Audien Hearing Aids Review: Affordable Hearing Help or Too Good to Be True?
If you‘re one of the nearly 30 million U.S. adults who could benefit from using hearing aids, you‘ve likely experienced sticker shock when researching your options. A pair of prescription hearing aids can set you back anywhere from $1,000 to over $6,000, putting them out of reach for many.
Audien Hearing aims to make hearing assistance accessible to all with its low-cost, direct-to-consumer hearing aids. But are these wallet-friendly devices too good to be true? I dug into dozens of Audien hearing aid reviews to find out. Keep reading for an in-depth look at Audien‘s products, purchasing process, customer experiences, and more.
The Story Behind Audien Hearing
Audien was founded in 2020 by Arthur Garber after his grandmother started losing her hearing. When looking into getting her hearing aids, Garber was stunned to learn they could cost thousands of dollars, especially considering the actual manufacturing cost is only around $100.
Garber set out to create an alternative—hearing aids that were both affordable and easily accessible without the need for doctor‘s appointments or prescriptions. After two years of research and development, Audien hearing aids hit the market offering a simple, one-size-fits-most design at a fraction of the price of traditional hearing aids.
Today, Audien reports it has helped over 100,000 people address their hearing loss. The company operates on a direct-to-consumer model, selling its hearing aids online and shipping them straight from its factory to your door.
Audien Hearing Aid Models and Features
Audien offers four different hearing aid models that vary in size, battery life, and sound quality:
EV1 Hearing Aids
Audien‘s original and most popular model, the EV1s are about the size of a dime. They provide 20 hours of sound amplification on a single charge and feature noise reduction technology. The EV1s use a USB charger and come with four different ear dome sizes for a comfortable fit. Price: $89/pair
EV3 Hearing Aids
An upgrade to the EV1s, the EV3s are even smaller (about ¾ the size of a dime) and more discreet. They have a longer battery life of 24 hours per charge and allow you to cycle through four environment settings to optimize your hearing. The EV3s charge wirelessly and include six ear dome sizes. Price: $199/pair
Atom Pro Hearing Aids
Audien‘s newest and most advanced model, the Atom Pros are its smallest hearing aids yet (half the size of the EV3s). They boast an impressive battery life of 4 days per charge and use an Atom sound processor to deliver more natural sound quality. The Atom Pros come with a wireless charging case and three ear dome sizes. Price: $249/pair
AD2 Hearing Aids
Audien‘s only behind-the-ear model, the AD2s hook over the ear and have a thin tube that runs into the ear canal. They use disposable batteries that last 4-6 days. The AD2s have a physical volume dial and come with four ear dome sizes plus three sound tubes. Price: $129/pair
All of Audien‘s hearing aids are pre-programmed and ready to use out of the box—no smartphone app, bluetooth connection, or professional fitting required. They are designed to fit 90% of ears and you can request different size ear domes if needed.
It‘s important to note that Audien hearing aids are considered personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), not FDA-regulated medical devices like prescription hearing aids. They are intended for people with mild to moderate hearing loss and may not be suitable for those with more severe impairment.
Audien Hearing Aid Accessories
To keep your Audien hearing aids in top shape, the company recommends daily cleaning and replacing the ear domes every 2-4 weeks. You can purchase accessories separately as needed or sign up for a subscription to get them automatically delivered every month (subscribers get a 25% discount).
Accessories offered include:
- Replacement ear domes (sizes XS-L)
- Ear dome variety pack
- Replacement wax guards
- Cleaning brushes
- Charging cases and cords
- Dehumidifier jars
Audien also sells a "Starter Bundle" that includes a pair of EV1 hearing aids, replacement ear domes, and a cleaning brush.
Honest Audien Hearing Aid Reviews: What Are Customers Saying?
Audien hearing aids have racked up hundreds of glowing reviews on the brand‘s website, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Happy customers frequently comment on the hearing aids‘ affordability, easy set up, and life-changing results.
"Audien allowed me to rejoin the human race again, at an affordable price," one reviewer wrote. "I can carry on conversations with my husband and understand every word, and no longer have to blast the TV volume."
Many reviewers also praised Audien‘s customer service, which they described as responsive, helpful, and willing to work with you to find the right fit. The company offers a 45-day trial period during which you can return your hearing aids for a full refund if not satisfied.
However, not everyone has had a positive experience with Audien. A few reviewers found the sound quality to be too weak and "tinny," or were unable to get a comfortable fit with the included ear domes. Others reported issues with defective devices that stopped working after a few months.
