So many Americans feel as if they have to choose between compromised hearing and spending $5,000+ for a hearing aid. It’s an impossible decision - and one you fortunately don’t have to make with so many amazing affordable hearing aids on the market.

With more than 1,000,000 success stories and counting Audien Hearing is your trusted choice for the best OTC hearing aids online, starting at only $98 and offering a wide variety of products based on your stage of hearing loss, preferences, and budget.

But we get asked all the time how we stack up to the competition. We’ve put together this comparison of Audien vs MD hearing aid to help you choose the right solution. 

While MD Hearing does make solid products, they fall short in a number of ways. Low battery life, a large design that sticks out of your ear, but more importantly, prices start at $297! Sure, that’s cheap compared to traditional hearing aids, but why pay more when you could pay less?

Learn more about the difference between MD Hearing vs Audien Hearing below and why our stylish hearing aids are the superior choice, without question.

All About Audien Hearing Aids

Audien Hearing was born with a simple mission: we wanted to make hearing more affordable accessible for everyone, removing the financial burden and inconveniences associated with traditional hearing aids. Now, you can buy hearing aids online in just a few clicks - no prescription needed!

We’re a US-based brand and have served more than 1 million customers so far, but we’re just getting started as our products continue to get better and better over time. Here is a look at the current lineup at Audien:

• Atom One - $98: A no-frills, entry-level in-ear hearing aid with 1 hearing mode and 24-hour battery life.
• Atom 2 - $189: Adds 4 hearing modes and a wireless charging case for better day-to-day flexibility.
• Atom Pro 2 - $289: Includes background noise cancellation, UV cleaning, and 48+ hours of battery life.
• Ion - $489: Adds directional sound technology and extended wear comfort in a discreet design.
• Ion Pro - $689: Combines app-based control, Bluetooth streaming, 6 hearing modes, and advanced noise management.

There’s something for everyone here in our catalog, from the most budget-friendly solution to more sophisticated hearing aids that deliver exceptional value. 

No matter which you go with, your order is backed by lifetime customer support and a 45-day risk-free trial. You’ve got nothing to lose, and, considering the role hearing plays in everyday life, everything to gain!

You can’t beat the balance we’ve struck between affordability and innovation. We bring flexibility, function, and support at a price that won’t make your stomach turn. That said, how do we compare to the other half of the MD Hearing vs Audien debate?

All About MD Hearing Aids

MDHearing provides the convenience of online shopping with a bit more clinical support than other OTC brands. The hearing aids are designed by doctors and tested by audiologists so you can trust that you’re getting clear, reliable performance with personalized care along the way.

With a track record spanning more than a decade, it’s no surprise MD Hearing has sold millions of devices and accumulated thousands of positive reviews along the way. There are several FDA-registered models you have at your disposal, each designed for a different purpose:

• VOLT -  $397: A full-featured behind-the-ear model with rechargeable batteries and intelligent sound processing.
• AIR - $297: A compact, mini BTE design with clear amplification and simplified controls.
• NEO - $297: A small in-ear model that fits discreetly and recharges in its portable case.
• NEO XS - $397: The smallest offering, designed to sit deep in the ear canal for nearly invisible wear.

Each product comes with a risk-free trial period so you can try them all and assess both comfort and performance before you make a commitment. But there are a few reasons we have customers making the switch away from MD Hearing over to Audien - and it’s not just cost.

The design leaves a lot to be desired for those who want something sleek, subtle, and discreet. These look just like you’d expect a hearing aid to look like. That’s not what most people want, and it’s why so many people who could benefit from a hearing aid continue to go without one.

But the real issue? Customer reviews. After all, reading about the experiences other people in your shoes had with a brand is the best way to get a sense of what you can expect. We’ll get more specific later on, but a 2.8 star review rating (out of 5 stars) is a red flag.

That said, let’s take a closer look at Audien vs MD Hearing aid below to leave you with a clear sense of which is the right solution for your unique needs.

MD Hearing vs Audien Hearing Aid: Which Brand is Right For You?

You shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your hearing. While both MD Hearing vs Audien Hearing are great, only one is ideal for helping you hear clearer. 

We strongly feel there isn’t a comparison between our solutions and the rest of the field. You’ll agree once you experience the difference an Audien device can make in your life. Let’s start our Audien vs MD Hearing aid debate with a look at cost. 

The Cost Discrepancy

Whether you’re looking for the best hearing aid under $100 or even the best hearing aids under $200, the choice is clear: Audien. MD Hearing’s most “affordable” device starts at nearly $300. 

Now, we want to be clear - even the most expensive options from Audien and MD Hearing can’t treat severe hearing loss. But the value we pack into products is second to none.

The Atom One is just $98, and our highest tier device (the Ion Pro) is still only $689. The latter gives you everything you’d expect in an advanced hearing aid, including Bluetooth streaming, app control, and up to 6 different hearing modes.

In contrast, the MD Hearing devices start at $297 and that’s with the current sale going on right now! The device in question is regularly priced at just under $600 for both left and right ears.

Of course, you should never make your decision based on price alone. The old mantra that you get what you pay for tends to hold true across products and industries, and health is wealth as they say. 

But as you dig deeper it’s hard to see what exactly you’re getting in the nearly $300 MD Hearing Air that you don’t get in the Audien Atom One. That said, let’s take a closer look at Audien vs MD Hearing based on fit and comfort below.

Fit and Comfort

You need a hearing aid you don’t even notice in your ear. You’re going to be wearing it from here on out, after all. Fortunately, the Audien hearing aid design is sleek, low-profile, and discreet - even others won’t notice unless they look hard enough! 

The style we’ve come up with mirrors that of modern wireless earbuds. It’s 20% smaller than behind-the-ear hearing aids for a nearly invisible fit. The design is patented and as comfortable as you’ll get in a hearing aid.

MD Hearing, on the other hand, leans into the behind-the-ear (BTE) models, which is not something we’re fond of - and the vast majority of our customers don’t love that style either. It’s what draws them towards Audien in the first place.

If you don’t mind a bulky, visible hearing aid that you can feel and people notice, this might not matter to you. Otherwise, stick with the unparalleled comfort and style awaiting you here at Audien.

Sound Quality and Noise Management

Sound quality is arguably the most important detail in choosing between an Audien vs MD Hearing Aid. The whole point of this investment is to start hearing better. So which brand delivers performance? Here are some stats for Audien:

• 90% reported better hearing in group conversations
• 84% said they could hear TV or radio better at normal volume
• 87% felt more confident in social settings
• 89% would recommend Audien to others

It’s hard to argue with that type of performance! 

The fine folks at MD Hearing actually wrote their own comparison of Audien vs MD Hearing aid. They claimed we are not selling real hearing aids. This is flat-out false. These are true FDA-registered OTC hearing aids, and should not be confused with cheap amplifier alternatives. 

That’s not to say that MD Hearing aids don’t work. Their higher-tier devices (like the VOLT and NEO XS) feature feedback cancellation and adaptive background noise filtering, but customization is limited to a few preset modes. Here’s what you get with Audien by contrast:

• Background noise cancellation built into multiple models
• Directional sound technology (Ion and Ion Pro) to focus on speech in noisy environments
• 6 customizable hearing modes on Ion Pro for adapting to different settings
• Smarter sound chips that allow for real-time sound balancing

These upgrades provide more flexibility and empower you to adjust on the fly so you can keep hearing well whether at home, in a restaurant, or on the phone. 

App Support, Customization, and User Control

There’s a clear winner between MD Hearing vs Audien Hearing when it comes to control. The Ion Pro model we’ve developed offers full Bluetooth connectivity, app-based sound controls, and real-time streaming - a rare feature even in hearing aids that cost twice as much.

On the other hand, you won’t have access to any sort of app with MD Hearing devices. Instead, most adjustments are made manually on the device itself. This might mean constantly removing and fidgeting with the device to adapt to your current environment. It’s a bit of a headache, as countless reviews have indicated.

