Hearing loss is an all-too-common affliction for millions of Americans. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), 15 percent of U.S. adults (over 37 million people) have some trouble hearing, with the percentage increasing sharply by age.
Fortunately, hearing aids can help a majority of people who experience hearing loss. The NIH also estimates that 29 million Americans could benefit from using hearing aids.
So why does only a small minority of this population (16 to 30 percent) actually wear hearing aids on a regular basis? There are two main reasons: cost and accessibility. The average price of hearing aids is over $2,300 per device (and $4,600 for a pair), which puts them out of budget for too many people. In addition, getting a hearing aid can be difficult or impractical for people who don’t have regular access to healthcare.
The good news is that a number of hearing aid providers are shaking up the industry and making hearing aids more accessible. These affordable hearing aid brands cut out the middlemen and offer products for a fraction of the cost of the major sellers.
If you’ve been inside a store such as Walgreens or Costco recently, you might have noticed Lexie hearing aids for sale. Lexie is one of these lower-cost hearing aid brands, selling a pair of high-quality hearing aids for as little as $799.
But are Lexie hearing aids worth it? How much do Lexie hearing aids cost? What do Lexie hearing aid reviews have to say? Most importantly, how does Lexie stack up against the top hearing aids brands? We’ll answer all of these questions and more below in this all-in-one Lexie hearing aids guide.
What are Lexie Hearing Aids?
According to the company’s website, Lexie offers “premium hearing aids for every budget.” The Lexie brand is an offshoot of hearX Group, a South African digital audiology solutions company. In addition to Lexie, hearX also offers products such as hearing test mobile apps and patient data management software.
Lexie is one of the over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid brands that have emerged in recent years. These OTC companies sell hearing aids directly to customers, without the need to get a prescription or visit a local hearing clinic. Potential customers can take a hearing aid test online, get advice about the right product for their needs, and then have the device shipped to their door—all while barely lifting a finger.
Although you can order Lexie hearing aids online, many customers can also buy them in person thanks to the company’s partnership with a number of retail outlets. In May 2021, Walgreens and Lexie announced that Lexie hearing aids would be available in Walgreens pharmacies in select U.S. states. The next year, the companies announced that customers across the country could buy Lexie Lumen hearing aids in-store. Since then, Lexie hearing aids have expanded to other retail chains such as CVS, Walmart, Costco, and Best Buy.
Lexie Hearing Aid Products
Image Source: lexiehearing.com
Lexie Lumen
The Lexie hearing aid brand first launched with a single flagship product: the Lexie Lumen, a BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aid. According to the company website, the Lexie Lumen hearing aid comes with the following features:
Noise reduction for background noise
Feedback cancellation
Bluetooth connectivity
Self-fitting technology
6 different hearing environment settings, including for everyday use, music, noisy indoors environments, and outdoors
Replaceable battery
An accompanying mobile app for changing device volume and settings
A discreet behind-the-ear (BTE) device body with a comfortable ear tip
5 different colors, from beige to metallic black
Lexie B1 and B2 Plus
More recently, Lexie has introduced the B1 and B2 Plus hearing aid models, which are RIC (receiver-in-canal) devices manufactured through a partnership with Bose. Both of these models come with the following features:
Directional microphones to focus on the the right sounds
Adaptive noise reduction
Feedback cancellation
Bluetooth connectivity
Self-fitting technology
Multiple hearing environment settings, including for everyday use, music, noisy indoors environments, and outdoors
An accompanying mobile app for changing device volume and settings
Phone call streaming (compatible with iPhone and Lexie B2 Plus only)
A discreet receiver-in-canal (RIC) device
Only available in gray
The main difference between the Lexie B1 and B2 Plus is that the B1 uses replaceable batteries (like the Lumen), while the B2 Plus is rechargeable. The Lumen and B1 require size 312 batteries, which last an average of 3 to 12 days. The B2 Plus’ rechargeable batteries can last up to 18 hours after a full charge, and the charging case holds an additional 18 hours of run time.
The Lumen, B1, and B2 Plus are all compatible with the Lexie mobile app, which lets customers adjust their device’s settings on the fly. With a few taps on their smartphone, users can raise or lower the volume or switch between multiple environment settings. The app also provides access to Lexie Remote Care for any hearing aid questions or issues.
Lexie Hearing Aid Cost
The cost of Lexie hearing aids depends on which model you go with. On the Lexie website, the Lumen and B1 currently sell for $799 per pair, while the B2 Plus currently sells for $999 per pair. These prices include a pair of hearing aids, as well as accessories such as:
Carrying case
Multiple sizes of domes and tubes
Cleaning brush
Four packs of size 312 batteries (for the Lumen and B1)
Charging case (for the B2 Plus)
In the past, Lexie has given customers the option to pay for their hearing aids via a monthly subscription, rather than a traditional one-time payment. For example, customers could purchase the Lexie Lumen by paying $49 per month for 24 months. This came out to a total of $1176, which is $377 more than making a single payment. As of writing, however, the monthly subscription option no longer appears to be available on the Lexie website.
