HearUSA Hearing Aids: Review of Products, Services, and Pricing

HearUSA is the largest U.S. retailer of the WS Audiology Group (WSA) which is one of the top-5 largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world as the maker of Signia, Widex, and Rexton hearing aids. HearUSA and HearCANADA offer all these hearing aid brands at a cost between $2,000 to $8,000 per pair, as well as the less-expensive Sony over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, which are also manufactured by WSA.

HearUSA boasts an extensive network of about 360 retail stores across the U.S. and about 90 offices in Canada, all staffed by state-licensed hearing care professionals. In 2023, the company was named by Newsweek as the number-one hearing care retailer in the U.S. as part of its annual “America’s Best Retailers” listing.

What we love about HearUSA

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What is HearUSA?

HearUSA, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla, was created by the merger of several hearing aid retail stores. Its roots are with pathologist and entrepreneur Paul Brown, MD, who started two hearing care companies in 1987 called Helix and HEARx (not related to HearX based in South Africa) with offices in both the U.S. and Canada. In 2001, the U.S. hearing care offices were combined under the brand name HearUSA.

At that time, Siemens Hearing Instruments, the main supplier of hearing aids for HearUSA, took a financial interest in the company, which by then included both corporate-owned and independent clinics that were part of the “HearUSA network.” Ten years later, in 2011, HearUSA ran into financial trouble and Siemens purchased the company. Today, with the merging of Sivantos (formerly Siemens) and Widex, all offices are owned by WSA which has its world headquarters in Denmark.

In October 2022, WSA further united all 28 different retail/regional brands it owned, combining the 360+ hearing centers under the HearUSA name. As part of this rebranding, HearUSA is also introducing new concept stores called “Centers of the Future.” The goal is to reduce barriers to hearing healthcare and expand access to those with hearing loss. The new stores have a welcome hub at the front of the store, redesigned care rooms, and a display wall for customers to see the latest hearing aid technology so they can better understand their options.

HearUSA is growing. During 2024, it plans to open 17 new Centers of the Future locations in California, Florida, Michigan, and Texas, after opening eight in 2023.

Who is HearUSA for?

HearUSA caters to people who want professional in-person care via audiologists and hearing aid specialists working in its network of hearing aid retail stores. Recently, however, it also started offering online sales with Sony OTC hearing aid products. This means that you now have a choice of how to obtain hearing care from HearUSA.

If you're interested in the OTC product, there are a few things to note. First, remember that OTC hearing aids are intended only for adults (ages 18+) with mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aids are also not recommended if you have a more complicated hearing loss, like a conductive or mixed hearing loss, hearing loss related to medical conditions, serious health conditions such as diabetes, or if you’ve had previous ear surgeries.

HearUSA retail stores are geared towards adults and not the pediatric population. However, you can reach out to HearUSA at 1-800-323-3277, and they can likely refer you to a provider within their network with the specialized expertise and equipment to provide appropriate hearing care for children.

Below, we'll go over the full process of getting a hearing aid from HearUSA and then tell you about the available prescriptive and OTC hearing aid technologies.

How getting a hearing aid at HearUSA works

When seeking hearing healthcare through HearUSA, here are the typical steps that you will take:

1) Take a hearing test

If you are not sure if you have a hearing loss that is appropriate for hearing aids, you can begin your journey to better hearing by taking HearUSA’s online screening hearing test that is offered at no charge. Alternatively, you can schedule a free hearing test at any one of the 360+ U.S. retail locations. There are also several good online hearing screening tests, and you may even be inclined to screen your hearing from more than one site.

If your online hearing screening indicates hearing loss, or if you want to start by having your hearing tested in person, you can request an appointment online and search for your nearest HearUSA.

When scheduling directly with HearUSA, they will perform a hearing test in a sound-treated environment and counsel you regarding your hearing status. They will then provide recommendations, including purchasing hearing aids and/or referring to a specialist, as needed.

There are a few things to keep in mind here. First, hearing aid retailers often offer a free hearing test, but the test is not intended to be a diagnostic test. That is, it is a good, basic test that will provide information about your hearing status. However, if further testing is needed to determine the cause of the hearing loss (etiology) or additional testing/counseling is needed for specific conditions, diagnostic hearing tests that are provided at ENT and audiology offices are recommended (the professional at HearUSA should make a referral if needed).

