We also consult with audiologists and other hearing professionals, hearing health researchers, insurance providers, healthcare policymakers, and industry experts to stay on top of the latest research findings, technology developments, and changes in hearing aid insurance benefits.
Our experts then dive into the technical details to see how each hearing aid compares to others on the market. When choosing which devices to review and recommend, we examine each one and consider several factors, from company- to model-specific details. As new hearing aid manufacturers enter the market, we compare them to existing companies to see how they measure up.
Hearing Aid Testing Summits and Data Collection
Our hearing experts come together periodically for testing summits in our onsite lab. We take a systematic, unbiased approach when testing hearing aids with a multistep process, which we apply to every device. By taking each hearing aid through the same journey a customer would, from unboxing the device to contacting customer support, we can assess which hearing aids are the best and eliminate the ones that don’t make the cut.
We evaluate each device based on the following components during our rigorous testing process.
- Ease of setup and use
- User manual
- Comfort
- Sound quality
- Volume and setting adjustments
- Battery type and ease of use
- Performance based on manufacturer’s claims
- Durability
- Ease of Bluetooth connection (where applicable)
- User-friendly app (where applicable)
- Ease of cleaning
- Customer support
- Length of trial period
- Warranty length and terms
During testing, we do the following with each hearing aid.
- Check sound quality and ease of making setting and volume adjustments
- Connect to a smartphone with Bluetooth and try out the hearing aid app
- Replace domes, tips, and batteries
- Recharge the batteries (if applicable)
- Check water resistance by submerging the device in 3 feet of water
- Drop the hearing aid 10 times from a height of 7.5 feet to check durability
- Contact customer support by chat, phone, and through the app
We record every finding along with any surprises we encounter to help us gain a complete picture of every brand and model.
Our experts also answer the following questions during the testing process.
- Which type of consumer would this hearing aid be most helpful for?
- What are the best features of this hearing aid?
- What is lacking in this hearing aid; what could make it better?
- Does this device hold up to the claims made by the manufacturer?
Once our research team makes its selections, an audiologist medically reviews our picks to vet each brand and model.