Trial Periods, Returns, and Long-Term Support

Both companies offer generous trial periods of 45 days, so you can more or less feel confident taking a chance on either an Audien vs MD Hearing Aid. The difference comes down to the fine print.

With Audien you gain access to not just a 45-day trial but free lifetime customer service across all models. You’ll never have any trouble connecting with our team via phone, email, chat, or even text to troubleshoot issues or ask questions.

MD Hearing, however, gatekeepers a lot of its support features, such as troubleshooting and tuning, behind premium plans or subscription services. We treat all our customers the same no matter what they buy. 

Real User Reviews

There’s no shortage of social proof for either brand, as together we’ve sold over 3 million hearing aids and earned tens of thousands of testimonials. Reading about the experiences others have had is the best way to make the most informed decision.

It’s not as simple as reading through reviews on the Audien or MD Hearing websites, though. The most unbiased, transparent information can be found on TrustPilot - where reviews cannot be incentivized or removed. 

You’ll see a jarring difference between MD Hearing vs Audien Hearing here - just take a look at our average review ratings below:

• Audien Hearing - 4.2/5 Stars
• MD Hearing - 2.8/5 Stars

Digging in deeper you’ll see some serious concerns in MD Hearing reviews. Here are just a few that stood out to us as we combed through the archive:

“Aids worked sporadically. Had both aids replaced at least once, charger replaced 3 times? People were good to work with, however, products proved to be unreliable and inconsistent in performance.” - Jim

“My mom bought some of these hearing aids and they weren't working for her. Every time I wrote them to say they didn't work, they just sent instructions on how to operate them. They make it very hard to get any sort of a refund!!! Also, it turned out they had been billing my elderly mom a monthly "service" fee. When I complained about it, I called someone on the phone and said I felt my mother was being taken advantage of. The "customer service rep" said "have a nice day" and hung up!!! Really. They ended up crediting us $10.38 for over $100 in service charges. Nothing for the hearing aids themselves, which are useless. Their product is sub-par and their customer service is even worse.” - TLA

“When the hearing aids arrived, I was having health issues that prevented my going through the "testing." Once I recovered and started using the HAs, they did not seem to work well for me. The coordinator told me I had to use them for 21 days before I could return them. At the end of the period, I still didn't like them. Now I was told that, as I had passed the 45-day period in the fine print, I couldn't return them. So, thanks to the company's duplicity, I am out nearly $1500. Run, don't walk, away from them!” - Gary

We’ll let you do your own research into MD Hearing reviews and some of the other sketchy complaints we’ve seen, or you can just get the best affordable hearing aids at Audien and enjoy peace of mind. Our reviews on TrustPilot speak for themselves:

“Before Audien, I would often miss out on conversations or have to ask people to repeat themselves. Now, I can hear clearly and participate in conversations without any problems. This has made a big difference in my social life!” - Kaden

“I am new to hearing aids and still learning the ropes as it would be. The service people were very fast to respond and covered every question that I had” - Bernie

“After seeing an ad about this hearing aid and reading the reviews I decided to buy it. What a wonderful surprise! After adjusting it to my ear so it fit snugly the sound came through absolutely clear. Yes, you do have to adjust it so it doesn’t squeak but once you do you will be so happy to be able to hear what those around you are saying.” - Lynn

Bringing Our Audien vs MD Hearing Aid Comparison to a Close

Choosing the right hearing aid shouldn’t be stressful or overwhelming. We hope this comparison of Audien vs MD Hearing has cleared the air and left you feeling confident in your next steps.

The difference in comparing MD Hearing vs Audien Hearing comes down to simplicity, control, and long-term value. Audien is the better value for the money with a more modern, user-friendly experience, a discreet design, app-enabled features, and rechargeable convenience.

Compare our models and choose the hearing aid that fits your needs, or get in touch today for one-on-one support along the way. Start hearing clearly again with a device that works for your life and your budget!