Those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss no longer have to shell out thousands of dollars and deal with complicated, inconvenient clinic visits. The best OTC hearing aids save you money and stress while helping you get back to living life to the fullest.

Two brands we see compared all the time are Oracle vs MD Hearing. They are very different, though. Oracle (sometimes stylized as ‘Oricle’) has drawn skepticism due to inconsistent product listings and unverified marketing claims. The company has a 1.8/5 star rating on Trustpilot and Oracle’s website has previously featured questionable claims about customer numbers and medical endorsements that could not be independently verified.

On the other hand, MD Hearing has a slightly better Trustpilot rating of 2.5/5 stars - but with entry-level devices starting at around $300, the low battery life and clunky designs can be a bit underwhelming.

If you’re looking for a clinically grounded, affordable OTC option with reliable support, Audien Hearing is a strong choice (buy hearing aids online). We’ve got the best hearing aid under $100 for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, and you can also explore more sophisticated devices that won’t break the bank.

Learn how Oracle vs MD Hearing stack up below and why our stylish hearing aids are the smarter upgrade. Or better yet, order yours risk-free today and hear the difference firsthand!

“The Audien Hearing device actually makes it possible for me to hear those who are speaking at a distance.” - Gloria

“I had these for two weeks now and These are wonderful. Highly recommend. Their customer service is top notch. I had some initial problems but once I talked with customer support we got it all figured out. Plus they followed up a few times since just checking on how they are working. The Bluetooth part is great.” - Neal

“These ION Pro hearing aids are a game changer. My mother tried several but even at max volume she couldn't hear. These at 20% are ample for her. She said, ‘these make me hear like hearing I was born with’.” - David

Comparison Chart for Oracle vs MD Hearing (With Audien Hearing)

Overview of Oracle Hearing Aids

Oracle Hearing, sometimes stylized as “Oricle,” is a pretty contentious brand. We’ve found that a lot of the things claimed on the company’s website are flat-out false, including references to “doctor approval” and the number of customers that have purchased.

At any rate, the brand says it has made the “world’s smallest wireless hearing aid” - the Oricle 2.0. It retails around $99 and gives you an ultra-discreet in-the-ear (ITE) fit. Battery life leaves a lot to be desired at only 20 hours per charge, though. That’s not really practical for most people.

There’s also a higher-tier Oricle Pro model occasionally mentioned in marketing materials, promising a digital chip, longer battery life, and additional listening programs. It looks to have been discontinued, though - so your only option through this brand is the ITE Oricle 2.0. We’ve found that a lot of our customers here at Audien Hearing actually prefer a behind-the-ear (BTE) device, which is why we offer both in-ear vs over-ear hearing aids.

But aside from failing to accommodate all types of hearing needs, our biggest issue with Oricle is the lack of transparency - and the clear disconnect between what the brand promises and what customers actually experience.

Like we said earlier, the Trustpilot rating of 1.8 shows that users are left frustrated and underwhelmed. Feedback mentions sound distortion, inconsistent amplification, and poor build quality as common issues. Others report problems with devices not holding a charge, falling out during wear, or overamplifying background sounds.

Good luck getting your money back or even connecting with a customer service representative, for that matter. This is another common theme we’ve seen in reviews: support appears limited to email-based communication, with slow response times and a short 30-day return policy.

We get it - the idea of a $99 dollar hearing aid sounds really appealing compared to the thousands you’d pay for a prescription device. But this is not a brand you can trust. As for our own $98 hearing aid (the Atom One), that’s a different story. More on that later.

Overview of MD Hearing Aids

MDHearing is definitely a better brand than Oricle, but with its own set of issues that you have to be aware of before you choose to place an order. The company says it’s physician-founded, and claims to offer “doctor-designed” devices. There are three main models available:

• VOLT MAX: A rechargeable BTE device with adaptive sound processing and directional microphones.
• NEO: A rechargeable in-ear model with a portable case for travel.
• NEO XS: A nearly invisible in-canal version that prioritizes discretion.

