Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss, Researched and Tested by Audiologists
After ample research and testing, our hearing aid experts named Phonak Naída, Oticon Xceed, and ReSound ENZO the best hearing aids for severe hearing loss in 2024.
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- Behind-the-ear hearing aid for severe to profound hearing loss
- Mobile app for remote adjustments
- Unique Features: Reduces listening effort by up to 24 percent
- Behind-the-ear hearing aid for severe to profound hearing loss
- Mobile app for remote adjustments
- Unique Features: BrainHearing technology reduces hearing effort
- Behind-the-ear hearing aid for severe to profound hearing loss
- Mobile app for remote adjustments
- Unique Features: Offers support for tinnitus
- Wellness and medical alert features
- Activity tracking
- Equipped with AI technology
- Long-lasting rechargeable batteries
- Enhanced speech understanding
- Advanced mobile app
- Advanced tinnitus therapy
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Direct streaming for iPhone and Android
Our team of audiologists and tech experts tested the industry’s leading hearing aids to find the best models for severe hearing loss.
Our team of audiologists and tech experts tested the industry’s leading hearing aids to find the best models for severe hearing loss.
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Key Takeaways
- Phonak Naída is our top pick, because it offers the latest tech to improve conversations and the overall listening experience for seniors with severe hearing loss.
- There is a wide range of hearing aid providers that serve patients with severe hearing loss, but most hearing aid models for severe hearing loss are behind-the-ear (BTE) models that require a prescription.
- Roughly 4.2 percent of adults ages 71 or older have severe hearing loss. 1
For many people with severe hearing loss, wearing power or super-power hearing aids can help enhance their quality of life and ability to interact with the world around them.
Our expert tech team and audiologist Dr. Ruth Reisman reviewed and tested the best hearing aids for severe hearing loss. Using their firsthand experience and research, we’ve compiled a list of the best hearing aids for severe hearing loss.
We evaluated each hearing aid for important criteria like features, user-friendliness, mobile apps, Bluetooth connectivity, and more. Ultimately, Phonak’s Naída hearing aid won our top spot for people with severe hearing loss, thanks to its enhanced speech-recognition technology, Bluetooth connectivity, and ability to match sound input for both ears.
Below, we’ll look at the best power and super-power hearing aids on the market, plus common features to look for in devices for severe hearing loss.
All of the hearing aids on our list have been tested and prescribed by our resident audiologist, Dr. Ruth Reisman, including Starkey Genesis hearing aids.
Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss
We spent over 100 hours researching and testing the best hearing aids on the market. Our tech experts worked directly with our resident audiologist, Dr. Ruth Reisman, who provided her first-hand experience choosing the best hearing aids for severe hearing loss. During our consultations with Dr. Reisman, we focused on the following criteria:
- Features: When you have mild or moderate hearing loss, you may not need a lot of extra features. However, when hearing loss becomes severe or profound, being able to do things like manage tinnitus, get medical alerts, or have MFi compatibility can be a huge help. Our tech team consulted Dr. Reisman to find hearing aid models that offer a plethora of features to increase quality of life and comfort for patients.
- User-friendliness: Hearing aids are only useful if you’ll actually wear them. That’s why it’s important that they’re easy to use. Dr. Reisman works with patients every day and helps them set up their hearing aids, so she’s acutely aware of common pain points. She helped us identify the providers and models that offer the most user-friendly experience.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Bluetooth connectivity makes it possible to connect hearing aids to smartphones, TVs, computers, and other Bluetooth-ready devices. That makes it easier to hear music, watch movies, or listen to a phone call with greater clarity. Direct Bluetooth streaming can greatly increase sound quality compared to traditional sound amplification, making it far easier for seniors with severe hearing loss to enjoy a wide range of media.
- Mobile app compatibility: A mobile app can help you manage volume settings on the go, contact customer support, and even manage tinnitus — all from your smartphone. Since a majority of seniors now use smartphones and Dr. Reisman frequently helps her patients set up mobile apps for their hearing aids, mobile app compatibility is an important factor to consider.