If you decide to purchase hearing aids from HearUSA you will have the choice of several brands and numerous styles of hearing aids. In addition to the Sony OTC hearing aids, brands currently offered are the ones manufactured by WSA, and include Signia, Widex, Rexton. All these have different levels of technology from basic hearing aids to some of the most sophisticated products on the market. Which product is best for you is a discussion you and your hearing provider will have.

As needed, or at your request, other brands can be ordered, such as Phonak, Starkey, or Oticon, but keep in mind these are not the hearing aids usually dispensed by the provider and are not held in stock. This means that a same-day fitting will not be possible outside the “core” Signia/Widex/Rexton products.

2) Discuss your options for hearing aid selection

Depending on your hearing loss, your lifestyle, other health conditions, budget, etc., your hearing provider will make one or more recommendations for hearing loss solutions. Alternatively, if your hearing screening indicates a mild to moderate loss, you may wish to try the OTC route.

If choosing the in-person care route, be sure to ask questions of your hearing provider and find hearing aids that match your lifestyle needs. For example, if you are still working and/or are often in a varied and complex listening situation, you may want to consider higher-tier technology. However, if you are rarely in noisy and changing listening environments, more basic technology may suit you well. Do you have bothersome tinnitus? If so, see what options might be available to you.

If streaming audio to your hearing aids is important, make sure to ask how that is accomplished, if the hearing aids are compatible with your smartphone, and ask for a demonstration. Finally, discuss options such as rechargeable batteries, and accessories such as remote microphones or TV devices, etc. While your budget certainly plays a factor in the hearing aid you choose, do not let it be the only consideration.

Note that on the same day as your hearing test, it is possible you can leave with hearing aids fit to your hearing loss; HearUSA terms this as their “Hear Better Today” program. These same-day fittings are possible for “typical” hearing losses and for those wanting to wear OTC or Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) type hearing aids. However, if you prefer custom in-ear hearing instruments or need a custom mold for the RIC (as seen when more power/volume is needed), then it may take a week or more to be fit as those components will need to be made specifically for your ear(s).

3) Try the hearing aids

HearUSA offers a 60-day, risk-free hearing aid trial for their prescription hearing aids. This means that the hearing aids will be programmed and fit your unique hearing loss, and you have 60 days to decide if the hearing aids work well for you or not. If you decide to return the hearing aids during the trial period you likely will not be charged a fee, particularly if you are self-paying for the hearing aids. However, if you are utilizing insurance, there can be a restocking fee. Be sure to understand all of your costs by discussing with your provider prior to beginning the trial period.

4) Purchase the hearing aids

After the trial period, if you decide to purchase the hearing aids, the hearing aids will come with a free service period for regular checks and cleanings as well as a warranty period that is typically 3 years. Note that the warranty period can vary depending on your hearing aid choice, insurance benefit utilized, etc.

A substantial benefit of HearUSA is that it works with 85+ different insurance providers and can help you navigate your benefits and coverage for hearing healthcare. Their insurance team can assist with claims processing, ensuring that you pay as little out of pocket as possible. Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) can also be used to help cover hearing aid costs. HearingTracker has resource pages for paying with insurance and options for financing hearing aids.

HearUSA also has a “price match guarantee” which can also help ensure you are paying a fair and competitive price for your hearing aids. Essentially, HearUSA will match a lower price from a competitor if you have a written price quote for the same or comparable hearing aids. However, this “guarantee” comes with quite a few “terms and conditions” including:

• Only applies to Signia, Widex, and Rexton branded products
• Does not apply to OTC products
• Cannot be combined with any insurance program
• Cannot be used on sale items, online, or any membership pricing (e.g., Rexton at Costco) the client receives at competitors
• The written quote must include pricing details, model, and location of the quote

When purchasing prescription hearing aids, you also have the option of joining the HearUSA Loyalty Program (for purchases after April 3, 2023 and not applicable for OTC aids). To join, simply provide a valid mobile phone number and an e-mail address, and opt-in to receive messages from HearUSA. Joining is optional but it does provide worthwhile benefits, including:

• 3-year comprehensive care package including routine checks and service of the hearing aids
• Access to promotional offers and discounted rates on repurchases
• Discounts on accessories

5) Follow-up care

After your fitting, your hearing provider will want to see you during the trial period at least once to ensure all is going well. After wearing the hearing aids in your own environments and having some time to begin acclimating to them, programming adjustments may be required. You may also want to add accessories or ask questions about the hearing aids and their use. Any challenges, comfort issues, or questions you have should be discussed with your clinician.

