Audien Hearing Aids Review: Too Good to Be True?

Why You Can Trust Our Expert Review

Our experts independently research and recommend products we believe provide value in the lives of our readers. We’ve spent collectively more than 5,000 hours conducting in-depth research on hearing aids. Throughout this process, we did the following:

• Engaged in ongoing independent research
• Consulted with independent audiologists
• Consulted with geriatric care experts
• Mystery shopped the brands
• Surveyed hundreds of hearing aid users
• Tested various models of hearing aids
• Interviewed experts in the field
• Read thousands of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports

Why We Reviewed Audien Hearing Aids

We reviewed Audien hearing aids due to its extremely competitive price point—with pairs of hearing aids starting at $89, Audien is a market leader when it comes to cost.

And although Audien is not one of the best hearing aids on the market due to its lack of advanced features, its simple functionality may be a good fit for those who want a basic hearing aid at a budget-friendly price.

Audien Hearing Aids Review

Pros and Cons of Audien Hearing Aids

Pros

•  
• Extremely affordable, starting at $89 for a pair
• Rechargeable, eliminating the need to buy batteries
• Wireless charging options available for most Audien models
• Small and not easily visible

Cons

• Not medical-grade hearing aids
• Not fit to the ear or tuned to a specific level of hearing loss
• Don’t reduce background noise to any level and may not be effective in noisy settings
• Lack some of the features commonly found in some of the best Bluetooth hearing aids
• Audien was cautioned about misleading advertising practices

Audien was founded by Arthur Garber. After his grandmother started to experience hearing loss, he found that, while purchasing hearing aids can cost several thousand dollars, the cost to produce them is far less. Audien hearing aids are sold directly to the consumer, without the involvement of an audiologist or a hearing test, for much cheaper than many other hearing aids on the market. This has made Audien stand out as a reputable provider of inexpensive hearing aids.

But Audien’s history isn’t all good. The National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said on July 21, 2021, that Audien must stop claiming that Audien hearing aids are “rechargeable hearing aids for $89/pair,” have “similar technology to $5000 hearing aids,” and that they “can be used for tinnitus management.” Audien agreed to stop making those claims and also agreed to stop claiming that they were ”the best rechargeable hearing aid” and “audiologists’ #1 recommended online hearing aid,” and that they are the “best hearing aid for tinnitus management.”

Since Audien hearing aids do not require a prescription from an audiologist to obtain, unlike custom-programmed hearing aids, they are not classified as hearing aids—which are medical devices registered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Instead, they fall under the category of “personal sound amplification products.” Because of that, they aren’t covered by health insurance plans.

Models Offered

The Audien Atom Pro is the brand’s top hearing aid and comes with a variety of different features. They are the most powerful hearing aid Audien offers, and come with integrated feedback cancellation and an advanced sound processor. The hearing aid fits inside the ear canal for an almost invisible look. The battery life appears to be the best offered by Audien hearing aids, with one charging lasting a maximum of four days.

A wireless charging case is included with the Atom Pro, but no accessories for this model are currently available for purchase.

As the brand’s smallest and most powerful hearing aid, the Audien Atom Pro is also the most expensive—but at $249 per pair, they are still substantially cheaper than other hearing aids on the market, which average $4,600 per pair, according to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

The Audien Atom is similar to the Atom Pro, but with fewer features. Like the Atom Pro, it uses the Atom sound processor and comes with a wireless charger. Its battery life isn’t as long as the Atom Pro, but it does have the second-longest battery life of all Audien hearing aids at 25 hours of use per charge. It is also the second-smallest Audien hearing aid, behind the Atom Pro.

Like the Atom Pro, no accessories are currently available for the Atom.

Each Audien EV1 hearing aid features four earbud sizes. Some customers have said that these are not able to fit easily in their ears, regardless of earbud size.

The Audien EV1 features a microphone and volume adjustability, but no digital features. Its battery lasts an average 20 hours with each charge. There is no mechanism in place for reducing background noise, so it might be harder to tune into what you are specifically trying to hear. A charger is included in the cost, and additional charging kits can be ordered for $10. An accessory pack is also available for the EV1, which includes:

• Accessory case
• Eight replacement earbuds
• One cleaning brush
• One volume adjuster

The kit can be purchased once or on a subscription basis, which costs $8 and results in a new kit delivered to your door every 30 days.

EV1 hearing aids are not water-resistant, and those using them should take care not to let them get wet.

The EV3 is smaller than the EV1 and has more advanced functions, including a wireless charging option and an HD setting. If you purchase it, you need to fit ear domes, which are positioned onto the earbuds of the hearing device, which then fit into the ear canal.

