Providing Affordable Hearing Aids For Over 18 Years
Founded on the idea that everyone deserves to hear, we manufacture affordable, high-quality, FDA-registered medical devices that are designed, programmed, and tested by our in-house team of audiologists and hearing professionals.
Our goal is to bring the hearing clinic experience to you—for thousands less than a traditional clinic. From our online hearing test and recommendation tool to video consultations and licensed support professionals, we’re 100% dedicated to making your experience with us a good one.
DESIGNED BY DOCTORS
Our FDA-registered hearing aids are designed to assist 94% of people with hearing loss.
TRUSTED BY THOUSANDS
We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of Americans hear better over the last 18 years.
CLINIC-LEVEL SUPPORT
Our licensed hearing professionals are here to provide one-on-one remote support.
Our Story
At MDHearing, we believe that choosing the right hearing aid should be as easy and affordable as possible, which is why we revolutionized the entire process.
MDHearing was founded in 2008 by a board-certified Chicago otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) who saw too many of his patients go without the hearing aids they needed because the cost was out of reach.
Traditional brick-and-mortar hearing clinics were the only option for Americans to get high-quality hearing aids—which was frustrating, complex, and shockingly expensive. There’s a markup from the manufacturers to the clinics, and then another markup from the clinic to the customer. Buying hearing aids this way also requires multiple visits just to get the devices in hand, and additional appointments for fittings and maintenance. The reality is, buying from a hearing clinic is simply not possible for customers on a budget.
Knowing how crucial high-quality hearing is, our founder set out to manufacture an affordable hearing solution that could help the majority of hearing loss patients. By removing the middlemen and overhead costs of brick-and-mortar businesses, MDHearing is able to offer high-quality hearing aids with the same level of support offered by hearing clinics—at just a fraction of the cost.
Meet our hearing experts
Our team of credentialed audiologists and licensed hearing professionals have decades of experience in the hearing industry. Everything we do—from designing our products to providing the best care and customer support—benefits from the profound knowledge that our experts have to offer.
Dr. Sandra Porps is a licensed Audiologist in Illinois and a licensed Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dealer in Michigan. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dr. Porps received her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from Central Michigan University and has a wide range of experience in the evaluation and treatment of hearing disorders. She has several publications on topics ranging from basic audiology to cochlear implant outcomes. Along with patient care, Dr. Porps advises on hearing aid technology and trends.
Dr. Dondra Mbachu is a licensed Audiologist and hearing aid dispenser in the state of Texas. She is certified by the American Board of Audiology and received her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Mbachu has experience working with patient populations from newborns to geriatrics, in settings ranging from neonatal intensive care units to nursing homes. Her areas of expertise include hearing evaluation, patient counseling, hearing health education, hearing aid dispensing, and the treatment of hearing disorders.
Katy McNeely is a Board-Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist with 20 years of experience in hearing healthcare and licensed in the state of Texas in 2015. Katy prides herself on using best practices and providing counseling based upon a person’s individual needs. She is dedicated to making hearing healthcare easier to understand and ensuring customers feel supported throughout every stage of their journey to better hearing. Over the years, she has trained many others to become licensed and helped improve office performance and customer satisfaction rates.
Sarah Jacobs is a Board-Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Florida. Licensed since 2020, Sarah has worked in both clinic settings and home care visits. Her experience includes evaluating hearing, fitting and dispensing hearing aids, and counseling patients for success. Sarah is passionate about patient care and serving those with hearing loss to improve their quality of life.
Becky Klosowski is a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Texas with a passion for increasing accessibility and affordability in hearing care. During her multi-decade career, she has worked in many capacities, from hearing telehealth to small family-owned businesses to big box stores and large corporations, gaining insight into the effects of hearing loss and focusing on bringing ethical and compassionate care to every encounter. As a former musician, she is dedicated to providing quality sound reproduction and educating people on the importance of ear training in the aural rehabilitation process.
Christa Chandler is a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Mississippi. She's worked in the hearing industry for more than 10 years and gained her license in 2022. Throughout her career, she has worked in many capacities including direct patient care, customer service, advising, and training. Christa is enthusiastic about helping patients improve communication through the use of hearing aids.
Christina Hurt was licensed in 2008 as a Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Ohio. She has worked in many facets of the hearing aid industry including family-owned practice, national chains, and a big box setting. This experience sparked Christina’s passion for helping people understand the stress of hearing loss and how it affects the entire family. Christina has made appearances on local TV stations and has been a speaker for the International Hearing Society, bringing awareness to hearing loss and hearing aids. She has also published articles in “The Hearing Professional” and “Soundboard Magazine,” and she’s currently putting the finishing touches on her advocacy book to help consumers better understand hearing loss.
