Audicus Hearing Aids Review: Price, Models, and Features

Audicus hearing aids are popular among consumers looking for both affordability and advanced hearing technology in their devices. In our survey of over 600 hearing aid users, respondents rated hearing aid affordability as their second most important concern behind ease of setup. With competitive pricing and a membership program called Audicus Plus that includes hearing aid support and maintenance supplies, Audicus offers several impressive options for budget-conscious users.

The entire process of buying Audicus hearing aids can be completed online, from the hearing test to having your devices programmed remotely by an audiologist. Audicus also operates clinics in three U.S. cities (New York, Chicago, and Denver) for in-person appointments.

Our reviews team investigated the company’s products, purchasing process, and independent Audicus reviews to help you decide if this is the brand for you.

Underlying research: 

• 2,500 hours of research
• 13 experts consulted
• 30 brands considered
• 96 models considered
• 600-plus users surveyed

Our experts have spent more than 2,500 hours conducting thorough research on hearing aids. Throughout this process, we did the following:

• Deeply researched the hearing device category
• Consulted with audiologists and hearing device experts
• Mystery shopped 30 brands
• Surveyed more than 600 hearing aid users
• Read and reviewed the current studies published in this space
• Read thousands of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

To help you find the best hearing aids, we researched dozens of hearing aid brands. From traditional hearing aids sold through an audiologist’s office or hearing center to direct-to-consumer online brands, our reviews team took a close look at what each company had to offer.

We chose to review Audicus because it has a unique monthly membership, affordable pricing, and hearing aids that offer convenient features like Bluetooth connectivity and rechargeable batteries. We searched through verified customer reviews and evaluated the different Audicus hearing aid models to help you decide if they’re right for you.

Pros

• Advanced sound technology features in Spirit and Omni models
• Customizable depending on preferences
• Convenient online hearing test
• Four rechargeable and Bluetooth-enabled models available
• 45-day trial period
• Licensed hearing specialists customize your device to your hearing test results

Cons

• Limited 12-month manufacturer’s warranty
• Membership program limited to select models
• Only four hearing clinics in the United States for people who want in-person appointments (one in New York, one in Denver, and two in Chicago)
• Smallest model is not Bluetooth compatible

• For mild to moderate hearing loss
• CIC style allows for a discreet fit
• Disposable batteries
• Priced at $2,498 per pair

The Audicus Mini is the smallest and most discreet-fitting hearing aid available. The completely-in-canal (CIC) style makes it nearly invisible, allowing you to treat your hearing loss without being noticed. For a small hearing aid, the Mini offers a number of advanced features, from software to custom programming options — it uses auto-adjust technology based on your sound environment to cancel background noise. Plus, the ergonomic design makes it comfortable for all-day wear.

When you purchase the Audicus Mini online, you will receive free shipping, a 45-day trial, unlimited expert support, a two-year warranty, and a quick-start kit. You can also opt into two additional programs. For $198, you can access Audicus Protect benefits, including a three-year warranty, clean and care services, and one-time loss protection. For $12 per month, you can add Audicus Care, which includes four packs of disposable batteries, replacement rubber domes, eight wax guards, and cleaning wipes.

• For moderate to severe hearing loss
• RIC style available in four color options
• Rechargeable or disposable batteries
• Priced at $1,398 to $1,598 per pair

The Audicus Spirit 1 hearing aid is the base model of the company’s newest products.

Even though it is the lowest-tier model, Spirit 1 has a lot of advanced features. It comes in four color options (beige, silver, black, and grey), your choice of rechargeable or disposable batteries, and is water resistant. Spirit 1 is equipped with two directional microphones, 14 processing channels, four listening environments, 10 volume settings, and telecoil upon request. Plus, an auto-adapt feature allows Spirit 1 to recognize your environment on its own to amplify nearby sounds while muting background noise.

It offers Bluetooth connectivity, and either you or Audicus hearing specialists can make remote adjustments to your hearing aids. While connected to the Hearing Remote app, an Audicus specialist will modify the sound and quality of your hearing aids. After you submit a request, remote adjustments can take up to 72 hours. You can also make adjustments on the device itself or with an external remote control.

• For moderate to severe hearing loss
• RIC style available in four color options
• Rechargeable or disposable batteries
• Priced at $1,798 to $1,998 per pair
• Eligible for the Audicus Premier Plus membership program

The Audicus Spirit 2 has all the components of Spirit 1 plus additional technology in a more compact size. It also comes in four colors, offers your choice of rechargeable or disposable battery, is water resistant, has two directional microphones, 10 volume settings, and telecoil upon request. Additionally, Spirit 2 has 16 processing channels and six listening environments.

