Elehear Hearing Aids Review (2026), Reviewed by Audiologists

About Elehear Hearing Aids 

Founded in 2017, Elehear manufactures affordable over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids designed for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Its FDA-registered hearing aids are available without a prescription and offer features such as Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable batteries, and app-based sound adjustments.

Elehear app, customer support, and hearing care services

Elehear offers a free mobile app for iOS and Android that allows users to adjust volume, switch between listening programs, and personalize sound settings. Depending on the model, additional features include tinnitus-masking soundscapes, AI-powered translation, remote sound capture, and software updates.

During testing of the Beyond 2 Pro, audiologist Dr. Jessica Hinson found the app easy to set up, with a generally reliable connection. It included three customizable programs alongside Default and Music modes, as well as basic volume and bass/treble adjustments. Users could save their preferred settings as personalized listening modes and track hearing aid usage, including time spent streaming music and calls.

However, Dr. Hinson noted that the app offered fewer customization options than other OTC hearing aids she had tested.

She also evaluated the remote sound-capture feature, which uses a smartphone’s microphone to stream nearby audio directly to the hearing aids. Although potentially useful for conversations or TV listening, she experienced a noticeable one- to two-second delay that made the feature less practical.

Elehear also offers remote hearing care through two services: ElePro Basic and ElePro Plus. The free ElePro Basic service includes a self-guided hearing test, recommendations reviewed by a hearing professional, and remote hearing aid adjustments based on submitted results.

For more personalized assistance, ElePro Plus offers a 45-minute, one-on-one virtual consultation with a licensed hearing professional for $99 per session. Users can discuss their hearing needs, review hearing test results, and receive real-time hearing aid adjustments. The service is currently available for Beyond-series devices in 24 U.S. states.

Dr. Hinson did not complete a professional consultation during testing. She explored Elehear’s AI chatbot, which ultimately directed her to contact the support team. As a result, we cannot evaluate the quality of Elehear’s live professional support firsthand.

Elehear also provides an online support center, instructional resources, and customer assistance by phone and email.

Financing, warranty, and trial period

Elehear offers free shipping, a 45-day risk-free trial, and a one-year warranty across its lineup.

Financing is available through Affirm and Klarna for eligible customers, with monthly payment plans and interest-free installment options depending on eligibility and payment terms. Elehear hearing aids are also eligible for purchase using HSA or FSA funds.

Overview of Elehear hearing aids

Elehear offers four OTC hearing aid models with different designs, features, and levels of customization.

Beyond, Beyond Pro, and Beyond 2 Pro share a similar receiver-in-canal (RIC) design, Bluetooth streaming, and rechargeable batteries (up to 20 hours per charge). Beyond Pro builds on the original Beyond with VOCCLEAR 2.0 sound processing, enhanced noise reduction, and improved music modes.

The newer Beyond 2 Pro introduces VOCCLEAR 3.0, which uses upgraded sound processing technology designed to improve speech clarity and deliver more natural sound in everyday listening environments. It also adds Auracast compatibility, expanded app features, and an IP67 dust and water resistance rating — the first in the Beyond Pro series.

Elehear Delight takes a different approach with a smaller, in-the-ear (ITE), earbud-style design that prioritizes discretion and comfort, while still offering Bluetooth streaming, app controls, and AI-powered sound processing. Battery life is shorter (up to approximately 13.5 hours), and tinnitus masking is more limited, but the fit may appeal to users who prefer a device that looks less like a traditional hearing aid.

Below, we take a closer look at how they compare in design, performance, price, and overall usability to help you decide which is the right fit for your hearing needs.

Comparing Elehear Hearing Aids

Elehear Beyond 2 Pro Review

Elehear Beyond 2 Pro

Over the Counter

• $799
• Rechargeable
• Mild to moderate

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Elehear Beyond 2 Pro is the brand’s most advanced OTC hearing aid, featuring VOCCLEAR 3.0 sound processing, Auracast compatibility, and an IP67 dust and water resistance rating.

During our hands-on testing, audiologist Dr. Jessica Hinson, AuD, wore the Beyond 2 Pro for approximately two weeks. She was impressed by its comfortable fit, straightforward setup, and excellent Bluetooth music streaming. Customizable tinnitus-masking soundscapes, environmental noise monitoring, and advanced connectivity features were additional highlights.

