Choosing an MDHearing Aid: Staff Reviews and Expert Insights

Choosing an MDHearing Aid: Staff Reviews and Expert Insights

Whether you're exploring hearing aid options for yourself or a loved one, navigating the world of hearing aids can be overwhelming. At MDHearing, we understand the importance of finding a device that not only meets your hearing needs but also enhances your overall quality of life.

In this blog, some of the expert licensed hearing professionals from MDHearing will provide you with valuable information, insights, and recommendations. From understanding the different types of hearing aids available to discussing the technological features, we'll cover everything you need to know about MDHearing’s aids and world-class support. 

Our goal is to empower you with knowledge about all of our hearing aid models so that you can make an informed decision about which hearing aid best suits your unique lifestyle and hearing.

But first, let’s talk about support. 

Support From MDHearing’s Audiologists and Licensed Hearing Specialists

At MDHearing, we take pride in providing the highest level of ongoing support and hearing care for free via email, phone call, video chat, or even text message. We have an entire in-house team of both licensed audiologists and hearing instrument specialists—all based in the U.S. and ready to assist you.

With decades of experience in the hearing industry, our hearing professionals provide remote clinic-level care from the comfort of your home, including consultations, personalized recommendations, and troubleshooting. 

For an even more comprehensive level of care, we also offer our VIP Care option. VIP Care provides you with remote audiological services, such as fittings, onboarding, coaching, and follow-up care. During your scheduled appointments, you will learn how to fit, wear, and optimize your hearing aids for your specific needs and be able to discuss your concerns in real-time without the need for in-person visits. These appointments are typically seen via video chat, similar to FaceTime, but they can also take place via a phone call if you prefer to talk on the phone.

We asked some of our team “How do you feel our customer support compares to in-clinic support?” and here’s what they said: 

The number one thing that sets MDHearing apart from the competition is our customer service. It is every bit as good as what a patient would expect in a clinic. Our staff is highly trained and focused on helping our patients hear better. Everyone who answers a call from our patients is a licensed professional with several years, sometimes decades, of experience.” – Kevin May, Licensed HIS

I feel our customer support is better than in-clinic support because you don't have to make an appointment, drive somewhere, wait for the appointment, and then have your scheduled time. You can call, email, or text at your convenience. If you want to have scheduled one-on-one time, we can do that too with our VIP Care program.” – Dr. Sandra Porps, AuD

Our customer support blows people away and I think it’s why we stand out compared to other OTC companies. It saves the customer a lot of money and empowers them to take ownership of their devices and hearing.” – Taylor Smith, Licensed HIS

I think MDHearing’s customer support is incomparable. Having access to OTC hearing aids backed by hearing care professionals doesn't compare to the high-pressure sales environment in clinics. Oftentimes, the clinic environment results in buyers remorse and hearing aids getting a bad rap. At MDHearing, the customer can obtain the information about their hearing and our solutions at their own leisure.” – Nicole Rowell, Licensed HIS

Types of Hearing Aids Offered By MDHearing

Founded on the idea that everyone deserves to hear, MDHearing has been providing affordable, high-quality, FDA-registered hearing aids for over a decade and a half. Since our founding, we’ve helped more than 750,000 Americans hear better all around the country.

MDHearing offers both behind-the-ear (BTE) and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid options, as well as a customizable, Bluetooth-compatible model. All of our hearing aids are designed, programmed, and tested by our in-house team of audiologists and hearing professionals. Whether you prioritize comfort, discretion, or advanced technological features, MDHearing has a hearing aid to meet your needs and deliver clear, natural sound—for thousands less than a traditional clinic.

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Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

MDHearing has continually evolved its offerings to cater to a diverse range of hearing needs, initially focusing on behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids upon its launch. 

BTE models are the preferred choice for many due to their versatility and effectiveness in addressing mild to moderate hearing loss. These devices rest comfortably and discreetly behind the ear, with a small tube delivering sound into the ear canal. There are different tubing lengths available, as well as many styles and sizes of domes and tips. This makes BTE hearing aids highly customizable, allowing patients to adjust the fit and sound settings at home to optimize their hearing experience.