Erin Kampert is a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Pennsylvania. Licensed since 2014, Erin has accumulated years of experience in the field of hearing health. She is passionate about educating and counseling each individual she works with, striving to help them better understand their unique hearing loss and find the best solution for their needs and lifestyle.
Jason Cooper has been a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist since 2002 in the state of Indiana. He has worked in a number of practice settings, achieving the title of Master Practitioner, and was awarded Leadership in Ethics. He has also had the opportunity to train other Hearing Instrument Specialists to help patients improve their quality of life through better hearing. Jason is motivated by his care and concern for those who need help reconnecting with loved ones, using his experience to enhance each individual’s hearing health.
Jeff Feltes is a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Colorado. Licensed since 2008, his career has spanned various settings, from private care to 'big box' locations. During this time, he's gained a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs of individuals with hearing challenges. Jeff has found immense fulfillment in helping individuals regain their hearing, enabling them to reconnect with the world. Beyond this, he has taken on the role of a mentor, guiding and training aspiring hearing aid dispensers in the knowledge and skills necessary for licensure. Jeff's is committed to making a difference, one ear at a time.
Joe O’Brien has been a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Illinois since 2000 and believes strongly that hearing better should be within reach of everyone. With decades of experience in the direct-to-consumer hearing health industry and a focus on helping people to learn and feel confident with hearing technology, Joe is dedicated to assuring that each customer is assisted and able to succeed in reaching their hearing goals.
Kevin May is a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Mississippi. He comes from more than two decades of experience in the medical field, and earned his license in 2021. Kevin enjoys all aspects of his career, but he is most passionate about working with senior adults, helping them hear better and enjoy time with their families. Kevin is always willing to go the extra mile for his patients.
Lindsey Seufert is a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Florida. Licensed since 2016, Lindsey was formally trained and honed her skills in award-winning hearing clinics. She now leverages her expertise to help people hear better by reaching a wider audience in her role at MDHearing. Lindsey is passionate about hearing health care and strives to enhance her patients lives by helping them with their hearing needs.
Matthew Burden has been a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Ohio since 2012. Specializing in private practice, Matthew has demonstrated a passion for improving the lives of others by enhancing their hearing abilities. With a heart for serving seniors, he finds profound fulfillment in his work, knowing that hearing can make a significant difference in his clients’ daily lives.
Rochell Brown is a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Missouri. She was formally trained and worked in an award-winning clinic, and has discovered a new joy of helping many more customers online with MDHearing. Rochell has a passion for helping customers with hearing aid counseling, personalized fittings, product support, and education.
Shaun Warren is a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Florida. Licensed since 2007, his experience spans from clinical settings to online telehealth. Shaun formerly owned and operated private practices and worked for national chains. Shaun is passionate about using his experience to improve the lives of his patients through education and guidance.
Tammy Shepherd is a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. Since earning her license in 2021, Tammy has built a well-rounded background that spans direct patient care, customer service, hearing aid dispensing, and professional training in the hearing healthcare industry. Tammy is dedicated to making a meaningful impact and loves helping others hear better, one patient at a time.
Tom Marino has been a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the state of Texas since 2010. He previously practiced in multiple different clinic settings providing patient care, dispensing hearing aids, and educating patients. Tom is passionate about educating his patients on hearing health care and helping them to reconnect with their loved ones.
Better hearing backed by science
What sets MDHearing apart from other affordable hearing aid companies is a commitment to the scientific and medical underpinnings of the industry, driven by our team of audiologists and cutting-edge research. Our devices are designed and tested in our acoustically engineered sound lab to deliver crystal-clear sound in real-world environments.
This commitment dates all the way back to MDHearing's founding, with the 2012 research article "An Electroacoustic Analysis and Satisfaction Study of an Inexpensive Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid" by Dr. Seilesh Babu, president of the Michigan Ear Institute. In this study, Dr. Babu demonstrated that MDHearing's PRO device could successfully meet the ANSI S3.22-1996 hearing aid specification standard for a test group of people with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss—despite a cost of less than $200.
