WORST Hearing Aids of 2025

[@gregzeszotarski9927]

Can't afford $3000-$7000 for hearing aids from an audiologist, bought Apple Pro 2 AirPods, they may not be perfect, but for $250 I am extremely satisfied.

[@kanibist8330]

Hey, you can roll up a newpaper into a cone and stick the narrow end in your ear like they did in 1700 too Scooter. Much less than 250 and just about as effective.

[@heatherbrown1558]

I agree. I'm poor and can't buy hearting aids. I just got mine for Christmas and I love them. They're way better than the hearing amplifiers I bought from amazon. For me they sound like normal hearing should be. I like that you can adjust them as much as you want. The only down side is they don't last all day.

[@mademsoisellerhapsody]

Just bought a second pair for $199. Iphone can recognize two pair so I have a backup

[@SarahJoHaveron]

As a person on the autistic spectrum I struggle in areas where there are a lot of people or general loud volume background sounds. I’m happy with my health service hearing aid in normal social circumstances but hearing assistance just makes the above situations worst. My ANC earbuds are great for giving me solace at such times but then when friends approach or I need to hear announcements I’m lost, trying to decide do I take out the ANC earbuds and struggle to hear conversations, especially with the loud background interference or swap my right earbud for my hearing aid, leaving overall hearing balance compromised and possibly setting off undue social stress. My latest solution is to purchase a set of Airbuds Pro 2. Now their hearing test says I have mild hearing loss in my left earbud and moderate hearing loss in my right ear. For me in such use I find them a great benefit as the provide a blend of ANC but then a controlled amount of hearing assistance for face to face conversations or listening to announcements or speeches. I wonder what your opinion of the AirPods Pro 2 are for my peculiar use and in my circumstances do you consider them a worst buy? BTW I’m 73.

[@goldbear45]

Hey Dr Cliff...Thanks for your info on hearign aids....Question: What's the best hearing aid for a woman with a very small ear canal ? Thanks again..

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@goldbear45 probably a receiver in canal style with a small dome or custom earmold.

[@BobbieGWhiz]

I think AirPods Pro 2 are generally very good. I find them excellent in quieter situations. Ambient noise reduction is very nice, but this comes at the expense of also quieting conversation. Like many hearing aids, they struggle in hearing conversation in noisy environments, and with quiet talkers. Will Apple iterate (hardware/software) over the months and years or will they stagnate? Time will tell.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Apple has a lot of work to do if they actually want their Hearing Aid feature to be competitive with some of the top hearing aid brands out there. Even with these new improvements, independent testing barely has them cracking the top 50% in performance. A lot of hype without the performance to back it up. Basically, Apple just being Apple.

[@TheQuebecerInFrance]

I hate the way they work as hearing aids. I find it hard to follow a conversation with them. I live them as a streaming device with my audiogram.

[@earthmoonstars2013]

the thing with AirPods is that socially its going to look like you're listening to music and you may come off as being rude for not removing them when talking to someone. not everyone is going to know you're using them to hear.

[@BobbieGWhiz]

@@earthmoonstars2013 So far that hasn’t happened to me. I suspect that they’re going to become more and more socially acceptable. I remember when the ubiquitous use of cell phones was considered socially unacceptable.

[@sbukosky]

@@earthmoonstars2013 Exactly.

[@sbukosky]

If there is any way you can afford them, just get the best. I'm a month into my third set of hearing aids, the Phonak Audeo I90 Sphere and the Roger On 3. It took some return adjustments but the improvement in hearing in noise blows me away. While the Roger On is optional, I strongly recommend it.

[@dnice1996]

Dr Cliff I had molds made for my hearing aids & it caused everything to sound like I was in a tunnel, is that normal?

[@sbukosky]

I think that's called occlusion. I have that too, from my vented domes. It is much like talking with my fingers in my ears or with earplugs, yet I can hear better. I discussed that with my audiologist, and she explained why these domes were selected by the Phonak fitting app. I'll probably get used to it like I have with my tinnitus, which I only notice when I think about it.

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@dnice1996 yes, if the venting is not correct.

[@NancieAbdallah]

I just ordered the JABRA Enhance 500. I have the original lively 100. I actually ended up getting a very good audiologist that was able to get them pretty well tuned. I did need to change one receiver cable. And now I just ordered the Jabra 500. I figure with a 100 day free trial I should know if they work for me by day 90. But, I am no financial position to pay 6K for a pair of aids. My 100’s have gone through rain, humidity, heat and cold and still are working. And the sound pretty good for some streaming. I have a pair of Apple Airpod 2’s and they are pretty comfortable and sound almost as good as my Hearing Aids. We’ll see how I stand after a month.