- Remote care: Some providers offer remote care for the first year or two after you purchase hearing aids, while others allow you to get remote help from an audiologist for life. Either way, remote care can be extremely beneficial to seniors as their hearing needs change over time.
- Brand reputation: We consider the trustworthiness and reputation of each brand. Every brand included on this list has Dr. Reisman’s seal of approval.
Why Trust Us
Our team of tech experts tries the latest gadgets for seniors each year. We’ve logged hundreds of hours testing and reviewing hearing aids from dozens of providers.
For prescription hearing aids — like those needed for severe hearing loss — we work with our resident audiologists. Dr. Reisman has personally tested and prescribed hearing aids from providers on this list for more than 15 years. She worked alongside us to choose the best options for severe hearing loss and offered her feedback on specific providers and models.
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1. Phonak Naida - Most reliable
What we like most
- Behind-the-ear hearing aid for severe to profound hearing loss
- Mobile app for remote adjustments
- Unique Features: Reduces listening effort by up to 24 percent
Phonak NaidaOverview:Style: BTE
Battery type: Rechargeable or disposable battery
Feature highlights:
- High water and dust resistance
- Adaptive speech recognition
- Bluetooth connectivity
Phonak has spent over 70 years researching, developing, and distributing cutting-edge hearing aids. The Phonak Naída Link Marvel caters to seniors with severe to profound hearing loss. Not only does it provide ample power, but it’s reliable and effective, too. In testing, this device reduced listening effort by 24 percent and improved memory recall by 10 percent.2 Additionally, it features an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. If you spend a lot of time by the water, that added level of protection is invaluable. However, all of these benefits come at a cost, and while prices can vary by provider, Phonak Naída hearing aids tend to be more expensive than similar behind-the-ear (BTE) models from providers like Widex.
» Our Pricing Guide: Phonak hearing aids cost and pricing
We love the Phonak Naída’s Bluetooth connectivity and the Roger microphone. You can effortlessly connect your hearing aids to iOS, Android, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices to enjoy hands-free calling and audio streaming. Some of Phonak’s power hearing aids (including the Link Marvel) can also pair with hearing implants. The Roger microphone accessory streams directly to your hearing aids, too. It can help you understand speech better in noisy environments.
» Our Full Review: Phonak Hearing Aid Review
Pros & Cons:Pros About Phonak Naida
- Directional microphones for enhanced speech recognition
- Binaural Voicestream Technology helps match sound input for both ears
- Connects to Bluetooth devices Connects to Bluetooth devices and reduces listening effort
- Reduces listening effort
- myPhonak app with remote control function
- IP68 rated for dust and water resistance
- Discreet, with nine colors available
Cons About Phonak Naida
- More expensive than other brands
- Can’t be purchased online
- Only a one-year international warranty
Our Hands-on Experience:Our Experience With Phonak Naída
The Phonak Naída product line offers powerful hearing aids with top-level technology and features. Since severe hearing loss can make it difficult to distinguish speech in noisy environments, we really like that the Phonak Naída Link Marvel — as well as the Naída L-SP, L-PR, and L-UP — feature directional microphones that can separate speech from background noise. Phonak’s Binaural Voicestream Technology also allows each hearing aid to exchange information for better volume synchronization and more accurate settings adjustments.
Expert InsightsFrom Audiologist Dr. Ruth Reisman,The Phonak Naída is the primary choice for most patients due to its updated technology and long history of serving as a highly reliable device for this population. Phonak hearing aids include Bluetooth, hands-free calls, and Roger compatibility for supporting seamless communication in all environments. Those features can significantly improve quality of life for individuals with severe hearing loss.Similar to the Starkey Livio AI, Phonak Naída hearing aids let you control settings right from your smartphone via the myPhonak app. When combined with advanced speech recognition, these features make Phonak Naída some of the most reliable hearing aids for clear, consistent sound quality. Just remember that Phonak doesn’t advertise pricing online, so you’ll need to visit a provider and find out if Phonak Naída hearing aids fall within your budget. While buying Phonak hearing aids may not be as convenient as OTC hearing aids online, visiting a hearing care professional is a best practice for managing severe hearing loss anyway.
