Audicus Hearing Aids Review 2023: Costs and Features

By Chrissy Holm
Medically Reviewed by Hadassah Kupfer, AuD
Reviewed by Kathleen Cameron, BSPharm, MPH, Senior Director, NCOA Center for Healthy Aging
Fact Checked

• Hearing aids from Audicus range from $1,398-$2,998 per pair.
• The company offers two different hearing aid styles: receiver-in-canal (RIC) and completely-in-canal (CIC).
• Audicus has a free online hearing test and a mobile app.

Having rechargeable batteries, digital noise reduction, and Bluetooth were among the top choices for features in a hearing aid, according to our Reviews Team’s hearing aid survey. Audicus, a 10-year-old hearing aid company, offers those features in its Wave, Spirit, and Omni models—and offers a new completely-in-canal hearing aid, as well.

In this review, our Reviews Team will break down the details of the four models, discuss the mobile app and customer support options, and explain ways to save money, such as using Medicare for hearing health.

Our Reviews Team recommends products and services we believe provide value in the lives of our readers. We’ve spent more than 5,000 hours conducting in-depth research on hearing aid devices to give you the most accurate hearing aid review. To make these selections, we:

• Consulted with audiologists and geriatric care experts
• Mystery shopped 18 brands
• Surveyed hundreds of hearing aid users
• Tested various models of hearing aids
• Interviewed experts in the field
• Read thousands of verified customer reviews

Read more about our hearing aid review methodology.

• Price per pair: $1,398
• Dimensions: 0.48 inches x 0.34 inches x 1.2 inches (depth x width x height)
• Weight: 0.04 ounces (oz)
• Type of hearing aid: Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to severe
• Battery type: Rechargeable
• Bluetooth capability: Yes

The Audicus Wave is the most inexpensive model that Audicus offers ($1,398 per pair). It has Bluetooth compatibility built in and the option of including the Audicus Plus membership plan. For a monthly cost starting at $89, the plan offers an unlimited warranty, compared to the standard two year warranty of all the models. The plan also includes loss and damage insurance, and free cleaning supplies—potentially saving you a lot of money.

The Wave has 12 processing channels, two to four fewer than the more advanced Spirit and Omni models. While two channels is a small difference, it could mean fewer options for fine-tuning and customizing your hearing aids.

If you struggle a lot with listening clarity or lead an active lifestyle that includes a variety of different listening environments, you might consider a different model with more processing channels. If price is a higher concern for you, the Wave could still be a great selection for an advanced hearing aid.

• Price per pair: $1,998
• Dimensions: 0.7” D x 0.3” W x 0.4” H
• Weight: 0.03 oz
• Type of hearing aid: Completely-in-canal (CIC)
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to moderate
• Battery type: Disposable
• Bluetooth capability: No

The Mini is the newest and only completely-in-canal (CIC) model Audicus offers for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. It comes with disposable batteries (size 10) which need to be replaced every five to seven days. For those with dexterity issues, poor vision, or arthritis, frequently changing small and hard-to-handle batteries could be a significant challenge.

The Mini is the lightest of the four models and has 12 processing channels, the same amount as the Wave. It also only comes in one color option: red and blue hearing aids (red for the right ear and blue for the left), which can be helpful for someone with impaired eyesight. If having a discreet hearing aid is a concern for you, this device is still small enough to fit completely in your ear so the colors aren’t noticeable.

While this is the only Audicus model without Bluetooth capabilities, it does connect to the Rexton app (via Apple Store and Google Play). When our Reviews Team clarified with Audicus support on how this works, they informed us that the hearing aids communicate with the app via little chirps and beeps, which can be heard when pairing the devices to the app. The hearing aids also connect to a small remote for you to change the volume and programs (auto, noise/party, music, and outdoors).

• Price per pair: $2,398
• Dimensions: 0.48” D x 0.34” W x 1.2” H
• Weight: 0.04 oz
• Type of hearing aid: Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to severe
• Battery type: Rechargeable
• Bluetooth capability: Yes

The Spirit is a rechargeable hearing aid that’s similar to the Wave, but with a slight upgrade of 14 channels—two more than the Wave. It has two directional microphones, like the Wave and Omni, helping to amplify sounds coming from in front of you to help you hear and communicate better in conversations.

The Spirit has built-in Bluetooth connectivity for streaming and connecting to the Audicus mobile app, allowing Audicus hearing aid specialists to connect and make remote adjustments to your hearing aids through the Hearing Remote app.

If you prefer to adjust them on your own, the app also allows you to take the experience into your own hands and make adjustments, such as volume control, noise reduction, or changing your hearing aid program for a specific listening environment—for example, watching television versus listening to conversations in a restaurant.