Customer reviews report that the EV3 is easier and more comfortable to wear than the EV1. A wireless dock and charger are included in the cost, and additional charging kits can be ordered for $12. An accessory pack is also available for the EV3, which includes:

• Accessory case
• 12 replacement earbuds
• One cleaning brush and screwdriver
• Eight wax guards

The kit can be purchased once or on a subscription basis, which costs $9 and results in a new kit delivered to your door every 30 days.
Like the EV1, EV3 hearing aids are not water-resistant.

How Audien Products Help People Manage Tinnitus

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is one of the most common side effects of hearing loss. It is typically caused by whatever has caused the hearing loss. Hearing aids may not seem to be the right method for tinnitus management, but hearing aids amplify speech and other sounds to make the tinnitus less noticeable. The best hearing aids for tinnitus can significantly help manage tinnitus symptoms. Audien reports that many customers with mild-to-moderate hearing loss experience improvement in tinnitus symptoms when they use their analog rechargeable hearing aids.

Audien Customer Service

Audien offers support by phone at 205-255-1112, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Pacific Standard time. Live chat is also available at http://audienhearing.com/support, by clicking the “chat” icon. The company can also be contacted by email at [email protected] or by filling out the form on the Contact page of their website.

Maintenance, Warranty, and CareThere is a lifetime protection plan for Audien hearing aids available if you pay $4 a month. Otherwise, Audien hearing aids are under warranty for 15 days after they are first used. Audien hearing aids are returnable for 45 days after your shipment is received. Several customers have complained in reviews that, although they shipped back the hearing aids, their refund was substantially delayed.

Accessory packs are not refundable if the package has been opened and the seal is broken. Damaged or defective items are the only ones that can be exchanged.

Alternative Brands and Hearing Aids

Although Audien hearing aids are some of the most competitively priced on the market, there are other companies offering hearing aids at lower price points. Other similar brands of cheap hearing aids include the following:

• Eargo: There are three different types of Eargo hearing aids, all rechargeable. A smart device app is available to help manage the hearing aids.
• Lively: Lively offers a cheap hearing aid that can be purchased in both rechargeable and battery-powered options. It offers online hearing tests.
• Phonak: Phonak sells a variety of Bluetooth hearing aids. Unlike the other companies on this list, they can only be purchased through a hearing professional.
• MDHearing: MDHearing sells FDA-approved hearing aids at an affordable cost. It also offers online hearing tests.
• Starkey: Starkey sells several different types of hearing aids and accessories. Online hearing tests are available as well as an option to see a local hearing professional or audiologist.
• Signia: Signia offers in-the-ear and behind-the-ear hearing aids with wireless charging. An app is available with an AI assistant.

Audien Hearing Aid Reviews: What Customers Say

“I was so happy with the Audien aids that I bought a pair of the EV3 aids after a month. They work great! Now I’m happy and so is my family since they don’t have to repeat their words all the time.” – Steven S., BBB

“Best decision I’ve ever made. Thank you Audien. Best $250 I’ve ever spent. The quality, the comfort, they work just as they are promised to do. You will not regret making a decision to buy Audien hearing aids. Changed my life.” – George S., BBB

“Audien Hearing products are awesome! I was dubious when I first heard about them and their low prices. But I decided to try it out, and was pleasantly surprised. Their product is amazing and works even better than the regular hearing aid I had been using. The facts that it is not super expensive and fits discreetly in my ear canal, are great bonuses! They also have superb customer service! I highly recommend!” – Cheryl W., BBB

“I purchased from Audien with the promise that I could return them if they didn’t work for me. I requested a return after a couple days which they authorized and sent a return shipping label. Tracking showed that they received it back on April 19. They have refused to refund our purchase price and refuse to answer three emails sent to inquire about the refund. I will now have to call our credit card company tomorrow to see if they can help in getting a refund of our purchase price.” – Thomas B., BBB

Bottom Line

Unlike brands that offer custom-programmed hearing aids for several thousand dollars, Audien offers several affordable options for people who experience hearing loss. There are many positive reviews of Audien products, and they have several features that are appealing, like rechargeability. However, the company’s business practices have been criticized, and they have been cautioned for inaccurate claims.

Are Audien’s products the best cheap hearing aids? That’s a matter of opinion. For those focused only on finding the most inexpensive hearing aids, Audien may be a good fit. The company does offer a 45-day money-back guarantee, but customers have reported delays in receiving refunds.

For those who want advanced technology in their hearing aids and the benefit of consulting with an audiologist, Audien is probably not a good option.

FAQs

Links

CDC: Types of Hearing Loss
NAD: NAD Recommends Audien Discontinue Hearing Aid Claims
FDA: Hearing Aids and Personal Sound Amplification Products: What to Know
NIH: What Is Tinnitus? — Causes and Treatment
BBB: Audien Hearing | Reviews | Better Business Bureau® Profile