However, despite its upgraded sound processing, the Beyond 2 Pro struggled in noisy environments. Background noise remained prominent, and speech was difficult to distinguish in restaurants and other challenging listening situations.

Pros of the Elehear Beyond 2 Pro

• Excellent Bluetooth music streaming. Music sounded full and balanced, with a stable connection and seamless transitions between streaming and everyday listening.
• Comfortable, secure fit. Despite its relatively large design, the hearing aids remained comfortable during two weeks of testing, with no feedback or irritation.
• Useful tinnitus and hearing-health features. The app includes customizable tinnitus-masking soundscapes and an environmental noise tracker that alerts users to potentially harmful sound levels.
• Advanced connectivity and software features. Auracast compatibility allows access to supported audio broadcasts, while in-app firmware updates make it easier to receive software fixes and improvements.

Cons of the Elehear Beyond 2 Pro

• Poor speech clarity in background noise. The Restaurant program and Auto Enhance Noise Control did little to improve speech understanding in noisy environments.
• Limited sound customization compared with some competitors. The app includes listening programs and basic sound adjustments, but our audiologist found fewer useful customization options than on some other OTC hearing aids she had tested.
• Less discreet than some alternatives. Although each device weighs just 4.3 grams, the behind-the-ear housing was larger and more noticeable than expected.
• Noticeable delay with remote sound capture. Audio streamed through the phone’s microphone had a one- to two-second delay, making the feature less practical during testing.

Our experience using Elehear Beyond 2 Pro

The Beyond 2 Pro made a strong first impression with its easy setup and comfortable fit. Unboxing, pairing, and getting started took approximately five minutes.

At 4.3 grams per device, the hearing aids were larger than our audiologist expected, but surprisingly comfortable. Multiple ear dome sizes made it easy to achieve a secure fit, and the devices stayed in place without feedback or irritation throughout the two-week testing period.

Sound quality and performance

The Beyond 2 Pro delivered relatively natural sound in quieter environments, particularly in the Default listening program. However, some other programs sounded overly tinny, and our audiologist found the Music listening program uncomfortable.

Noise reduction was the biggest disappointment. Despite Elehear’s upgraded VOCCLEAR 3.0 technology, Dr. Hinson struggled to distinguish speech from background noise in restaurants. Neither the Restaurant program nor Auto Enhance Noise Control provided enough improvement to make conversations easy to follow.

Bluetooth, app, and streaming experience

Bluetooth music streaming was a standout feature. Music played through Spotify sounded full and balanced, and switching between streaming and everyday listening was seamless.

The Elehear app was straightforward to set up and maintained a generally consistent connection. It included three customizable programs alongside Default and Music modes, with controls for volume and sound balance. Users could also save preferred settings as personalized listening modes.

Dr. Hinson appreciated the app’s hearing aid usage statistics, which tracked wearing time and time spent streaming calls or music. However, she found the available sound adjustments more limited than those offered by some competing OTC devices.

The app also includes remote sound capture, which uses a smartphone’s microphone to stream audio from a nearby person, television, or other sound source directly to the hearing aids.

Although useful in theory, this feature introduced a noticeable one- to two-second delay during testing. Dr. Hinson found the lag distracting, particularly when listening to speech.

Tinnitus support and additional features

Beyond 2 Pro stands out for several advanced features that Dr. Hinson considers particularly valuable, especially at this price point.

Customizable tinnitus-masking soundscapes: Elehear’s Serene feature provides a selection of relaxing sounds that users can personalize to help make tinnitus less noticeable. Dr. Hinson considered this one of the device’s strongest features.

Environmental noise monitoring: The app includes a noise-level tracker that provides information about surrounding sound levels and alerts users to potentially harmful noise exposure. This can help users become more aware of loud environments, although it should not replace a calibrated sound-level meter for precise measurements.

Auracast compatibility: Beyond 2 Pro supports Auracast, a Bluetooth technology that allows compatible hearing aids to receive audio broadcasts directly from equipped televisions, public-address systems, and participating venues. This could improve access to announcements, presentations, and other audio sources without relying on the hearing aids’ microphones alone. However, Auracast availability depends on compatible equipment, and we did not evaluate this feature in a public venue.

