Why does a service- and support-based ranking matter?
HearingTracker and the independent HearAdvisor testing lab have partnered to review and rate hearing aids. HearAdvisor's scoring focuses primarily on acoustic performance, like listening in quiet and noisy environments; HearingTracker scoring takes into account other factors, like comfort, battery life, build quality, etc., and includes manufacturer service and support.
However, one could argue that we underweight the latter in our calculations—particularly for first-time users and for those who intend to use their hearing aids for many years.
That's because, no matter how good a hearing aid might be, even the best must first be customized to your unique hearing loss (preferably by a skilled professional) for best results. And no hearing aid is immune to malfunction, requiring maintenance or repair.
The good news is that all trustworthy brands offer trial periods and full refunds, and some—like those featured here—also provide good online service and support. The bad news: Many online products are essentially garbage, offering very little recourse for returns, seeking assistance with, or repairing them.
The bottom line is that companies that have made a considerable investment to build a pro support staff are more likely to be there when you need them.
However, we want to warn you in advance: You'll generally pay more for the products featured below because they must compensate their staff of audiologists and technicians, who, in most cases, will guide you through the initial setup and then support you throughout your journey to better hearing. This can be easily worth the extra money, particularly if you are a first-time user, have more complex hearing needs, and expect to use your hearing aids for more than a couple of years.
It has also been our general observation that, depending on the company, scheduling a real-time appointment with a hearing provider or technician can take several days or even weeks. So patience may be required!
In this article, we’ll help you navigate your options and identify those companies that we've found supply exceptional online professional service and support.