Hearing Aid Apps & OTC Aids
Free hearing tests on your phone, plus a plain-English picker for over-the-counter hearing aids you can buy today.
Read this first — who OTC hearing aids are for
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and hearing-test apps are designed for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss only. If you struggle to hear even loud voices, hear a constant ringing, have ear pain or sudden loss, or have lost hearing in only one ear, please see a licensed audiologist or ENT doctor. Moderate-to-severe loss needs a professional fitting and prescription aids — the wrong device can make hearing worse.
1. Free hearing-test apps
Start here. A test app on your phone takes 5-10 minutes and tells you whether you have a hearing concern at all — before you spend a dime on aids.
Mimi Hearing Test
A 6-minute hearing screening that gives you a personal hearing profile. Mimi was designed with audiologists and is used by Beyerdynamic and Loewe TVs to tune sound to your ears.
How to use it
- 1Download Mimi from the App Store or Google Play.
- 2Plug in wired headphones (not Bluetooth — wireless can throw off the test).
- 3Find a quiet room. No TV, no fan, no traffic noise.
- 4Tap the screen each time you hear a tone, even faint ones.
- 5Mimi shows your hearing age and a profile you can save or share with a doctor.
When it works
Good for a first check at home if you suspect hearing loss but have not seen an audiologist yet.
When it does not
Not a medical diagnosis. If results show moderate or worse loss, see a real audiologist for a full audiogram.
SonicCloud
A hearing test plus a sound personalization service. SonicCloud tunes the audio coming out of your phone, calls, and apps to match your hearing profile.
How to use it
- 1Download SonicCloud from the App Store or Google Play.
- 2Use wired headphones in a quiet room.
- 3Tap when you hear each tone — both ears tested separately.
- 4Save your profile. Phone calls and audio in supported apps will then sound clearer.
- 5For boosted call audio across all apps, the paid plan is around $15-$20 a month.
When it works
Helpful if calls and videos sound muddy and you want clearer audio without buying hearing aids yet.
When it does not
Does nothing for in-person conversations or TV audio that does not run through your phone.
Brand-specific hearing aid apps (if you already have aids)
If you already wear prescription hearing aids, the manufacturer has a free app that controls them. These do not replace your audiologist — they let you make small adjustments yourself.
Phonak — myPhonak
Official linkAdjust volume and bass/treble, switch programs (restaurant, music, quiet), and find lost hearing aids on a map.
Oticon — Oticon ON
Official linkVolume, mute, change programs, check battery, and connect to IFTTT for smart-home triggers (lights blink when phone rings).
ReSound — ReSound Smart 3D
Official linkFine-tune sound for any room, save favorite spots (your kitchen, your church), and get remote tuning from your audiologist.
2. Over-the-counter hearing aid picker
Since 2022, the FDA allows OTC hearing aids — no prescription needed for adults with mild-to-moderate loss. Five honest picks, ranked from cheapest to most expensive.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (Hearing Aid mode)
Best for: Best starting point if you already have an iPhone and your hearing loss is mild. FDA-cleared as a hearing aid.
Pros
- +A quarter the price of most OTC hearing aids.
- +Built-in hearing test runs right on your iPhone.
- +Works as everyday earbuds for music and calls.
- +No appointments, no fittings, no audiologist trip.
Cons
- −iPhone required for the hearing-aid mode (iOS 18.2 or newer).
- −Battery is 6 hours per charge — not all-day wear.
- −Visible in your ears (not discreet like in-canal aids).
Sony CRE-C10
Best for: Best for people who want a discreet, in-canal device that disappears in your ear and lasts all day.
Pros
- +Tiny — sits deep in the ear canal, almost invisible.
- +Battery lasts about 70 hours (single-use, no charging).
- +Self-fitting through the Sony Hearing Control app.
- +Sold by Costco and Best Buy with return policies.
Cons
- −No Bluetooth streaming for calls or music.
- −Disposable batteries mean ongoing cost (about $5-$10 a month).
- −No volume buttons on the device — adjust through the app only.
Jabra Enhance Plus / Select
Best for: Best for people who want a real audiology experience without the audiologist office. Jabra Enhance includes 3 years of remote care from a licensed hearing professional.
Pros
- +Includes 3 years of video calls with a real hearing specialist.
- +Bluetooth streaming for phone calls.
- +Rechargeable — no fiddling with tiny batteries.
- +100-day return window.
Cons
- −Pricier than the Sony or AirPods options.
- −Behind-the-ear style is more visible.
- −App is required for fine-tuning.
A few rules before you buy
- •Always check the return window. 30-100 days is normal — anything shorter is a red flag.
- •Costco, Best Buy, and Walgreens carry OTC aids in person. Trying before buying helps.
- •Medicare does not cover OTC aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans do — call your plan to ask.
- •If you have moderate-to-severe loss or hearing trouble in only one ear, see an audiologist before spending on OTC.
Related
Quick Tip: book a baseline hearing test with an audiologist once a year after age 60, even if you feel fine. Catching loss early makes any device — OTC or prescription — work better.