Another valuable feature is the ability to install hearing aid firmware updates through the Elehear app. This allows users to receive compatible software improvements and bug fixes without needing an in-person appointment.

The app also offers AI translation features and access to remote hearing care services.

Battery life and charging

Elehear advertises up to 20 hours of battery life per charge, with a portable charging case providing four additional charges. During testing, the hearing aids lasted approximately 16 hours with two hours of Bluetooth streaming.

Charging was straightforward, and a full charge took approximately 1.5 hours.

What Dr. Jessica Hinson says about Elehear Beyond 2 Pro

After wearing the Beyond 2 Pro for two weeks, audiologist Dr. Hinson was particularly impressed by its Bluetooth streaming quality, comfortable fit, and advanced features like tinnitus masking, Auracast compatibility, translation capabilities, and app-based software updates. She says these are features not even available with many prescription hearing aids.

“Beyond 2 pro is a rare OTC device that offers auracast streaming,” she says. “Also, I think in-app hearing device updates are very beneficial for the consumer, as bugs and quick fixes can be pushed to the patient remotely. “

However, noise reduction remained a significant weakness.

As Dr. Hinson noted, “I did not find that the Restaurant programs nor ‘Auto Enhance Noise Control’ were sufficient enough to improve listening in complex situations.”

Despite the advanced technology, she found that background noise frequently interfered with speech understanding in challenging environments.

Who should buy the Elehear Beyond 2 Pro?

Dr. Hinson recommends the Beyond 2 Pro primarily for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss who spend most of their time in quieter environments, particularly those looking for tinnitus relief.

“Beyond 2 Pro is a hearing aid I would recommend for those with normal to near normal hearing who struggle with tinnitus,” she says.

Beyond 2 Pro may also appeal to tech-savvy users who want access to newer features such as Auracast and in-app software updates. These capabilities offer additional flexibility, although the benefits of Auracast depend on the availability of compatible audio broadcasts.

However, based on her testing, Dr. Hinson would not recommend the Beyond 2 Pro for people whose primary concern is understanding conversations in noisy restaurants, crowded gatherings, or similarly challenging environments.

Elehear Beyond Pro

Elehear Beyond Pro

Over the Counter

• $599
• Rechargeable
• Mild to moderate

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Elehear Beyond Pro builds on the original Beyond with upgraded sound processing, a dedicated Music Mode, and additional app controls. During testing, its comfortable design and detailed music reproduction stood out, although some background static was noticeable.

Elehear Beyond Pro’s VOCCLEAR 2.0 technology is designed to improve speech clarity and reduce background noise.

Beyond Pro also offers additional sound-customization options compared with the original Beyond, including a dedicated Music Mode and controls for noise reduction and microphone directionality. This allows for more personalized listening settings.

At $599 per pair, Beyond Pro costs $200 less than Beyond 2 Pro while retaining Bluetooth streaming, tinnitus-masking features, and customizable listening settings. However, it lacks the newer model’s Auracast compatibility and IP67 dust and water resistance rating.

Pros of the Elehear Beyond Pro 

• Improved sound processing. VOCCLEAR 2.0 adds enhanced AI noise reduction and speech processing. Elehear reports 30% clearer speech recognition (compared to 39% with Beyond 2 Pro and 17% with the Beyond).
• Extended frequency range. The pro goes up to 8500Hz (same as Beyond 2 Pro), which is a 1500Hz improvement over the Beyond.
• The device offers feature-rich connectivity and app integration. Bluetooth 5.3 supports music and phone-call streaming on compatible devices. Users can also play customizable tinnitus-masking soundscapes while listening to music.
• More personalized sound controls. The Elehear app allows users to adjust volume, noise reduction, and microphone directionality, switch between listening modes, and fine-tune sound to their preferences.

Cons of the Elehear Beyond Pro 

• Limited water resistance. Beyond Pro has a sweat-resistant nano-coating but lacks the IP67 dust and water resistance rating of Beyond 2 Pro and Delight. Users should avoid submerging the hearing aids and consider upgrading to purchase the dry box.
• Persistent background static. Although Music Mode produced crisp, detailed sound during testing, our reviewer noticed constant background static that she found distracting.
• AI translation was inconsistent. The app’s AI translation feature made errors during testing, limiting its reliability for conversations in other languages.
• Speech understanding in noisy environments has limitations. Despite the upgraded noise-reduction technology, Beyond Pro still struggled in challenging listening environments.