In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

As technology progressed and customer preferences diversified, MDHearing expanded its product line to include in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids. These models are designed for individuals seeking a more discreet hearing solution. 

ITE hearing aids fit snugly within the ear canal, making them less visible compared to BTE devices but also less customizable when it comes to fit. Despite their smaller size, ITE models from MDHearing maintain the same high standards of performance as our BTE hearing aids, leveraging advanced technology to enhance sound clarity and reduce background noise.

MDHearing’s BTE Hearing Aids

MDHearing currently offers three BTE models: the VOLT, AIR, and VOLT MAX.

The MDHearing VOLT

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MDHearing's VOLT hearing aid is a premium rechargeable OTC hearing aid with a long-lasting battery life and a superior hearing experience. 

The VOLT is my favorite BTE due to sound quality, ease of use, versatility, directional microphones, and long battery life. I recommend this hearing aid to patients who have dexterity and/or vision issues due to the program button and volume wheel being separate functions. The VOLT is easy to use and works well for a variety of different configurations of hearing loss.” – Dr. Jennifer Stanton, AuD

Designed to cater to a wide range of hearing needs, the VOLT is a behind-the-ear (BTE) model that combines advanced features with a user-friendly design. This model is suited for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, offering enhanced clarity and comfort.

Some of the standout features of the VOLT hearing aid is its dual microphones and adaptive noise reduction technology, which helps users distinguish speech from background noise more effectively. This makes conversations in noisy environments clearer, contributing to a better overall listening experience. Additionally, the VOLT includes feedback cancellation technology to minimize whistling and feedback sounds.

The VOLT is highly customizable in both fit (with many dome options and sizes to find what fits your ear best) and by allowing users to adjust settings to suit their personal preferences. Whether you're in a crowded restaurant, a bustling office, or enjoying quiet moments at home, the VOLT adapts seamlessly to deliver reliable performance and improved clarity throughout the day.

The VOLT can fit a range of hearing losses from mild to moderate. The ComfortTIPs are very comfortable in the ear canal. The battery life is amazing, lasting about 20 hours when it only needs a 4 hour charge. Price and quality of hearing is exceptional.” – Nicole Rowell, Licensed HIS

With its blend of advanced technology, comfort-focused design, and customizable features, the VOLT has a high customer satisfaction rate. It stands as a testament to MDHearing's ongoing mission to empower individuals with the tools they need to reconnect with the world around them through enhanced hearing capabilities.

Many customers come to me thinking they want an in-the-canal hearing aid, but after discussing the pros and cons of various models, they choose the VOLT. Those patients are rarely, if ever, dissatisfied with their choice. The VOLT is typically easier for my patients to use than any hearing aid they have ever tried. ” – Kevin May, Licensed HIS

The MDHearing AIR

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MDHearing's AIR hearing aid is a smaller rechargeable OTC hearing aid with digital technology and high-quality sound. 

This is our smallest and most affordable BTE. It’s easy to use, does not interfere with glasses, and works well in more controlled listening environments. I recommend this hearing aid to patients who have smaller ears, want a device that is discreet, and who are on a budget.” – Dr. Jennifer Stanton, AuD

As our smallest BTE hearing aid, the AIR fits comfortably and discreetly behind the ear while delivering clear and natural sound. Designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, the AIR’s advanced technology provides exceptional performance.

One of the most convenient features of the AIR is its portable charging case, which can charge the device up to 3 times without needing to be plugged in—making it simple to charge your hearing aids on the go. When fully charged, the AIR offers you a full day of hearing with an average of 14 hours of battery life. 

Other key features of the AIR include digital noise reduction technology, which helps enhance speech clarity by reducing background noise in challenging environments. The AIR also features feedback cancellation to help prevent annoying whistling and feedback. 

The AIR utilizes one control switch that allows you to easily adjust the volume and choose from four different sound settings with the touch of a finger. Whether in a noisy restaurant, a quiet home, or enjoying outdoor activities, the AIR has a setting for your listening environment.

