Apple
AirPods Pro 2 with Hearing Aid Feature
FDA-cleared OTC hearing aid software
By severity
Severe hearing loss
PTA 71–90 dB HL (Pure Tone Average at 500, 1000, 2000 Hz)
Audiologist-dispensed prescription hearing aids required. OTC and Costco do not provide sufficient gain. Consider BTE or Power BTE form factors.
This band is beyond the FDA's OTC scope — professional fitting is the appropriate route. Why OTC devices stop at moderate loss.
What you typically experience
- Cannot hear conversation at any normal volume
- Lipreading required for most communication
- Phone calls impossible without amplification
Recommended device classes
- ✓ Independent audiologist fitting
This severity is beyond what most Costco aids can handle. An audiologist will fit with appropriate Power BTE or BTE form factors.
Many people overestimate their loss — the 2-minute severity quiz gives a free estimate. If you land in the moderate range, these are the strongest self-fit options.
The most capable OTC self-fit options
Best entry point
At $199 with FDA-cleared hearing aid software (DEN230081), the AirPods Pro 2 turn an iPhone you may already own into a legitimate mild-to-moderate hearing aid. Lowest-risk way to start.
Best dedicated OTC value
Lexie
B2 Plus Powered by Bose
Variant of parent K-number
Bose-tuned, rechargeable, self-fitting via the Lexie app, with a 45-day trial. $899 — a fraction of the audiologist price for the same mild-to-moderate range.
Best premium OTC
Sennheiser
All-Day Clear ADC1
FDA-cleared OTC self-fit
Built by Sonova (the company behind Phonak), the All-Day Clear is a true QUH self-fit hearing aid with Bluetooth streaming and a 2-year warranty — around $949 street.
Picks are based on FDA regulatory pathway, price, and severity fit from our verified product database — not on which brand pays the most.
Adjacent severities
Next step
For a personalized device-class recommendation with matched products, run your audiogram through the interpreter. If you already have a Costco Kirkland aid and want to know who made it, use the Translator.