Dr. Reisman uses Verifit equipment to test Phonak hearing aids and ensure the best experience for her patients.
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2. Oticon Xceed - Best for iPhone users
What we like most
- Behind-the-ear hearing aid for severe to profound hearing loss
- Mobile app for remote adjustments
- Unique Features: BrainHearing technology reduces hearing effort
Oticon XceedOverview:Style: BTE
Battery type: Disposable
Feature highlights:
- Minimizes whistling and feedback
- OpenSound, 360-degree speech recognition
- Bluetooth connectivity
Oticon claims to have created the world’s most powerful hearing aid. The Oticon Xceed supports those with severe to profound hearing loss who want to follow conversations, enjoy media, and remain aware of their surroundings. Instead of focusing on the noises right in front of you, Xceed provides an OpenSound experience with whistling prevention. This means no more unwanted feedback. You can hear people talking from all directions, and the hearing aids differentiate speech from noise. Dr. Reisman recommends Oticon’s power hearing aids for the “benefit of supporting brain hearing and signal processing with artificial intelligence.”
Did You Know? Hearing aid whistling or “feedback” can occur for a variety of reasons — from a poor fit to too much earwax.3
The Oticon Xceed is also a Made for iPhone hearing aid. You can stream music, TV shows, audiobooks, and other media from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch directly to your hearing aids. You can easily switch between the Apple devices your hearing aids are connected to. Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing aids also work with Apple Hearing Controls. You can adjust the hearing aid volume and change settings from your lock screen. If you’re already familiar with the sound controls on an iPhone or similar Apple devices, this is a huge plus. The only downside is that, like Phonak Naída, Oticon Xceed hearing aids can be pretty expensive.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Oticon Xceed
- MFi devices with IFTTT integration
- BrainHearing technology for reduced listening effort
- OpenSound experience for improved multidirectional hearing
- Whistling and static cancellation
- Three-year warranty
- Accessory to connect hearing aids to a landline
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons About Oticon Xceed
- Can be pricey depending on the model
- Lacks Oticon’s Clear Dynamics feature for expanded input range
Our Hands-on Experience:Our Experience With Oticon Xceed
The Oticon Xceed SP and UP models feature BrainHearing technology, an OpenSound experience, and whistle and static prevention to deliver better hearing in any environment. These features put it right up there with the Phonak Naída Link Marvel for enhanced sound quality, while also providing high-level signal processing so that your brain doesn’t need to work as hard to interpret sounds coming through your hearing aids. Their MFi capabilities allow you to connect your hearing aids to any Apple device and have an easier time hearing — not just conversations, but music, movies, and more. Despite being a BTE hearing aid, the Oticon Xceed is pretty discreet, though not quite as discreet as the ReSound ENZO Q.
FYI: When you buy hearing aids from an audiologist’s office or hearing aid center, your purchase typically includes follow-up care like hearing tests, fittings, and in-office or remote adjustments.
Of course, all of this great tech doesn’t come cheap. Like Phonak, Oticon doesn’t publish pricing information online, so you’ll need to visit a hearing care provider for more information. However, audiologist Dr. Brad Ingrao, one of our resident audiologists, notes that two of Oticon’s proprietary features — BrainHearing and OpenSound — are perfect for those who want to expend less energy trying to listen and experience a full range of sounds in busy environments. It’s important to note that the Xceed uses disposable batteries, which means you won’t have the convenience of recharging your hearing aids like you can with ReSound ENZO Q or Signia Motion Charge&Go X.