All MDHearing products are FDA-registered, come with a 45-day trial period, and are supported by a remote team of licensed hearing professionals. Prices range from $297 to $597.

Despite the medical credibility, there are some recurring limitations we see on Trustpilot. Yes, the brand’s 2.5/5 star rating is better than Oracle hearing, but it still leaves a lot to be desired!

One common theme customers complain about is weak battery life. The devices range from just 15-18 hours of use, which is barely enough to get through a full day. You have to charge the device fully each night.

Their devices rely on preset listening programs rather than adaptive, self-learning technology, and adjustments must be made manually on the device itself. That’s not super convenient for people with dexterity or vision challenges. 

There’s no Bluetooth connectivity, either. That type of feature should be standard on a device that costs over $500 - yet, it’s just one of the many things we see missing from the MD Hearing lineup.

Another issue we have with MD Hearing is that they also use deceptive marketing tactics. For instance, they wrote an article on this topic: are Audien hearing aids real hearing aids? MDHearing has published content questioning whether Audien devices qualify as hearing aids. However, all Audien Hearing products are FDA-registered and meet the criteria for over-the-counter hearing aids. Whether MD Hearing is willfully lying to its audience or simply misinformed, we would be hesitant to trust a brand that puts out misinformation regarding something as serious as hearing loss. You should be, too. 

Oracle vs MD Hearing: Key Differences to Consider

We want to preface this side-by-side comparison of Oracle vs MD Hearing by saying that neither brand represents the best of what the OTC hearing aid market has to offer. 

Based on available user feedback and public information, Oracle’s devices appear limited in technology and reliability. The devices are even priced higher than many comparable OTC options, despite offering similar technology. If you’re still wondering how Oracle vs MD Hearing compare, though, here’s what you need to know.

Sound Processing Technology

Oracle hearing aids rely on super basic digital amplification. The brand markets features like “noise cancellation” and “spatial sound,” but in practice, these are fixed amplification settings rather than adaptive signal processing.

There’s nothing suggesting the brand uses any technology related to multi-channel compression, directionality, or dynamic adjustment based on environment. In other words, everything you hear will just be louder - it’s not going to be any easier to pick up on voices.

MDHearing may be a bit more advanced, but it still operates a step below modern solutions. Its top-tier VOLT MAX includes multi-channel processing, adaptive feedback control, and environmental noise management, but these features are preset and not user-programmable.

The processing is linear and lacks the machine-learning refinement found in newer OTC models. In real-world use, MDHearing provides cleaner, more consistent amplification than Oracle, but both fall short of the nuanced clarity available in next-generation digital chips.

Design and Comfort

Oracle’s only hearing aid is an ITE model - and according to the brand, “the smallest wireless hearing aid in the world.” It sits right in the ear canal just like an earbud. Sounds great - the only problem is, its generic shell shape can create fit issues for smaller or angled canals.

A lot of the reviews we read say customers have to constantly fidget and reposition the device, and because it’s so small, microphone placement is limited. This is why it struggles to separate speech from background noise.

On the other hand, MDHearing offers a much broader range of styles - BTE models like the VOLT MAX to deep-canal in-ear designs such as the NEO XS. So, you get more flexibility in the type of device you rely on. 

Battery Life and Charging

Both Oracle vs MD Hearing devices are relatively unimpressive when it comes to battery life. 

Oracle advertises roughly 20 hours per charge, but actual performance tends to drop with continuous use. The device charges wirelessly in its case, which is convenient, but again, users point to inconsistencies with the charging contacts and case durability.

While MDHearing’s rechargeable lineup is more reliable, you’re still only getting between 15-18 hours per charge with the VOLT MAX and NEO XS. Case-assisted storage provides up to 60-100 hours before needing to plug in, though.

Just to show you why this type of battery life doesn’t cut it, our devices here at Audien Hearing range from 24-48 hours of battery life. This is the type of performance you should expect.  