Beyond Pro battery life and Bluetooth connectivity

Like its predecessor, the Elehear Beyond Pro offers up to 20 hours of use per charge and comes with a portable charging case that provides four additional charges for reliable, all-day listening.

Beyond Pro maintains the Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity seen in Beyond but adds stronger signal stability, helping keep tinnitus-masking soundscapes steady during music or call streaming—something the original Beyond occasionally struggled with. This makes it especially helpful for users who rely on continuous sound therapy for tinnitus relief.

Elehear Beyond Pro app and sound customization

While all hearing aids rely on the Elehear app for customization, Beyond Pro offers additional sound controls not seen in Beyond models, including adjustments for tone, volume, noise reduction, and microphone directionality. Users can also access ElePro™ telehealth support for remote adjustments. These updates make the experience more approachable for less tech-savvy users while offering expanded flexibility for experienced ones.

Our reviewer appreciated the clear in-app explanations, including those for the “Have a Try” demo mode, which lets users test changes in real time. She found adjustments simple and seamless and considered the tinnitus-masking feature one of the device’s strongest benefits. Even users without tinnitus may appreciate the masking feature for focus, relaxation, or sleep.

The device is also smart enough to know when you’re switching between listening to music and taking a phone call or utilizing a smart assistant to execute a command. Once a phone call or command is complete, the device automatically resumes playback, reducing the need for manual toggling.

AI-powered VOCCLEAR 2.0 Technology in Beyond Pro

Elehear’s VOCCLEAR 2.0 technology represented a major step forward in sound processing. Using deep neural networks and hybrid active noise cancellation, it analyzes environmental sounds 500 times per second to optimize speech clarity and suppress unwanted background noise.

The system also extends the frequency range to 125 Hz–8,500 Hz (from 7,000 Hz in the original Beyond), allowing it to reproduce a wider range of sounds.

Our reviewer noticed less background amplification and static than she had experienced with some other models. This allowed key sounds (like music and speech) to remain crisp and clear, even in dynamic environments. Compared with other OTC hearing aids she had tried, the Beyond Pro offered a more focused listening experience with improved sound stability.

Beyond Pro’s music mode for optimized listening

During testing, our reviewer found that the Beyond 2 Pro delivered richer, more detailed music than other hearing aid models she had evaluated. When users select the enhanced Music Mode through the app, the device optimizes sound processing for music listening (live or streaming), which reduces distortion and preserves vocal and instrumental integrity.

Tapping into the power of its higher frequency range and stronger Bluetooth stability, the Beyond Pro can capture more detail in Music Mode compared to its standard modes of listening. The quality of music remains uncompromised, even while tinnitus mode is in use simultaneously, allowing for seamless layering of the tinnitus playlists over music being played.

Our reviewer also found that using the “remote sound-capture” feature, which lets users place their phone near a sound source, extensively improved the quality of sound for TV, music, or conversations in noisy environments during testing.

Elehear Beyond

Elehear Beyond

Over the Counter

• $399
• Rechargeable
• Mild to moderate hearing loss

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The Elehear Beyond is one of the most affordable hearing aids when it comes to over-the-counter options for users with mild to moderate hearing loss or who struggle with tinnitus. This receiver in canal (RIC) hearing aid is lightweight and sleekly designed for comfort. While some users have commented that the design is slightly larger than other models, overall comfort was nevertheless a notable perk of this model. In addition, it comes in champagne and silver colors, which allows for more discreet wearing. There is a wide selection of ear domes to help each user find their perfect fit.

Our reviewer found the device noticeable when worn but still comfortable. Elehear Beyond also uses AI-based wind-noise management and feedback cancellation to reduce unwanted noise. During testing, our reviewer found that background noise was significantly reduced while wearing the device, while direct sound was prioritized and clarified by the device.

