Since the FDA approved over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, a wave of new brands has entered the market. When you’re searching for the best hearing aids, you may be hesitant to try a newer or lesser-known brand. Elehear is one of those new brands. It only released its first OTC model in 2023. But our testing revealed that this tech-forward company has a lot to offer—at an affordable price. 

In this Elehear hearing aid review, we’ll break down the brand’s two models and our thoughts on them. Elehear sets itself apart from other hearing aid brands by using AI technology to power its sound quality. Our testers were impressed with all the features of the Elehear Beyond and Beyond Pro models, including Bluetooth streaming and sound layering for tinnitus. At the same time, they found the tech was approachable due to a helpful interface and one of the best user manuals of any device we’ve ever used. Learn more in our detailed Elehear hearing aids review.

First time getting hearing aids?

Start with an in-person exam with a hearing professional. That can rule out any issues that hearing aids won’t solve (like impacted earwax).

Why we recommend Elehear hearing aids 

Elehear has made a name for itself as one of the first companies to use artificial intelligence (AI) to power its OTC hearing aids. The brand initially built noise reduction software designed for consumer electronics. It only released the first OTC Elehear hearing aid in 2023. Some people may be hesitant to try a brand that hasn’t been around for a while, but Elehear gave us plenty of reasons to give it a chance. 

The brand had, hands-down, the best user manual for its devices we’ve encountered. The print was large, the instructions easy to understand, and the photos were very helpful. Our testers found using the app an equally smooth experience. They were also impressed by the tech features in these hearing aids. Even the lower-priced model had Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable batteries with a 20-hour lifespan, and 22 background sounds you can mix and match for tinnitus masking. That’s ultimately why we named Elehear the Best for Tinnitus in our guide to the best OTC hearing aids.

Understanding tinnitus

“Subjective tinnitus is the perception of a sound in the absence of an external acoustic stimulus,” said Anish V. Thakkar, AuD, founder and director of audiology at Los Angeles Center for Hearing & Balance. “Tinnitus becomes more common with age since it's connected to age-related hearing loss. Higher rates are often seen in people between ages 40-80.” 

With its unique AI-powered technology, Elehear allows users to personalize their devices in terms of noise control, speech focus, and more. 

The brand currently has only two models, both of which are very similar. The Beyond and Beyond Pro are RIC-style hearing aids offered in only two colors. They are not as discreet as some other models, but they do offer great sound quality and features for the cost. 

Elehear

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• Best user manual of any OTC brand we tested
• Good tinnitus management 

• Bluetooth and hands-free calling
• AI-enhanced background noise reduction

Elehear hearing aids at a glance

Comparison Features	Elehear Beyond Visit Sitefor Elehear Beyond	Elehear Beyond Pro Visit Sitefor Elehear Beyond Pro
Hearing aid type	RIC	RIC
Battery type	Rechargeable	Rechargeable
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Battery life (hours)	20	20

Understanding the Elehear hearing aid models

Elehear Beyond: The entry-level model

The Elehear Beyond does a great job of including high-end features, like AI noise reduction and Bluetooth streaming, into an affordable product. The sound layering (meant to help those with tinnitus) is unique in an OTC hearing aid. The Elehear Beyond had some of the most advanced tech of any OTC hearing aid we tested. But the user manual and app made it simple to set up and use.

Elehear Beyond

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• Type of hearing aid: Receiver-in-canal (RIC)

• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to moderate

Elehear Beyond features

• Noise-canceling technology: Yes, Vocclear
• Battery type: Rechargeable
• Battery life: 20 hours
• Bluetooth compatible: Yes 
• Trial period: 45 days

Our experience with the Elehear Beyond

The Elehear Beyond is the brand’s least expensive model ($399 per pair), but very little about these hearing aids is basic. They are receiver-in-canal style, and testers had no issues placing them. “I did it without a mirror,” said one tester. “It was pretty easy. They fit well and don't feel like they’ll fall out. I don’t know if I would forget that I was wearing them, but I’m also not used to them.”

Testers had read some reviews online of people who found these hearing aids to look too big and bulky, but the testing team was actually pleasantly surprised. “I’ve seen these get flak online for being large and bulky, but I’ve tried on pairs that are much bigger than this,” said one tester. “Honestly, it didn’t seem that large to me. It was pretty discreet from the side, but I could see the base sticking out behind the ear.” That part can be covered by hair, but testers did say that it may cause feedback at first. “The only pain point is the rustling noise from the microphone when my hair hits the device. I think this is mostly because I have long, thick hair, and I haven’t customized the environment settings yet.”

