Hear.com Hearing Aid Review
If you’re looking to purchase affordable hearing aids online, then Hear.com provides experts to walk you through each step. From an online hearing test to continued remote support, they handle everything without a person having to visit a hearing health clinic.
In this Hear.com review, I’ll provide an overview of what Hear.com has to offer, including their range of products, their costs, and overall thoughts on their hearing aids.
Pro Tip: To find the best hearing aids for your needs, be sure to check out my picks for this year’s best hearing aids.
Pros and Cons of Hear.com Hearing Aids
Hear.com Pros
- Expert Help: Hear.com provides customers with help from experts in the field. From the first consultation through the purchasing and financing process, they act as a guide.
- Wide Range of Products: Since Hear.com partners with a number of leading hearing aid manufacturers, they can match you with the best brand and model for your budget.
- Risk-Free Trial: Hear.com provides customers with a no-risk 45-day trial period. If for some reason, the hearing aids they have matched you with are not a good fit, they will issue a refund within this time frame.
- Top-rated hearing aid manufacturers: Get access to top-rated hearing aid manufacturers like Signia and Phonak, through hear.com. Currently, hear.com has an extensive network of Partner Providers to help you find an affordable hearing aid that fits your needs.
- New hearing technology: Hear.com offers top-rated hearing aid products with the latest hearing technology. This includes advanced sound processing features, rechargeability, and Bluetooth capabilities.
Hear.com Cons
- Indirect purchasing: Although Hear.com does a great job of matching you with a provider and suggesting an ideal pair of hearing aids, ultimately, you purchase a hearing aid from Hear.com, and then the hearing aid service is carried out by a third party (the audiologist). Although this can result in more desirable prices for high-end products, it can also make servicing and follow-up care more complex.
Pro Tip: Paying for hearing aids can be expensive. Did you know that hear.com has financing options? You can choose to pay over a 24, 48, or 60-month financing plan.
Affordable OTC Hearing Aids
While Hear.com's subscription prices are reasonable, an OTC hearing aid will cost you less in the long run. These three hearing aid brands performed well in our tests, and they cost as low as $300 for a pair.
Hear.com Video Review
Hear.com Hearing Aids at a Glance
Hear.com has four different levels of hearing aids. Depending on your needs and your lifestyle, an expert consultant will walk you through the available devices at the level that works for your budget.
Hear.com Essentials
The Essentials level offers Hear.com’s most affordable hearing aids. Offering speech clarity and sound reduction, the devices offered in the Essential category start at around $1,600 for a pair depending on the manufacturer and model, and are good for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss who are looking for something to improve their hearing quality at home or in one-on-one settings.
Pro Tip: If you have a more advanced type of hearing loss, then you should check out my rundown of hearing aids for severe hearing loss.
Hear.com Advanced
The Advanced level is a step up from the Essentials, both in price and technology. Available devices in the Advanced category start at around $3,500 for a pair, and most include automated features such as adaptive directional microphones. The Essentials products are good for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss who are looking for better communication in group settings as well as in public places with larger crowds, such as restaurants.
Did You Know: Did you know that Hear.com offers a 45-day money back guarantee?
Hear.com Premium
The Premium level offers top-of-the-line hearing aids with a broader range in technology and features. At upwards of $5,000 a pair, most devices at this level provide HD sound quality even in loud, busy environments. The Premium products are good for those wanting the best tier of hearing aid, as well as those with severe to profound hearing loss.
FYI: Hear.com has over 2,000 top hearing professionals across the U.S. They provide both in-person and telehealth appointments in addition to personalized hearing assessments and hearing aid fittings.
Hear.com Luxury
The Luxury level offers all of the same features and advanced technology as the Premium level devices. In addition, customers interested in hearing aids at the Luxury level also receive benefits such as language translation and health monitoring services. As the top tier of what is offered by Hear.com, hearing aids in the Luxury category are the most expensive, usually priced upwards of $6,500.