» Our Full Review: Oticon Hearing Aid Review
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3. ReSound Enzo - Best remote care
What we like most
- Behind-the-ear hearing aid for severe to profound hearing loss
- Mobile app for remote adjustments
- Unique Features: Offers support for tinnitus
ReSound EnzoOverview:Style: BTE
Battery type: Rechargeable
Feature highlights:
- User-friendly mobile app for remote adjustments
- Compatible with cochlear implants
- Bluetooth connectivity
ReSound Enzo Q
The ENZO Q line is ReSound’s innovative hearing solution for older adults with severe to profound hearing loss. Much like the Starkey Genesis, this powerful BTE hearing aid delivers high-quality sound, comfort, and direct streaming.
» Related Reading: Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids of 2024
Wearers can connect the device to their phone for Bluetooth streaming and even connect to certain hearing implants. In fact, Dr. Reisman praises ReSound for offering some of the most expansive connectivity options of any prescription hearing aid provider. This is ideal for older adults who want to connect their hearing devices directly to TVs, smartphones, tablets, or even other hearing amplifiers for even better sound quality.
» Our Full Review: ReSound hearing aid reviews from an audiologist
Pros & Cons:Pros About ReSound Enzo
- Real-time remote support via Resound Assist
- For severe to profound hearing loss (plus tinnitus support)
- Direct streaming capabilities and telecoil
- Complements cochlear implants and BAHA devices
- Remote microphones available
- High-power and superpower styles available
Cons About ReSound Enzo
- More expensive than OTC brands
- Battery charge only lasts for about a day
- Requires in-office fitting
Our Hands-on Experience:Our Experience With ReSound ENZO Q
ReSound offers the technology and remote care that older adults with severe hearing loss need. It includes a range of add-on hearing aid accessories that help you hear conversation partners, phone calls, and your television more clearly, including the Micro Mic and Multi Mic. These make it even easier to have sounds transmitted directly to your ReSound ENZO Q hearing aids. Like Phonak or Oticon, you’ll need to visit a hearing care specialist to learn about ReSound accessories and hearing aid pricing. It’s also important to note that the ReSound ENZO Q doesn’t have the best rechargeable battery on this list. One charge will last for up to 30 hours (as long as you’re not streaming), which is about half as long as the battery life of the Signia Motion Charge&Go X.
» Compare Providers: ReSound vs. Oticon
Your ReSound hearing aid purchase includes access to ReSound’s third-generation telehealth platform, which offers remote care. This is one of the biggest advantages of choosing Resound ENZO Q. There is no need to venture outside your home for assistance. Instead, you can use the Resound Assist feature to talk directly to your hearing care professional. Then, you can download any adjustments directly to your hearing aid using wireless technology. Whether you’re at home, at work, or on vacation, ReSound keeps hearing care within reach.
Dr. Reisman can make adjustments to ReSound hearing aids to best suit her patient's needs
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4. Starkey Livio AI - Best medical alert features
What we like most
- Wellness and medical alert features
- Activity tracking
- Equipped with AI technology
Starkey Livio AIOverview:Style: BTE and ITE (in-the-ear)
Battery type: Rechargeable
Feature highlights:
- Fall detection and activity monitoring
- Voice-to-text transcription
- Bluetooth connectivity
Testing out Starkey Genesis hearing aids
In 2018, Starkey invented the world’s first Healthable hearing aid. Today, the Starkey Livio AI and Genesis hearing aids continue to provide older adults, even those with severe hearing loss, with a combination of hearing aids, physical wellness, and medical alert features. The hearing aids work with a smartphone app and can even detect falls. Plus, they can send an alert message to your selected contacts. Hearing and balance are closely related, so this feature is invaluable, especially since seniors already face an increased fall risk.