On Trustpilot, Audien has an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars from 135 reviews. While 69% of reviewers had an "excellent" experience, 17% rated it "poor" or "bad," with some accusing the brand of being a scam due to long shipping times and difficulty getting refunds.
The Better Business Bureau gives Audien an A- rating, but the company has received 20 complaints in the last 12 months. Most of the complaints revolved around customer service, billing, and delivery issues rather than problems with the devices themselves.
Overall, the vast majority of Audien hearing aid reviews are positive, painting a picture of an affordable and effective alternative to prescription hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. However, individual results may vary—and based on the complaints, it‘s a good idea to carefully read the return policy and keep an eye on your credit card statement after ordering.
Audien Hearing Aids vs. Traditional Prescription Hearing Aids
The biggest difference between Audien hearing aids and traditional prescription hearing aids is the customization of the devices and overall sound quality.
With prescription hearing aids, you‘ll undergo a professional hearing test and ear exam to determine your level of hearing loss. Your hearing aids are then custom programmed to amplify the particular frequencies you have difficulty hearing.
Audien hearing aids, on the other hand, take a one-size-fits-all approach (quite literally in terms of the ear domes). There‘s no hearing test required or customized programming. The devices are designed to uniformly boost sounds in the human voice frequency range and filter out some background noise, with different settings you can cycle through with the push of a button.
This means people with hearing loss outside the range Audien covers (below 250 Hz or above 6000 Hz) may not find them helpful. The sound also tends to be more artificial compared to prescription hearing aids.
The upside is that Audien hearing aids cost a small fraction of the price of prescription pairs, which can run anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000. This cost difference can be a game-changer for those who can‘t afford prescription hearing aids or don‘t have insurance coverage for them.
Additionally, the process of buying Audien hearing aids is completely virtual and can be done from the comfort of home. You won‘t need to book any doctor‘s appointments or get a prescription—just add to cart and wait for your hearing aids to arrive in the mail. For some, this convenience and discretion is well worth the tradeoff in sound quality.
How to Buy Audien Hearing Aids
Audien hearing aids are sold exclusively on the company‘s website, audienhearing.com. You won‘t find them at any brick-and-mortar retailers or through third-party websites like Amazon.
Once you‘ve decided on a model, you can make a one-time purchase or choose the subscribe & save option for a 25% discount and auto-deliveries every 1-4 months. There‘s no contract or minimum commitment for subscriptions and you can cancel anytime.
All Audien hearing aid orders come with free shipping via USPS or UPS (upgradable to priority shipping for an extra fee). The company ships worldwide with the exception of a few countries.
You‘ll have 45 days from the delivery date to try out your hearing aids risk-free. If you‘re not satisfied, you can return them for a full refund, minus the cost of return shipping.
To initiate a return, email [email protected] with your name, order number, and reason for return. Audien will then provide you with a return shipping label. Your refund will be processed within 3-5 business days of the hearing aids being received at the company‘s warehouse.
Audien Hearing aids are backed by a one-year manufacturer‘s warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty does not cover loss or damage from normal wear and tear or unauthorized repairs.
The Bottom Line: Are Audien Hearing Aids Worth It?
After reviewing customer feedback and comparing Audien to traditional hearing aids, my assessment is that Audien hearing aids can be an excellent solution for addressing mild to moderate hearing loss on a budget.
No, they‘re not going to replicate the sound quality and customization of prescription hearing aids that cost 10 times as much. But for many people, "good enough" hearing at an affordable price is preferable to top-notch hearing that requires taking out a second mortgage.
If you have more severe or complex hearing loss, Audien likely isn‘t the right fit for you. The company is transparent that its devices are best suited for mild to moderate impairment. In those cases, it‘s worth investing in hearing aids developed with your specific hearing loss in mind.
I was also a bit concerned to see multiple reports of issues with returns and refunds, despite Audien‘s supposed 45-day satisfaction guarantee. This doesn‘t seem to be a common experience (based on the volume of positive reviews), but I‘d still recommend thoroughly documenting your return and being prepared to follow up with customer service if needed.
All in all, if you‘re looking for an affordable way to improve your hearing and don‘t mind a bit of trial and error in finding the right fit, Audien is definitely worth checking out. With prices as low as $89 per pair, it‘s a low-risk way to take charge of your hearing health.
