is also slightly smaller and has a UV cleaning light to keep your hearing aids nice and clean.
Ion
The Ion Series is behind-the-ear, which is actually more powerful than in-the-ear, believe it or not. The Ion has a 24-hour battery life and four hearing modes, like the Atom Pro 2. It also has a portable charging case and an A2 chip, all of $489.
Ion Pro
Lastly, the most expensive option is the Ion Pro for $689. Not only does it have the best sound quality, but it also boasts a 48-hour battery life, six hearing modes, and background noise cancellation. It’s also the only hearing aid from Audien that you can control through an app and connect to streaming, allowing you to better hear movies, TV shows, and music. You can also use it to answer phone calls, which is convenient.
Audien Returns and Warranties
Audien hearing aids come with a 45-day trial period, during which time you can return your hearing aids for any reason and receive a full refund. But beyond that period, there is no warranty. If you want protection, we recommend buying the protection plan for $4 a month. It will replace your hearing aids if they’re defective and you’ll pay lower prices if your aids are water-damaged, broken, or lost:
- Atom: $24
- Atom Pro: $34
- Atom 2: $39
- Atom Pro 2: $49
The Ion Series is not included on this list, unfortunately.
Audien Customer Service
You can contact Audien’s customer service team in a few different ways:
- Phone: Call 205-255-1112 any day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Central Daylight Time.
- Email: Use Audien’s online form for help with your current hearing aids or general questions.
- Portal: Go on Audien’s support page to ask a question about hearing aids, troubleshoot, or ask about a current order.
Bottom Line
At TheSeniorList.com, we are very excited by the advent of OTC hearing aids, as they will likely increase access to otherwise very expensive devices. Removing an audiologist or hearing health specialist from the process, however, means hearing aid users will be responsible for fitting and managing their own devices.
In addition, Audien hearing aids offer little in terms of customization. In fact, the only adjustments you can make are increasing or decreasing the volume, and only the most expensive pair, the $689 Ion Pro, are adjustable via an app versus manually.
But given that Audien offers a 45-day-trial period, you have nothing to lose by trying a pair. If they work, you can keep them, and if not, you can return them and get your money back. It’s worth the chance to save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, as hearing aids are unaffordable for 77 percent of Americans with hearing loss. The average bundled cost of hearing aids is $2,500, according to research published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology.
If you’re looking for a pair of affordable hearing aids, we’d recommend reading our list of the year’s best cheap hearing aids. Additionally, if price isn’t an issue, you might also consider checking out our list of the best hearing aids overall.
Methodology
Here are some factors you should take into account when buying hearing aids:
- Cost: If you lack hearing insurance, OTC hearing aids may be your only option, starting at about $99 compared to a $1,000 minimum with prescription hearing aids.
- Power: The hearing aids should make it easier for you to hear, obviously, especially in noisy restaurants. The best hearing aids also feature noise cancellation.
- Battery life: Hearing aids should have battery lives of at least 24 hours, with rechargeable, portable cases.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Some hearing aids connect directly to Bluetooth devices like TVs or Roku devices, allowing you to hear movies, TV shows, and music clearly. Others allow for hands-free calls, working like any wireless earbud.
- Comfort: It’s important that hearing aids are physically comfortable. While custom hearing aids will fit the best, they also cost the most.
- Style: There are a variety of hearing aid styles available, such as in-the-ear, behind-the-ear, and completely-in-canal. Companies should offer a selection of styles, as some people prefer more discreet devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are Audien hearing aids any good?
Audien hearing aids can be good for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. However, they may not be enough for profound hearing loss. You can see if Audien hearing aids work for you by using the 45-day test period.
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Is Audien a hearing aid or an amplifier?
Audien is a hearing aid, not a hearing amplifier.
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Is Audien Atom 2 a real hearing aid?
Yes, the Audien Atom 2 is a real hearing aid with four hearing modes and an A2 chip for better sound. Currently, this in-the-ear model is available for $189, with no prescription required.
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How long do Audien hearing aids last?
Audien hearing aids last five to eight years. You can make them last as long as possible by cleaning them regularly, storing them in a mold- and moisture-free environment, and charging them regularly.