[@edwasterfield8478]

I have the eargo7 and a prescription Signia. Eargo7 works for me. Not very good washing out my tinnitus but it works just fine running exercising and at work. Audiologist even tested it for me and it nearly matches my mild hearing loss. Clearly my prescription is better but I get plenty of quality use with the Eargo7.

[@jerryumfress9030]

I have a Starkey cic in my right ear, and I purchased it in 2021. It's an ear mold and works fine. It doesn't eliminate background noise but I'm managing it just fine. I bought a pair of Audien Pro 2 back in March of this year. I have 80% hearing in my left ear, and 40% in my right ear which is considered profound hearing loss, so the Pro 2 isn't strong enough for that ear. The Pro 2 works fine in my left ear

[@lisalu910]

Here's what the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ARE good for and that is streaming music and videos. I haven't yet found suitable HAs for my recent SSHL in one ear - I have severe loss in the bad ear - but in the meantime I'm getting by quite nicely with these AirPods using the Hearing Assistance and Media Assist features. In fact, I am listening to this very video using an AirPod ONLY in the bad ear (as an auditory exercise) and I can hear and understand you perfectly!

[@mmarjisr]

I always have to plug my phonak hearing aids in charger 1/2 thru the day to keep it going thru the rest of the day but I'm happy with them for now, Also I was wondering when you were going to make this video and I'm glad you did

[@ruthrodriguez5765]

I paid 7k for my Phonak paradise 90 hearing aids. They were beautifully fitted and adjusted for my hearing loss, which is mild to moderate. They were great until they were not. First, I get better playback sound when I stream music from my phone with my Bose headphones and even my cheap $30 earbuds. Next, after 3 months of use, the charger stopped working. Tried all of the online tips to make it work, but none did. I took everything in and the audiologist lent me a charger while mine went in for a repair. They worked for another 6 months and then one of the hearing aids wouldn't charge. Took them in again and had a repair done. 1 month later, the charger stopped working. I was told the life expectancy of my hearing aids would be 6 years and I've owned them about 2 years. I'm ready to try a different brand, but don't want to shell out another 7k for hearing aids. I must say when they worked, speech clarity was amazing.

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@ruthrodriguez5765 that is not a normal experience. Your hearing aids should be sent for replacement by your provider and get custom earmolds for them if you want better streaming sound quality. Problem solved.

[@GPsychogios]

Phonak is one of the best brands when it comes to hearing aids. I'm surprised with your provider, they should completely change them for free

[@carolynbecker2821]

Lace not available in Australia. Any other recommended apps

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@carolynbecker2821 I was told it was. Did you try it? If not, I can try and sign you up for a free 1-week trial to test.

[@carolynbecker2821]

@DrCliffAuD yes downloaded and when I put in phone number for code, told me not valid for subscription

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@carolynbecker2821 did you purchase the subscription first. You'll get that if your phone number is not associated with a paid account.

[@carolynbecker2821]

@DrCliffAuD not yet. I downloaded the app and when I opened it, I got a message to enter my phone number then I got a message "AuthApi error sign ups not allowed for otp"

[@ruthcanterbury7738]

What is your opinion of Miracle Ear?

[@DrCliffAuD]

Locked Sivantos devices. No thanks.

[@demure.SH00T0UT]

@@DrCliffAuDand some of them are locked Starkey devices too

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@demure.SH00T0UT yep

[@jmals101195]

Is signia a good hearing aid?

[@thomastresham9002]

Apple AirPods are not supported as Hearing Aids in Canada

[@charlescohen1536]

Canadian regulations do not yet cover OTC hearing aids. So, many makers put checks into their software, that prevents it from working in Canada. When I tried buying a pair of Sony OTC aids in the US, the Android control app refused to install on my phone, saying that it was a Canada-based phone. Grrrrrr . . .

[@salsYThandle]

It's now approved.

[@heatherbrown1558]

I have the AirPods pro2 and I think there great. I have a mild loss and they help and are a good price for me and they sound way better then my dads CostCo ones and the amplifiers I got off amazon. They sound like normal hearing. The only bad thing I will say is the battery life is not all day

[@Rebecca-zr3lu]

God, thank you for deliverance from evil and from wickedness. Thank you for keeping people upright and able to stand and to walk. Thank you God for bringing people up out of the pits In Jesus mighty name. Amen 🙏 🤍I pray that no one can ruin our good name. God, please make something out of our lives In Jesus mighty name. Amen 🙏 🤍

[@davidhuez7027]

It seems like the technology improves a little every year.

