Are Audicus Hearing Aids Right for You?

What Is the Audicus Membership Program?

The Audicus membership program frequently comes up on consumer review sites as a reason people love Audicus hearing aids. It's essentially a monthly hearing aid subscription you can start and stop at any time without penalty or cancellation fee.

What's included with an Audicus membership:

• Customized hearing aids programmed and fit by Audicus hearing specialists
• Unlimited technical support including hearing aid adjustments and reprogramming
• New disposable batteries, domes, and earwax guards automatically delivered every three months (you can request them whenever you need them at no charge)
• No-deductible protection against loss or damage
• Free upgrades to the latest-model hearing aid every 18 months

If you're not sure hearing aids are right for you, the membership program is a no-commitment way to try them for a month or two without a huge investment.

It's also an innovative solution for special occasions when you want to enhance your hearing. If you don't normally wear hearing aids but you want to make sure you hear every word of your daughter's wedding or catch all the calls at a live sporting event, subscribe for a month. Choose the Aura and no one will even know you're wearing a hearing aid.

The Audicus Hearing Test

Although you can buy Audicus hearing aids using an outside online hearing test, most people use the free online hearing test on the Audicus website. The Audicus hearing test is highly regarded by hearing professionals. It's one way the company distinguishes itself from big-box stores and other online hearing brands.

Audicus CEO Patrick Freuler spent two years working with neuroscientists to develop the test. It uses industry-standard fitting algorithms and sophisticated error-detection algorithms to ensure accuracy. Audicus tests each ear twice at five different frequencies.

The test starts with a brief questionnaire to help the hearing specialists optimize your fit. It takes about five minutes to complete and the results are available immediately. A copy is also emailed to you. You have to provide your email address and phone number to take the test, and the company isn't shy about using them to market its products.

Buying Audicus Hearing Aids

Most people don't immediately think of shopping online when it comes to hearing aids. While it's most common to buy hearing aids from Costco or a hearing center, people are increasingly turning to online brands. In addition to low prices, the convenience of shopping at home is an attractive option, especially in light of COVID-19.

Audicus does a good job of simulating the audiologist-office experience online. The hearing test is more thorough than most online tests and similar to the one used by audiologists. Your hearing aids are custom fit based on your results. All Audicus hearing aids are FDA approved and dispensed by licensed hearing professionals. You get all the benefits of an in-person visit without leaving your home.

The starting list price for hearing aids is for disposable batteries; you'll pay extra if you want rechargeable hearing aids. The price includes the devices themselves, a starter supply of batteries, a carrying case, a cleaning brush, and a variety of rubber domes.

The Audicus Warranty and Trial Period

All Audicus hearing aids come with a 45-day trial period. You can return your hearing aids for any reason for a full refund within that time.

The 12-month warranty covers product defects. It does not, however, cover damaged or lost devices. You can buy a separate two-year protection plan that covers loss and damage if you don't want an Audicus membership.

Audicus Accessories

Audicus sells several hearing aid supplies and accessories on its website. These are sold separately and not included in an Audicus membership:

• The classic remote (Dia II and Clara): $199
• Bluetooth remote and docking station (Clara): $399
• Power Pack quick-charging case for rechargeable hearing aids (Clara and Wave): $49
• UV Dry Box to dry and sanitize your hearing aids (not for use with rechargeable hearing aids): $65

Audicus also offers a "change service" as a way to save money on hearing aids. If you have a friend or family member with a pair of Audicus hearing aids they no longer use, the company will reprogram and custom fit them to your hearing test for $100.

Audicus Hearing Aid Reviews

We checked what customers were saying about Audicus hearing aids on the company's website and on third-party review sites.

The Better Business Bureau gives Audicus an A+ rating. There were just three complaints on the BBB site between 2018 and 2021, and the Audicus customer service team responded quickly to each. Customers rated Audicus 4.63 out of 5 stars.

Consumer Advocate awarded Audicus 4.9 out of 5 stars and gave it an "excellent" rating. Customers routinely mentioned the positive buying experience in their reviews.

Although complaints and poor reviews were rare, they generally related to confusion about the different protection plan and membership options. Few reviewers had issues with the quality of the hearing aids or overall customer service.

Audicus Hearing Aids: The Bottom Line

COVID-19 made shopping online an acceptable option for many health products; hearing aids are no exception. Audicus, however, managed to make the online buying experience almost like buying from a hearing center without the in-person visit. From the sophisticated hearing test to the high-tech, custom-fit hearing aids, Audicus delivers a reassuring, customer-centric buying process.

The Audicus membership program is ideally suited to people who want an all-inclusive, worry-free hearing aid experience. If you're the type of person who buys the new iPhone the day it comes out, you'll love the free upgrades every 18 months.

The standard Audicus one-year warranty is less generous than that of some other brands. If you're hard on personal electronics, the standard warranty might not be adequate for your needs. You'll need to pay extra for a membership or upgraded protection plan to get the level of coverage that comes standard with many hearing aids.

Customer service hours are also limited. The call center is only staffed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. If you need help outside those hours, your only option is email.

Bottom line? If you're considering new hearing aids, Audicus deserves to be near the top of your list. The monthly membership plan and free trial period makes it easy to try them out without a long-term commitment.

Sheila Olson has over two decades of experience writing about Medicare, health, and personal finance. Her work has been featured on sites such as Investopedia, The Motley Fool, and Boomer Benefits. Sheila holds a MPH (Master of Public Health) from Northern Arizona University.