Note that follow-up care also can be done virtually. Many of today’s modern hearing aids offer virtual care appointments with your hearing provider via the hearing aid’s smartphone app. An appointment can be requested via the hearing aid app, and you can communicate with your provider and even have the hearing aid programming updated during the session. Connecting to your provider via a smartphone is easy with only a minimal level of tech savviness required.

There are clear advantages to virtual care, including being seen from the comfort of your own home. It is especially advantageous if you have difficulty getting to an appointment or have health conditions that limit your mobility. However, the initial fitting and physical modifications to the hearing aid (e.g., for comfort or a better fit), or changes in your hearing status will usually require an in-person follow-up visit.

As mentioned above, HearUSA has 360+ stores in the U.S., so if you like to travel or spend time in different areas of the country, you may have access to another store for follow-up. However, not every state has a HearUSA presence. For example, there are not any stores in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, or Idaho. Even so, HearUSA may be able to refer you to an associated clinic nearby.

Alternatively, you could seek care outside of the HearUSA network of providers. These hearing aids are not “locked”; that is, anyone with the appropriate programming software should be able to adjust the hearing aids for you. Keep in mind, however, that if you seek care outside of HearUSA, this likely will come with a professional fee, even if your hearing aids are under warranty.

Prescription Hearing Aids offered at HearUSA

As noted above, HearUSA offers several hearing aid brands, including their core WSA Audiology brands Widex, Signia, and Rexton. It is possible to request another brand (e.g., Phonak, Starkey, etc.), but those products are not typically held in stock; because of this, we will focus just on the company's primary product technologies.

Widex hearing aids

As shown above, the Widex MOMENT family of hearing aids is offered in a wide range of styles, including Receiver-In-Canal (RIC), Behind-the-Ear (BTE), RIC, and custom ear products, including a micro Completely-in-Canal (CIC) options. MOMENT was first released in March of 2020 and is intended to deliver “the most pure, natural sound ever” by introducing ultrafast ZeroDelay™ and PureSound™ technologies.

HearingTracker Audiologist Matthew Allsop provides an overview of the Widex MOMENT SHEER receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid. Closed captions are available on this video. If you are using a mobile phone, please enable captions clicking on the gear icon.

In September 2022 the product line was expanded to include the MOMENT SHEER (sRIC R D) rechargeable RIC. That hearing aid introduced an updated and modern shell design as well as several other improvements. Widex hearing aids are known for their integration of AI-based sound personalization solutions, stress management, and tinnitus relief features, and are sometimes favored by musicians. They are offered at different technology levels and price points depending on your listening needs and budget.

Widex Key Features

• Excellent sound quality and highly rated for music listening
• Wide range of products to match most hearing losses
• One of the best AI and machine learning apps for a high degree of sound customization
• Direct audio streaming from both iOS™ and Android™ phones
• Long battery life of up to 29 hours in rechargeable models
• Excellent tinnitus therapy options
• 60-day trial period
• Price range: $1,000-$4,000 each

Grab a set of high-quality headphones and listen to Widex MOMENT for yourself below:

Signia hearing aids

Like Widex, Signia offers a wide array of hearing aids in varying styles and sizes, depending on your individual lifestyle, needs, and budget. Several technology platforms are available, including their most recent, the Integrated Xperience or IX, released in 2023; Augmented Xperience or AX, released in 2022; and Insio AX custom hearing aids, released in 2021. Signia’s latest products include advanced signal processing that utilizes multiple “focus streams” to improve speech clarity while reducing noise.

HearingTracker Audiologist Matthew Allsop provides a review on Signia IX hearing aids. Closed captions are available on this video. If you are using a mobile phone, please enable captions clicking on the gear icon.

Unique styles and features are available including their Silk Charge&Go IX, a rechargeable instant-fit custom CIC hearing aid. Signia was one of the first companies to offer rechargeable custom products and the very first to offer a rechargeable CIC-style hearing aid. They were also one of the first to introduce a slim BTE known as their Styletto products, a stylish option particularly attractive for those who wear eyeglasses. Finally, a prescription, rechargeable earbud-style hearing aid (Active X) is also available.

