Audien Hearing Aids Review and Pricing

Audien Hearing Aids Pricing and Features

The Buying Process

Buying Audien hearing aids is pretty straightforward. Since Audien sells directly to consumers online, I didn’t need a hearing test or prescription to purchase their devices. I shopped directly on the Audien website, but Audien’s hearing aids are also available for sale on Amazon and on QVC.

To shop on the Audien website, I followed these steps:

1. Visit audienhearing.com.
2. Select “Hearing Aids” at the top of the website.
3. Click “Add to Cart” beneath the hearing model that you’d like to purchase.
4. Click “Checkout” to begin filling in your delivery and payment information.

I didn’t need to take a hearing test or answer any questions about my hearing loss before purchasing. In contrast, many of the top OTC hearing aids we’ve tested provide a free and fast online hearing test you can use, independent of purchasing their product.

It took less than five minutes to complete the order from start to finish. While the process is simple, keep in mind that hearing tests are designed to help you find the best solution for your hearing loss.

Without a hearing test or medical evaluation, you may choose a device that’s not the best fit for your needs. In fact, studies show that seniors tend to underestimate their own hearing loss.1 Choosing a device that isn’t suitable for your specific level of hearing loss can be a frustrating, negative experience.

Helpful Website Features

While on Audien’s website, I checked out the other resources they provide to make purchasing, tracking, and setting up your hearing aids as stress-free as possible.

• Track order status: Audien hosts an order tracker page on its website. Simply put in the email address you used when making a purchase to get tracking updates. I liked how easy this feature was to use. It’s a lot simpler than locating an order number in an email.
• Customer support: Audien is available via phone call, live chat on the website, and email to answer your questions. I tried out the live chat feature, which ended up just being a chatbot. However, the chatbot can provide information on setting up your hearing aids, maintenance, troubleshooting, and returns.
• Tutorial videos: Each hearing aid model has its own tutorial video. The video walks you through how to properly set up and wear your Audien hearing aids.

Unboxing and Setup

Audien sent me their Atom ONE, Atom X, and ION Pro 2 hearing aid models to test. All three came in a sleek white box filled with everything you need to care for and charge the hearing aids. My mom and I gave both pairs a test run to see how well they fit, as well as their ability to improve our hearing.

What’s Inside the Box?

Everything that came with the Audien ION Pro 2 hearing aids.

Everything that came with the Audien Atom ONE hearing aids

Everything that came with the Audien X hearing aids.

Hearing Aid Setup

Don’t let the common myth that “hearing aids are difficult to use” stop you from giving hearing aids a try.3 With the Atom ONE, Atom X, and ION Pro 2 hearing aids, there isn’t much setup at all.

After unboxing, I charged the Atom ONE and Atom X hearing aids first.

Atom ONE

The Atom ONE is about as basic as rechargeable hearing aids can be. Once charged, I could manually adjust volume and frequency on the devices (a little bit difficult if you have fat thumbs like me) and then put them in.

Super easy, but not the best if you want customizations or struggle with adjusting tiny dials. Adjusting the volume is simple in theory, but it might be a struggle for those with arthritis or dexterity problems. If that’s you, consider asking a friend or family member to help you set the volume. Once you have it adjusted to where you need it, you shouldn’t need to change it often.

» Learn About: Best Invisible Hearing Aids

Atom X

The Atom X is a big step up in tech. The biggest advantage to the Atom X is that you don’t need a smartphone, but you can still make adjustments like you would in the Audien mobile app. The touchscreen case on the Atom X features easy-to-read options to adjust the volume of your left-ear and right-ear device individually.

The touchscreen also let us check the battery level of the hearing aids while they charged, set up a bluetooth connection for streaming, and select one of several preset environmental listening settings like TV, Crowd, Conversation, and Comfort.

In the past, Audien didn’t offer this customization. While the Atom X still doesn’t provide the kind of adjustments and personalization you’d get with costlier hearing aids, it’s still a good fit for seniors who are willing to pay about $300 more than the Atom ONE to get more features.