Customer Service and Warranty

This is one of the biggest distinctions between Oracle vs MD Hearing. How easy it is to get help when you need it, or return/exchange a device that doesn’t meet your expectations (or flat out doesn’t work).

Oracle’s support system is minimal. Users rely on email-based assistance and a 30-day return window, which often expires before long-term issues emerge. There’s no evidence of active lifetime support or free replacement services.

In contrast, MDHearing offers 45 days risk-free, a one-year warranty, and optional extended service plans. Customer care includes access to licensed hearing professionals for guidance, but several reviews we read referenced long response times and difficulty securing repairs or replacements without added fees.

Price

Cost is where Oracle tries to stand out. It’s one of the cheapest hearing devices available at only $99 per pair, but that price reflects its limited technology and questionable reliability. In other words, you get what you pay for.

MDHearing is still way more affordable than traditional hearing aids (which cost thousands of dollars per pair), but it’s the more expensive solution, ranging from $297 to $597 per pair. But even these devices are overpriced, in our opinion, relative to features, performance, and reliability.

What Real Users Say

Consumer feedback tells much of the story between Oracle vs MD Hearing. We didn’t bother reading potentially doctored/incentivized reviews on the companies’ respective websites. We took our search to Trustpilot for the most authentic look at brand reputation:

• Oracle: 1.8/5 stars
• MDHearing: 2.5/5 stars

The verdict? Both Oracle and MDHearing try to make hearing more accessible, and each compromises in ways that make it feel like you’re settling for less. If we had to recommend one or the other it would be MDHearing over Oracle, but that’s still a compromise.

The truth is, you don’t have to settle. There’s no need to choose between the convenience of OTC hearing aids and the performance of prescription devices for mild-to-moderate hearing loss. You can enjoy the best of both worlds at Audien Hearing. 

Is Audien Hearing a Better Solution?

Audien Hearing was built around one simple goal - make hearing support affordable, effective, and easy to use for everyone. You can say goodbye to bulky designs, confusing settings, four-figure price tags, and inconvenient doctor visits, and hello to crystal-clear sound quality.

Every device we make comes ready to use out of the box, backed by lifetime support and a 45-day money-back guarantee. Some of our most popular models include:

• Atom One ($98): Compact, rechargeable, and comfortable enough for all-day wear. It’s the simplest way to regain clarity without unnecessary features or setup. 24hr battery life and a single hearing mode.
• Atom Pro 2 ($229): Stronger sound processing (A2 Sound Chip) and a UV-cleaning charging case that disinfects the earpieces between uses. You get 48hr battery life, background noise cancellation, and 4 hearing modes.
• Ion Pro ($589): A BTE option with directional microphones and full Bluetooth connectivity to stream calls or music directly from your phone and adjust your sound profile through a dedicated app. 6 hearing modes.
• Atom X (389): The first hearing aid with a built-in touchscreen case. You can change modes, volume, and Bluetooth settings with a simple tap - no tiny buttons or app downloads required.

All Audien products are FDA-registered, rechargeable, and discreetly designed to look and feel modern. Every purchase comes with free lifetime support, US-based customer care, and straightforward warranty coverage.

We’ve written comparisons of Audien vs MD Hearing aids and Oracle vs Audien hearing aids specifically if you want to learn more about how we compare to the alternatives. But at this point, the choice should be clear. Shop with the brand you can trust to help you hear better today - Audien Hearing!

Bringing Our Overview of Oracle vs MD Hearing to a Close

You don’t have to pay thousands for reliable hearing support. Brands like Oracle and MDHearing are breaking down the traditional barriers with OTC devices. But as you’ve learned in this comparison of Oracle vs MD Hearing, there are better options out there.

Oracle (or Oricle, depending on what the brand goes by these days) offers rock-bottom pricing and simplicity at the cost of audio sophistication and support. MDHearing is a bit more reliable, but the price doesn’t reflect its device quality.

Audien Hearing provides a more balanced, everyday approach if you want premium support for mild-to-moderate hearing loss at a price that makes sense. Find the right device for your hearing profile today!