Pros of the Elehear Beyond

• The design was light and comfortable. The device has a sleek, well-fitted, lightweight design to suit active lifestyles. During extended wear, our reviewer found it easy to forget the hearing aids were there. They remained comfortable even after several hours of use.
• The tinnitus-masking options are excellent. The Elehear Beyond offers 22 different sounds for tinnitus masking, and all are of high quality. The sounds continue even while streaming music.
• The streaming music feature has superb sound quality. The hearing aids produce high-quality sound when streaming music, and the tinnitus-masking soundscapes can continue playing at the same time. For example, users can layer calming music with masking sounds such as birds, a babbling brook, and a waterfall. We consider this feature potentially useful for relaxation, concentration, or falling asleep.

Cons of the Elehear Beyond

• The tinnitus-masking feature switched off fairly often. Our reviewer noticed that it turned off when they used voice dictation on their iOS device or walked into another room. They then had to switch it back on manually.
• Customization in the app was hard to find. Our reviewer found it somewhat confusing to navigate the app and configure custom settings. Although initial setup of the devices and app took them less than 30 minutes, they felt that the customization options could challenge less tech-savvy users.
• Not for highly active users. Elehear Beyond’s water resistance level is IPX5. So, while a small amount of sweat or water droplets will not harm the device, large amounts are not recommended. The device is not waterproof, which may require the user to take extra care while wearing or maintaining/cleaning it.

Battery life of the Elehear Beyond

Elehear Beyond offers up to 20 hours of use on a single charge in hearing aid-only mode. However, it lasts 15 hours when using other features such as streaming music. Our audiologists consider this shorter than the battery life of some competing models. Nevertheless, a 15-minute charge of the devices in the charging case provides 6 hours of additional battery life. The portable charging case also offers a built-in battery for four extra charges when a user is on the go. The hearing aids have a convenient indicator light to indicate the battery life remaining. For example, three lights indicate a full charge is present, two lights indicate the battery is at 60% or less, one light signals battery life of 30% or less, and the absence of the lights lets the user know it’s time to charge the battery.

Elehear Beyond’s App and Bluetooth Capabilities

The Elehear app can be quickly downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. The app allows users to set up and personalize their hearing aids according to their hearing preferences. It also allows for remote management of the hearing aid settings by connecting the hearing aids to the user’s cell phone.

The Elehear Beyond has Bluetooth to connect with Apple iOS and Android phones. When connected to a phone, the hearing aids can play music and answer calls hands-free. To answer or hang up calls, you simply press the volume down button for two seconds. The same process works to play or pause music being listened to.

Additional Elehear Beyond app capabilities

The app allows users to customize the mode, the volume of the left and right hearing aid, tuning, phone call boost, and tinnitus-masking soundscapes. These soundscapes range from different types of white noise and nature sounds to the sound of a cafe. The app allows users to layer up to five sounds and then save and label them as a favorite combination. During testing, our reviewer found the masking effective without covering up environmental sounds.

The app provides customizable settings for the default mode, restaurant environments, and listening to music or watching TV. Our reviewer could rename these modes or add new ones. However, she did not immediately understand how the modes differed or how to adjust their custom settings.

The app also offers remote sound capture to adjust the device to the source of sound, adjusting for environmental noise, in-app hearing testing and support options. During testing, our reviewer noticed that tinnitus masking switched off while they explored the app and needed to be manually switched back on, although they couldn’t determine whether using the hearing-test feature caused the interruption.

Elehear Beyond can also translate conversations in 11 languages with just one tap in the app: English, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian and Portuguese. Users can hear real-time translations directly through their hearing aids. It may be difficult for some users to figure out how to turn on auto translation, rather than translate manually through the app. Once over the learning curve, however, this is a useful feature, especially when traveling.

Elehear Beyond’s sound output, according to our product tester

While the sound was amplified well, I noted an ever-so-slight delay. I also experienced a faint but noticeable constant white noise. I also found that while walking around, I could hear the hearing aids make a clicking sound as if there was a rattle in my ear. This became worse while mimicking a light jog. I could see how this could be bothersome to an active individual or while out for a walk with a friend.

Another thing I noticed was a slightly short or unstable range for the Bluetooth connection. Hands-free call answering and music streaming are great features, especially for convenience and hands-free answering. However, the device lost connection when I walked into the other room. If a user needs to be close to their phone to maintain the connection, this may not provide the benefit expected of hands-free answering or convenience during calls.