» Related Reading: Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids

ION Pro 2

The ION Pro 2 isn’t quite as simple to set up as the Atom ONE or Atom X, but it’s by no means complicated. You will need a smartphone to connect the devices and set them up through the app. If you don’t have a smartphone or don’t like using one, the Atom X or Atom ONE are better options.

Once in the app, I followed the step-by-step instructions to set up and test each hearing aid. First, I made sure that the devices were connected to the app via Bluetooth. Then, I put in the hearing aids and chose my preferred settings for sound mode and volume. The whole thing took about five minutes (not including the time to charge the devices, which was about three hours).

Next, I looked through the different silicone tip sizes and opted for the smallest ones because my ears are on the small side.

» Also Check Out: Best Hearing Aids for Tinnitus

Testing the Hearing Aids

Atom ONE

Sarah’s mom is wearing the Atom ONE hearing aids.

You can hardly see them!

After I had the silicone tips secured, it was time to test out the Atom One hearing aids. I found the Atom ONE hearing aids to be more comfortable than the Atom X devices.

They went into my ears easier, stayed in place better, and had a shape that fit my smaller ears better. I have sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss caused by faulty sensory nerves), and while these differ drastically from my custom hearing aids, they still gave my hearing a boost.

One thing worth noting is that the Atom ONE hearing aids turn on as soon as you remove them from the charging case. If you hold them in a certain way, they make a high-pitched whining sound. You need to be careful with how you handle them to avoid making the sound while inserting them into your ear.

» Learn More: How to Put in Hearing Aids

Atom X

Sarah’s mom wearing the Audien Atom hearing aids.

Compared to the Atom ONE hearing aids, the Atom model is bulkier and a little heavier. This pair doesn’t fit as well if you have smaller ears.

Since studies indicate that most men have smaller ears than most women, these may not work for you if you’re genetically male. Plus, these hearing aids stick out a little further than the Atom ONE.

The Atom X does improve on sound amplification and customization. Since you can choose multiple sound environment presets and adjust each hearing aid from the touchscreen on the charging case, testing Atom X felt way more user-friendly than the Atom ONE.

Another feature I liked better about the Atom X hearing aids was the ability to turn them on or off via the touchscreen. Unlike the Atom ONE, the Atom X hearing aids can be put in before being turned on. That means there’s no chance of triggering the high-pitched whining noise. This also enables you to preserve battery life.

ION Pro 2

Compared to the Atom X and Atom ONE, the ION Pro 2 felt like a noticeable step up in sound quality. Voices came through fuller and more natural, and the sound was less “tinny” than Audien’s smaller in-ear models.

That made conversations easier to follow and gave streamed audio a cleaner sound. The BTE design also helped the ION Pro 2 feel more stable during longer wear, and the app made it easier to fine-tune volume and switch between listening modes. I like the Atom X’s touchscreen charging case, but if you prefer changing settings on your smartphone, the ION Pro 2 is the way to go.

The ION Pro 2 uses the A2 Max chip, dual directional microphones, and six hearing modes to deliver clearer sound in different environments, and I could tell. Whether I was out for a walk or having a quiet conversation at home, everything sounded more natural and with virtually no feedback. This made the model feel more refined and capable than the Atom X, and far better than the comparably simple Atom ONE.

One feature that doesn’t get talked about a lot is the charging case’s UV cleaning. The case actively cleans your hearing aids using UV light. While I couldn’t tell a huge difference after using the cleaning feature, it’s a good feature for seniors who may struggle with cleaning tiny devices.

Audien Hearing Aid Lineup

Audien Atom ONE: Best Budget Option

Cost

The Audien Atoms cost $98 per pair, making them a fraction of the cost of other budget hearing aids we’ve reviewed. Otofonix, for example, starts at around $500 per pair.

Equipment and features

The Audien Atom ONE is an ITE hearing aid that’s 22 percent smaller than its predecessor, the EV1. It uses Audien’s new Atom sound technology to deliver better amplification for wearers. These rechargeable hearing aids also feature a 24-hour battery life and portable charging case to keep them powered up on the go.

Audien Atom X: Best for On-the-Go Seniors

Cost

The Atom X ITE hearing aids cost $389 per pair. Even at this price point, they’re far cheaper than many other direct-to-consumer brands. Given the rechargeable case with touchscreen controls and Bluetooth connectivity, they’re a good deal for what you get.

