Shopping for hearing aids can feel like a daunting task, especially when you’re shopping online. The landscape of hearing aid options has shifted significantly in recent years, particularly with the introduction of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. With so many brands, features, and price points to consider, it’s understandable to be confused about which product is best suited for you.
In addition to the challenge of selecting the right device, there are also questions about the provider itself—such as whether they’re registered with the FDA, if they accept returns, or if they provide a warranty.
To help simplify your buying experience with MDHearing, we've answered some of the questions we hear most frequently below.
Are OTC hearing aids from MDHearing “real” hearing aids?
Yes, hearing aids from MDHearing are real hearing aids registered with the FDA as class I and class II medical devices.
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, like those from MDHearing, were made available in the United States in 2022. They're designed specifically for those 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aids can be purchased directly by consumers without the need for a prescription or visits to an audiologist. This change allows you to shop online for hearing aids that you can self-fit and adjust on your own, offering a more affordable and accessible way of addressing hearing loss for many individuals.
Is there a trial period?
Yes, hearing aids from MDHearing are backed by a 60-day risk-free trial.
While our hearing aids are designed by doctors to help 94% of people with hearing loss, we understand that until you try a hearing aid in your daily routine, it’s hard to know for sure if it will work for you and your lifestyle.
Our trial period allows you to try the hearing aids risk-free for 60 days. Unlike wearing glasses, where your eyesight is immediately corrected, hearing is a more gradual process. When first wearing a hearing aid, it is completely normal to find some background sounds unusually loud, like your feet on the ground or the water running in the sink. Once your brain experiences these sounds on a daily basis again, it will relearn to filter them out and they will fade into the background like they do with normal hearing.
Until you have tried the devices for some time, you may not be able to know if the devices will work for you. That’s why we offer a 60-day risk-free trial included with all of our hearing aids. So go ahead and wear them anywhere that you’ll use them—at home, in church, running errands, family gatherings, restaurants with friends—and determine if they’re right for you.
Why is MDHearing so much cheaper than retail clinics?
To put it simply: MDHearing is reinventing hearing care. By removing the middlemen and overhead costs of physical stores, MDHearing provides high-quality hearing aids and customer care—at a fraction of the cost.
As an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid provider, we’re able to keep our prices significantly lower than traditional brick-and-mortar hearing clinics. Unlike clinics, we eliminate high overhead costs, such as rent, utilities, building maintenance, equipment maintenance, and more. We also eliminate the markups from the manufacturers to the clinics, and additional markups from the clinic to the customer.
Beyond these built-in costs associated with traditional hearing clinics, you can also expect multiple in-person visits for fitting, testing, and maintenance, all of which can be time-consuming and costly.
In contrast, MDHearing offers the convenience of buying online or over the phone, shipping directly to you, and providing free, personalized support via phone, email, text, web chat, or video chat—so you can access medical-grade hearing aids at a much more affordable price.
Of course, visiting an audiologist in person can be beneficial, especially if your hearing loss is severe or has developed suddenly. We always recommend choosing the hearing aid that best fits your needs and budget, as your hearing is an invaluable connection to the world around you.
When I purchase from MDHearing, what support will I receive?
Every MDHearing purchase comes with FREE lifetime support from our in-house team of licensed hearing professionals.
Our commitment to your satisfaction extends far beyond your purchase. When you choose MDHearing, you're not only selecting a hearing aid provider, but a comprehensive solution that prioritizes your hearing health.
We’ve been helping Americans hear better for nearly two decades, and have built a team of licensed, U.S.-based audiologists and hearing specialists to provide you with clinic-level care from the comfort of your home—including consultations, personalized treatment recommendations, device fitting, troubleshooting, adjustments, and beyond. Our remote hearing care team is just a phone call, text, web chat, or email away.
How long does the shipping process take?
Once you’ve placed your order, it will typically ship from our facility in Chicago within 24 to 48 hours. Delivery time depends on the carrier and shipping method you select.
Depending on where you live in the United States, you can usually expect your order to arrive 5-10 days after purchase. Express shipping options are also available.
Is there a warranty?
All of our hearing aids come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty against any defects in materials and workmanship. If it's determined that the hearing aid failed to work due to parts, materials, or workmanship, we will repair or replace it for free.
For total coverage against accidental damage, you may consider one of our protection plan subscriptions—the MDShield Protection Plan or the Total Protection Plan. Theseprotection plans provide 100% coverage against ALL types of accidental damage, or anything else that may go wrong with the aid, including damage not covered by the standard warranty (water damage, battery corrosion, stepping on the hearing aid, etc). The Total Protection Plan also includes loss coverage.
Do I need two hearing aids?
If you have hearing loss in both ears, you will be able to hear much better with two hearing aids, and your satisfaction with those hearing aids will be much higher. The brain processes signals from both ears for improved clarity and balanced sound. If you only use one hearing aid, your brain has to process two different sound and clarity levels, which makes the sounds and conversations more difficult to understand.
Studies suggest hearing aid users are more satisfied when they wear two devices, and we want to have the best chance of success with your new hearing aids.
Want to learn more? Browse more of our Frequently Asked Questions.
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