» You Might Like: Best Medical Alert Systems With Fall Detection for Seniors
Other apps and hearing aid features include heart rate measurement, mask mode, activity tracking, hearing aid usage tracking, medication and task reminders, conversation transcription, and TeleHear. With TeleHear, you can request remote adjustments to your hearing aids using the video chat function in the Starkey app. This is a great solution for older adults who have difficulty leaving the house.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Starkey Livio AI
- Equipped with fall-detection and activity-tracking technology
- Natural sound quality
- Mask mode
- Voice-to-text transcription
- Available in four styles
- 30-day risk-free trial
Cons About Starkey Livio AI
- Not ideal for seniors who just want a simple hearing device
- Bluetooth streaming and AI features can drain battery life
Our Hands-on Experience:Our Experience With Starkey Genesis
The Starkey Livio AI and Genesis models help monitor your physical well-being, detect falls, and complete helpful tasks like transcribing conversations. Even if things like step tracking aren’t that important to you, Starkey Livio AI can measure active listening and social engagement. With these tools, you and your audiologist can develop a treatment plan that could improve your listening skills and potentially reduce cognitive decline.3
» Provider Overview: Starkey Hearing Aids
Your Starkey hearing professional can recommend which style suits your needs best and share Starkey pricing information. Like Signia and ReSound, Starkey won’t give you any prices upfront, so you’ll need to speak with an audiologist to learn more. However, Starkey is one of the most expensive brands on the market.
» Our Full Review: Starkey Hearing Aids: Reviewed and Tested by an Audiologist
Dr. Reisman is a fan of Starkey’s Genesis model for severe hearing loss, which she calls “the Rolls-Royce of hearing aids.” She goes on to say, “In addition to superior sound quality, the health features on the device are not available in any other hearing device. The future of Starkey’s falls prevention feature will assist in balance rehabilitation for individuals with peripheral vestibular disorders … Patients notice an immediate improvement in sound quality when trying these devices, including patients wearing devices from other manufacturers.”
Dr. Ruth Reisman wearing Starkey Genesis hearing aids
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5. Signia Motion Charge & Go X - Best rechargeable battery life
What we like most
- Long-lasting rechargeable batteries
- Enhanced speech understanding
- Advanced mobile app
Signia Motion Charge & Go XOverview:Style: BTE
Battery type: Rechargeable
Feature highlights:
- AI personal assistant
- Up to 61 hours on a single charge
- Bluetooth connectivity
Signia’s Motion Charge&Go X BTE hearing aid line includes two options for severe hearing loss: the Motion Charge&Go P X and Motion Charge&Go SP X. Both models include an AI personal assistant and easy, on-the-go charging.
FYI: Signia also offers the smaller, more discreet Signia Motion Charge&Go X, but this model is not suited for seniors with severe hearing loss like the power and super-power models.
Signia’s power and super-power hearing aids are both rechargeable, lasting up to 61 hours on a single charge. That’s great news if you forget to charge your devices every night. This also makes the Signia Motion X models the best on our list for battery life, far outpacing Widex Moment and Starkey Livio AI. The Motion X line also includes acoustic motion sensors, so the devices constantly adapt as you move (and as others move), ensuring you don’t miss a sound.
» You Might Like: Best Hearing Aids for Alzheimer’s Patients
Pros & Cons:Pros About Signia Motion Charge & Go X
- Up to 61 hours of use on a single charge
- Bluetooth streaming
- Automatic situation detection
- Enhanced speech understanding
- Advanced Signia myControl app for remote control
- Telecoil functionality
Cons About Signia Motion Charge & Go X
- Requires an in-person consultation for pricing information
- Cannot be purchased online
Our Hands-on Experience:Our Experience With Signia Motion Charge&Go X
The Signia Motion Charge&GO P X and SP X devices are solid choices if you require a hearing solution for severe to profound hearing loss. Wearers enjoy enhanced speech understanding, telecoil functionality, and Bluetooth streaming for a better listening experience no matter what you’re doing. Unfortunately, like every other provider on this list, Signia’s pricing isn’t available online. Instead, you’ll need to visit an audiologist or hearing center to inquire about pricing or the right model for your level of hearing loss.
Expert InsightsFrom Audiologist Dr. Ruth Reisman,If you're looking for a power hearing aid with the longest-lasting rechargeable battery, look no further than the Signia Motion.Like the Widex Moment, the Signia Motion X power and super-power models are great options for seniors with tinnitus. According to Dr. Reisman, Signia hearing aids include a variety of tinnitus therapies, including static noise and ocean wave signals. The provider’s signature Notch Therapy is designed to make tinnitus symptoms less noticeable in quiet environments as well. Despite all these features, the Widex Moment still offers more tinnitus support thanks to the Widex Zen app.