The app offers several customized settings for a user’s default mode, including a restaurant environment, listening to music, and watching TV.  I could edit the names of these various modes or add a mode. However, it wasn’t instantly clear to me what the difference was in the modes or how to adjust them with my own custom preferences. However,  Elehear Beyond also has readily available user support through the app for any technical or other issues. The app also provides remote audiologist support options for more user-specific assistance.

Elehear Delight

Elehear Delight

Over the Counter

• $299
• Rechargeable
• Mild to moderate

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The Elehear Delight is an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid designed with a focus on discretion, comfort, and everyday usability.

Unlike the behind-the-ear (RIC) style of the Beyond models, the Delight uses an in-the-ear (ITE), earbud-style form factor that sits fully in the ear. This makes it one of Elehear’s most discreet hearing aids and a strong option for users who prioritize all-day comfort and veering from the traditional hearing aid styles.

In our hands-on testing, the Delight delivered clear, natural sound in everyday listening environments, including one-on-one conversations and quiet home settings. Speech came through crisp and easy to follow, and music listening (after troubleshooting streaming issues) sounded balanced and true-to-source.

The device uses Elehear’s VOCCLEAR AI sound processing to adapt to different environments, helping reduce background noise while maintaining speech clarity.

Where the Delight stands out most is comfort and fit. The device stayed secure during movement, even when wearing glasses, and caused no irritation during extended wear. Multiple dome options are included, making it easier to find a good in-ear seal.

That said, the smaller hearing aid size comes with tradeoffs, including shorter battery life (up to ~13.5 hours) and a more app-dependent experience for customization and Bluetooth streaming.

The Bluetooth and app experience was less seamless than expected. While the device connected to the app, streaming audio required additional manual steps and did not always activate automatically. This may not be an issue for more tech-savvy users, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re looking for a plug-and-play experience.

Pros of Elehear Delight

• The design is discreet and comfortable. The completely-in-canal, earbud-style design sits fully in the ear and is barely noticeable when worn. It remained secure during movement and comfortable even after extended wear.
• Sound quality is clear and natural. Speech came through crisp in quiet and moderately noisy environments, and music sounded balanced and true-to-source without distortion.
• Strong value for the price. At around $299, the Delight offers modern features like app control, Bluetooth capability, and AI sound processing at an accessible price point.

Cons of Elehear Delight

• Bluetooth streaming was not seamless. Streaming required additional manual steps and did not always activate automatically, which may be frustrating for some users.
• Battery life is shorter than other models. The device lasts up to about 13.5 hours in hearing mode, but drops significantly with streaming use.
• App experience may require a learning curve. Customization and feature navigation were not always intuitive, especially for less tech-savvy users.

Our experience using Elehear Delight

The Elehear Delight stood out immediately for its comfort and discreet design. The ITE earbud-style fit sits fully in the ear and is barely noticeable when worn — similar to a typical wireless earbud.

We found the Delight to be one of the most discreet OTC hearing aids we’ve tested. It blends in more like a consumer audio device than a traditional hearing aid, which may appeal to users concerned about visibility or stigma. Multiple dome options helped achieve a stable fit, with no irritation, pressure, or feedback during extended wear. Our reviewer was pleasantly surprised that she didn’t need to readjust the fit throughout the day.

Overall, the physical design and fit make this a strong option for users prioritizing comfort and a low-profile look in their hearing device.

Sound quality and performance

In everyday listening environments, the Elehear Delight delivered clear, natural sound. Speech was easy to follow in one-on-one conversations, and amplification felt balanced rather than overly processed.

Music listening was also a highlight — even before enabling full streaming functionality.

In noisier environments like restaurants, noise reduction helped reduce background clutter, allowing speech to come through more clearly. However, performance in these settings required some manual adjustment within the app to achieve the best results. Noise suppression did not always scale as expected at higher levels, and background sounds remained noticeable in more complex environments.

typical earbuds. We observed a slight delay (~0.25 seconds) when streaming vid

Overall, sound performance was strongest in one-on-one conversations and controlled environments. While the device adapts to different listening situations, users may need to fine-tune settings for optimal clarity in challenging noise.