• Price per pair: $2,998
• Dimensions: 0.48” D x 0.34” W x 1.2” H
• Weight: 0.04 oz
• Type of hearing aid: Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to severe
• Battery type: Rechargeable
• Bluetooth capability: Yes

The Omni is the most advanced and expensive rechargeable hearing aid Audicus offers. The Omni is similar to the Wave and Spirit in size, style (RIC), type (mild to severe hearing loss), and features (Bluetooth streaming).

Where the Omni is more advanced than the other models is in its options for listening environments and number of processing channels. The Omni has six listening environments compared to the four the Spirit has. It also has 16 processing channels, two more channels than the Spirit and four more than the Wave.

When our Reviews Team tested the Omni, it took only one try and approximately two minutes to connect to Bluetooth. They noted the process for connecting was very intuitive, and hands-free calling was automatically connected. With the hands-free calling feature, you can accept calls from your smartphone directly through your hearing aids, with just a tap to the multifunction button on the hearing aid. The button is easy to locate while wearing the hearing aids.

If you want a hearing aid that has advanced features and is easy to set up, the Omni could be a good choice for you.

Audicus hearing aids cost $1,398–$2,998 per pair. The price varies based on a few factors, such as the style: receiver-in-canal (RIC) and completely-canal (CIC). It also depends on the technology level. For example, the Spirit and Omni have more processing channels and higher prices.

How to save money on Audicus hearing aids

One way to save money on Audicus hearing aids is to opt in to the Audicus Plus monthly membership plan. With the plan, you get a new hearing aid replacement every 18 months, an unlimited warranty and unlimited cleaning supplies, and loss and damage insurance are included. Membership costs $89 per month.

You can also check with your local Lions Clubs¹, area agency on aging², or other charitable foundations, like the Hearing Aid Project.³ If you have Medicare Advantage, your plan might offer hearing aid coverage through select providers.⁴ Check with your insurance provider for more information.

And according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), hearing aids and batteries are considered medical expenses, so you can use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to cover those costs.⁵

For veterans or active duty military personnel, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs covers medical services, such as audiology.⁶ Finally, review NCOA’s Benefits CheckUp for more benefits in your area.

You can reach Audicus customer support by email, phone, or chat.

• Phone: 855-971-0451, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Sunday
• Email: help@audicus.com
• Chat: On the lower-right hand corner of the website, available 24/7

When our Reviews Team used the chat feature, Isabel was supportive and answered all our questions within five minutes (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 Audicus online support chat

Audicus has a customer support center on its website, where you can access frequently asked questions (FAQ), video tutorials, product manuals, supplies and services, and returns and reprogrammings. The FAQ is easy to read and broken down by hearing aid model and other common hearing aid questions.

When purchasing Audicus hearing aids, you can select overnight delivery ($60), standard shipping ($4), or free shipping. You can pay with all major credit cards or PayPal.

To help you determine your level of hearing loss, Audicus offers a free online hearing test. To take the test, you’ll be required to submit your gender, age, email, and phone number. The fields for name and ZIP code are optional.

The first part of the test prompts you to make sure you’re in a quiet environment, your headphones are plugged into your computer, and your computer volume is set to 50% (see Figure 2). Then, the test program will play a tone to test the earbuds and ensure they’re working properly.

Figure 2 Member of our Reviews Team testing Audicus online hearing test

Next, different sound volumes will be played into each ear, with instructions to tap the spacebar when you hear the tone, and the “Not Heard” button when you cannot hear the tone (see Figure 3).

Figure 3 Audicus online hearing test

The test takes about five minutes to complete. After taking the test, you’ll receive a series of questions, such as the following:

• Have you worn hearing aids?
• How likely are you to buy hearing aids in the next few months?
• What kind of health insurance do you have?

Once you finish answering the questions, a link to your results will be emailed to you (see Figure 4).

Figure 4 Audicus hearing test results

Convenience is a big benefit of an online hearing test, and online hearing tests “may help to identify the presence and degree of hearing loss,” according to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.⁷

A drawback of online hearing tests is that they don’t diagnose the cause of your hearing loss, which may be easily treatable, like earwax blockage, or a sign of something more serious. Hearing professionals recommend you see a specialist for an in-person hearing test to determine the cause.

To learn more, check out our review of the best online hearing tests.

Audicus offers a mobile app that connects with the Wave, Spirit, and Omni models. The app (Hearing Remote) is on the Apple Store and Google Play, and it allows you to make several adjustments to your hearing aids.

Here are a handful of ways to adjust your Audicus hearing aids using the app:

• Control volume, reduce noise, and enhance speech
• Change programs according your activity, such as watching television or listening to conversations in a restaurant
• Receive remote adjustments from your hearing aid professional
• Adjust the tinnitus masker (if applicable)
• Check battery charge status

The Mini doesn’t connect with the Hearing Remote app, but it does connect to the Rexton app (Apple Store and Google Play) via little chirps and beeps, which can be heard when pairing the hearing aids.