[@eddieashley1553]

The Air Pod Pro 2 used as a hearing aid are terrible.

[@davidf0702]

I have prescription Signia Silk (battery) and recently got new Signia IX rechargeable. Both programmed by audiologist with best practices (they are on your list) to my audiogram. I also have Eargo 7's. I much prefer the fit and sound of the Eargo's. No matter how they adjust the prescription ones the sound is bad. To loud, too much treble, too uncomfortable for more than a couple hours. I can wear the Eargo's for 6-8 hours and never feel them and the sound is just enough boost, and high frequency added. I also have tried MD Hearing Neo XS and I agree with you - awful and useless. My Jabra Enhance and HP Hearing Pro buds are fine for short term wear, especially if I want Bluetooth (which I don't need or use often).

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@davidf0702 did they compare the frequency response of the eargos with the silks? If not, they should match the frequency response to get the high frequencies right.

[@austinsawyer6147]

I like my Jabra select 500 hearing aids. I don’t think they should be on this list at all

[@ksuave1953]

Oticon Intent a great choice

[@salsYThandle]

I am using Jabra enhance pro 20 from Costco for 10 months and very disappointed with speech clarity.

[@DrCliffAuD]

It's probably because they are not fit and programmed appropriately. It could also be that the Jabra aren't right for you and your hearing loss. Find a better provider who can solve this for you.

[@Jetboat2000]

Brick & Mortar, otherwise stay under a price point that won't hurt your retirement plans. Apple Pro2 are great for music, good for noise reduction, ok for deer hunting, but excellent at nothing.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Well said.

[@Jetboat2000]

@DrCliffAuD just trying to help. There are so many ecommerce sellers that can not support the sale. Damm shame.

[@Ickabogg]

Doesn’t the worst hearing aid also result from not following best practices in the testing and programming? I know small practices may not be able to afford the $10-15,000 for the Real Ear Measurement equipment. Costco can afford it. My Costco senior audiologist recently did my test including the REM. She was the same audiologist who did my very first test in 2016. I’ve now been fitted with the Philips 9050 and have the best hearing I’ve had in years. Couldn’t be happier with the whole experience and result. I’ve never purchased a TV adapter and Costco had a pre holiday special on the Philips Adapter - free with purchase of the hearing aids. So, I got both for $1,499. And at the 3 week follow up I was able to get the order of the programs rearranged based on my experience and dropped one I didn’t really need. I can also switch programs with my Apple Watch. Couldn’t be happier. I did all this in late November after watching a lot of Dr Cliff’s videos over the last few months. ❤

[@Ickabogg]

When it’s time to put my hearing aids in the charger at night I switch to the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as a backup. Works great for watching TV without the hearing aids. However, overall the AirPods are not as good as my hearing aids.

[@sassytbc7923]

How can u have worst hearing áides of 2025 when it’s not even here yet?

[@MrSloan1958]

It’s called Click bait. LOL 😂

[@Rebecca-zr3lu]

Blessings in an abundance of the faith. I salute you. 😘🙏Grace and peace be unto you and to this place. God bless you. 🤍Thank you. Will you believe and receive Jesus Christ as your LORD and personal saviour??? I do. 🌈

[@theusualsuspect6298]

I tried APP 2’s, first problem, have to recharge every 4-5 hours, they are horrible in crowds or restaurants, I thought my 10+ year old HA’s were bad, these were worse. After using the APP 2’s, I thought newer technology wasn’t ready for prime time compared to my old HA’s, I almost cancelled my Phonak order. My Phonak’s are leaps and bounds above my old ones, and significantly better than APP 2’s. The only person happy with the APP 2’s was my wife, she wears them to listen to music.

[@khaliddurrani6432]

Pity !! Hearing aids companies and retailers are ripping off elderly & the senior citizens of their hard earned savings in the later years of their lives.

[@jimroche4109]

I guess Apple didn’t grease Cliff’s palm enough because he used to love the AirPod pro 2!!!

[@rayfreer2]

Good with hearing health, good with seeing the future??

[@joenissan]

I guess he hasn’t spoken to anyone that uses the AirPods as hearing aids.

[@DrCliffAuD]

I've spoken to 40-50 at this point and have personally setup ~20 individuals with the AirPods Pro 2 with very poor outcomes. How many people have you personally spoken with abou their AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid performance?

[@omidzadeh5778]

Which hearing aids would you recommend for teams calls in an open office ?

[@andyphillips7435]

@@omidzadeh5778one EarPod , wired ( in your best ear) works for me.👍

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