Spirit 2 is 10 percent smaller than Spirit 1, has a larger memory, and auto-adjusts to your environment, offering even quicker scanning to get this done. In addition, Spirit 2 has more advanced Bluetooth capabilities, including the ability to connect to up to two devices at a time, and a tap-control feature that allows you to switch from one device to another seamlessly. Lastly, since Spirit 2 is a Series 2 Audicus model, the rechargeable version is eligible for the Audicus Premier membership program (more on this below).

• For moderate to severe hearing loss
• RIC style available in four color options
• Rechargeable or disposable batteries
• Priced at $2,398 to $2,598 per pair
• Has Speech Finder technology

The Audicus Omni 1 has many of the same features as Spirit 2, but with a few upgrades. It has the same color options, a choice of battery type (rechargeable or disposable), and is water resistant. In terms of sound features, it has two directional microphones, 10 volume settings, six listening environments, 16 processing channels, and a telecoil option for tinnitus masking. However, the Omni 1 model offers Speech Finder technology for an even more advanced sound quality experience.

Omni 1 does not offer dual-device Bluetooth connectivity with tap control (like Series 2 Audicus devices), and does not have the expansive memory and quick-scan feature available with Spirit 2. Even though the Omni line is more advanced than the Spirit line, Omni 1 is not eligible for Audicus Premier membership benefits since it is not a Series 2 hearing aid device.

• For moderate to severe hearing loss
• RIC style available in four color options
• Rechargeable or disposable batteries
• Priced at $2,798 to $2,998 per pair
• Has Speech Finder technology
• Rechargeable model eligible for the Audicus Premier program

The Audicus Omni 2 is the brand’s top-of-the-line hearing aid model. It comes in all four colors, offers two battery options, and is water resistant. Omni 2 has two directional microphones, 10 volume options, six listening environments, and a telecoil option for tinnitus support, but it also offers 20 listening environments — the most of any Audicus model — with Speech Finder.

Plus, Omni 2 has dual Bluetooth device connectivity with tap control for easy device switching and to activate your phone’s virtual assistant. Like all other models, it can be adjusted on the device, with a remote control, and through the Hearing Remote app.

Since Omni 2 is a part of the Series 2 line, it is 10 percent smaller than Omni 1 and has a larger memory backed with quick scanning for rapid sound environment adjustment. And, like the rechargeable Spirit 2, the rechargeable Omni 2 is also eligible for Audicus Premier program benefits, whereas Omni 1 is not.

When it comes to hearing aids, it’s common to purchase hearing aids at Costco or from a hearing center or audiologist. Today, there are an increasing number of online retailers like Audicus.

Audicus hearing aids range in price from $1,398 for the disposable battery version of the Spirit 1 to $2,998 for the rechargeable battery version of Omni 2. You’ll have to pay $200 more if you want rechargeable hearing aids, as the rechargeable Spirit and Omni models cost more per device than the Audicus models that use disposable batteries. The cost includes devices, starter batteries, a carrying case, a cleaning brush, and various rubber domes or earpieces.

You can choose from several options to pay for your Audicus hearing aids: a one-time payment, a payment plan, or the Audicus Plus monthly membership. The Audicus Premier membership plan is only available for rechargeable Series 2 models, Spirit 2 and Omni 2, and includes the latest hearing aid technology, unlimited supplies, an unlimited warranty, front-of-the-line access to support from hearing specialists and technicians, and full replacement protection against damage or defects to your hearing aids. Loss protection is also included. Membership requires a one-time $249 startup fee on the date you sign up, and $99 per month for Spirit 2 or $149 per month for Omni 2. You can cancel your membership at any time. As a bonus, Audicus automatically upgrades your hearing aids to the latest model every 18 months if you are a member.

Accessories for Audicus Hearing Aids

Audicus sells a variety of accessories and hearing aid supplies on its website. These items can be purchased separately and are not included in any of the membership programs.

• Power Pack and Charging Case for rechargeable hearing aids: $49 to $148
• UV dry box for drying and cleaning your hearing aids (not suitable for rechargeable hearing aids): $65
• Classic remote control: $199

The company also sells earwax guards, domes, and other Audicus accessories on its website.

In addition, Audicus offers an exchange service to help you save on your hearing aids. If you have an Audicus hearing aid that your friend or relative no longer uses, the company can reprogram them and fit them to your hearing test for a fee of $100.

RELATED: Does Medicare Pay for Hearing Aids?

All Audicus products include lifetime support from the company, including access to a team of licensed audiologists and hearing professionals. Audicus hearing aids are eligible for a 45-day free trial. During that time, you can return your hearing aids for any reason and receive a full refund.