“Hearing aids come in different styles and technology levels,” said Sarah Lundstrom, AuD, an ABA Certified fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, and a member of the Florida Academy of Audiology. Determining which hearing aid is best for you, she said, will “depend on your personal preferences, your lifestyle, hearing needs, and the features you want or need.”

You should also consider your budget, type of hearing loss, and the style you prefer.

Budget

If you’re on a budget and looking for inexpensive hearing aids, check out our selections of the most affordable hearing aids. Audicus won “Best Budget-Friendly Bluetooth” for offering Bluetooth hearing aids at a fraction of the price that other advanced hearing aids sell for in our Reviews Team’s best hearing aids review.

Type of hearing loss

For adults 18 and older, if you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you might be a good candidate for purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids such as Audicus hearing aids. If you have severe to profound hearing loss, a Phonak hearing aid might be a better option for you. And for those with tinnitus, our Reviews Team named the Widex Moment “Best for Tinnitus” in the best hearing aids review.

Style

If you prefer a discreet hearing aid and have mild to moderate hearing loss, you might want to consider a completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid style, such as Audicus Mini or a model from Eargo. If you have more than moderate hearing loss, want a few more features, and don’t mind a bigger, more visible hearing aid, Jabra Enhance hearing aids could be the option for you.

For more information about the different types and styles of hearing aids, and other things to consider, check out our hearing aids buyer’s guide.

On the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Audicus has an A+ rating and a customer review rating of 3.09 out of 5, based on 11 customer reviews.⁸

In our Reviews Team’s hearing aids survey, the biggest challenge of Audicus hearing aids was that they were uncomfortable to wear, which is not an uncommon struggle of hearing aid users in general.

This can be more of an issue with over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, since they don’t come with an in-person fitting. However, some hearing care clinics that sell prescription hearing aids are now offering fittings and adjustments for customers who need help with their OTC hearing aids. You can use the online locator from the American Academy of Audiology to find a hearing care clinic in your area.

“I’ve struggled with my hearing loss for years and finally decided to address it. [I] went locally initially and they were trying to charge me 8k for a pair of hearing aids! My brother recommended Audicus and they were offering the same pair for just over 3k. I purchased [them] and the entire process was great. Everyone was super helpful and the hearing aids work great. I’d say if support is something that is important to you, Audicus is the way to go.”

— GERTRUDE, VERIFIED CUSTOMER REVIEW (BBB.ORG)

“Having done thorough research, I find Audicus is still the low-cost, high-quality leader in digitally adjustable hearing aids. They’ve always been quickly responsive when I’ve emailed or called. I’m about to order a new aid from Audicus right now!”

— BARBARA, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (BBB.ORG)

“While I have no complaints about the hearing aid itself, I am frustrated with the support. There is a very high pressure sales team, but it is almost impossible to get in touch with anyone that actually is in CUSTOMER SUPPORT, not sales.”

— ANOUCK, VERIFIED CUSTOMER REVIEW (BBB.ORG)

Audicus offers four different types of hearing aids that support people with mild to severe hearing loss. Prices range from $1,398–$2,998 per pair, and some have advanced technology, including Bluetooth and rechargeable batteries.

Audicus could be a good choice if you’re looking for a budget hearing aid with advanced technology, and you prefer the convenience of buying a hearing aid online. If you’d prefer a less advanced, basic hearing aid, another option might be better for you, such as Eargo.

Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

1. Lionsclubs.org. Lions Clubs. Found on the internet at https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/explore-our-clubs/eyeglasses-and-hearing-aids-recycling
2. Eldercare.acl.gov. Area agencies on aging. Found on the internet at https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/About/Aging_Network/AAA.aspx
3. Hearing Aid Donations. Hearing Aid Project. Found on the internet at https://hearingaiddonations.org/
4. Medicare.gov. Medicare Advantage. Found on the internet at https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/what-medicare-health-plans-cover/medicare-advantage-plans-cover-all-medicare-services
5. IRS. Publication 502. Found on the internet at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
6. VA.gov. Veteran Health Benefits. Found on the internet at https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/
7. Mosley C, et al. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. Reliability of the Home Hearing Test. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6710072/
8. Better Business Bureau. Audicus. Found on the internet at https://www.bbb.org/us/ny/new-york/profile/hearing-assistive-devices/audicus-inc-0121-148665/customer-reviews
9. FDA.gov. FDA-Registered Medical Devices. Found on the internet at https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumers-medical-devices/are-there-fda-registered-or-fda-certified-medical-devices-how-do-i-know-what-fda-approved
10. FDA.gov. FDA Approval. Found on the internet at https://www.fda.gov/news-events/approvals-fda-regulated-products/about-fda-product-approval