Signia Product Key Features

• Offers technology (particularly IX and AX) designed to adapt to conversation in challenging listening situations and create contrast between the speech you want to hear and background noise
• Unique styles and the widest range of styles that offer rechargeability
• Bluetooth™ streaming with iOS and Android devices and the latest Auracast™-ready wireless technology in Signia IX products
• Excellent battery life with both standard disposable batteries as well as rechargeable batteries
• User-friendly telecare via the free and well-designed Signia app
• Earbud-style prescription rechargeable hearing aid in the Active X
• 60-day trial period
• Price range: $1,000-$4,000 each

Grab a set of high-quality headphones and listen to Signia Pure Charge&Go IX hearing aids for yourself below:

Rexton hearing aids

As a sister company to Signia, Rexton carries products that are very similar to Signia's offerings. For example, the BiCore platform shares technology with the Signia AX platform. However, Rexton does not offer all of the same hearing aids as Signia. For instance, while Signia offers a rechargeable CIC, you will not find that as an option in Rexton products; they do offer rechargeable customs but not the smallest version. You will also find that Rexton and Signia products look very similar. In fact, except for the name imprinted on the shell, you likely could not tell the difference just by looking at the hearing aids. Like Signia, Rexton offers a range of products to match most degrees of hearing loss.

Rexton products are also available for purchase at Costco Hearing Aid Centers along with its main competitors Jabra Enhance and Philips. You will likely find Rexton's pricing to be significantly less at Costco compared to HearUSA, but keep in mind Costco offers a big-box warehouse delivery method while HearUSA may offer a higher level of customer experience, as well as assistance with insurance coverage which Costco is unlikely to provide.

Rexton Product Key Features

• Technology (particularly BiCore) processes speech and noise separately to provide an improved contrast between speech you want to hear and background noise
• Unique styles, including a slim-fit RIC
• Wide range of rechargeable hearing aids, including custom hearing aids (not CIC)
• Direct audio streaming from both iOs and Android phones
• Well-designed smartphone app that supports TeleCare
• 60-day trial period
• Price range: $1,000-$4,000 each

Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids offered at HearUSA

HearUSA offers two of the best OTC hearing aids you can purchase online or in the store: the Sony CRE-E10 and CRE-C10.

These OTC products, like all OTC aids currently available, are an alternative to more traditional, prescription hearing aids fit by professionals. You will find that they cost less (about $1,000 -$1,300), but are not programmed as precisely as prescription hearing aids or fit by a professional. In addition, a custom physical fit to your ear is not possible. Essentially, you are on your own when setting up OTC products. However, most people find the set-up simple to do and the process takes about 10 minutes.

All OTC hearing aids are intended only for adults (age 18+) with mild to moderate hearing loss and are not recommended for more complex types of hearing loss. If you are not sure how much hearing loss you have, it is best to have your hearing evaluated by a licensed hearing provider, like those at HearUSA. Alternatively, you could utilize an online hearing test like those offered at the HearUSA site. These online hearing screenings are an excellent starting point for understanding your hearing loss. You can also visit HearUSA for a free in-person hearing test.

If you find that you have mild to moderate hearing loss that is appropriate for an OTC product, and you are not quite ready to invest in more traditional hearing aids, these products are a reasonable starting point to address your hearing loss.

Matthew Allsop provides an overview of Sony's CRE-E10 and CRE-C10 OTC hearing aids. Closed captions are available on this video. If you are using a mobile phone, please enable captions clicking on the gear icon.

Sony CRE-E10

The Sony CRE-E10 is a rechargeable, earbud-style hearing aid sold by the pair and includes a small, attractive charging/storage case like you will find with most modern earbuds. They feature Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling for iPhones (v13.0 and higher). HearAdvisor™, an independent hearing aid testing lab, awarded the Sony CRE-E10 top honors in its 2023 Expert Choice Awards.

However, note that some people may not find earbuds comfortable to wear all day long (unlike a hearing aid), and you have to get used to the occluded/plugged feel, so be sure to take full advantage of the trial period.

Key Features

• Attractive earbud styling
• All day battery life
• Setup via the Sony Hearing Control app in the comfort of your home
• Noise reduction and directional microphones
• Bluetooth audio streaming is available for iOS products only (no hands-free calling)
• 45-day trial period
• 1-year warranty
• $1299.99 a pair

Grab a set of high-quality headphones and listen to the CRE-E10 for yourself:

Sony CRE-C10

The other OTC hearing aid option at HearUSA is the Sony CRE-C10, which resembles a CIC-style hearing aid but is not custom-fit to your individual ear. Instead, you can choose 4 different sleeve sizes to accommodate your particular ears. Like the Sony CRE-E10, they are sold as a pair and include a carrying case. However, the CRE-C10 is not rechargeable; it takes a standard, disposable size 10 hearing aid battery. It also does not feature Bluetooth streaming for phone calls, music, or other audio, but like the CRE-E10 is controlled via the Sony app that is compatible with iOS and Android phones.

