Nearly 29 million adults in the United States could benefit from wearing hearing aids, according to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). Choosing the right device to suit your needs, however, can be a major challenge. Your hearing aid should be comfortable, easy to use, discreet, but also  fit your budget.

ListenClear is a company that specializes in hearing aids for people with different hearing loss issues and sells them directly to the consumer. There are no hearing tests, fitting appointments, or trips to see a specialist.

But are these hearing aids worth the hype? Or is there a better product on the market?

Here is a review of ListenClear and an alternative that may be right for you.

About the Company

Established in 2011 and based in Savannah, Georgia, ListenClear provides customers with various hearing solutions. The company says its devices have high-definition audio, which helps produce a clear, focused sound.

ListenClear’s main selling point is the cost of its hearing aids.

“Combining years of expertise in audiology and sound engineering, ListenClear Hearing Aids provide customers with an affordable hearing solution at a fraction of the cost of other leading devices. Our hearing experts are dedicated to creating high-quality hearing devices without the high price tag often found elsewhere,” says the company.

What You Need to Know

ListenClear sells four hearing devices — the Pro, Shadow, Premier 50, and Premier 70.

The Premier 50 and Premier 70 models provide you with wireless control, which means you can adjust the settings via an iPhone or iPad. As a result, you can reduce noise and feedback without using any buttons on the hearing aid.

You can order all four of ListenClear’s hearing aids as a single or double set.

Most of the ListenClear models (the Pro, Premiere 50, and Premiere 70) are Receiver-In-The Canal (RIC) hearing aids. RIC hearing aids place the receiver (speaker) of the hearing aid into the ear canal instead of behind the ear (as in Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids). Although, these types of device still sit behind the ear.

The benefit to the RIC design is a superior sound quality achieved by having the receiver, or speaker of the hearing aid, close to the eardrum. However, by having the receiver in the ear canal, it is also exposed to wax and moisture on a daily basis. This can lead to the breakdown of the receiver which will need to be replaced for the hearing aid to function. RIC aids can be difficult to fit, especially with dexterity issues, and must be placed properly in the ear canal in order to hear well.

Let’s take a closer look at the four models:

ListenClear Pro

Source: listenclear.com

The Pro is an entry model, and the cheapest of the four models. It comes with an Easy-Click tip in size 8. However, you get seven extra sizes of tips so you can customize your device based on your unique ear canal size. The Pro has one microphone and one program. A volume button allows you to change to volume to five different preset levels. A two-month supply of batteries, user manual, and quick start guide come with this model.

The “Pro” Prices

The Pro costs $1,199.76 for one ear and $1,919.76 for both ears.

The “Pro” Pros

• Small size
• Easy to change tip
• Comfortable tip
• Seven extra sizes of tips

The “Pro” Cons

• Only one program
• Preset volume settings
• Difficult to change the speaker wire
• Can be difficult to insert into the ear

ListenClear Shadow

Source: listenclear.com

The Shadow has a significantly different design tha the Pro model. It fits completely inside the ear canal so it is less noticeable. It has one program and 4 different volume settings which you can change by pushing a button on the hearing aid. The Shadow has 6 different tips to choose from and comes with eight size 10 batteries, a user manual, a quick start guide, and a carrying case.

Shadow Prices

The Shadow costs $1,874.88 for one ear and $2,999.70 for both ears.

Shadow Pros

• Small size
• Fits in the ear canal
• Has multiple tips
• Less noticeable than the Pro

Shadow Cons

• The smaller battery results in a limited battery life
• Difficult to fit depending on size and shape of ear canal
• Single listening program with limited volume adjustments
• Potential for damage as speaker of the hearing aid sits in ear canal

ListenClear Premier 50

Source: listenclear.com

Small and lightweight, the Premier 50 lets you control 13 volume settings from an app. There are four programs based on listening environments, and a free remote control included. You can also use an iPhone app to change programs and volume. Choose from three speaker wire lengths and eight tip designs. The Premier 50 can also work with the ListenClear TV Streamer which can stream TV signals directly into the hearing aids. The ListenClear TV Streamer is be purchased separately.

Premier 50 Prices

The Premier costs $1,499.76 for one ear and $2,399.76 for both ears.

Premier 50 Pros

• Volume and program changes can be done with an app or a remote control
• Small size
• Works with the ListenClear TV Streamer
• Three speaker wire lengths

Premier 50 Cons

• Speaker wires can be difficult to change
• Preset volume settings
• Must have remote or app to change volume
• No Android app

ListenClear Premier 70

Source: listenclear.com

Available in three colors, the Premier 70 is ListenClear’s most advanced (and expensive) model. There are six listening environment programs, a free remote control, and the opportunity to control 13 volume settings from an iPhone app. Choose from three speaker wire lengths and eight tip designs. The Premier 70 can also work with the ListenClear TV Streamer which is purchased separately.

Premier 70 Prices

The Premier 70 costs $1,874.88 for one ear and $2,999.70 for both ears.