Equipment and features

This model provides crisp, clear sound and enhanced feedback cancellation, so there’s less wind noise and whistling.

My favorite part about their design is the portable touchscreen charging case. In addition to letting you adjust settings right from the case, the charging case holds up to two days worth of charge, so you can easily keep your hearing aids charged during a weekend getaway or camping trip without needing to plug in the case.This is similar to other OTC providers we’ve tested, including MDHearing, which offers charging cases that hold three full charges. To learn more, visit our MDHearing review.

You also get the UV cleaning feature which is a nice bonus, even if it can’t completely replace manual cleanings.

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Audien ION Pro 2: Best for Customization and Sound Quality

Cost

The Atom ION Pro 2 hearing aids are more expensive than Audien’s cheapest offering, but they’re still a bargain at $689 per pair. These hearing aids provide sharp, clear sound and added features you won’t get with Audien’s earlier Atom models.

Equipment and features

The A2 Max chip gives the ION Pro 2 hearing aids clearer sound quality and less background noise and feedback than the earlier Atom hearing aids. They also come loaded with four adaptable hearing modes and volume control via the mobile app. They also come with a UV cleaning light and a sleek 72-hour charging case.

While Audien also offers the Atom 2 and Atom Pro 2 hearing aids, the company does not consider these devices part of their signature lineup. You can still acquire the Atom 2 ($180 per pair ) and Atom Pro 2 ($289 per pair), but only if you know where to look on the website or you contact Audien by phone.

Accessories

You can enhance your hearing aids with Audien’s lineup of accessories.

Protection Plan

Accidents happen. Hearing aids can get lost. That’s why Audien offers customers a subscription-based protection plan to cover defective, lost, broken, or water-damaged hearing aids.4 The protection plan costs $49 for a one-year protection plan.

If Audien determines that your hearing aids are defective, you will get a free replacement pair.

Audien’s protection plan only allows for three hearing aid replacements per year per protection plan. We’d say this protection plan is affordable and offers great value, especially if you’re prone to misplacing things.

Expert Insights

From Audiologist Dr. Ruth Reisman,

I would recommend getting the protection plan since the hearing aids tend to break down easily, particularly the in-ear models.

Are Audien Hearing Aids Legit?

Yes, Audien is a legitimate OTC hearing aid seller. The company is currently BBB accredited and holds an A+ BBB rating. Audien’s hearing devices have also been registered with the FDA.4

That said, just because a brand is “legitimate” doesn’t mean it’s the best. Audien also has visible complaint history through the Better Business Bureau and some independent reviewers have found that their devices still lag behind stronger OTC competitors in speech clarity, especially in noisy environments.

In short: the bigger question is not whether or not Audien is real (it is), but whether Audien’s low-cost approach is the right fit for your hearing needs.

Comparing Audien to the Competition

Here’s how Audien stacks up against some other OTC hearing aid brands:

Audien and MDHearing are solid options if you want a basic, affordable hearing aid without frills. For those who want more advanced hearing aids and ongoing audiological support, Jabra Enhance may be a better option. Read our full Jabra Enhance review to learn more.

If you’re looking for an OTC provider that specializes in discreet, in-ear hearing aids and you have wiggle room in your budget, Eargo is an excellent choice. Check out our Eargo review for all the details.

Final Thoughts on Audien

Overall, Audien fills a necessary spot in the hearing aid market. They sell affordable devices that are easy to use and (mostly) comfortable to wear. Reviewers on their Amazon pages and website seem to love the hearing boost that Audien hearing aids provide and how they make holding conversations and watching TV more enjoyable. In my hands-on review, I found that setup is easy, too. There’s no hearing exam to take. No matter your comfort level with technology, you’ll have no trouble getting started with Audien.

Just keep in mind that Audien’s devices are only suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss, and their most affordable models are quite basic. If you experience profound or severe hearing loss or hearing loss only at certain pitches, these devices may not work as well for you. However, these devices are a great choice if you’re on a limited budget or simply want to give hearing aids a try.