Another research study by Dr. Babu, "A Comparison of a Smartphone App-Based Personal Profile versus a Traditional Hearing Test," showed that MDHearing's smart hearing aid could accurately assess users' levels of hearing loss just as well as a traditional air-conduction hearing test performed by an audiologist. On average, the difference between the traditional hearing test thresholds and the personal profile results was within 5 decibels for all subjects with hearing loss.
MDHearing's audiology team continues to work on advancing the science of hearing loss and hearing aids. Below are some of our Head of Audiology's recent publications and presentations:
Publications and presentations by Dr. Sandra Porps, AuD, CCC-A
- Porps, Sandra L., Bennett Danielle M., Gilden, Jan., Ravelo, Kimberly., Buck, Barbara., Reinhart, Paul., Hong Robert S., 'Effects of an evidence-based model for cochlear implant aftercare delivery on clinical efficiency and patient outcomes." Cochlear Implants International, March 2023, DOI: 10.1080/14670100.2023.2188007
- Babu, Seilesh MD. “Practical Otology for the Otolaryngologist.” In: Zappia John, Porps Sandra. “Introduction to Audiology.” 2013
- Wilkerson, Brent., Porps, Sandra., Babu, Seilesh. “The Impact of Multiple Co-morbidities on CI performance in the Elderly.” Podium presentation. “14th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Technologies.” May 11-14, 2016.
- Wilkerson, Brent Jerome; Porps, Sandra L., Babu, Seilesh C. “The Impact of Comorbidities in the Aging Population on Cochlear Implant Outcomes”.Otology & Neurotology: September 2017-Volume 38-Issue 8 – pe285-e288
- Porps, Sandra L., Wilkerson, Brent J., Babu, Seilesh C., “Cochlear Implants and the Aged Population.”. Poster Presentation.14th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Technologies. May 11-14, 2016.
- Porps, Sandra L., Sioshansi, Pedrom., Conway, Robert., Schutt, Christopher., Hong, Robert., Babu, Seilesh., “Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation as a Treatment for Translabrynthine Resection of Acoustic Neuromas,” Podium presentation. CI2021 Cochlear Implants in Children and Adults: "Cochlear Implantation: It takes a village." April 28-May 1, 2021
- Conway, Robert M., Tu, Nathan C., Sioshansi, Pedrom C., Porps, Sandra L., Schutt, Christopher A., Hong, Robert S., Jacob, Jeffrey T., Babu. Seilesh C., “Early Outcomes of Simultaneous Translabyrinthine Resection and Cochlear Implantation."Laryngoscope. 2021 Jul;131(7):E2312-E2317.
- Karl W. Doerfer MD, Christian G. Fritz MD, Sandra L. Porps AuD, Robert S. Hong MD, PhD, Jeffrey T. Jacob MD, Seilesh C. Babu MD, Twelve-Month Outcomes of Simultaneous Translabyrinthine Resection and Cochlear Implantation. 30 January 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ohn.261 - Porps, Sandra L., Babu, Seilesh C., Bennett, Danielle M., Klann, Brandy J., Patrick, Paulette L., Hong, Robert S., Schutt, Christopher A., Cochlear Implants as a Treatment for Single Sided Deafness. Poster presentation. CI2022 DC In-Person meeting: Emerging Issues in Cochlear Implants. May 18-21, 2022 Washington DC.
- Porps, Sandra L., Danielle M., Klann, Brandy J., Gliden, Jan., Ravelo, Kimberly., Hong, Robert S., Implementing an Evidence Based CI Delivery Model in a Private Practice. Poster Presentation. CI2022 DC In-Person meeting: Emerging Issues in Cochlear Implants. May 18-21, 2022 Washington DC.
- Porps, Sandra., Cochlear Implant Research at Michigan Ear Institute. Podium presentation. Michigan Ear Institute Spring Audiology Conference. June 3, 2023.
- Porps, Sandra., Industry Satellite Symposium: Cochlear Americas "Patient Centered Approaches to Access and Care." American Cochlear Implant Alliance: CI 2023 Dallas Cochlear Implants in Children and Adults. June 7-10, 2023.
Meet our leadership team
Jen Trainor McDermott is the Chief Executive Officer of MDHearing, bringing more than two decades of leadership across healthcare, digital health, operations, and customer experience. Jen has led high-growth organizations through major transformations—scaling teams, streamlining operations, and launching innovative care models that expand access and improve patient outcomes. With deep expertise in commercial strategy, omnichannel growth, and technology-enabled care, Jen is guiding MDHearing’s evolution into a modern hearing-health platform that blends doctor-designed devices with remote audiology support and a best-in-class customer journey.
