Table of Contents
- We tested 14 devices and chose the top four to include in our review of the best Bluetooth hearing aids.
- We spent over 7,500 hours researching products to make informed decisions for our review.
- We interviewed 26 real people and consulted 17 experts, including audiologists, health researchers, and industry leaders.
- We evaluated several key features to ensure a high-quality Bluetooth hearing aids experience, including: ease of pairing, sound quality for calls and music, battery life, app functionality, and Bluetooth compatibility.
- To learn more, see our hearing aids review methodology.
Hearing aids with Bluetooth streaming open up a world of functionality for people with hearing loss. Millions of people use Bluetooth earbuds for listening to music or taking phone calls. Hearing aids also offer this technology, but they often have better sound quality along with amplification tailored to your hearing loss.
Unfortunately, hearing loss can lead to depression and social isolation. But Bluetooth hearing aids are uniquely suited to help people maintain connections with others and improve quality of life. Bluetooth hearing aids are also more convenient, as they let you stream audio from music, shows, and phone calls directly to your hearing aids.
Bluetooth hearing aids come in a wide range of prices and with various styles and features. It’s great to have options, but more choices can make it hard to know which device is optimal for your hearing needs. We tested 14 Bluetooth hearing aids to help you choose the best hearing aids.
Jabra Enhance: Top Bluetooth hearing aid
Jabra Enhance is the best Bluetooth hearing aid choice due to its advanced Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to stream phone calls and music directly into their ears for an immersive audio experience. Users can personalize their experience by adjusting volume and settings through a user-friendly app to optimize hearing for any environment.
Which Bluetooth hearing aid is right for you?
Jabra Enhance: Best OTC hearing aid with Bluetooth.
Lexie: Best value.
Phonak: Best sound quality.
Starkey Genesis AI: Best lifestyle hearing aid.
What you need to know about our hearing aid research and testing
Here are the five most important things to know about Bluetooth hearing aids.
Our testing experience
Following a thorough evaluation process in which our Handbook Team rigorously tested 14 hearing aids, conducted mystery shopping across 11 brands, and collated insights from audiology experts, we pinpointed four that stand out as the best Bluetooth hearing aids.
Our comprehensive assessment involved hands-on trials of various devices, where testers responded to an in-depth 25-question checklist focused on key features such as sound quality, battery life, ease of use, and the ability to fine-tune settings.
The process looked like this:
We encountered a number of surprises during the testing process. Batteries that were hard to change, hearing aids that didn’t stay in our ears, distracting background noise, confusing user manuals, and customer service marked by long wait times were among the biggest drawbacks of certain brands.
But we were impressed with the helpful audiology support, fine-tuning adjustments, Bluetooth sound quality, and user-friendly apps offered by other hearing aid companies.
From our tester
“I was very pleased by how easy certain hearing aids and their accompanying apps were to set up and use but surprised by the poor quality of other devices. Only by hand-testing each model did I uncover the small details of each hearing aid that can make all the difference when you’re using this type of device every day.”
Our experts selected the top two over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid brands for their stellar products and service. Keep in mind, OTC hearing aids are only appropriate for adults 18 and over with mild to moderate hearing loss, and they can be purchased and set up without help from a hearing professional.
Prescription hearing aid companies offer a greater variety of models for all degrees of hearing loss. We chose two of the top brands based on our testing results. You’ll need to visit a hearing care clinic and have an in-person hearing exam before buying a prescription hearing aid. Read on to see which of our picks is the best choice for you.
Compare the top Bluetooth hearing aids of 2024
Price per pair | $799–$1,995 | $799–$999 | $2,475–$5,445* | $2,365–$5,945* |
Bluetooth compatibility** | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Universal Streaming | iOS, Android |
Hearing aid type | In-the-ear, receiver-in-canal | Behind-the-ear | Behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal | Receiver-in-canal, in-the-ear, in-the-canal, completely-in-canal, invisible-in-canal |
Setting Adjustments | Smartphone App | Smartphone App | Remote control, Smartphone App | Remote control, Smartphone App |
Degree of hearing loss | Mild to moderate | Mild to moderate | Mild to profound | Mild to severe |
Battery type | Disposable, rechargeable | Disposable, rechargeable | Disposable, rechargeable | Rechargeable |
*Prescription hearing aid prices can vary based on the retailer.
** Bluetooth hearing aids connectivity may vary by device.
Bluetooth hearing aid reviews
What are Bluetooth hearing aids?
Bluetooth hearing aids connect with other electronic devices, such as tablets, smartphones, and computers using Bluetooth technology. This feature allows users to stream audio to their hearing aids.
Bluetooth hearing aids are not just about amplifying sound; they offer convenience and versatility by enabling hands-free communication, seamless integration with technology, and discreet use.
By incorporating Bluetooth connectivity into hearing aids, the devices can enhance social interactions, boost productivity, and promote independence for users in various settings, including crowded environments and noisy workplaces.
Pros and cons of Bluetooth hearing aids
Bluetooth hearing aids open up a world of possibilities when it comes to controlling your devices with an app and listening to music, shows, and phone calls through your hearing aids.
What we like about Bluetooth hearing aids
- Increased functionality allows hearing aids to act as wireless earbuds.
- Bluetooth LE, available in most newer hearing aids, uses less energy than traditional Bluetooth technology.
- Bluetooth hearing aids come in a wide variety of styles and price ranges.