The Elehear Beyond hearing aids feature five preset programs for various sound environments, as well as the ability to add custom programs. But what really set these devices apart and impressed our testers were the soundscapes. “The app has background noises like the sounds of rain, a cat purring, and wind,” said a tester. “You can choose one background noise, or you can layer them. The reason for this feature is to help with tinnitus.” A tester called this feature “one of the best tinnitus masking features I've ever seen.”

The Elehear Beyond hearing aids can stream music and take phone calls using a Bluetooth connection, a fairly high-end feature you don’t often see at this price. “The audio quality remained strong across the 80-foot range I walked!” said one tester. “It sounded great. I was impressed with how far I could step away from the phone and still hear well.”

They also have a 20-hour battery life from a single charge. And the devices include a portable charging case that holds four extra full charges. Our testers enjoyed the great sound quality and premium features. They believe these hearing aids offer good value for the OTC price.

Roughly 10% of the U.S. adult population, or about 25 million Americans, has experienced tinnitus lasting at least 5 minutes in the past year.¹

Elehear Beyond Pro: The most advanced model

The Elehear Beyond Pro has many similarities to the Beyond, but it features more advanced Vocclear software for better sound. It also has a music mode. Our testers enjoyed the experience of using this hearing aid but had mixed feelings about its comfort and fit.

Elehear Beyond Pro

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• Type of hearing aid: RIC

• Degree of hearing loss: Mild to moderate

Elehear Beyond Pro features

• Noise-canceling technology: Yes, Vocclear
• Battery type: Rechargeable
• Battery life: 20 hours
• Bluetooth compatible: Yes 
• Trial period: 45 days

Our experience with the Elehear Beyond Pro

The main difference between the Elehear Beyond and the Beyond Pro ($599) is the updated Vocclear noise reduction technology. The brand claims it makes speech 30% clearer. Our testers had no issue with sound quality. “The features were great,” said one tester. “They allow you to adjust volume, tone, and change to different environmental settings. You can adjust the volume between each ear and even add noise control. They have special features designed to help cancel out any kind of ringing or other tinnitus symptoms. It tracks battery power and allows you to contact support right from your phone instead of finding a help number online or in the manual.” 

Like the lower-priced model, the Elehear Beyond Pro can stream music, television, and take phone calls through Bluetooth. The Beyond Pro features a new mode for streaming music, and our testers found that the music streaming works well. They were also impressed with the sound quality. But when comparing music streaming on the Beyond Pro side by side with Apple AirPods, the hearing aids fall a little short, providing less bass than the AirPods. Overall, they found the audio quality on the Elehear Beyond Pro hearing aids to be consistent. “They sound pretty good and clear,” said one tester.

Testers had mixed feelings about the design and fit of this RIC-style hearing aid. Visually, they found the devices to be minimal and easy to conceal. “It looks discreet when there is my hair covering the back,” said one tester. “From the front, you can hardly tell I have them in. With my hair, it looks very unnoticeable from the side.” But one tester had a hard time with the fit. “It wasn't easy to put on my ear,” said one. “At first, I had a hard time differentiating between which one was right and left when they weren't in the case. When we found the right dome, the earpiece fit really well. But the wire part that connects to the back wasn't easy to wrap around my ear. The back receiver part was uncomfortable. I wouldn't say I could comfortably wear these in daily activities without them having to be readjusted or put on again.” 

It is worth noting that adjusting to wearing hearing aids can take up to several months, according to the FDA.²  The Elehear app has a feature for helping users get used to their devices. “Apparently, you shouldn't wear them all day to start, so this breaks it down by how many hours you should be wearing them,” said one tester. “It creates an account so you can track how often you are wearing them, and how long you should be when you are just getting.

Testers said finding and replacing the domes for the correct fit was not hard. “They had 12 different sizes and types of domes to pick from, so it was very easy to find the right-fitting dome for me,” one tester said. Switching them out was similar to what you do when switching them out on ear buds.” Once placed, the receiver in the ear canal felt “snug.” But one tester had trouble getting used to the battery pack. “The part that sits behind my ear was what didn't feel really secure,” the tester said. “It doesn't fall off when I'm moving around or bending down, but it moves when I shake my head or take my glasses on and off.” 

Testers preferred using the app control over the manual controls on these hearing aids. “It wasn't super easy to adjust the volume,” said one. “The buttons are clear on what they should do, but since they are on the back of the hearing aid, it was hard to reach, and I kept turning them up instead of down because of the size of the button. Then the back slipped off my ear since I was fiddling with it so much. Using the app makes it super easy to switch between every preset program. They even have customizable sounds for tinnitus or even just background noise to help with hearing loss.”