I recommend the AIR due to its simplicity. It has 4 programs and a full range volume control so you can pick the program and volume that works best for you. I really love the charging case. It can recharge the AIR up to 3 times without having to be plugged in again. It is great for those weekend getaways!” – Dr. Sandra Porps, AuD

The MDHearing VOLT MAX

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MDHearing's VOLT MAX is our most advanced OTC hearing aid with top-of-the-line noise reduction, personalized sound, and rechargeable technology. Its self-fitting and adaptive technology brings a new level of sophistication and personalization to your hearing experience. 

Nine times out of 10, I recommend the VOLT MAX for our customers. Besides working incredibly well out of the box, we have the ability to adjust the hearing aid remotely. This allows us to customize the hearing aid specifically to the patient’s hearing loss. Pairing this hearing aid with VIP care provides you with all the tools and benefits of the in-clinic experience for a fraction of the cost and from the comfort of your home.” – Taylor Smith, Licensed HIS 

The most unique feature of the VOLT MAX is its compatibility with the MDHearing app, which offers personalization of the hearing aids, serves as a remote control, and allows you to connect with licensed hearing specialists for support.  

The VOLT MAX is very user friendly because it can be used with or without the app, and the app is very simple. If you don't have a smartphone, the VOLT MAX can be used with the controls on the hearing aid. I also love that patients can submit a request for fitting adjustments remotely. If there is something they don't love about the sound quality, they just let us know and one of our support specialists will help adjust the hearing aids.”  – Dr. Sandra Porps, AuD

When you initially connect the VOLT MAX to the MDHearing app, it will measure your response to a series of tones, create a profile for each ear, and customize the programs for your specific hearing needs. You can repeat this process at any time to accommodate for natural changes in your hearing ability, eliminating the need for regular adjustments at a hearing clinic. Furthermore, if you have an audiogram, you can send that to our support specialists and they will remotely tune your hearing aids over the internet according to your audiogram. 

As for sound quality, the VOLT MAX combines a state-of-the-art sound processor and dual directional microphones to provide excellent sound quality in any environment. It automatically adjusts to your surroundings, reduces feedback, amplifies the sounds you want to hear, and reduces the ones you don't—giving you clear, natural sound as you move from a noisy social setting to a quiet room.  

Akin to the AIR and VOLT, the VOLT MAX is rechargeable and comes with an easy-to-use charging case. This case can charge the device up to 3 times without being plugged in. Due to its Bluetooth compatibility, the VOLT MAX has a slightly shorter battery life, averaging about 15 hours on a full charge.

As a smart, personalized BTE hearing aid, the VOLT MAX caters to the unique needs of patients, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a customized, yet convenient and user-friendly option.

MDHearing’s ITE Hearing Aids

MDHearing currently offers two ITE models: the NEO XS and NEO. 

The MDHearing NEO XS

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MDHearing’s NEO XS hearing aid is a cutting-edge device designed to be virtually invisible to anyone except the wearer. This OTC rechargeable model stands out due to its blend of advanced technology, user-friendly features, and sleek, discreet design. 

As our smallest and most inconspicuous hearing aid, the NEO XS fits comfortably inside the ear canal. In fact, it is the smallest completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid available over-the-counter for just a few hundred dollars. 

With its small size, the NEO XS is one of the most comfortable hearing aids in the OTC marketplace. I have patients who wore hearing aids in the past only when absolutely necessary. Those same patients now wake up and grab their hearing aids before even starting their coffee. They love the way they hear, and don't want to miss a sound. And with the small size and comfortability of the XS, they don't have to.” – Kevin May,  Licensed HIS

The drawback to this tiny size is that it can be limited in fitting customizations compared to behind-the-ear (BTE) models. Because the aid is molded to fit the ear canal, the NEO XS may not accommodate as wide of a range of ear anatomies, limiting its effectiveness for some users.

One of the standout features of the NEO XS is its robust battery life. Not only does it have an average battery life of 18 hours, the NEO XS also comes with a portable charging case that can charge the device up to 6 times without needing to be plugged in.

