 "Lexie B2")
Lexie B2 Powered by Bose rechargeable hearing aids
Lexie Hearing provides high-quality over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids online and at major retailers including Costco, Best Buy, Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart. Lexie hearing aids were among the first OTCs to hit the market when they became legal back in 2022—and they are on HearingTracker's list of Best OTC Hearing Aids of 2023. The company was also recently included in the “TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2023” list for its leadership in the OTC hearing aid market.
Lexie no longer offers financing. You can either pay with your credit card or choose the hearing aid subscription, which starts at $42/month.
Insurance policies generally don't cover OTC or direct-to-consumer hearing aids. However, if you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health saving account (HSA) through your employer, you may use your FSA/HSA card to buy hearing aids or the Lexie Hearing subscription. Before you make a purchase, confirm with your insurance company whether your FSA or HSA plan covers hearing aids.
At this time, Lexie only sells hearing aids by the pair.
All of Lexie's hearing aids are self-fitting through the Lexie mobile app. For the Lexie B1 and B2, the app doesn't use a hearing screener. Instead, they let you adjust high (Treble) and low (Bass) frequencies with a single slider for each. If needed, you can also adjust the balance setting to boost amplification in your weak ear.
Lexie Lumen offers an in-app hearing test, and once the test is completed, the hearing aids are automatically adjusted according to the results of the test. This means that wearers shouldn't need to manually adjust the hearing aids, as it is done automatically by the hearing aids.
Lexie Hearing is owned by an American subsidiary of the hearX Group (based in South Africa). Lexie Lumen is manufactured by Intricon Corporation, a well-known hearing aid components manufacturer based in the US. Lexie Powered by Bose is manufactured by Novidan, in partnership with the Bose Corporation. According to TIME Magazine, Lexie has distribution in 12,000 stores across the United States and expects to earn $60 million in revenue.
In 2021, a $3 million investment in the hearX Group by consumer audio giant Bose set the stage for future product collaborations between the two companies.
Bose had been an early entrant in the OTC hearing aid market with innovative new self-fitting hearing aid technology. In May 2022, it decided to stop selling its hearing aids and by July of that year had partnered with hearX to incorporate its technology into Lexie Hearing's Powered by Bose hearing aids.
Powered by Bose hearing aids are backed by extensive Telehealth services from hearing professionals trained by hearX.
If you think you have mild-to-moderate hearing loss, and if you are comfortable with remote support and a do-it-yourself approach, Lexie has products for you. And a subscription option can help you stay within a tight budget.
 "Lexie User")
Lexie hearing aids sit discretely behind the ear.
Fitting and operating Lexie hearing aids requires using a mobile app. You'll also need good dexterity to clean your hearing aids, replace the "domes" that are inserted into the ear, and to switch out disposable batteries or manage the daily recharging.
Note that all of Lexie's hearing aids sit behind the ear. While they use a Bluetooth connection to operate the Lexie app, only the Lexie B2 supports Bluetooth audio or call streaming (no hands-free yet) from iPhone.
You can order your Lexie OTC hearing aids online. Here is an overview of the process:
 "Lexie Test")
Lexie's clinically validated online hearing test is a speech-in-noise screener that you can take at home wear headphones.
The most crucial step is #1: Make sure that OTC hearing aids are the right solution for your type of hearing loss. If your hearing loss is unusual, for example, if you've noticed differences between your left and right ear, if you suffer from tinnitus, or if you've noticed other issues with your ears, consult a physician and get a professional medical evaluation before committing to a product.
You can also visit the Consumer Ear Disease Risk Assessment (CEDRA) website developed by Mayo Clinic and Northwestern University and answer their simple online Q&A assessment to learn more about your risk for ear and hearing problems.
Lexie offers three different OTC hearing aids, all with form factors with small processors that sit discretely behind the ear.
Two receiver-in-canal (RIC) models—the Lexie Powered by Bose B1 and B2 models—have a thin wire extending to a receiver (audio speaker) that sits within the ear canal. Both use Lexie's implementation of the Bose self-fitting software.
