Audicus Review: Hearing Aids for Everyone

About Audicus

A neuroscience engineer heads the Audicus team, who spent years developing and improving both their products and hearing tests. Their goal was to make hearing aids more accessible to everyone by creating affordable hearing aids. A US-based Unitron, which is owned by Sonova, a major hearing aid company, manufactures all their devices.

Audicus is an online retailer, so they do not have a physical location. They have managed to make devices affordable by cutting out the middleman, so all products are sold through Audicus.com directly to their customers.

The hearing aid company pre-programs their devices before shipping them to you. To get the most accurate settings, you can upload your audiogram results to their website, or you can take their free online hearing test. 

How Does Audicus Work?

1. Get a hearing health assessment

Audicus devices are pre-programmed, so you'll have to fill them in on how severe your hearing loss is. There are three ways to do this:

• Send them your audiogram results
• Take Audicus's hearing test
• Visit an Audicus hearing store

2. Purchase your device

Go through their devices and choose the one that fits your needs; their devices come in a number of different styles and designs. They will tailor everything to you once you find the perfect match and ship it to your front door. All shipments are free within the US; however, if you are in Canada shipping will cost you $20.

3. Recieve your device

You get 45 days to try your device risk-free. A team of experts is a phone call away to answer any questions or concerns you may have. 

Audicus Products

The Dia II

The Dia II is their most popular device and the most affordable. For a while, they were temporarily discontinued, but eventually, they brought it back because of the high demand. When it was put back on the market, the prices were even lower than before. 

The FDA approved the hearing aid device, and it was designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The behind-the-ear hearing aid adapts to the environment around you, so it omits the background noise and helps you focus on speech. The volume reaches 56 decibels, and it can last up to 140 hours.

You get to choose from three different colors; grey, beige, and silver. In addition, you get eight processing channels plus a 68 IP rating, and this rating is the highest possible for hearing aids.
 

The Clara

Clara is about the size of your fingertip, and it is made for people with mild to severe hearing loss. If you are looking for something discreet, this is the design for you as it is invisible from the outside. The receiver-in-canal has two directional microphones and can deliver almost crystal clear hearing in any environment.

You get the option of choosing between 47 to 57 decibels of amplification depending on which receiver you choose, Standard or Power Reciever. For an extra $50, you can upgrade your device and increase the number of channels from eight to twelve; for an extra $200, you can make your device compatible with the Audicus Rechargeable Dock.

This design comes in four colors beige, silver, black, and grey.
 

The Aura

This hearing aid features a "revolutionary micro-design" it sits inside your ear canal, making it hard to spot from the outside. In addition, the design is made to be comfortable so you can wear it throughout the day with no problems. 

It is intended for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, and if you are looking for a completely in-canal hearing aid, this is your cheapest option. 

This design comes in beige and redblue.
 

The Wave

This device offers the best hearing aid technology at a reasonable price; it is also the most affordable Bluetooth hearing device on the market. It is intended for people with mild to severe hearing loss. 

The Wave offers you 12 processing channels, and the volume can go up to 111 decibels. The design is discreet, and it is a receiver-in-ear hearing aid, so it shouldn't be visible to others.

This design comes in four colors beige, silver, black, and grey.
 

The Spirit

This latest hearing aid by Audicus is the most advanced device they've had so far. With Spirit, you won't need an in-person visit to the audiologist because you can customize all the settings and get remote hearing care from an audiologist. 

You can also stream TV and phone calls directly from your smartphone, no matter what brand it is. The Bluetooth is fully enabled, and you get a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. The design comes in beige, silver, black, and grey.

Audicus Accessories

To upgrade your device, you can get:

• UV Dry Box: The Dry Box retails at $65 each, and it keeps your hearing aid dry and clean. When you take off your device, you can place it in the box, and the UV dry box will remove any built-up moisture.
   
• Bluetooth Remote and Dock: This goes hand in hand with your Clara device. The Bluetooth remote makes the hearing aid Bluetooth compatible, and you can directly stream from a TV, Smartphone, Computer, or any Bluetooth-enabled device. You can also use it to adjust the volume and settings. The Dock is used to charge the remote and transmit sounds direct to the hearing aid. The Dock and remote are sold for $349, and the Bluetooth Dock is sold alone for $149. However, you cannot use the Dock without the remote, so you'll have to buy them together.
   
• Classic Remote: This can be purchased to control the Clara and Dia II hearing aids. With this remote, you can change programs and control the volume of your device. The remote is designed to fit your pocket so you can take it with you everywhere you go; it also comes with a belt clip if you prefer to wear it. The retail price is $199, and it is synchronized for you by the company before it is shipped. 
  
   

Audicus Costs

They provide the most affordable hearing aids in the industry:

• The Dia II: It retailed $499 for a single hearing aid or $998 for a set.
   
• The Clara: It retailed $699 for a single hearing aid or $1,398 for a set.
   
• The Aura: It retailed $699 per ear or $1,398 for a set.
   
• The Wave: It is retailed for $899 per ear or $1,798 for a set.
   
• The Spirit: Is retailed for $2,798 per pair.
   

Audicus memberships

A membership could make obtaining a hearing aid possible as it is an affordable option, and you'll get to change your device every 18 months. There's no commitment, so that you can cancel your membership at any time.

Each membership includes:

• A pair of customized hearing aids
• Free programming
• Unlimited expert support
• Lost and damage protection
• New batteries and domes
• New hearing aids every 18 months
• Cancelation at any time

In addition, every hearing aid you get includes:

• 1-year manufacturers warranty
• Free shipping within the US
• 45-day trial
• Unlimited expert support
• Quickstart kit
   

Trade-in program

In case your hearing aids are damaged or unrepairable, you could qualify for their trade-in program. They value your device, and the proceeds go towards your next purchase. The maximum trade-in you get is $200 a year. 
 

Conclusion

If money is what is stopping you from obtaining a hearing aid, Audicus has the solution. They've built a business model that makes their devices accessible to people that need them. If a $1000 a pair is way above your budget, you can opt to pay on a monthly basis. An audiologist heads their team, so all their test and devices are made by experts. The low prices do not compromise the quality of the device, as they do use the latest technologies available.