Which level of hearing aid is best for you depends on your level of hearing loss and your lifestyle. If you are not completely confident with your choice, make sure to take advantage of the 45-day trial period and exchange the hearing aids for a different level. I have had many, many patients try two or three levels before settling on which was best for them.
Hear.com Hearing Aids Comparison
| Essentials | Advanced | Premium | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost for a Pair* | $139 per month | $169 per month | $199 per month | $229 per month |
| Fit |
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| Battery Type | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Bluetooth Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty Length | 1 year | 1-3 years | 1-3 years | 1-3 years |
| Additional Features |
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*The price per month reflects the monthly price when purchased on a 36-month, 9% APR financing plan and discounts are available for cash payments.
FYI: The actual cost of devices at each of these levels will depend on the specific model as well as the kind of financing available.
How to Purchase Hear.com Hearing Aids
The first step in getting started with Hear.com is to visit their website. After exploring their homepage, which gives an overview of what they offer, click on the ‘Start No-Risk Trial’ button. A window will appear asking for a range of information, including whether you currently wear hearing aids, the kind of hearing improvement you are looking for, and whether you need hearing aids for tinnitus.
You will also be asked to provide information on your current insurance plan as well as your credit score to assess the kind of financing options they can offer. Finally, they will request a zip code so that they can match you with one of their licensed hearing aid providers.
Hear.com will then set up a free phone consultation with a hearing health expert, who will help you compare hearing aids that are right for you in terms of brand, model, and price.
Pro Tip: Concerned about the cost of hearing aids? Read my guide, Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids, to learn about ways to pay for this often-costly technology.
Hear.com Accessories
Hear.com does not directly sell hearing aid devices, nor do they offer additional hearing aid accessories. However, they do provide a range of resources on hearing aid technology as well as information on their manufacturing partners, many of which do independently sell accessories that can even further improve your quality of hearing.
Hear.com App
Customers that purchase their hearing aids through Hear.com now also have access to the Hear.com App for mobile phones. Highly rated on the Google Play Store (and also available through the App Store for iPhone), the Hear.com App offers a number of useful additional features.
These include exchanging messages with your personal hearing consultant, whether about your hearing aids or the financing. You can also schedule appointments and even receive driving directions to your local partner provider. The app even allows access to a range of helpful videos and articles to help you stay informed about hearing health.
Pro Tip: Looking for other user-friendly apps to download? Read my article, Best iPhone Apps for Seniors, for a list of useful, educational, and entertaining apps for older adults.
Hear.com Returns and Warranties
The terms of the warranty for the specific device you choose and finance through Hear.com may vary. All models feature at least a 1-year warranty, while the higher-tier options often include a 3-year warranty.
With over 100,000 happy customers, Hear.com wants to be sure that you’re satisfied with their hearing aids, so they offer a 45-day risk-free trial period. Within this window, returns are simple. You merely call a toll-free number, and customer service walks you through the best method to send back the device. Once they receive your return, they process your refund within five business days in whatever form you initially submitted (either credit card or check).
Pro Tip: If you need help maintaining your hearing aids, you should check out my guide: How To Clean Hearing Aids.
Hear.com Closing Thoughts
Having a dependable hearing aid that suits your lifestyle and budget can make a huge difference in the quality of your day-to-day life. Hear.com aims to help you find the perfect fit. They do this in two ways: First, by providing hearing experts to walk you through the process of choosing the brand and model and matching you with one of their partners in your area. Second, by offering a range of payment and financing options through one of their four tiers of hearing aid categories.
And to make sure you have peace of mind in your choice, they give you 45 days to decide if you’re happy with the model you have chosen. At the same time, they offer a variety of resources on hearing health and technology for free, so that customers can feel comfortable in both understanding their hearing loss and knowing what solutions are available.
To learn more about the different types of hearing aids, be sure to check out my hearing aid buying guide.
