Best Hearing Aids for Single-Sided Hearing Loss

Overview

Jabra Enhance sells its hearing aids in pairs only but we still think this company is worth checking out for unilateral loss. Jabra Enhance’s line of behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids offers direct streaming for calls, music, and other phone media; even if you have hearing loss in one ear only, the hearing aid in your better ear still benefits from streaming media. It means you won’t need to choose between the hearing aid you need and the convenience Bluetooth earbuds offer. Instead, Jabra Enhance delivers the best of both.

Even if you don’t plan to use direct streaming, buying a pair of Jabra Enhance hearing aids still has its advantages. The second device could be used as a backup in case your primary device breaks or the battery dies before you are able to recharge or replace it.

Pricing

Jabra Enhance hearing aids cost $995 to $1,995 per pair. That may be more than what you’d pay for budget brands like Otofonix, but considering their advanced technology and features, Jabra Enhance hearing aids are quite affordable. If you select a premium package, the purchase price also includes a three-year loss and damage protection and warranty, three years of follow-up care with the Jabra Enhance audiology team, and a free mobile app. Plus, you can try Jabra Enhance for 100 days risk-free.

The Bottom Line

Jabra Enhance’s line of hearing aids includes rechargeable and battery-powered models. They’re designed to be worn in pairs, but you could wear a single hearing aid if desired. Or you could wear both to enjoy the benefit of Bluetooth streaming from your Android smartphone or iPhone to both ears. Learn more about this direct-to-consumer brand in our 2024 Jabra Enhance hearing aid review.

Overview

MDHearing sells three BTE hearing aids and two in-the-ear (ITE) models that are available for one ear or both. We love that flexibility! And each hearing aid can be adjusted independently, which is welcome news if you have lopsided hearing loss.

For older adults who want a more customized experience, there’s the VOLT MAX. This rechargeable hearing aid is the only model that connects to the MDHearing smartphone app. The app creates a sound map of your hearing and customizes the hearing aid to match. Personalization like this helps you get the most out of your single hearing aid.

Pricing

MDHearing’s prices are transparent. The cost of a single hearing aid ranges from $499.99 to $799.99, but MDHearing runs year-round promotions that make it far cheaper to buy a complete pair, bringing prices down to $297 to $699.98 per pair. Buying a pair saves money and gives you the option of wearing two hearing aids or simply having a backup. While these hearing aids aren’t the fanciest, they’re still thousands of dollars cheaper than the top brands.

The Bottom Line

MDHearing doesn’t limit your choices if you’re in the market for a single hearing aid. Instead, you can purchase one or two of any of MDHearing’s hearing solutions. Features like noise reduction, feedback cancellation, independent volume adjustments, and the ability to choose the battery type make MDHearing a smart solution for many seniors with single-sided hearing loss. Learn more about MDHearing in this year’s MDHearing review.

Overview

Like Jabra Enhance, Eargo sells its hearing aids in pairs only. But if you have single-sided hearing loss and experience tinnitus, a pair may be just what you need. Eargo’s invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids can provide relief to older adults who experience tinnitus, even if their hearing loss is limited to one ear. Eargo hearing aids amplify other noises around you, reducing the volume of your tinnitus in the process.

The Eargo 6 and Eargo 7 models offer the most personalization options. Using the Eargo app’s Sound Match feature, you can personalize each hearing aid to meet your hearing needs. It is a great feature for seniors who have more significant hearing loss in one ear and only slight hearing loss in the other.

Pricing

Eargo delivers advanced hearing aid technology at prices that range from $1,450 to $2,950 per pair. While that may seem pricey, Eargo is still more affordable than many of the comparable in-office-only providers like Phonak or Starkey. Eargo also offers financing starting at $67 per month.

The Bottom Line

Wearing a pair of Eargo hearing aids can help you manage tinnitus, even if you have hearing loss in one ear only. You’ll also find that it’s hard to beat the discretion and comfort of completely in-canal devices like Eargo’s. Of course, if you want to buy only one hearing aid, look elsewhere. Learn more about Eargo’s offerings in our latest Eargo review.

Overview

Cost stops more than 25 percent of seniors from getting hearing aids. If you’re on a tight budget, don’t let cost stop you. Instead, turn to Otofonix. This U.S.-based company delivers the hearing aid features you need at the most affordable price on the market. The Otofonix Elite is an accessible BTE hearing aid for seniors with single-sided hearing loss. Available as a single or a pair, this battery-powered hearing aid features background noise suppression, four program modes, 10 volume levels, and easy-to-use controls.

Pricing

Otofonix hearing aids are inexpensive, which is welcome news to seniors on a budget. The Otofonix Elite costs $490 for a single hearing aid. Otofonix also sells a more bare-bones model if you’re looking for something even more affordable. The Otofonix Apex costs $248 per ear. It may not have the bells and whistles of the other brands. However, it does offer the core features at an accessible price. Otofonix also runs frequent sales that bring down the cost of their inexpensive hearing aids even more.

The Bottom Line

Older adults who want a single hearing aid at an affordable price should look no further than Otofonix. The Otonofix Elite and Apex deliver a 35dB gain, making them a good option for seniors with mild hearing loss. Head on over to our Otofonix review to learn more.

Overview

If you’re concerned about how wearing just one hearing aid would look, you might want to consider Phonak’s Lyric. Lyric is a 100 percent IIC hearing aid that you wear 24/7. Unlike other hearing aids on the market, Lyric is inserted into your ear by a hearing professional. It stays in your ear for months consecutively, even as you sleep, shower, or wear headphones. You don’t need to recharge or change the batteries either; instead, you’ll visit your audiologist before the battery dies to get a new Lyric device inserted.

Your hearing professional will program Lyric to match your hearing loss. Even if your hearing loss is concentrated in one ear, wearing Lyric provides benefits like sound localization and reduced feedback4.

Pricing

Phonak Lyric is available only on a subscription basis through an audiologist or hearing specialist. A subscription lasts for one year, covering all replacement devices and services. How much you’ll pay for Lyric, or any Phonak device, varies by location. Expect to pay more than you would for direct-to-consumer brands like MDHearing or Eargo.

The Bottom Line

Lyric delivers natural sound while letting you use headphones, wear glasses, and wear helmets. While Lyric is safe for wearing in the shower, it’s not meant to be submerged in water. So, if you enjoy swimming, you’ll want to consider a different hearing device. Read our Phonak hearing aid review to see which other models this provider offers.

Overview

Signia, one of the world’s largest hearing aid brands, offers many hearing solutions for adults with single-sided hearing loss, including CROS (contralateral routing of signals) accessories. A CROS device is best for those with unaidable hearing loss in one ear and normal or near-normal hearing in the other. Signia’s CROS devices include BTE and ITE models.

If you’re after discretion and comfort, turn to Signia’s CROS Silk X. It’s advertised as the only ready-to-wear ITE CROS device. This discreet device features soft-silicone click sleeves for an instant and secure fit. There’s no need to wait weeks for custom-fit devices. CROS Silk X is compatible with Signia’s invisible Silk X CIC hearing aid.

Pricing

Signia doesn’t advertise its prices online. Visit an audiologist or local hearing aid specialist to learn about the cost of the Signia device that best meets your needs.

The Bottom Line

Signia’s CROS Silk X accessory and Silk X hearing aid offer comfort and flexibility to seniors with unaidable unilateral hearing loss or single-sided deafness. The device sits in the ear canal, so you can use your phone as you normally would and wear over-ear headphones. You can even control Silk X with the Signia app. To see what else Signia offers, read our latest Signia review.