We cut through the noise. Honest reviews of the top direct-to-consumer hearing aids — no audiologist visit required.
See Our Top Picks →Editor's Picks · 2025
Both of these brands are direct-to-consumer, meaning you skip the clinic markup entirely. Both ship to your door and include trial periods.
Side by Side
| Feature | NEO XS (Invisible) | VOLT MAX 2 (Power) |
|---|---|---|
| Style | In-canal (CIC) — nearly invisible | Behind-the-ear (BTE) — slim & discreet |
| Rechargeable | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Battery Life | ~20 hrs | ~30 hrs |
| Best For | Mild–moderate loss, cosmetic priority | Moderate–severe loss, power priority |
| Bluetooth App | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Trial Period | 45 days | 45 days |
| FDA Registered | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price (pair) | ~$299 | ~$499 |
Prices subject to change. Check MDHearing.com for current offers and bundle pricing.
Recommended Add-Ons · Ear Gear
Hearing aids are expensive. Ear Gear makes spandex sleeves that protect them from sweat, moisture, dirt, and cord loss — and they cost less than a dinner out.
Common Questions
No. Since 2022, the FDA has allowed over-the-counter hearing aids to be sold directly to adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss without a prescription. Both MDHearing models qualify as OTC devices.
MDHearing offers a free online hearing test that takes about 5 minutes. If results suggest your loss is beyond the OTC range, they'll tell you — and you should see an audiologist. Most people with hearing difficulty fall in the mild-to-moderate range and are great candidates for these devices.
Both MDHearing models come with a 45-day risk-free trial. If you don't love them, you return them for a full refund. Given the price difference vs. clinic hearing aids, even a try-and-return costs nothing.
Invisible or CIC (completely-in-canal) hearing aids sit deep inside the ear canal where they're essentially undetectable. They tend to be slightly smaller in battery capacity but have improved dramatically with rechargeable technology. The MDHearing NEO XS is one of the smallest OTC options available.
Sweat and moisture are the number one cause of premature hearing aid failure. Ear Gear's spandex sleeves are a $15–25 solution that significantly extends device lifespan. We mention them briefly because they're genuinely useful — not because we make more money on them (we actually don't).
Traditional Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, though some Medicare Advantage plans do. These OTC devices are HSA/FSA eligible, which is worth taking advantage of if you have one of those accounts — it's effectively a ~20–35% discount depending on your tax bracket.
Take MDHearing's free 5-minute hearing test and find the right fit.
Take the Free Hearing Test →