» Our Full Review: Signia Hearing Aid Reviews
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6. Widex Moment (BTE) - Best for tinnitus relief
What we like most
- Advanced tinnitus therapy
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Direct streaming for iPhone and Android
Widex Moment (BTE)Overview:Style: BTE
Battery type: Rechargeable
Feature highlights:
- Zen app for tinnitus management and remote adjustments
- ZeroDelay technology prioritizes speech and music
- Bluetooth connectivity
Testing out Widex Moment hearing aids
The Widex Moment BTE line, when paired with the Widex Zen app, can help older adults manage severe hearing loss and tinnitus. Widex Zen uses comforting sounds and music to relax you and prevent tinnitus flare-ups.
» Compare Providers: Widex vs. Starkey
Within the Zen app, you can set up a timer for the tinnitus masker and adjust your hearing aids individually, which is also a great feature for those with one-sided hearing loss. The Widex Zen app works with all Widex hearing aid models.
» Also Check Out: Best Hearing Aids for Single-Sided Hearing Loss
Pros & Cons:Pros About Widex Moment (BTE)
- Dozens of tinnitus management features
- Rechargeable options available
- Experience PureSound with ZeroDelay
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Direct streaming for iOS and Android devices
- Advanced water-resistant nano-coating
Cons About Widex Moment (BTE)
- Pricey compared to OTC providers
- Not available for sale online
Summary:Our Experience With Widex Moment
Widex’s advanced hearing aids with PureSound and ZeroDelay enable seniors with severe hearing loss to hear naturally. Through the Widex Zen app and other Widex apps, wearers can manage tinnitus, stream phone audio, and adjust volume and pitch. Widex Moment hearing aids can also last for up to 37 hours on a single charge. While this isn’t nearly as long as the Signia Moment Charge&Go X, it’s longer than ReSound ENZO Q.
» Also Check Out: Best Hearing Aids for Active Lifestyles
Dr. Reisman notes that the Widex Moment Sheer, in addition to offering enhanced tinnitus relief, is a great option for musicians due to the “wide frequency response range” and “ZeroDelay technology [that] allows music and speech to be prioritized.” If Widex Moment sounds right for you, visit your audiologist or a hearing specialist. They can walk you through the different styles and review pricing information, which isn’t available online.
» Our Full Review: Widex Hearing Aid Reviews
Types of Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss
Power and Super-Power Hearing Aids
Individuals with severe or profound hearing loss can’t use just any style or type of hearing aid. Instead, they need power or super-power hearing aids. These types of hearing aids tend to come in the BTE style, with a component that sits behind your ear and another component that fills your ear. The style and larger size provide room for more powerful receivers, amplifiers, and processors.
Did You Know? Only 11 percent of American adults with hearing loss use hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Other hearing aids come in smaller styles, like the invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) style. An invisible style is too small to include the power and features that a person with severe or profound hearing loss needs.
» For Discreet Hearing Aids: The Best Invisible Hearing Aids of 2024
You can find power and super-power hearing aids in rechargeable or battery-powered styles. For example, Signia’s Motion Charge&GO SP X features a rechargeable battery, while Oticon’s Xceed relies on disposable batteries.
How Do Super-Power Hearing Aids Work?
Super-power hearing aids amplify sounds, but that’s just the start. The technology also focuses on making sounds clear and distinct so wearers can process what they’re hearing. A big part of this is transposing hard-to-hear frequencies. Visit our guide on how hearing aids work to learn more about the tech behind these devices.
Pro Tip: Need help getting started with your first hearing devices? Check out our guide on how to put in hearing aids.
It’s common for those with severe or profound hearing loss to struggle to hear low- or high-frequency sounds. No amount of amplification can improve the wearer’s ability to hear at those frequencies. That’s why power and super-power hearing aids detect sounds in those hard-to-hear frequency ranges and then transpose them to a more moderate frequency. The transposed frequency, paired with sound amplification and feedback cancellation, helps the wearer to hear clearly.