Premier 70 Pros

• Volume and program changes can be done with an app or a remote control.
• Works with the ListenClear TV Streamer
• Advanced noise reduction and feedback management
• Six listening environment programs

Premier 70 Cons

• Must have remote or app to change volume
• Speaker wires can be difficult to change
• Preset volume settings
• No Android app

ListenClear Pros

• There are no shipping fees for hearing aids shipped via domestic ground services. (Accessories shipped via ground service cost $5.95 in mailing fees, however.) Shipping takes 5-7 days.
• You don’t need to attend a fitting appointment or see a specialist, which could save you time.
• You get a 30-day free trial (more on that later).

ListenClear Cons

• The ListenClear website is difficult to navigate.
• ListenClear charges for repairs ($150 each time).
• You cannot get ListenClear hearing aids through a hearing clinic.
• There’s no Android app, just one for iOS devices.

Source: pixabay.com

ListenClear Prices

ListenClear prices depend on the model. At the time we published this review, the Pro model (the cheapest model) costs $1,199.76 for one ear and $1,919.76 for both ears. The Premier 70 (the most advanced model) costs $1,874.88 for one ear and $2,999.70 for both ears.

ListenClear prices can be cheaper than purchasing hearing aids from some other companies or through a doctor. The average price of a single hearing aid in the U.S. is $2,300, according to one report. The Pro costs nearly half of this. They also offer a payment plan, the EasyPay program, to pay for your hearing aids over time.

Free Trial and Warranty

As of 2019, ListenClear offers a 30-day free trial on new devices, which provides you with peace of mind. If you want to return your hearing aids within the free trial period, ListenClear will provide you with a paid shipping label, so you won’t pay any mailing costs.

There are two different warranty options:

• All devices come with a free one-year warranty, which starts on the date you purchase your hearing aid (not the day your free trial expires.) This covers manufacturing defects but not damage from water.
• A universal warranty costs $5 per month for each device and this covers loss, damage, stolen items, water damage, and physical damage. There is a $75 deductible each time you utilize your warranty. This warranty is available for 2 years from the date you purchase your hearing aid.

Will Medicare Cover This Device?

Medicare will not cover the cost of your ListenClear hearing aid. However, medicare supplement insurance plans might. Contact your provider to find out for sure.

Customer Service

ListenClear has a few customer service options so users can get help with any problems that arise.

The company’s telephone support line is only open Monday through Friday (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.), which means you can’t talk to a customer representative if you have a problem in the evening or weekend. This might be a major problem for people who are unable to use their devices during these times. Still, this telephone service could be beneficial for people who require help adjusting the settings on their device without having to send hearing aids back in the mail.

Customers can also leave a message on the ListenClear website, where a customer rep will respond to their query via email or telephone. We couldn’t, however, find any information on how long this process takes.

ListenClear also provides an online Help Center and Frequently Asked Questions page.

ListenClear Alternatives

MDHearing also specializes in affordable hearing aids that require no fitting appointments or visits to a specialist’s office. Their devices are tested by audiologists, registered with the FDA, and come with a 45-day risk-free trial and 100% money-back guarantee.

MDHearing models eliminate the risk of problems related to a speaker wire that comes with RIC style devices. The Behind-the-Ear (BTE) style with thin, clear tubing is easy to fit, clean and maintain.

MDHearing offers three different models with warranty options. However, MDHearing products start as low as $299.98/pair, making them more affordable than even ListenClear’s cheapest option ($1199 for one ear). We think MDHearing’s most premium model, the VOLT MAX, offers more functionality than any of ListenClear’s four models. Here’s why…

The MDHearing VOLT MAX is a Bluetooth-enabled smart hearing aid which connects to your smartphone or tablet so you can customize your device to suit your hearing needs. Just order your hearing aid, download the MDHearing app (available on both the iOS App store for Apple products and on the Google play store for Android devices), and adjust your aid to meet your requirements. It’s that simple. You can also take a quick personalization profile and your smartphone or tablet programs the hearing aid based on your results. Trained specialists are available to carry out remote fitting.

We love that you can customize your hearing experience through the app and enhance the sounds you want to hear (and cancel out the ones you don’t). This also means you don’t need to purchase a new hearing aid if your hearing changes in the future. Plus, with an adaptive program, the VOLT MAX adjusts to your listening environment so you don’t have to mess around with different buttons.

The MDHearing VOLT MAX is also less expensive than ListenClear’s Pro model, with prices costing less than $1,000 for both ears. Shipping is faster than ListenClear, too, taking just 3-5 days.

MDHearing also offers telephone support six days a week (Monday through Saturday) and 24-hour email support, so you can contact a customer representative at any time of the day or night.

Takeaway

If you suffer from hearing loss, purchasing a new hearing aid is a big life decision — and one that can take a toll on your finances. You need to be sure you choose a hearing aid company that offers excellent customer service and value-for-money. ListenClear hearing aids come in four different models, and there are different customer support options and warranty options. There is also a free 30-day trial.

MDHearing also offers three different models with great customer support and extensive warranty options, but at a more affordable price. Their VOLT MAX device lets you optimize your hearing experience for your specific hearing and control your hearing aid from Android devices, and iOS devices.

Interested in starting a 45-day, risk-free trial? Check out the smart MDHearing VOLT MAX for yourself.
LEARN MORE