Designed for users with mild to moderate hearing loss, the NEO XS provides clear, crisp sound in multiple ways: background noise reduction to help you focus on speech, built-in feedback cancellation technology to eliminate whistling, and finally, as a CIC hearing aid, the NEO XS uses your own pinna (the visible part of your ear) to funnel speech into your ear canal.

The device also offers volume control and four different environment settings to fit a variety of lifestyles. This enables you to adjust the sound to suit your personal preferences and engage in conversations effortlessly in various environments. The downside is that due to its tiny size, these settings are controlled by a small button on the aid, which can be difficult for those with dexterity issues. However, it conveniently turns on and off when placed in/removed from the charger and it restores the last volume and program setting used when turned back on again. 

I recommend the NEO XS because of its size and invisibility. I also think the set-it-and-forget-it feature of the settings is great! My customers tell me they can hear much better, especially in a restaurant, and feel more comfortable because of its invisibility.” – Nicole Robinson, Licensed HIS 

In my opinion, the NEO XS is a huge upgrade from the  NEO. It fits more ears compared to the NEO and has four programs to choose from. Not having to press the button to turn it on and off is a great feature, too.” – Taylor Smith, Licensed HIS 

Overall, the NEO XS is one of the best “invisible” OTC hearing aids on the market. It’s a great option for those who have tried other hearing aids and felt they were too bulky, or for those who want a discreet hearing aid that won't interfere with an active lifestyle.  

The MDHearing NEO

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MDHearing’s NEO hearing aid is a less advanced and less discreet cousin of the NEO XS. It’s an in-the-canal (ITC) style, and a good, entry-level, OTC hearing aid for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.  

The NEO is a great in-the-ear hearing aid option for patients who desire something simple and who are on a budget. I recommend the NEO to patients who live a more quiet and controlled lifestyle and/or have been unsuccessful with behind-the-ear style hearing aids.” – Dr. Jennifer Stanton, AuD

Like MDHearing’s other hearing aids, the NEO is rechargeable, lasting about 17-18 hours on a full charge. Simply place the NEO in its charging case while you sleep and wake up ready to enjoy another day of enhanced hearing.

The NEO also features background noise reduction, feedback cancellation technology, and volume control. However, it does not have the multiple environment settings that our other aids offer. Like the NEO XS, the volume is also controlled by a small button on the hearing aid, which can present issues for those with dexterity issues. 

The NEO is a great aid for those just starting out. Just like with trim levels of a car, this is our base level model. It's simple to insert and simple to use, as the button changes only the volume. It can be large for some people who have smaller ear canals, and that's why we send 3 sizes of domes to ensure you have the chance to find the right fit for you. If it's still too large, we can exchange it for the NEO XS or a BTE.” – Jeff Feltes, Licensed HIS

The choice between the MDHearing NEO and NEO XS ultimately depends on individual needs. Those prioritizing more advanced sound technology and a lower profile might lean towards the NEO XS, while users on a budget looking for an entry-level aid may prefer the NEO. 

Overall, while the discreet nature of ITE hearing aids is appealing, their limitations in customization and usability can make BTE hearing aids a more versatile choice for many individuals with varying degrees of hearing loss.  

Hear better, live better with MDHearing

In conclusion, MDHearing offers a range of hearing aids designed to meet various needs and preferences, from the versatility of BTE hearing aids to the discreet fit of ITE hearing aids. Each model combines advanced, digital technology with user-friendly features to enhance your listening experience. 

Choosing the right hearing aid is a personal decision, and it’s important to consider factors such as comfort, functionality, and your lifestyle. We hope this guide has helped you gain a better understanding of what makes each of our hearing aids unique. Rest assured, any hearing aid you choose from MDHearing is backed by a 45-day risk-free trial and 100% money-back guarantee, so you can try them in the comfort of your own home and make sure it’s the right fit for you.

If you find yourself unsure about which model will best fit your needs, don't hesitate to reach out to MDHearing's dedicated support team. Our friendly U.S.-based licensed hearing professionals are dedicated to assisting you in selecting the perfect hearing aid and improving your quality of life.

Check out our full line of affordable, FDA-registered, OTC hearing aids.
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