Bluetooth, app, and streaming experience

The Elehear Delight offers app-based controls and Bluetooth streaming, but the experience was not fully seamless. Initial pairing required troubleshooting, and while the device connected to the app successfully, streaming audio did not always activate automatically.

Switching into streaming mode required manual steps within both the Elehear app and the audio source (such as selecting the device through Spotify). After contacting Elehear support, we confirmed the device operates in two modes: Hearing Aid Mode and Headset Mode.

Streaming is only available in Headset Mode, which must be manually selected.

Even with this clarification, the process was not entirely intuitive, and streaming did not consistently activate automatically. Users may need to navigate both the app and device settings to initiate streaming.

When streaming worked, sound quality was clear and well-balanced, though slightly less full than typical earbuds. Our reviewer observed a slight delay (~0.25 seconds) when streaming video, though they didn’t find it to be disruptive.

Because streaming requires switching from Hearing Aid Mode to Headset Mode, it may feel less intuitive than other OTC devices. This may be frustrating for less tech-savvy users.

What our audiologists say about Elehear Hearing Aids 

Dr. Jessica Hinson, AuD, says that Elehear makes the best OTC hearing aids for tinnitus relief. She recommends Elehear for those with tinnitus, even if they have normal hearing. She recommends choosing the bundle with a dry box to regularly remove moisture from the aids, and she finds the champagne color to be the most discreet. Consistent with our review, she says those who are savvy with smartphone technology will benefit more from this device than those without smartphone connectivity.

“[Key perks include] tinnitus maskers available in an easy-to-use app, and the use of DNN (deep neural networks) to train the hearing aid noise reduction features,” says Hinson. “Also, they are rechargeable.”

While she notes that 20 hours of battery life without streaming is less than the standard, she says those who like to have a little more control in their hearing journey will love the user-friendly app.

“For a patient seeking an affordable OTC solution, Elehear Beyond seems like a great option,” Hinson says.  “Medically, the patient would need to have moderate loss or better, symmetric hearing, and no draining or excessive wax [in the device] to make this the right choice.”

Otherwise, however, Elehear Beyond and Beyond Pro are some of the most affordable hearing aids for those on a budget who still seek a comfortable fit, as well as a broad range of features.

Should you choose Elehear hearing aids?  

Overall, Elehear offers several affordable OTC hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. The Beyond remains a budget-friendly option, the Beyond Pro prioritizes sound quality, and the Delight offers a smaller, more discreet design.

The newest Beyond 2 Pro introduces upgraded technology, improved water resistance, and additional connectivity features. Our audiologist particularly appreciated its music streaming, comfort, and tinnitus support. However, disappointing performance in noisy environments makes it harder to recommend for users whose primary concern is understanding speech in background noise.

All Elehear hearing aid models offer affordable, well-designed solutions for everyday hearing needs, especially for those looking to enhance their listening experience before investing in prescription-level devices or an in-person audiologist fitting.

Ultimately, the best Elehear hearing aid depends on your hearing needs, lifestyle, and priorities.

How we tested and reviewed Elehear Hearing Aids

• Products evaluated: We evaluated Elehear Delight, Elehear Beyond, Elehear Beyond Pro, and Elehear Beyond 2 Pro, comparing their sound performance, comfort, connectivity, and everyday usability.
• How products were obtained: The device was either purchased by our team or provided as a free sample by the manufacturer for testing. We maintain editorial independence in both scenarios. Manufacturers do not review drafts, approve copy, or influence our rankings.
• Hands-on tests performed: Our testing included quiet settings, conversations, noisy environments, outdoor activities, and Bluetooth streaming. Audiologist Dr. Jessica Hinson wore the Beyond 2 Pro for approximately two weeks, evaluating its fit, sound quality, app experience, noise reduction, and battery life.
• Audiologist review: An audiologist reviews suitability guidance by severity, checks key claims for reasonableness, and ensures counseling notes are clear (limitations and next steps).
• What we did not test: We did not test with a profound hearing-loss profile because it is our belief that Elehear is only suitable for moderate hearing loss and not meant for those with profound or severe hearing loss.
• More detail: See our full review methodology.