Best Hearing Aids for Music of 2024: OTC & Rx Options (2024)

Hearing Aid Vetting Experts

The Problem with Music and Hearing Aids

If you wear hearing aids, you've probably noticed that music doesn't sound as good as you'd like. Most hearing aid users report that music sounds distorted—too sharp and lacking in bass.

This is not altogether surprising as hearing aids have traditionally focused on speech enhancement. They are first and foremost tools for maximizing communication. In developing the audio processing strategies and acoustical designs that work best for speech enhancement, engineers have had to make some unfortunate compromises for the music lovers among us.

Hearing aids have gotten better and better over the years, with user satisfaction keeping pace.⁶ In the last few years Bluetooth streaming from iPhone and Android has become commonplace. But, have manufacturers made any progress on improving the dreaded sound quality when streaming music?

The short answer is "not really"—there is no great hearing aid when it comes streaming music quality. The best hearing aids are just OK. But, if music streaming is important to you, you'll want to make sure you read this article to learn what hearing aid technologies can impact music quality, and how you can be a smart consumer when it comes to selecting and fine tuning your next all-day companion.

I also work as the Lab Director of HearAdvisor™, an independent scientific hearing aid vetting service. In the lab, we ran tests to find the absolute best hearing aids for streaming music quality. My recommendations are based on both HearAdvisor's scientific lab findings and my hands-on experience with these devices in my role as a product reviewer with HearingTracker. Continue reading to learn what hearing devices I liked best and why.

How Speech and Music Differ

Before we dive into technologies, let’s briefly look at the differences between speech and music. Figure 1 shows a ten-second clip of both speech in quiet and a typical rock song. These waveforms represent the sound's shape over time. The speech waveform (left) varies in volume having occasional pauses and louder peaked regions, such as at 3.6 seconds. Conversely, music tends to be much louder on average with less variation. This is to some extent the nature of music and instruments; however, we can also blame loudness competitions in the music industry (i.e., the “Loudness Wars”) driving our music to be less dynamic and more prone to distortions.

Hearing Aids are Designed for Speech… Not Music

Now that we have highlighted some differences between speech and music, what are the specific challenges hearing aids face? Here are a few points and recall that these are not necessarily issues as many are designed to aid communication:

Digital Signal Processing (DSP): Hearing aids manipulate audio with various processes to improve audibility and the wearer's listening comfort. Some examples include wide dynamic range compression, beamforming directional microphones, digital noise reduction, and feedback reduction. There is considerable research supporting the benefits of such DSP for general use. However, they can cause undesirable distortions when listening to both live and recorded music.

Physical Style and Fit: Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) hearing aids are by far the most common. They typically leave the ear canal open in what's referred to as an "open fitting". With open hearing aids, sound can enter your ear in two ways, (1) through the hearing aid speaker and (2) naturally through the ear canal. Many people prefer open-fitting RICs as they are very comfortable and more natural sounding if your hearing loss is limited to the higher-frequencies. They also don't cause your own voice to become boomy when you speak (when bass tones are trapped in the ear by non-open hearing aids, this is referred to as "occlusion").

The downside to open-fits is that they do not provide good music sound quality. The instant-fit ear tips used for open-fits offer minimal coupling to the ear canal and little-to-no occlusion below roughly 1000 Hz.³ Without good coupling we lose bass and mid frequencies leading to thin and tinny sounding music.

Speaker Type: Hearing aids use a special type of speaker known as a balanced armature (BA) driver. BA drivers are used because they are small, minimize battery usage, and are efficient at providing amplification for a typical age related high-frequency hearing loss. Other speakers like the dynamic drivers in your car are better for music reproduction though they are not used in traditional hearing aids. Some devices, such as Liberty 3 Pro by Soundcore, include both speaker types in their earbuds. Other devices are employing a newer micro-electro mechanical (MEMs) driver to expand output capabilities.

Streaming Protocols: Wireless audio streaming with Bluetooth continues to grow in popularity and has become an expected feature of most modern hearing aids. Made for iPhone (MFi) and Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) protocols provide many benefits to the hearing aid user though they tend to degrade the streamed audio signal by adding undesirable distortions and artifacts.^5,7

Music Programs, Fine-Tuning, and Music Audiologists

Regardless of these barriers, hearing aid manufacturers are increasingly aware of the importance of music sound quality. New over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are also entering the market, providing more opportunities than ever for individuals with hearing loss. Most of these devices offer dedicated “Music Programs,” which adjust device settings to be more advantageous for music listening.

Audiologist Matthew Allsop, who specializes in treating musicians in his London-based audiology clinic, provides practical advice on optimizing your hearing aids for a better music experience.

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For example, hearing aid music programs generally disable automatic adjustments that may cause the volume and or sound quality to change intermittently. Compression settings and max peak output (MPO) may be modified to account for the louder volumes and more intense bursts of energy found in music. Feedback cancellation algorithms can also be turned off so instruments like flutes and clarinets do not confuse them causing unnecessary whistling.

