For people with mild to moderate hearing loss, over-the-counter hearing aids could be a more affordable and accessible alternative to a prescription pair.This growing category of hearing devices relies on telehealth visits, online- and app-based hearing tests, and advanced earbud tech to give you direct access to a hearing-augmentation device that is tailored to your needs — often at a lower cost and with less of the hassle associated with professionally fitted hearing aids. But wading through all of the styles and confusing terminology can make finding the right pair feel overwhelming.That’s why I spent over two years researching this subject and conducted three rounds of independent testing of hearing-augmentation devices that you can buy and adjust from home. Our testing included a diverse group of panelists; you can read about them in our How we picked and tested section. These devices range from basic, inexpensive sets to highly configurable hearing aids sold (at four-figure prices) directly through health-care sites. Since hearing aids are not a one-size-fits-all deal, I focused on finding options for different priorities, preferences, and budgets.