Up to 90% of people who experience chronic tinnitus also have some form of hearing loss.³

—American Tinnitus Association

Elehear pros and cons

Elehear’s two models of OTC hearing aids offer a lot of advanced features for a relatively low price. But they may not be the best fit for everyone. For instance, Elehear only offers one style (RIC) of hearing aid. If you’re looking for different styles, such as in the canal, Audien makes several. You can read more about them in our Audien review. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of Elehear we discovered:

Hearing aids and tinnitus

“Generally, for our tinnitus patients with hearing loss, we see the best results with treatment incorporating hearing aids. By stimulating the eighth nerve (our hearing nerve) specifically to an individual's prescription, we are able to fill in hearing gaps and give the hearing nerve the nourishment it requires; a result of this stimulation is often a significant reduction in the perceived intensity of the patient's tinnitus.

"Another approach can be to create custom noise programs (such as ocean waves, white noise, and more) into the devices, so that the patient can receive amplification while also giving the brain something else to focus on, rather than just the tinnitus symptoms.”

—Anish V. Thakkar, AuD

Who should consider Elehear hearing aids:

• Anyone with mild to moderate hearing loss looking for an affordable hearing aid with great sound quality and high-end features
• Those with tinnitus
• Someone who uses Bluetooth streaming frequently

You may consider other options if you:

• Prefer an ITC or more streamlined RIC model ( People who wear glasses may be bothered by the size of the battery pack)
• Are not tech savvy or are not a fan of smartphones and apps
• Have dexterity or vision issues that would make changing small parts or using manual controls difficult

The Elehear customer experience

• Warranty and trial period: 45-day trial and a one-year warranty
• Financing: Available through Klarna
• Customer service:
  • By phone: 888-669-1099 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET)
  • By email: support@elehear.com

Warranties

Elehear offers a one-year limited warranty on all its hearing aids and charging cases. The warranty begins on the date the new devices are delivered. Customers are responsible for all return shipping costs.

Elehear does not offer any coverage to replace lost or stolen devices, but does state that you can contact their customer support team at support@elehear.com for special consideration.

Elehear hearing aids costs and purchasing options

Elehear’s products range from $399–$599, making them some of the most affordable hearing aids with premium features on the market. Most insurance plans, including Medicare Part A and Part B, do not cover the full cost of hearing aids. Medicare Advantage (Part C) may cover some of your hearing aid costs.⁴ If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you may also be able to use those for the purchase of hearing aids. Elehear allows you to use that as an option at checkout. Still, you’ll want to check with your insurance provider to see what’s covered. 

Elehear offers financing with 0% APR through Klarna. You can pay for your purchase in four interest-free installments, one every two weeks. The first payment (25% of the total cost) will be deducted from your credit card, debit card, or bank account upon shipment of your order. The remaining three payments will be automatically withdrawn every two weeks, with no interest or fees if you pay on time.

Cost comparison of Elehear hearing aids

Comparison Features	Elehear Beyond	Elehear Beyond Pro
Cost	$399	$599
Type	RIC	RIC
Standout feature	22 tinnitus masking sounds, Bluetooth streaming	Vocclear 2.0 for enhanced listening, music mode

How to buy Elehear hearing aids

Elehear is currently only available for purchase online through the manufacturer's website. 

Elehear setup and daily use

Elehear has a lot of tech-forward features, but our testers did not get hung up on the startup instructions. In fact, they praised the manual for its clear pictures and step-by-step instructions. One tester called it “honestly, one of the best user manuals I’ve seen.” 

“The user manual is extremely extensive, but super readable and easy to understand,” said one tester. “In my opinion, it is an exceptional user manual. There are lots of images, and the text is larger, which makes it easier to read. I like that they include a printed user manual, as opposed to making you read an e-manual in small text online. This is so clearly written and comprehensive; this is the gold standard.”

Our testers did not run into a lot of trouble using the devices. “You hold the button for 3 seconds to turn on and 5 seconds to turn off. It was super easy and worked perfectly,” said one tester. Both the Elehrear Beyond and Beyond Pro use rechargeable batteries, and testers said using the charging case and USB-C cord provided was straightforward. The cases for the Beyond and the Beyond Pro hold four full case charges, or an additional 80 hours of battery life.

Testers found routine maintenance tasks, like changing the domes and wax guards, easy to do. They used the tools and instructions from the manual or app. “It was very easy to change the wax guard,” said a tester of the Beyond. “It comes with a pick and a brush to help clean the hearing aid in general and the wax off. It also comes with a prefilled remover/applicator stick that makes it super easy to take the old guard off and put the new one on. It was pretty easy to take the dome off but putting it on required one or two tries. Someone with dexterity issues may have trouble switching off the domes.” 

