Audien Hearing offers budget-friendly over-the-counter ITC and BTE hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. The hearing devices will be shipped directly to your door, and you will have a 45-day trial period to test the product. Audien Hearing prioritizes affordability, ease of use, and discreet, comfortable devices.
These extremely affordable OTC hearing aids are easy to set up and suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Experience impressive sound quality without a hearing test or doctor’s note. Ships direct to your door.
Retirement Living’s editorial team tested Audien Hearing devices, specifically the Atom Pro 2, to learn how well it performs in different environments. Our verdict is that the Atom Pro 2 stands out among hearing aid companies for its affordability and ease of use right out of the box. Audien sells ITC and BTE hearing aids starting at less than $100. Its devices can be helpful for people who have a difficult time hearing in noisy or crowded environments.
Audien’s hearing devices are made in an “FDA-registered facility.” The Audien Atom series is easy to use and requires very little setup. These features make Audien devices a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable hearing aid without all the extras—there’s no app to download, Bluetooth to connect, or hearing test to take.
Pros:
Affordable devices you can buy online
Foam tips for a more solid and secure fit
Very discreet; hearing aids are about the size of a dime
45-day trial period
20+ hour rechargeable battery life
Cons:
Doesn’t treat severe hearing loss
Tiny volume control component
No telecoil, tinnitus management, Bluetooth capability, or app compatibility
OTC Hearing Aids, Explained
An over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid is a device you can purchase without a prescription or hearing exam. They are more affordable than prescription devices but are best suited for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aids must be registered with the FDA, which ensures they meet minimum quality and system regulations. Still, it’s important to consult your doctor to find out which option is best for you, as the features and technology vary across all types of hearing aids—including OTC devices.
Our Experience Testing Audien Hearing Aids
Our editorial team enlisted the help of a tester who wears hearing aids daily to review one of Audien’s newest models: the Audien Atom Pro 2. Unlike many OTC hearing aids, you can use Audien devices soon after removing them from their box.
The package includes a pair of Audien Atom Pro 2 hearing aids and a charging case, which our tester deems a major plus. The devices also come with several silicon earbuds of various sizes and a cleaning brush that can also be used to adjust the hearing aids’ volume.
Audien Atom Pro 2.0 packaging. Source: Retirement Living
The most advantageous feature of the Atom Pro 2 is how small and discreet the hearing aid is. About the size of a dime, these devices come with foam tips for a more solid fit and prevent the aid from moving back and forth in the ear. Because of its small size, the wind did not obstruct sound quality during our test.
Audien devices don’t require a hearing evaluation, but we know that hearing tests are the most effective way to determine what frequencies are inaudible to you so you can properly adjust hearing aids. Our tester found Audien’s sound profile less effective due to its bass-heavy profile, though this is person-specific.
Audien Atom Pro 2.0 size comparison. Source: Retirement Living
Audien Atom Pro 2.0 in ear. Source: Retirement Living
The Atom Pro has a volume setting adjustment feature that amplifies outside sound by changing the microphone’s sensitivity. The adjustment button can be tricky—if you hit the button wrong, it can cover the microphone and spark frequency feedback.
If you want to customize and program sound options, like when watching TV or conversing in a crowd, you’ll want to choose the Atom 2 series over the Audien hearing amplifiers.
All things considered, here’s how we rate the Audien Atom Pro 2:
Price
10
Product Quality
8
Ease of Use
9
Sound Quality
7
Sound Profiles
6
Battery
8
Size and Discreteness
10
Connectivity
0
Adjustments
4
Tinnitus Management
0
Overall Score
6.2
Audien Atom Pro 2
Hearing Aid Models and Devices
Audien Hearing offers hearing aids, such as the Audien BTE, a medical-grade hearing aid registered with the FDA. The company also sells hearing amplifiers, but the following products are the most popular with customers.
The Audien Atom 2 is the company’s smallest device (Audien claims the Atom series aids are about the size of a dime). It has 24 hours of battery life, a portable charging case, and noise cancelation.
The Audien Atom Pro 2.0 is the company’s latest iteration of the Atom Pro model, released in September 2023.
The Audien BTE is the most advanced model, offering an A2 Max™ chip to provide extra clear sound, reduced background noise, and directional sound technology.
During our test (more on this below), we found that it only took 45 minutes to fully charge the battery on an Audien Atom Pro 2 model. If you use the device in audio profile 2 you’ll get about 10 to 12 hours of battery life, before needing to charge inside the charging case.
Audien Atom Pro 2 charging case. Source: Retirement Living
Audien Hearing Costs
Audien Hearing sells some of the most affordable hearing aids on the market, which makes them a great choice for those new to hearing loss and who are seeking cost-friendly solutions. The Audien Atom 2 costs $189, and the Atom Pro 2.0 costs $289. Hearing amplifiers cost $89 or $199.