Music programs can improve sound quality, but fine-tuning for your specific music needs should be considered.¹ For example, you may prefer a more occluding ear-tip or custom earmold to get the most out of your hearing device. Speak with your hearing provider regarding your preferences, musical background, and specific listening needs. Lastly, consider your hearing health and whether your listening habits are potentially hazardous, causing further damage to your ears—loud sound levels are associated with an array of music-induced hearing disorders.

It is worth noting that some hearing providers specialize in this area, having both practical and theoretical knowledge of sound, musicality, and the industry. “Music Audiologists'' therefore offer the greatest opportunity to help optimize your hearing devices for music. If you schedule an appointment with a Music Audiologist, you will likely be asked to bring your instrument in-office for more pragmatic testing and troubleshooting.

Best Hearing Aids for Streamed Music, According to Science

After measuring background music streaming in over 40 products in the HearAdvisor acoustic lab, we've identified the top performers on the market in 2024. Here we present the top 2 products—a winner and runner up—from three product categories: (1) prescription hearing aids, (2) OTC hearing aids, and (3) speech-enhancing earbuds.

This is not a comprehensive list by any means, so be sure to check out the full list of winners, which includes devices from ReSound, Starkey, Bose, and more.

Streaming Capabilities For the Winners

Here we compare the key music streaming features offered by each device:

How We Tested

HearAdvisor uses a custom built acoustic laboratory to measure hearing aid performance. Hearing aids are programmed based on a common age-related hearing loss and worn by an industry-standard acoustic manikin. Recordings are then made through microphones in the manikin’s ears, creating quasi-3D audio that emulates what it would sound like if you were wearing devices and streaming.

HearAdvisor evaluates streaming quality by playing audio (4 different music genres and one podcast) from a paired iOS smartphone. A calibration is performed prior to recordings so that the phone's streamed audio level is consistent across all tested devices, and recordings, at roughly 70 dB SPL. Once recordings are finished, music performance is measured using the Hearing Aid Audio Quality Index (HAAQI)⁹ which models the impaired auditory system and was designed to match subjective music sound quality ratings from individuals with hearing loss.¹⁰

Streamed Music Quality is one of five component metrics that HearAdvisor uses to evaluate hearing aid performance. All metrics are simplified using a 1 to 5 rating scheme, and averaged across both their Initial and Tuned Protocols, creating a single number representative of a device's overall performance—the HearAdvisor SoundScore™. Higher numbers denote a better SoundScore and top-performers receive an Expert Choice Badge—giving a clear stamp of approval for the best products tested.

Best Prescription Hearing Aid for Music: Phonak Lumity

After testing over 40 modern hearing aids in HearAdvisor's acoustic lab, Phonak Audéo Lumity emerged as the top performing prescription device. The device received the highest score on the The HAAQI (described above) of any prescription device tested.

Audéo Lumity is the latest addition to the Phonak hearing aid line offering advanced speech enhancement features (it performed extremely well in our background noise tests), health data tracking, rechargeability, wireless control, and more. It is a traditional hearing aid requiring assistance from a hearing provider and is currently only available in a series of receiver-in-canal (RIC) form factors.

Audéo Lumity offers many opportunities to improve music sound quality through physical and programming adjustments. Each Lumity RIC can pair with an array of instant-fit and custom ear tips. And your hearing provider can fine-tune the signal processing within the professional software to maximize sound quality.There's also a dedicated music program that you can tweak in the MyPhonak app.

Audéo Lumity was also chosen due to its performance in the HearAdvisor lab as it was a top-performer in the traditional hearing aid category. Both the initial and tuned fitting protocols received a 4.1 out of 5 for streamed music sound quality.

What I Love About Lumity

Drawbacks

Runner Up: Oticon Real

Those interested in an alternative to Phonak Lumity might also consider Oticon Real. Real is another prescription RIC hearing aid with great music streaming and a similar feature set. Real performed similarly in terms of streamed audio quality and actually performed marginally better than Lumity on speech-in-noise testing.

Best OTC Hearing Aid for Music: Sony CRE-E10

The Sony CRE-E10 offers excellent sound quality thanks to a more occluding fit. Music and other streamed audio are full and immersive, more akin to “prosumer” earbuds or headphones. It is no surprise that CRE-E10 performed very well in the HearAdvisor lab, receiving a 4.2 and 4.0 out of 5 for streamed music quality (initial and tuned protocols, respectively).

We found the CRE-E10 to be an impressive product offering the combined benefits of both a hearing aid and an advanced earbud. The product received a SoundScore of 5 from HearAdvisor, making it the overall top-performer of all devices.

The CRE-E10s are designed for everyday use and, while there is no dedicated music program, they should adjust automatically per your listening environment.

What I Love About Sony CRE-E10

Drawbacks

Runner Up: Jabra Enhance Plus

Jabra, another reputable name in consumer electronics, offers Enhance Plus which is a worthwhile consideration in the OTC self-fit category. Enhance Plus is no slouch when it comes to sound quality, features, and wireless control, and fine-tuning capabilities. Unfortunately, there is still only iOS support and both the battery life and waterproofer and not as impressive as the CRE-E10.