Although one tester has some issues with the fit of the Beyond, that tester still described the user experience as “great.” “The instructions were clear, the app had some really cool features, and the company seemed like they genuinely wanted the best hearing experience for their users,” they said. 

The Elehear app

Elehear hearing aids are designed to be used with a smartphone app, and the manual controls are limited to turning them off and on and adjusting the volume. Our testers preferred using the app and found the process mostly glitch-free. “They provided a QR code to download the app and a quick setup instruction card, which is nice,” said one tester. “You can also visit the Elehear YouTube page through the app to show you tutorials on how to do things with your device. This is a great feature.”

Our testers mentioned that to pair the Elehear Beyond Pro hearing aids with your phone, you must enter your email address so a verification code can be sent. Then, you need to enter the code in the app. This is an additional step some users may not be aware of. Otherwise, our testers found getting started on the app to be pretty straightforward. “There is a tutorial when you get set up on the app, which is helpful,” said one tester. 

“The app has some really great functionality. You can adjust volume individually or together, change modes easily, adjust noise control, change from ‘focused’ or 360 speech settings, and even adjust for a ‘phone call boost.’” But some of the app settings could have used more explanation. “I have no idea what a phone call boost actually means if I’m only looking at it in the app,” a tester said. 

One of the more helpful features, testers said, was the library of different background noises. There are 22 total, and they include sounds like a waterfall, bubbles, fire, and a train. “You can choose one background noise, or you can layer them,” a tester said. This can help mask sounds for people with tinnitus. 

Testers for Elehear’s other model, the Beyond, had a similar experience. “The user instructions are very clear and readable, with a QR code to download the app right on your phone. It was really easy to get the app set up on my phone. All I had to do was connect the hearing aids through Bluetooth, and then the app found them for me. The app also told me step by step how to turn on the hearing aids if I didn't want to read the manual. It then gave in-depth instructions on how to use and operate the hearing aids, like turning them on and changing the volume.”

Our testers also liked how the app tracked their usage of the hearing aids and gave other help. “The app does provide very clear instructions for wearing and positioning your hearing aids, and on maintenance and care,” said one tester.  

Elehear accessories

All Elehear hearing aids come with a variety of domes, a set of wax guards, a charging case, and a cable. You can purchase extras of these from the Elehear website. They also sell a dry box ($50) to keep your hearing aids protected from moisture.

Are Elehear aids right for you?

Elehear hearing aids are designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. The brand’s OTC hearing aids are RIC style and use rechargeable batteries. Elehear is known for its superior sound quality and use of AI technology.

Respondents to our February 2025 Hearing Aid Survey rated price and sound quality as the two most important factors when purchasing their hearing aids.⁵

Our tests found Elehear to be a good option for people who want advanced features, like Bluetooth streaming, without paying high prices. When deciding whether to purchase Elehear hearing aids, consider the following questions:

• How severe is your hearing loss? Elehear OTC hearing aids are designed to treat mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe to profound hearing loss, we recommend meeting with an audiologist to get a prescription for hearing aids. 
• Have you worn hearing aids before? If this is your first time wearing hearing aids, you may need a longer time to adjust to them. Elehear only offers a 45-day trial period, but Jabra hearing aids offer a 100-day trial period. 
• What is your budget? OTC hearing aids can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Both of Elehear’s options are under $600. If you want a lower-priced hearing aid, check out our guide to the best affordable hearing aids.
• Do you care if people can see your hearing aids? Elehear has been criticized for its slightly bulky battery pack, although not all our testers minded it. But if you prefer the look of ITC hearing aids or are shy about people knowing you have hearing loss, you may want to look into more discreet hearing aids, like the ones in our roundup of the best invisible hearing aids.
• Are you picky about style or color? Elehear offers only two models in two colors. So if color is an important factor for you, you may not be satisfied with the limited selection. 
• Do you like to deal with a live person? Elehear currently only sells its devices online. We found their customer service usually involves a substantial wait time, whether by chat, phone, or email. The website is quite thorough in answering questions, but if what you need isn’t there, you may have to wait for an answer. 

Frequently asked questions

How much do Elehear hearing aids cost?

Elehear hearing aids  cost between $399–$599 per pair.

Are Elehear hearing aids legit?

The Elehear company is relatively new to OTC hearing aids, but we found their products to have superior sound quality and premium features for a bargain price. 

Are Elehear hearing aids big?

Elehear makes RIC-style hearing aids, and the battery pack is a bit larger than others we’ve tested. Our testers found them comfortable, but one tester did feel the battery pack was intrusive while wearing glasses.

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.