Listed prices are for a pair of hearing aids in US dollars unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and may vary by region.
Lexie B2 Powered by Bose is one of the best-performing OTC hearing aids on the market, according to the independent audio test lab HearAdvisor, and it received the 2023 HearAdvisor Expert Choice Award.
In the video below, Audiologist Matthew Allsop discusses the recent launch of the rechargeable version of the Lexie B2 Powered by Bose self-fitting hearing aid, sold exclusively by Lexie. Also, we should point out the B2's newer iPhone audio streaming capabilities; while the May 2023 update allows streaming for any audio content on an iPhone (iOS 13 and later) to play through the B2s, the audio was designed for phone calls and not optimized for music or video content streaming.
Audiologist Matthew Allsop provides a review of the Lexie B2 Powered by Bose. Closed captions are available on this video. If you are using a mobile phone, please enable captions clicking on the gear icon.
The Lexie Lumen is a behind-the-ear (BTE) model that sends the sound from the processor through a thin air tube into the ear canal. The Lexie Lumen uses in-app auto-tuning software developed before the Powered by Bose hearing aids were launched.
Listed prices are for a pair of hearing aids in US dollars unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and may vary by region.
You can buy all three hearing aids outright or pay a monthly subscription. The subscription option consists of a one-time start-up payment, as well as 24 monthly payments. It includes a Care Kit with cleaning utensils, extra batteries and ear domes, and other accessories—as well as a Protection Plan at no extra cost. While you can cancel your subscription anytime, an early cancellation fee equal to one month of your subscription fee will apply after the 45-day trial has passed.
When you opt for a one-time payment, you can add on the Care Kit and Protection Plan to receive the same benefits.
| Lexie Lumen | Lexie B1 | Lexie B2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per pair | $799 | $849 | $999 |
| Subscription | $42/mo + $149 | $47/mo + $199 | $49/mo + $249 |
| Care Kit | $283 | $383 | $240 |
| Style | Thin Tube | Receiver in Canal | Receiver in Canal |
| Batteries | Replaceable, size 312 | Replaceable, size 312 | Rechargeable, USB-C |
| Colors | Gray, beige, bronze, silver, black | Gray | Gray |
| Bluetooth | App Control | App Control | App Control & iPhone streaming |
| Case | Carry case | Carry case | Charging case and cable |
| Other Accessories | Ear measuring and cleaning tools, domes, slim tubes, drying capsules | Wire sizing and cleaning tools, domes | Wire sizing and cleaning tools, domes |
While all of the hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled, only B2 can stream audio wirelessly, and only via iPhone (no Android yet). The Bluetooth connection lets you wirelessly control your hearing aids through the Lexie app.
 "Lexie B2 Bose Hearadvisor Expert Choice")
The Lexie B2 Powered by Bose was recognized as one of the top hearing aids in 2023 by the independent hearing aid testing lab, HearAdvisor.
The Lexie App is an easy-to-use smartphone app that lets you control your hearing aids and contact Lexie Hearing's professional support staff. If you've used other hearing-aid apps the setup will be somewhat familiar.
Once you download the app from either Apple's App Store or the Google Play store, you can set up a Bluetooth connection from your phone to your hearing aids, which activates the app's control features. (However, Bluetooth currently does not enable audio streaming to the Lexie hearing aids).
With the Lexie app, you can:
 "Lexie App and Lexie Rewards Program")
The Lexie app enables telehealth video appointments and includes access to the Lexie Rewards program offering subscription discounts when new users meet their wearing goals.
Lexie Hearing has come up with an innovation it promotes as "the only OTC hearing aid that rewards you for wearing it." Its Lexie Rewards customer loyalty program, which awards points toward discounts on monthly subscription costs, features a unique gamified incentive to help new new customers move up the learning/usage/comfort curve.
Designed to guide and support you through the first 45 days of wearing a new pair Lexie hearing aids, it awards points when you reach your goals. Rack up enough points and you can receive a 5% discount on your monthly subscription or redeem your points when you make other purchases through the Lexie app.