Dr. Sandra Porps is a licensed Audiologist in Illinois and a licensed Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dealer in Michigan. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dr. Porps received her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from Central Michigan University and has a wide range of experience in the evaluation and treatment of hearing disorders. She has several publications on topics ranging from basic audiology to cochlear implant outcomes. Along with patient care, Dr. Porps advises on hearing aid technology and trends.
Brian Jahn serves as the Chief Financial Officer for MDHearing and is a registered CPA in the state of Illinois. Throughout his career, Brian has served in a leadership capacity in a variety of industries including financial consulting, private equity, real estate, live events, and his latest endeavor at MDHearing. Brian loves the opportunity to analyze businesses from top to bottom to make operational improvements that provide benefits, both financially and in customer satisfaction—all while focusing on the continual drive to provide affordable hearing aids to as many people as possible.
Steven Maguire serves as Chief Technology Officer of MDHearing and has been building software since 2004. For the past decade, his focus has been on leading companies and technology teams toward the successful delivery of healthy and helpful software & hardware products that delight customers. Steven brings a wealth of experience and wisdom from a wide-range of industries, including–but not limited to–computer training, textbook rental, live events, business mail automation, two-sided marketplace, horse supplements, and niche apparel.
Katy McNeely serves as Director of Patient Success and Customer Service at MDHearing, where she leads with a balance of industry expertise, customer advocacy, and a passion for developing people. With 20 years of experience in hearing healthcare, she is a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist and is licensed in the state of Texas. Kathleen focuses on building confident, knowledgeable teams that deliver exceptional care while driving meaningful business growth. She is dedicated to making hearing healthcare easier to understand and ensuring customers feel supported throughout every stage of their journey to better hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MDHearing’s mission?
MDHearing’s mission is to make hearing healthcare accessible and affordable. Our goal is to bring the hearing clinic experience to you—for thousands less than a traditional clinic. From our online hearing test and recommendation tool to video consultations and licensed support professionals, we’re 100% dedicated to making your experience with us a good one.
How is MDHearing different from other OTC hearing aid brands?
MDHearing is different from other OTC hearing aid brands because of our excellent support team and our scientific approach to hearing. Our U.S.-based support team is composed of licensed hearing instrument specialists and audiologists all across the country. Most of them have over 10 years of experience in hearing clinics and now bring those decades of expertise to you.
Our hearing aids are designed and tested in our acoustically engineered sound lab to deliver clear sound in real-world environments. We take that testing a step further by evaluating performance in real, everyday settings, so you can feel confident they’re ready for the listening situations that matter most.
Why are MDHearing hearing aids more affordable than clinic hearing aids?
MDHearing hearing aids are more affordable than clinic hearing aids because we are a fully remote company. We design our own hearing aids and sell them directly to you, avoiding the manufacturer and clinic markups that can drive up the cost of clinic hearing aids. While we have a small warehouse in Chicago, IL, we do not maintain costly offices or clinic locations. By keeping our overhead costs low, we can offer high-quality hearing aids at a much more accessible price while still providing exceptional support from licensed hearing professionals.
Are MDHearing hearing aids FDA-registered medical devices?
Yes. All MDHearing hearing aids are real, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids registered with the FDA as class I and class II medical devices. This means they meet the standards outlined by the FDA Over the Counter hearing aid rule of 2022.
Who designs and tests MDHearing hearing aids?
All MDHearing hearing aids are designed and tested by our in-house team of audiologists and licensed hearing specialists. Our hearing aids are tested in our acoustically engineered sound lab and in real world environments.
Can I get support from an audiologist or licensed hearing professional at MDHearing?
Yes, MDHearing provides free lifetime support from our team of licensed U.S.-based audiologists and hearing specialists who would love to talk to you! Customer support can be reached via email, web chat, text message, or phone call. You can also make an appointment to have a video chat with one of our licensed hearing aid specialists. Please visit our Contact Page for contact information.
How does MDHearing bring the hearing clinic experience to customers at home?
MDHearing brings the hearing clinic experience to customers at home by combining professional support with the convenience of online care. Our U.S.-based licensed hearing professionals provide one-on-one support for personalized guidance, setup, adjustments, and ongoing support—all through convenient telehealth options including phone, email, video chat, and text message.
Hearing healthcare does not have to be complicated. With easy to use hearing aids and licensed customer support just a click away, you can feel confident you are getting the quality care you need without leaving your home.