What we don’t like about Bluetooth hearing aids
- Bluetooth usage shortens battery life.
- It can take multiple attempts to connect Bluetooth hearing aids to the app.
- Bluetooth hearing aids tend to cost more than hearing aids without Bluetooth.
Key features to look for in a Bluetooth hearing aid
When shopping for a hearing aid with Bluetooth, look for the following key features:
- Audio-streaming, hands-free calling, and an app for making adjustments.
- Excellent sound quality.
- Reliable customer service.
- The battery type you want: disposable or rechargeable.
Bluetooth hearing aid costs
Brand | Price | Style* | Compatibility | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|
$2,365–$5,945 per pair | RIC, ITE, ITC, CIC, IIC | Apple, Android devices | Visit Site | |
$2,475–$5,445 per pair | RIC, BTE | Apple, Android devices | Visit Site | |
$799–$1,995 per pair | ITE, RIC, miniRIE | Apple, Android devices | Visit Site | |
$799–$995 per pair | BTE, RIC | Apple, Android devices | Visit Site |
*Styles include: receiver-in-canal (RIC), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), behind-the-ear (BTE), completely-in-canal (CIC) invisible-in-canal (IIC), receiver-in-the-ear (RIE)
The cost of Bluetooth hearing aids has come down quite a bit over the past year. The least expensive hearing aids we’ve found with Bluetooth streaming are from Go Hearing, which is made by HearX, the same manufacturer that makes Lexie hearing aids. The Go Ultra model from Go Hearing includes Bluetooth streaming and is priced at $499 per pair, roughly half the cost of Bluetooth hearing aids from Lexie or Jabra Enhance.
All prescription hearing aids come standard with Bluetooth streaming, and they start at around $1,600 per pair. That cost can rise upwards of $8,000 depending on your degree of hearing loss and the level of sound technology you need and want in a hearing aid.
As prescription hearing aids are customized to your hearing loss by an audiologist, Phonak and Starkey, along with Oticon, ReSound, Signia, and Widex, come with more sophisticated sound technology, greater amplification power, and often more features than OTC hearing aids. They also offer the option of in-person service, which isn’t available from most OTC hearing aid manufacturers.
We talked with Kate Carr, president of the Washington, DC-based Hearing Industries Association, about the difference between OTC and prescription hearing aid prices. “It’s the technology along with the services that drive the cost,” says Carr. They also pointed out that a person’s needs and preferences can influence which type of hearing aid is a better fit for them.
When shopping for hearing aids, think about your personal preferences, budget, and level of hearing loss to help in your decision-making process.
Our final verdict
Hearing aids with Bluetooth connectivity and streaming can be a game changer for people with hearing loss. This feature allows you to adjust your hearing aid settings with your phone, so you can do so discreetly and easily. You can also get remote assistance from your audiologist through the app and, of course, stream music, shows, and phone calls.
For all these reasons, we’ve been excited to see a variety of Bluetooth hearing aids enter the market over the past few years. Among OTC brands, we like Jabra Enhance and Lexie for their quality, comprehensive remote support, and value. Our two favorite prescription brands are the Phonak Lumity line and Starkey Genesis AI for their outstanding sound quality, high customization capabilities, and robust apps with lifestyle features like activity tracking and fall detection.
Read our full lineup of the best hearing aids of 2024 to find even more hearing aid options.
Frequently asked questions
Some Bluetooth hearing aids are covered by health insurance, but it depends on the brand of hearing aid and your insurance plan. Contact your insurance provider to find out if you have hearing coverage, and if so, which hearing aid brands are covered.
Prescription Bluetooth hearing aids like those from Phonak and Starkey are available for purchase from hearing clinics, where an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist will conduct a hearing exam and then program your new hearing aids to match your hearing loss profile.
OTC hearing aids, like Jabra Enhance and Lexie, can be purchased online. You’ll take an online hearing test with Jabra or use the app with Lexie hearing aids to take a quick hearing screen. Jabra’s audiology team will program your hearing aids before sending them to you, and Lexie hearing aids are self-fitting, which means they automatically adjust to your hearing screen results using the app.
Some OTC hearing aids, such as Sony, GoHearing, and Eargo, can be purchased online and in retail stores.
Anyone who wants to stream audio, TV shows, or phone calls may enjoy using Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids.
Bluetooth hearing aids can cost anywhere from $299 to upwards of $8,000 per pair. Cost is greatly influenced by the level of technology and power included in the hearing aid.
- Bigelow, R. T., Reed, N. S., Brewster, K. K., Huang, A., Rebok, G., Rutherford, B. R., & Lin, F. R. (2020). Association of hearing loss with psychological distress and utilization of mental health services among adults in the United States. JAMA Network Open, 3(7). Link
- Depression and hearing loss. American Academy of Audiology. (2022, May 27). Link
- Lin, F. R., Pike, J. R., Albert, M. S., Arnold, M., Burgard, S., Chisolm, T., Couper, D., Deal, J. A., Goman, A. M., Glynn, N. W., Gmelin, T., Gravens-Mueller, L., Hayden, K. M., Huang, A. R., Knopman, D., Mitchell, C. M., Mosley, T., Pankow, J. S., Reed, N. S., … Coresh, J. (2023). Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (achieve): A Multicentre, randomized controlled trial. The Lancet, 402(10404), 786–797. Link
- Hearing Aid Users Survey. 600 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched August 2023.