By tracking usage and rewarding you as you wear your hearing aids and perform everyday tasks, the program helps you get over the initial hurdle of acclimating to new hearing aids. And by enabling you to register your personal feedback, Lexie gains valuable information for its ongoing customer service and product development.
As of April 2023, the Lexie app does not yet track wearing time for the Lexie Powered by Bose models, although most of the other features are the same. Lexie Hearing has told HearingTracker that the app is in the process of being upgraded to provide the same functionality for all three hearing aid models.
When you purchase or subscribe to Lexie hearing aids, you receive a pair of hearing aids with a starter set of batteries (Lumen and B1) and accessories, and you'll have access to real-time video and voice support for the lifetime of your hearing aids. Each product includes a 1-year warranty and a 45-day risk-free trial, i.e. you can return the hearing aids for a full refund.
Note that if you order Lexie hearing aids through a third-party retailer, you might not receive the same 45-day free trial. Amazon's return period, for example, is only 30 days.
 "What S In The Box")
Lexie CareKit.
Those who opt for a monthly subscription receive a Care Kit that covers hearing aid accessories and batteries for the first two years, delivered in a maintenance box every six months or when requested. The subscription also includes Lexie's Protection Plan, which covers "certain types of breakages and damage" (to be determined at Lexie's discretion). Loss or third-party damage isn't covered, but you can obtain a discounted single-unit replacement.
One note about the Lexie Powered by Bose RIC receiver wires: The B1 and B2 models come with a standard (size 2) wire that extends from the hearing aid to the receiver at the entrance of your ear canal. If this is too long or too short, you can talk with a Lexie Expert and request another size. If you do this within the 45-day trial period, you'll only pay for the shipping cost; however, outside of this period you'll be charged $50 per wire. (The other model, Lexie Lumen, is a BTE device that comes with a variety of slim tube sizes and doesn't use a receiver wire.)
At the HearingTracker Hearing Aid Forum, an online community for new and experienced users of hearing aids, there are numerous posts on Lexie hearing aids. For example, in November 2022 a community member posted a thoughtful report on his experience with Philips, Oticon, and Lexie Lumen and Lexie B1 hearing aids. And our community members were among the first to report and discuss the availability of Lexie hearing aids at Costco.
No matter what kinds of hearing aids you are considering, it's worth spending time on our Forum. You will get up close and personal with hundreds of other hearing aid users' experiences, both pro and con. And if you have thoughts to add, it's easy to sign up and start contributing your own comments to the community.
You should consider buying OTC hearing aids from Lexie if you have mild-to-moderate hearing loss and are a tech-savvy do-it-yourselfer comfortable using a smartphone app to control your hearing aids.
If Bluetooth audio and hands-free calling is important to you, look into alternative OTC hearing aids that support this feature, like the Jabra Enhance Plus (iPhone only), the Sony CRE-E10, or the HP Hearing PRO.
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Contributing Editor
David Copithorne is a longtime hearing-loss blogger and regular contributor at Hearing Tracker. In 2002, he suffered a sudden and severe hearing impairment. Since then, he has dedicated himself to sharing the valuable information he has learned along his journey.
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Founder and President
Dr. Bailey is a leading expert on consumer technology in the audiology industry. He is a staunch advocate for patient-centered hearing care and audiological best practices, and welcomes any technological innovation that improves access to quality hearing outcomes. Dr. Bailey holds an Au.D. from Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
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Health Writer
Tina Sieber is a technology journalist with over 10 years of experience and a PhD in Biochemistry. Following an episode of sudden one-sided hearing loss, she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor in 2018. She has since started writing about hearing loss and reviewing hearing aids for major tech publications.
I was surprised and disappointed when I finished reading the instructions. These are NOT "self-fitting"! It says clearly on the box and website that they are self-fitting, but all you actually get is a treble-bass slider (and, of course, volume and balance controls and the choice of directional or non-directional) in the app. (I called the number listed with the devices and the agent confirmed all this.) No built-in hearing test, which is the standard definition of "self-fitting". I will be returning these.