Audien Hearing Aids Review: What Experts Say (2024)

Audien hearing devices can help make sounds louder and clearer, but they aren’t classified as hearing aids by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor are they meant to serve as a replacement for professionally-fitted hearing aids. With that said, Audien’s affordable devices can be helpful for people who have a difficult time hearing in noisy or crowded environments.

Key Features

• Audien hearing devices are categorized as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs).
• Audien devices may potentially help those dealing with hearing loss that isn’t treated successfully by medicines, surgery or other medical interventions.
• Audien hearing devices come with a charger. Accessories like charging cords, a cleaning brush and a screwdriver used to adjust the volume are sold separately on the company website.

Audien refers to its products as hearing aids, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies Audien’s hearing products as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs). Unlike hearing aids, they are devices sold over the counter that amplify most sounds (as opposed to amplifying certain sounds and muting others) to help adults with normal hearing hear better in certain environments. What’s more, the product pages don’t specify degrees of hearing loss for which these devices are appropriate.

Based in the U.S., Audien sells seven models of assistive hearing devices directly to consumers online at affordable prices because they don’t require a hearing exam or fitting with an audiologist, according to the company.

Explore Featured Audien Models

Company Logo	Forbes Health Ratings	View More	learn_more_cta_below_text	Learn More
	Experience an unprecedented level of hearing comfort 22% smaller than the EV1 with wireless charging and incredible sound 25% longer battery life than the EV1 with an all new wireless charging dock Hear every detail with Atom™ sound technology	Shop Now	On Audien Hearing's Website	https://www.aoabt4trk.com/425Q3Z/D42TT/" rel="nofollow"
	Audien's smallest, most powerful hearing aid yet Atom sound technology for feedback cancelation Portable wireless charging case that holds up to four days worth of charge 24-hour rechargeable battery	Shop Now	On Audien Hearing's Website	https://www.aoabt4trk.com/425Q3Z/D42TT/" rel="nofollow"

• Size and style: Audien offers seven styles of assistive hearing devices that are small in size and fit discreetly in the ear canal.
• Cost: A pair of Audien devices can cost between $99 and $489, depending on the model selected.
• Technology: All of Audien’s devices are rechargeable, and the company claims its advanced model minimizes feedback and whistling sounds with the brand’s Atom sound technology.

Audien offers seven assistive hearing device models to customers online: the EV1, EV3, Atom, Atom 2, Atom Pro, Atom Pro 2 and a behind-the-ear (BTE) model. While the EV1 and EV3 models are still for sale, a company representative indicates these are now considered “legacy models.”

Audien EV1

As small as a dime for a comfortable fit, the Audien EV1 can last 20 hours on a single charge. The pair comes with four different earbud tip sizes to ensure the best possible fit for just about any ear.

Audien EV3

The EV3 model is even smaller than the EV1 and is designed for a comfortable, invisible fit. A pair comes with six different tip sizes to help  ensure the hearing device stays snugly in the wearer’s ear. A single battery charge lasts up to 24 hours, and this model can be charged wirelessly.

Audien Atom

Despite its small size, this model features superior sound quality to the two EV models, thanks to the use of upgraded sound technology featuring the trademarked Atom chip. The Atom features wireless charging and a long battery life of approximately 25 hours.

Audien Atom 2

Audien’s Atom 2 device offers clear sound and background noise cancellation at an even smaller, more discreet size compared to the Atom model, thanks to the company’s upgraded Atom 2 chip sound technology which features four different hearing modes. This device’s new contoured design also allows for comfortable all-day wear, according to the company. The Atom 2 offers wireless charging capabilities and comes with a 24-hour battery life.

Audien Atom Pro

These tiny hearing devices offer enhanced feedback cancellation and superior sound quality, according to the company. They come with a charging case that allows the wearer to both store and charge the hearing devices, and they can provide up to four days of use on a single charge.

Audien Atom Pro 2

Using the company’s new A2 sound technology chip, the Audien Atom Pro 2 offers four hearing modes plus background noise cancellation. Customers who purchase the Atom Pro 2 receive a UV cleaning and charging case that kills bacteria while the device recharges. The Atom Pro 2 is Audien’s smallest device available and features 24 hours of battery life.

Audien BTE

Audien’s behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid offers an invisible and discreet design that’s engineered to ensure a secure and comfortable fit, according to the company. The BTE hearing aid model offers directional sound technology, background noise cancellation, 11 volume levels and wireless charging capabilities. These hearing aids feature a battery life of more than 20 hours on a single charge, depending on customer usage.