Audicus Warranty

The 12-month warranty covers all product defects, but it does not cover lost or damaged devices. You can get an unlimited warranty and loss and damage protection with the Audicus Plus hearing aid membership. If you choose not to subscribe to the monthly Audicus membership, you can purchase a separate plan called Audicus Protect that covers damage and loss for $12 per month.

Audicus Ratings

We compared verified Audicus customer reviews to see what the customer experience is like. Audicus has been awarded an A+ rating by the BBB and a customer rating of 3.14 stars out of 5. Between 2018 and 2021, there were only five Audicus hearing aids complaints. Complaints and negative reviews mostly relate to issues with hearing aid repairs, refunds, and solicitations from the company.

“I have been very happy with my Audicus hearing aids so far. The test is easy to take online and the support is always fast and friendly. The sound is better than my last two sets of hearing aids, which I was surprised by since I saved over $2000.”

— BOBBY Z., VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM 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 L., VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM BBB.ORG)

You can purchase Audicus hearing aids online using the results of a previous hearing test, or you can use the company’s free online hearing test.

Audicus spent two years working closely with neuroscientists on the development of their online test. To improve accuracy, the Audicus hearing test uses industry-standard fitting algorithms as well as sophisticated error-detection algorithms. Audicus checks each ear twice at five frequencies. The test begins with a short questionnaire that will help the hearing specialists optimize the fit of each hearing aid.

The test takes approximately five minutes, and results are immediately available. You will also receive a copy via email. To take the test, you will need to enter your email address and telephone number, which the company can use to promote its products.

Some audiologists caution against online hearing tests. Ellen Lafargue, a doctor of audiology and the director and audiologist at the Center for Hearing and Communication in New York City, says that most online tests “will give an approximation of the hearing levels” but that these results are “not exact, like an in-person hearing test is because it is not a controlled environment and the test equipment is not calibrated to standards of clinical equipment.”

You can start a monthly subscription for certain Audicus hearing aids or cancel your membership at any time. Note that if you subscribe to the Audicus Premier membership program, you will lease your hearing aids instead of owning them.

What’s included in the Audicus Premier membership?

• Unlimited technical support, including hearing aid adjustments and reprogramming
• Access to a members-only customer support phone line
• Domes and earwax protectors at no extra cost
• Coverage against damage or loss, with no deductible
• An unlimited warranty
• A free upgrade every 18 months to the most current model
• Free cleanings and free cleaning supplies
• Low monthly payments, starting at $99/month

Is the Audicus Premier membership worth it?

The Audicus Premier membership program is a solution for people who want ongoing support and care for their hearing aids. Note that the Audicus Premier membership program does require a one-time $249 startup fee, in addition to the monthly charges. The coverage for damaged or lost hearing aids, the unlimited warranty, the supply of batteries and domes, and the free upgrade to the most current model every 18 months might entice some users.

Our team reviewed the latest research on hearing loss and hearing aid technology, interviewed experts in the field, combed through customer reviews on third-party websites, and conducted a survey of more than 600 hearing aid users to determine the top brands.

After narrowing down our selections, we consulted with an audiologist who medically reviewed each brand and model. We determined our top picks based on the following criteria:

• Special features
• User experience
• Cost
• Customer service
• Reputation and credibility

Online shopping has become more common for many products, including hearing aids. Audicus is trying to make online hearing aid shopping as easy, if not easier, than in-person purchasing. As long as the user is somewhat familiar with the technology involved, or can have someone on hand to help them through the process, we found that Audicus offers a customer-focused buying experience, from the highly technical hearing test to the remote adjustment capabilities.

The Audicus Premier membership program is for people who are looking for an all-inclusive hearing aid experience for their rechargeable Series 2 models. It includes a free upgrade of your hearing aids every 18 months.

Some of the drawbacks to Audicus include the company’s two-year standard warranty. This is shorter than the three-year warranty offered by some other hearing aid companies, and it may not be sufficient if you tend to wear out personal electronics quickly. To get the same level of coverage as some other companies offer, you will need to upgrade your protection plan or join the Audicus Premier membership plan which offers an unlimited warranty. The customer service is also not available 24/7. You can reach the Audicus support center by phone from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. ET, seven days a week. Emailing help@audicus.com is your best option if you require assistance outside of these hours.

The company offers a wide range of models with a variety of features and pricing options, giving you a good chance of finding an affordable hearing aid to meet your needs. In addition, you can try Audicus hearing aids without a long-term commitment, thanks to the monthly membership and free trial period.