Model
Features
Price
Atom 2
24-hour battery life Portable charging case Noise cancelation 4 different hearing modes
$189
Atom Pro 2.0
UV Cleaning Portable charging case with indicator lights Discreet design 4 different hearing modes
$289
Audien BTE
Directional sound technology Noise and feedback cancellation 4 environmental modes Suitable for more ear sizes
$489
Audien Hearing Product (Snapshot)
Hearing aids are not covered by insurance, but Audien accepts FSA and HSA cards for payment. Audien does not offer financing on its products, but they do offer lower prices than its competitors.
To test Audien’s affordability factor, we compared its most advanced behind-the-ear hearing aid (Audien BTE, which sells for $489) with other similar devices available for purchase over the counter. The Lexie B1 Powered by Bose Self-fitting OTC hearing aid also comes with a portable charging case, a cleaning tool, a 45-day trial, and free shipping, but it costs $1,698. The only difference is that Lexie offers ongoing customer support.
Protection Plans
Audien Hearing’s protection plan policy is $4 per month and provides the following coverage:
Free replacement for hearing devices determined to be defective.
Steep discounts on replacements if hearing devices are lost, broken, or water-damaged: $19 for the EV1, $24 for the Atom, $29 for the EV3, and $34 for the Atom Pro.
A 45-day refund window, after which the initial charge is non-refundable.
How to Buy Hearing Aids from Audien Hearing
Audien Hearing’s over-the-counter business model makes choosing and buying the right hearing aid or amplifier easy:
1. Choose your hearing aid or amplifier. Audien’s website clearly displays the prices, features, and benefits of each device. Simply choose your hearing instrument and proceed to the checkout process.
Many other competitors in this space have specialists who can recommend specific products according to your needs, but since Audien doesn’t require a doctor’s approval or a hearing test, you’ll have to shop the website and choose the product yourself. For those who are comfortable with online shopping and DIY programming, Audien simplifies what could be a longer, more involved process elsewhere. Others, however, may prefer the one-on-one support and specialist recommendations that other retailers provide.
2. Get your hearing aids shipped to your door. Audien will ship your hearing aids within 48 hours of receiving the order. Most customers receive their devices within three to five business days. Note that these devices will require daily charging.
3. Program your instrument. Audien device setup is fairly easy—simply charge it, find the correct-sized earbud, and set the device volume to the appropriate level. If you need help setting up your hearing device, tutorial videos are available for each device type on the website. For additional support, Audien representatives are available via telephone and live chat seven days a week. You can also send an email, for which the company advertises a 24-hour response time.
Source: Audien Hearing
Overall, we found Audien’s 100% virtual platform to be very intuitive. However, while mystery shopping the website, we learned that the live chat option doesn’t involve chatting with an actual person, but rather an “answer bot” that directs you to articles, videos, and other resources depending on your question. A live person never actually communicates with you in the chat.
How to Adjust Audien Hearing Devices
Justing the Atom 2 series is as simple as pressing a button to change the volume. ( You’ll press and hold the button to change the hearing mode.) Purchase packets for the ITC Atom series include a small screwdriver that allows you to adjust the volume. Simply turn the dial clockwise or counterclockwise as needed. For those with limited dexterity or poor vision, adjusting such a tiny volume control could be difficult.
To adjust the BTE device, press the button on the back of the device. You can adjust the volume and toggle between environmental settings on the Audien BTE.
Audien Hearing Complaints
Most customer reviews from Audien Hearing are positive, as many customers appreciate having an affordable solution for hearing loss. Several complaints on the Better Business Bureau (where the company has a “B” rating) reference trouble adjusting the device. It’s unclear whether this issue is the result of a faulty product or user error, as some Audien models require a company-provided screwdriver to adjust. Still, Audien responded to all complaints promptly with a resolution.
Others reference issues with background noise, which is to be expected with budget devices that usually exclude more advanced technology. One reviewer mentioned that the aids fall out while eating, so we recommend taking advantage of the different sizing available to find the right fit.
Several reviews on Trustpilot note issues with the return policy and difficulties contacting customer service to approve and initiate the return.
FAQs
Does Audien Hearing have a warranty?
Audien Hearing devices do not come with a warranty, but customers can purchase a protection plan for $4 per month to get free replacements for defective devices and steep discounts on new devices that are lost, broken, or damaged.
Is Audien Hearing a reputable company?
Audien’s website mentions that its devices come from “an FDA-registered facility,” which suggests its devices go through the proper testing before being sold.
Does Audien Hearing only sell hearing aids online?
While some online retailers also have brick-and-mortar clinics customers can visit, Audien Hearing only operates online. You’ll have to buy your hearing aid via its website.
Who is Audien Hearing best for?
Hearing aids and amplifiers from Audien Hearing are best for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Audien products are thousands of dollars less expensive than competitors’ devices but offer fewer advanced features. Therefore, these devices would suit customers who are just starting to explore hearing aids or want an affordable option for everyday listening.
Conclusion
Audien Hearing offers inexpensive hearing aid devices, which may be the right choice if price is your main concern or if you’re not sure whether hearing aids are the right solution for you. While Audien doesn’t provide the same personalized experience as visiting an audiologist or other hearing aid retailer, its amplification technology, sizing options, and affordable pricing make Audien products worth considering.