The Audien Atom and EV series models are small and meant to float inside the ear canal, providing a snug fit that doesn’t slip or feel too tight, according to the company. Meanwhile, the new BTE model features a small design engineered to fit a variety of ear sizes.

Audien’s hearing devices are good at amplifying sound but may not be a solution for people with a diagnosed degree of hearing loss nor those with more serious hearing health conditions who should be under the care of an audiologist or hearing health professional. Audien doesn’t require customers to undergo a hearing health exam prior to purchasing its devices.

Depending on which model a customer purchases, the devices may come with a charging base. Customers can purchase the following accessories separately on the Audien website:

• Charging cords for all models
• Screwdrivers for volume adjustments
• Earbuds
• Wax guards
• A cleaning brush
• A carrying case

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services

Atom Pro 2

• Audien's smallest, most powerful hearing aid yet
• Atom sound technology for feedback cancelation
• Wireless charging case that holds up to four days worth of charge
• Set up in minutes to experience crisp, clear sound
• Kills 99.9% of Bacteria While Charging

Shop Now

On Audien Hearing's Website

Audien prides itself on selling high-quality sound amplification products at prices that are much lower than those of traditional hearing aids. See how much each Audien assistive hearing device model costs below.

Audien offers a protection plan for Atom series devices for either $4 a month or $24 a year. The plan covers lost, defective, broken or water-damaged devices. Customers who have the protection plan can get new devices for a reduced price:

• Atom: $24 replacement fee
• Atom 2: $39 replacement fee
• Atom Pro: $34 replacement fee
• Atom Pro 2: $49 replacement fee

The protection plan for Audien’s BTE model offers customers the option to purchase a one-year protection plan for a $39 flat fee. Customers who have the BTE protection plan get a replacement device for $89.

“We noticed there’s a lot of insecurity for those just starting out on their hearing loss journey. Suddenly they’re slapped with this expense that’s thousands of dollars, and they don’t even know if it will work for them, or feel comfortable,” says Audien CEO Ishan Patel. “Audien was created to make hearing accessible to everyone—preventing them from having to spend so much money, and giving them the chance to have access to a solution that’s comfortable, convenient and on their own terms.”

While hearing aids work by fine-tuning different wavelengths to give a patient with hearing loss better hearing overall, PSAPs work a bit differently, explains Hadassah Kupfer, an audiologist in New York City and a member of the clinical faculty for the audiology doctoral program for the City University of New York. “PSAPs are a category of consumer hearing devices that are worn in order to slightly amplify or boost the sounds around you. These devices raise the volume of all surrounding sounds and can be used by people with normal hearing who may want enhanced hearing in certain environments, such as bird watching,” says Dr. Kupfer. “They’re not meant for full-time wear and can cause damage to the ears over time since the output is not regulated.”

For those wondering if Audien devices are a good substitute for hearing aids, Dr. Kupfer isn’t quite sold on the technology. “Hearing aids are capable of more advanced adjustments and automatic features for the absolute best everyday clarity. People with minor hearing issues can consider Audien for one-on-one conversations, as the aids may provide a modest boost in volume only. If it sounds artificial, there’s no way to change that sound quality, which is a drawback. If someone is active and around a lot of background noise, I would recommend searching for a product that is more adjustable for clarity and with better noise cancellation,” she explains.

Audien Hearing received accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in 2021, and it currently has a B rating on its website. The company’s profile indicates that 193 complaints were closed over the past three years, with only 26 of those complaints occurring in the past 12 months.

With an average customer review rating of 4.23 out of five stars, most reviews are fairly positive, and people seem to indicate that Audien hearing devices do, in fact, help them hear better. Many of the more critical reviews lament poor customer service and lack of follow-up when issues are reported. A small number of reviewers share that their hearing devices stopped working after only a few months.

One pleased customer shared on the BBB website: “I love my new Atoms. I have had custom hearing aids that cost a couple thousand dollars, and my wife has a $6,000 pair. I can’t tell much difference between them and my Audiens.”

Another posted: “Great product! Now I have my hearing back at a low cost.”

On the more critical side, one BBB reviewer wrote: “Communication with this company leaves much to be desired. I emailed them and never got a reply.” Another posted: “Worked great until it stopped working after three weeks. After 21 phone calls, I sent them back, and they verified they received them. I’m still looking for a replacement or refund as described in their warranty.”