Arthur Garber founded Audien in 2016 after he had trouble finding affordable hearing aids for his grandmother.1 He realized that prescription hearing aids were sold at a tremendous markup. He decided to shake up the industry by creating and selling accessible hearing aids that any senior could afford.

For many seniors, the cost of hearing aids can be overwhelming. With that in mind, I wanted to see how Audien’s budget-priced devices performed, so I tested out the Atom and Atom Pro ITE hearing aids. Below, we’ll dive into my experience with the hearing aids, including ordering, setup, and testing. Then, we’ll take a look at Audien’s entire product lineup.

Expert Insights

From Audiologist Dr. Ruth Reisman,

I recently had two patients arrive at the clinic with Audien devices and similar experiences. As much as they were excited by the price tag and the in-ear style, the benefits they received from the devices were minimal. Both patients complained that the devices were too loud even on the lowest setting. One patient couldn’t get the device to work again after the first month despite all of our troubleshooting. Both patients decided to move forward with prescription hearing aids.

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, scientific studies show that seniors tend to underestimate their own hearing loss2 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 the website, I checked out the other resources Audien provides 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 and Atom Pro hearing aid models to test. Both 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?

Hearing Aid Setup

Don’t let the common myth that “hearing aids are difficult to use” stop you from giving hearing aids a try.4 With the Atom and Atom Pro hearing aids, there isn’t much setup at all.

After unboxing, I charged both hearing aids. The Atom has a wireless charging dock, while the Atom Pro has a rechargeable case. After a few hours, a green signal light lit up, indicating that the hearing aids were fully charged. Since these hearing aids don’t utilize Bluetooth technology or custom programming, there isn’t an app to download or any settings to program. (Some of Audien’s other hearing aid styles offer these capabilities.)

The Atom and Atom Pro hearing aids don’t come with tap control or the ability to adjust sound through an app. You can, however, adjust the volume on both models. To do this, you’ll need to grab the small screwdriver that comes with your hearing aids. Use it to turn the volume control dial on each hearing aid. Audien recommends starting with the lowest volume setting and adjusting as needed.

Adjusting the volume is simple, 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.

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

Testing the Hearing Aids

The Atom Pro

After I had the silicone tips secured, it was time to test out the hearing aids. I found the Atom Pro hearing aids to be the most comfortable of the two models. 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 Pro 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.

The Atom

Compared to the Atom Pro 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.5 Plus, these hearing aids stick out a little further than the Atom Pro. The Atom still provided amplification, but the quality didn’t seem as impressive as the Atom Pro. One feature that I did like better about the Atom hearing aids, though, was the on/off switch. You can put these hearing aids in before turning them on. That means there’s no chance of triggering the high-pitched whining noise. This also enables you to preserve battery life.

Audien Hearing Aid Lineup

The Atom and Atom Pro aren’t Audien’s only hearing aid options. In total, Audien sells four ITE hearing aids and two BTE hearing aids designed to improve seniors’ hearing without breaking the bank.

Audien Atom: Best Budget Option With Wireless Charging

Cost

The Audien Atoms cost $99 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 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. Other features include a 24-hour battery life and a wireless charger. I also liked that this hearing aid has an on/off switch. That makes preserving battery life a bit easier. Plus, you can wait until the devices are in your ears to turn them on. This prevents the static whining noise that I noticed these hearing aids emitted when handled.

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

Cost

The Atom Pro ITE hearing aids cost $249 per pair. Even at this price point, they’re far cheaper than many other direct-to-consumer brands. Given the rechargeable case, discreet design, and comfortable fit, they’re a good deal for what you get. Just know that the technology is limited and you’re not able to make adjustments like you can with hearing aids from other brands.

Equipment and features

These ITE rechargeable hearing aids are comfortable and discreet. They’re easier to insert into your ear than the Atom model. They also stayed in place well while I walked around and went about my day. 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 charging case. The charging case holds up to four 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.

Audien Atom 2: Best Affordable Hearing Aid With Four Hearing Modes

Cost

The Atom 2 hearing aids are more expensive than Audien’s cheapest offering, but they’re still a bargain at $189 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 chip gives the Atom 2 hearing aids clearer sound quality and less background noise feedback than the earlier Atom hearing aids can. They also come loaded with four adaptable hearing modes and volume control. These devices hold a charge for up to 24 hours. They also have an antibacterial cleaning case that kills up to 99 percent of all known types of bacteria.

Audien Atom Pro 2: Best Sound Clarity in a Small Size

Cost

The small and compact Atom Pro 2 hearing aids cost $289, which is still a budget-friendly price. They have all of the features of the Atom 2 hearing aids, plus additional features that increase hearing clarity.

Equipment and Features

Atom Pro 2 hearing aids come with an additional background noise cancellation feature. If you enjoy social events and restaurants, these hearing aids may make following conversations in crowded rooms easier. They also come with a UV cleaning light and a sleek 24-hour charging case.

Audien Ion: Most Powerful BTE Hearing Aid

Cost

The Audien Ion series is more expensive than both the Atom and Atom 2 series. They offer more technological bang for the buck and superior sound quality. The Ion hearing aids go for $489 per pair. Like every Audien hearing aid, they come with a 45-day money back guarantee.

Equipment and Features

Don’t assume that BTE hearing aids look bulky or more noticeable. The Audien Ion hearing aids are discreet and compact. Many seniors prefer the comfort and stability of a BTE hearing aid to ITE models that require wax buildup cleaning. These hearing aids only come in beige, however, which may make them more noticeable on some skin types.

These hearing aids come with Audien’s most advanced A2 Max chip, which delivers clear, crisp sound with limited to no feedback or background noise. They have four hearing modes so that you can more easily adapt to the hearing environments you frequent most. They also have directional sound technology, so you can better hone in on individual speakers during conversations.

Audien Ion Pro: Best for Bluetooth

Cost

The Ion Pro hearing aids are Audien’s most technologically advanced devices. At $689, they are also Audien’s most expensive offering. They’re still less expensive than some other OTC brands, such as Eargo. One of the main differences between the Ion and Eargo hearing aids is the Audien’s lack of ongoing audiological support.

Equipment and Features

Ion Pro hearing aids have all of the features of Ion models, but also come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. Ion Pro hearing aids are Audien’s only hearing aids with Bluetooth and a mobile app. The app is available for both Android and Apple devices. If Bluetooth is important to you and you want to compare your options, check out our list of the best Bluetooth hearing aids.

Through the app you can adjust the volume, check on battery life, and choose between hearing modes such as TV, Conversation, and Crowd.

You can stream phone calls directly into your hearing aids from your phone, so if you love keeping in touch with friends and family via phone, these hearing aids may be a great choice for you.

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.6 The protection plan costs $4 per month for ongoing protection or $24 for a one-year protection plan.

If Audien determines that your hearing aids are defective, you will get a free replacement pair. If you need replacement hearing aids for another reason, you will pay a reduced replacement fee:

• EV1: $19 replacement fee
• Atom: $24 replacement fee
• EV3: $29 replacement fee
• Atom Pro: $34 replacement fee

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.

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, a mobile app with all models, 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.

Our Methodology: How We Tested and Reviewed Audien

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 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 mobile app to download or a 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 very basic and only suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss. If you experience profound or severe hearing loss or hearing loss only at certain pitches, these devices won’t work as well for you. You also won’t get features like telecoil or Bluetooth for most of their hearing aids. However, these devices are a great choice if you’re on a limited budget or simply want to give hearing aids a try.