Best Advanced Earbud for Music: Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus

Sennheiser’s Conversation Clear Plus are advanced earbuds designed to improve speech understanding in noisy environments. However, do not let the quasi-hearing aid status fool you. Sennheiser holds true to their name offering a fantastic music listening experience.

What I Love About Conversation Clear Plus

Drawbacks

Runner Up: Apple AirPods 2

Those interested in an alternative to Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus should consider Apple Airpods Pro 2. They also offer excellent streamed audio quality receiving a 4.4 out of 5 in the HearAdvisor™ lab. What’s more, they can be purchased for less than $200 putting them at a more realistic price-point for advanced earbuds. Airpods also offer desirable health tracking and hearing features through iOS devices.

Which Product Should I Choose?

The best hearing aid for music streaming ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize prescription-grade customization, OTC convenience, or advanced earbud features, there is a suitable option available for everyone. Make sure to consider your individual requirements and budget when selecting the ideal device to enhance your music listening experience.

Music, Occlusion, and Bass

It is worth noting that HearAdvisor programs devices based on industry standards for optimizing speech performance. Music Streaming scores therefore do not reflect the devices being specifically adjusted for music sound quality. It is likely that all devices would perform and score differently if settings, and physical properties, were tuned for music listening. However, this would generally require changes that may compromise both speech performance and user comfort. As this is unlikely for the average person, HearAdvisor provides scores based on the predominant approach to hearing aid programming.

This begs the question, what are some changes that would benefit music sound quality? To put it simply, more bass. We have all heard car-rattling subwoofers and the explosive “booms” commonplace at theaters. As it turns out, even individuals with hearing loss find good low-frequency representation, or bass, important when judging music sound quality¹¹. There are many factors at play but bass remains a top priority.

While modern hearing aids are capable of doing this, audiologists tend to minimize bass for several reasons. One good example is user comfort. Occlusion, or a good ear canal seal, is required for hearing aids to provide bass and this can inadvertently cause a “barrel” or “echo” like sound quality when you speak. This is the result of low-frequency buildup in your ear canal and is a common complaint among hearing aid users¹³. If this isn’t making sense, plug your ears and voice the “e” sound.

This tradeoff between comfort and music sound quality is important and HearAdvisor offers metrics for both Streamed Music Quality and My Own Voice for this reason. Devices that offer more occlusion, either due to their default configuration or manufacturer recommendations, tend to score better for Music Quality. Table 3 below shows the ear tips used for all devices listed in this review and the resulting occlusion, seen here as real-ear occluded insertion gain (REOIG)¹², is provided in Figure 3.

Attention Musicians and Music Fans

If you are reading this, it is likely that music is a pastime, passion, and or career. Be mindful of the hazards loud sound exposures pose on our hearing system and practice safe listening. Sound induced hearing damage is irreversible and commonly associated with other hearing disorders such as tinnitus. Fortunately, this type of hearing loss is almost completely preventable with education and minor effort—this holds true for those who have existing hearing loss and wish to preserve their ears. Here’s a short list to this ends:

• Speak with a Music Audiologist and have them perform a hearing evaluation to (1) set a baseline and (2) monitor your hearing going forward.
• Purchase quality earplugs and use them. We've tested and reviewed top musician's earplugs.
• Fight the urge to listen at loud volumes and work to decrease your exposures to those that are excessive.

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• Use the iOS Health app to monitor your streamed listening levels and adjust accordingly.
• Use a sound level meter (SLM) app such as NIOSH SLM to check your exposures in loud environments. Apple Watch offers similar warning features.
• Be aware that there are many situations where hearing devices should be removed to reduce exposures to loud sounds. Hearing aids, when programmed properly, will not damage your hearing. However, they will not protect you from hazardous sound levels.

References

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4. French NR, Steinberg JC. (1947). Factors governing the intelligibility of speech sounds. JASA. 19(1).
5. Hoel, R., & Motos, T. (2011, October). Challenges in 2.4 GHz wireless audio streaming. In Audio Engineering Society Convention 131. Audio Engineering Society.
6. Kochkin, S. (2010). MarkeTrak VIII: Consumer satisfaction with hearing aids is slowly increasing. The Hearing Journal, 63(1), 19-20.
7. Kuk, F., Crose, B., Korhonen, P., Kyhn, T., Mørkebjerg, M., Rank, M. L., ... & Ungstrup, M. (2010). Digital wireless hearing aids, Part 1: A primer. Hearing Review, 17(3), 54-67.
8. Rawool, V. W. (2012). Hearing conservation: In occupational, recreational, educational, and home settings. Thieme, 2012.
9. Kuk, F., Keenan, D., & Lau, C. C. (2009). Comparison of vent effects between a solid earmold and a hollow earmold. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 20(08), 480-491.
10. Kates, J. M., & Arehart, K. H. (2015). The hearing-aid audio quality index (HAAQI). IEEE/ACM transactions on audio, speech, and language processing, 24(2), 354-365.
11. Arehart, K. H., Kates, J. M., & Anderson, M. C. (2011). Effects of noise, nonlinear processing, and linear filtering on perceived music quality. International Journal of Audiology, 50(3), 177-190.
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