Where to Buy Power and Super-Power Hearing Aids
All of the top players in the hearing aid industry sell hearing aid solutions for severe hearing loss. However, you’ll need to visit an audiologist or hearing center for purchase and fitting. The audiologist will test your hearing, review purchase options and pricing, and make a mold of your ears. Hearing aid earmolds come in various colors, but clear or skin-tone molds offer the most discretion.
Dr. Reisman testing and customizing a pair of Widex Moment hearing aids
How Much Do Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss Cost?
Based on Dr. Reisman’s experience prescribing hearing aids to patients with severe hearing loss, she estimates that most models cost between $1,000 and $4,000 per ear. Costs can vary widely, however, based on the brand, style, and even the dispenser where you get your prescription.
Product Stats: If you’re on a tight budget and need to find a hearing aid that works for you, check out our guide to the best affordable hearing aids.
Generally, prescription hearing aids cost more than OTC hearing aids because they can manage more levels of hearing loss (including severe and profound), they come with some of the most advanced technology to improve listening and recognize speech, and they require in-person fittings and consultations with a licensed hearing professional.
Watch our video with SeniorLiving.org’s Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Hoyt, and audiologist Dr. Brad Ingrao to find out if you’re eligible for free or discounted hearing aids.
Features to Look for in Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss
When deciding which hearing aids to purchase for severe hearing loss, research or ask your audiologist about the following features:
- Powerful sound amplification: Power and super-power hearing aids need powerful amplifiers, processors, and batteries.
- Frequency transposition: It’s common for seniors with age-related hearing loss to lose their high-frequency hearing.5 Hearing aids that shift high-frequency sounds into a lower frequency can help you hear better.
- Bluetooth streaming: Forget earbuds. It’s more convenient to stream television shows, movies, calls, and phone audio directly to your hearing aids with no background noise.
- Remote microphone compatibility: Remote microphones, such as Phonak’s Roger, help you hear your dinner partner, an educator, or another conversation partner more clearly in a busy or noisy setting.
- Telecoil: The worse your hearing is, the more helpful telecoil becomes. Telecoil lets you hear better in environments using loop systems, such as churches, airports, courtrooms, and theaters.
- Tinnitus management: Tinnitus is worse for people with hearing loss.6 If you suffer from tinnitus, look for hearing aids with tinnitus management capabilities.
Many providers for severe hearing loss offer mobile apps for tinnitus management, including the ReSound Relief app.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss
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Can hearing aids correct severe hearing loss?
Hearing aids do not correct hearing loss or restore your hearing.7 While in use, hearing aids do help you hear better.
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Which hearing aids are best for severe hearing loss?
Power and super-power hearing aids are the best option for older adults with severe hearing loss. If that’s you, focus on models that meet your budget and include the features you need, such as Bluetooth streaming and remote microphone compatibility.
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What is the strongest hearing aid available?
Oticon claims to have the world’s most powerful hearing aid: the Oticon Xceed. This device offers a true-to-life hearing experience and eliminates whistling and static.
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Can I just buy one hearing aid for one-sided severe hearing loss?
If you have hearing loss in one ear and normal hearing in the other, you can purchase one hearing aid. However, age-related hearing loss often occurs in both ears, even if one ear is better than the other.7 In that case, using two hearing aids can give you a better listening experience.
National Library of Medicine. (2023). Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Use Among US Medicare Beneficiaries Aged 71 Years and Older.
Phonak. (2024). Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Widex. (2019). 5 Reasons Why Your Hearing Aids Are Whistling
Starkey. (2024). Activity Tracking Hearing Aids
WebMD. (2022). Frequency Shifting Hearing Aids: How They Work.
National Library of Medicine. (2020). A comparison of the severity of tinnitus in patients with and without hearing loss using the tinnitus functional index (TFI).
UCSF Health. (2022). Hearing Loss Treatments.