Retirement Living takes an unbiased approach to our reviews. We may earn money when you click a partner link. Learn More
Embrace Hearing Review
4.7 Overall Rating
Ease of Purchase
Warranty
Price
Customer Service
Bottom Line
Since 2011, USA-based Embrace Hearing has sold high-performance, state-of-the-art hearing aids online for about a third of the price local retailers charge. They buy high-performance hearing aids from leading manufacturers worldwide (Sonova and WS Audiology) and sell them directly to you. They emphasize product quality, outstanding customer service and exceptional value.
Updated:
About Embrace Hearing
Embrace Hearing offers two series of prescription hearing aids, each customizable. Each model comes with multiple performance levels. Embrace uses a hearing test, either taken on its website or uploaded to the company’s website, to customize hearing aids.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that roughly 29 million adults in the U.S. could benefit from wearing hearing aids. However, of adults aged 70 and over diagnosed with hearing loss, fewer than 30% have ever worn hearing aids. Among adults aged 20 to 69 diagnosed with hearing loss, that number drops to 16%. Embrace Hearing seeks to improve hearing across all age groups, with its missing statement: “To hear better is to live better, and to embrace hearing is to embrace life.”
Pros
- High performance, state-of-the-art technology
- Custom programmed by audiologists
- Bluetooth and Rechargeable models with smartphone streaming
- Affordable prices
- 45-day return policy with full refund
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Customer service is only available over the phone or online
Embrace Hearing Aid Models
Since 2011, Embrace Hearing’s Audiologists have been customizing hearing aids for each customer using either a hearing test they provide or Embrace’s online hearing test. Embrace Hearing offers both behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids with receive-in-canal (RIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC) options. They have Bluetooth, rechargeable options, come in multiple colors, and have lifetime support to meet your needs and budget. All Embrace Hearing aids come with a 3-year warranty.
NX-Series
The NX-Series is a receiver-in-canal (RIC) model with integrated Bluetooth and is suitable for mild to profound hearing loss. This series features advanced background noise reduction for noisy environments and feedback blocking, and can be directly paired with your smartphone (iPhone or Android) for 2-way, hands-free calls. It’s available with both disposable and rechargeable batteries and comes in four colors. There are 12–20 programmable bands depending on the model. Tinnitus programming is included on request. The NX-Series is available in 3 performance levels: the NX 360, NX 560 and the top-of-the-line NX-960. All NX-Series models have a 45-day trial, custom programming, and a 3-year warranty. Prices start at $899/ear.
C-Series
The C-Series is an “invisible-in-canal” model that is suitable for mild to severe hearing loss. This model fits entirely within your ear canal in an earbud-style design, making it almost invisible. The hearing aid volume control can be done through a free smartphone app or an optional remote. Tinnitus programming is included on request. The C-Series is available in three performance levels (C-540, C-940, and CX-950). The two lower-tier hearing devices use a size 10 battery, with the higher-tier model being rechargeable. The number of programmable bands, listening environments, and channels increase with tier. All C-Series models have a 45-day trial period, custom programming, and a 3-year warranty. Prices start at $899/ear.
Embrace Hearing’s premium hearing aids come standard with a variety of features and accessories, including live program optimization, which automatically adjusts hearing aids to the noise level of the current environment. Standard features and technology include:
- Wind block
- Directional microphones
- Up to 20 programmable bands to increase clarity
- Live program optimization
- Batteries or rechargeable
- Wax guards
- Domes
- Bluetooth streaming for hands-free calls
- Tinnitus programming
- 3-year warranty
Embrace Hearing Aid Accessories
There are no remotes required for either the NX-Series or the C-Series – both are ‘controlled’ with a free SmartPhone app. With the NX-Series, you get two-way 100% hands-free phone calls. For someone who prefers a traditional hands-free remote, these can be purchased for $199. They also offer a TV Streamer for the X-Series ($299) that lets you stream your TV’s audio directly to your hearing aids.