Lexie customers can also purchase add-ons and benefits for their new hearing aids. These include:
A care kit ($70-110, varies by hearing aid model) with cleaning tools and hearing aid accessories (such as batteries, domes, slim tubes, and drying capsules).
A two-year extended protection plan ($72-180, varies by hearing aid model) for damaged or lost hearing aids. Plan owners can enjoy free repairs if their hearing aids are accidentally damaged. In addition, if the devices are lost, stolen, or damaged due to negligence, you can buy new Lexie hearings at a reduced cost.
Lexie offers a 45-day trial to all new customers, allowing you to thoroughly test the product before you make a commitment. The company also provides real-time customer support via phone or video call if you have a question or issue. Specialists are available 7 days a week between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time.
Lexie Hearing Aid Reviews
Reviews of Lexie hearing aids seem to be generally positive. On the website RetirementLiving.com, user Carolann M. from Texas compliments the company’s customer service:
I have had my Lexie hearing aids for over a year and they are amazing! I can hear perfectly in most situations. I have had two previous sets: Resound that cost $3,000, and Miracle Ear that cost $7,000. Both of my previous sets were disappointing. Not only are Lexie’s hearing aids the best, the customer service and mobile app are the best ever. If I could change anything, I wish they were a little smaller. If you are looking for affordable hearing aids and the best customer service, take a look at Lexie—you won't be sorry!”
However, there are also some negative reviews of Lexie hearing aids from customers who are dissatisfied with their experience. In another RetirementLiving.com review, Lexie customer Allen H. from Virginia complains about the product quality, as well as hidden charges for fixing the devices:
They have never worked correctly. I have to call all the time to get them adjusted. It’s hard to clean the tubing. And even if you have the insurance, you still have to pay $120 to replace one if something happens to it. When you are on disability, you cannot just come up with $120.”
Other Lexie hearing aid reviews complain about the customer service. Andy F. writes, “The lady I called for help was not very knowledgeable and got upset with me for not being able to understand her. I’m currently waiting for a refund.” In another review, Lexie customer Leslie H. writes, “Customer service is awful. Do not answer, do not return calls! Phone cuts off while waiting.”
Pros and Cons of Lexie Hearing Aids
Are Lexie hearing aids right for you? It all depends on what you’re looking for. The benefits of Lexie hearing aids include:
Availability: Lexie hearing aids are currently available at a number of retail chains, making them convenient to buy in-person. This can be a favorable alternative to the traditional hearing aid buying process.
Features and functionality: Lexie hearing aids offer features such as directional hearing, noise reduction, and different hearing environments to offer a better listening experience.
Pricing: Lexie’s OTC hearing aids are significantly cheaper than traditional hearing aid models. The company’s extended protection plan is also relatively inexpensive and good for users who are worried about loss, theft, or damage.
However, Lexie hearing aids also have certain disadvantages such as:
No options for single aids: As of writing, it appears that customers can only buy a pair of Lexie hearing aids, and not a single device. This means that users with hearing loss in only one ear will be paying twice as much as they need to.
Limited product selection: Lexie currently only offers three hearing aid products: the Lumen, B1, and B2 Plus. The Lumen is a BTE hearing aid, while the B1 and B2 Plus are RIC. If you want a more discreet model, such as an in-the-ear (ITE) or completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid, you’re out of luck with Lexie.
Customer service issues: Some Lexie customers complain that they have problems getting support for their devices. This may be because Lexie’s customer service team doesn’t have audiologists or licensed hearing professionals on staff—unlike MDHearing.
MDHearing: The Best Alternative to Lexie Hearing Aids?
If Lexie hearing aids aren’t the right choice for you, then where else can you buy hearing aids online?
MDHearing can help. Since our founding by a Chicago ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor more than a decade ago, MDHearing has offered affordable hearing aids to more than 800,000 happy customers. We sell high-quality, FDA-registered OTC hearing aids at a price point that’s significantly lower than other brands.
By selling directly to customers, MDHearing helps people access better healthcare with our affordable hearing aids. The benefits of MDHearing include:
Ease of purchase: MDHearing cuts out the middlemen and sells FDA-registered OTC hearing aids directly to you. This enables us to slash our prices to a level that’s competitive with Lexie and other online hearing aid providers. Our hearing aids arrive at your doorstep already assembled and ready for you to use.
Diverse product range: MDHearing offers multiple models of in-the-ear and behind-the-ear styles. Our affordable hearing aids have features to fit every budget and lifestyle, including rechargeability, advanced noise reduction, smartphone compatibility, and more. See our comparison page for our latest product offerings.
Licensed customer support: MDHearing’s U.S.-based team of audiologists and licensed hearing aid specialists are happy to walk you through every step of the process and answer any questions you may have. You can speak with the customer support team over the phone, email, web chat, or even video chat.
Satisfaction guarantee: MDHearing backs every product with a 45-day risk-free trial and 100% money-back guarantee, so you can make sure the devices are the right fit for you. You have nothing to lose by giving MDHearing a try!
Want to see if MDHearing is right for you? Take our free online hearing test and get personalized results immediately.
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