Key Features

• Nearly invisible CIC styling
• Traditional, disposable (size 10 battery) which should provide approximately 70 hours of use
• Setup via the Sony Hearing Control app
• No audio streaming available
• Noise reduction and directionality achieved by connecting devices across ears (ear-to-ear communication)
• 45 day trial period
• 1-year warranty
• $999.99 pair

What people say about HearUSA

HearUSA is a well-recognized and respected name in hearing healthcare, and you should get good professional care and service in most of their dispensing offices. However, your experience will be almost completely defined by the skill and empathy of the hearing care provider at the office you visit, as well as their adherence to best practices.

Consumer Reports currently gives HearUSA an overall satisfaction score of 62 (above average), but this lands HearUSA in 15th place among the 17 companies listed. However, it appears that lower scores in the “selection” and “options” categories (e.g., only 3 prescriptive hearing aid brands) played a role in reducing the company's ranking.

In the Hearing Tracker forum, one reviewer in 2020 said he didn't feel confident with the thoroughness of his HearUSA hearing examination. The person writes, "[The] professional I saw at HearUSA tried to push me pretty hard into making a purchase and gave off a very strong 'salesperson' vibe.” Other reviews praise their providers as providing excellent care.

Overall, we think you should have a positive experience and gain access to quality hearing care at HearUSA, as long as the audiologist or hearing aid specialist listens and attends to your hearing care needs and follows accepted best practices.

Alternatives to HearUSA

If you have done even a cursory online search for “hearing aids” you have probably seen a wide range of retail hearing aid centers available to you. The good news is that you have many choices; the bad news is you may have limited knowledge regarding how to choose!

Among your brick-and-mortar office options are the independent audiology practices and clinics in your area. These independents usually offer a wider variety of brands from most or all the major manufacturers. Most likely you have also heard of Beltone and Miracle Ear—the largest retail hearing centers, each having about 1,500 offices throughout the United States. Connect Hearing (owned by Sonova, the maker of Phonak and Unitron hearing aids) and HearingLife (owned by Demant, the maker of Oticon hearing aids) are two more large retail chains offering in-person care. Costco and Sam's Club also provide in-person fitting of hearing aids, often at very reasonable prices.

Online hearing aid retailers include Zip Hearing and Hear.com, who refer you to a local hearing provider for in-person care, but where the hearing aids are discounted. Similarly, Yes Hearing puts you in touch with a provider who can test your hearing and fit you with a hearing aid in your home. In addition, there are purely online OTC hearing aids available such as those offered by Audicus, Jabra Enhance, and Lexie to name a few. Many more OTC hearing aids have become available and can be bought at places like Best Buy or Amazon.

So, how do you know where to start? First, we recommend that you find out about your hearing status. For many, the free online hearing tests or in-person testing completed at retail hearing centers may be enough. However, if you are experiencing chronic health conditions such as diabetes, have had previous ear surgeries or ear diseases, have had a sudden change in hearing, suffer from balance issues, or have bothersome tinnitus, then a more medical/diagnostic model is recommended. That is, see an audiologist and/or your local ENT to assess your overall hearing health. However, for millions of people who have a typical age-related and/or noise-induced hearing loss with gradual onset, the care you receive at one of the many retail options will likely suffice, and many will refer you to a medical professional if needed.

Secondly, do your research, both on this site and others to understand the overall process, and what brand and pricing choices are available to you. If you can, do not simply focus on price, also ask about how the hearing aids’ settings are verified on your ear, if they will conduct speech in noise testing and what validation procedures they follow. You may also want to reach out to friends or family to see what their experiences have been with various providers. Ask questions! If your hearing provider is not comfortable answering them or is impatient with you, then move on to another provider.

Take into account your own comfort level with the different hearing care delivery models. If after some testing you find your hearing is mild or moderate and you are comfortable ordering a hearing aid online and setting it up yourself, then you may want to start there (if appropriate for your hearing). If you know that you will have questions and may need extra help with the technology then in-person care is likely best for you.

We won't sugar-coat it: hearing loss really is defined as a chronic medical condition, and some people are not comfortable getting their hearing aids online or from a big-box store. You may feel that level of in-person care may not be enough. Again, ask questions and understand what level of service is provided.

Finally, take a deep breath and remember that any reputable hearing provider will give you a trial period. Some states mandate a minimum trial period, which is usually 30 days. Other companies, like HearUSA offer up to 60 days with very little, if any, cost to you if you return your hearing aids.