Embrace Hearing Aids Costs and Payment Plans
Embrace Hearing is one of our top hearing aid companies, as noted in our Best Hearing Aid Guide. In part because Embrace Hearing passes on significant savings to hearing aid users. They buy directly from a quality manufacturer and then sell directly to consumers. Prices range from $899 for a single entry-level aid to $1,999 for the the top-of-the-line single aid. The chart below breaks down costs by model and options; shipping is free on all purchases. There is no sales tax added to your order.
You have 45 days to try Embrace Hearing aids, and if they don’t work out, you can return them for a full refund. Unlike local clinics, there are no programming or re-stocking fees.
| Model | NX-360 | NX-560 | NX-960 | C-540 | C-940 | CS-950 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $899 | $1,499 | $1,999 | $899 | $1,399 | $1,749 |
| 3 Year Warranty | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Custom Programmed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Type | Disposable or rechargeable | Disposable or rechargeable | Disposable or rechargeable | Size 10 disposable battery | Size 10 disposable battery | Rechargeable |
Occasionally, Embrace Hearing offers promotional sales and discounts. For example, its current deal is $250 off an NX series pair of hearing aids with the code EMBRACE.
Embrace Hearing Customer Support
Embrace Hearing offers customer support via a toll-free number, email, fax, or the website’s online contact form. Help is always available 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Embrace Hearing’s website has an excellent hearing aid resource library, which includes instructional videos, answers to common questions, service and repair information, a glossary and online accessory store.
How to Buy Embrace Hearing Aids
Embrace Hearing aids are available on their website or by phone by calling 855-929-9555. To place an order, you will need a hearing test so that the Embrace Audiologists can custom-program the hearing aids for your precise needs. Once you submit or complete the test, Embrace will send you a recommendation. From there, you can choose the hearing aids and accessories you want on the website, or speak to their hearing experts for a recommendation or to answer any questions. Embrace Hearing’s audiology team is always available to help you make the best hearing aid selection based on your preferences, budget and hearing test.
After you place an order, Embrace Hearing’s audiology team custom programs the hearing aids based on the hearing test results. Hearing aids are shipped to the consumer within 24-48 hours and received within a week. Once you receive them, the Audiologist who programmed them will contact you for follow-up and will provide assistance as needed going forward.
Embrace Hearing Complaints
Embrace Hearing’s hearing aids rank first among 15 brands on ConsumerAffairs. Embrace Hearing is a ConsumerAffairs Accredited Brand. Positive customer reviews most often emphasize the exceptional, friendly customer support and the quality and affordability of Embrace Hearing aids.
Embrace Hearing FAQs
Embrace Hearing’s NX-Series is a behind-the-ear “RIC” (receiver-in-canal) hearing aid. With this style, the body of the hearing aid is behind your ear, and a thin, transparent wire runs over your ear and into your ear canal. Embrace Hearing’s C-Series are CIC — “completely-in-canal” — hearing aids fit entirely into your ear canal making them almost invisible. For more information each model is explained in our article about different types of hearing aids.
Yes, your Embrace Hearing aids come with everything you need to use them as soon as you receive your order, but the Audiologist who programmed your aids will call you to help you with any issues.
No one Embrace Hearing model addresses all hearing needs. However, you can find a solution in the company’s two hearing aid series, whether your hearing loss is mild, moderate, severe or profound. If you have advanced or profound hearing loss, you should consider the NX-Series (starting at $899/ear).
Embrace’s NX-950 model has a specialized software called “live speech focus”. This enables the hearing aids to work together to determine who is the dominant speaker in your immediate vicinity and focus directly on them. This is very powerful in group situations, like a restaurant or meeting, anytime you are with more than one or two people.
Yes, tinnitus management is included in Embrace hearing aids upon request. You can also stream tinnitus apps from your phone to the NX series via Bluetooth.
Conclusion
Embrace Hearing sells high-quality, affordable hearing aids with several solutions to improve hearing. The hearing aid models are all built with state-of-the-art technology to deliver superior performance for hearing loss ranging from moderate hearing loss to profound. Embrace Hearing’s hearing aids are highly customizable, come ready to use out of the box, and are supported by lifetime customer service.