Nano Hearing at a Glance
What is Nano Hearing?
Nano Hearing is an American company based in Texas. Since 2017, it has specialized in providing low-cost OTC hearing devices, sold via its website and delivered directly to your home. Its approach is to “cut out the middleman,” so you do not need an audiologist’s prescription or even a hearing test to buy them.
These OTC personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) are designed for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. They’re not the same as prescription hearing aids, which allow a level of customization and advanced features that PSAPs do not provide.
Nano Hearing features
All four Nano Hearing models include two devices (one for each ear) and multiple replaceable ear-tips you can match to the size of your ear canal. The box also contains a portable charging and carrying case, a cleaning kit, and an instruction guide.
Nano offers a 45-day Money Back Guarantee and a one-year limited warranty. All four models are available either as new or refurbished products.
NANO CIC Recharge OTC (CIC2)
This is Nano Hearing’s most basic (and lowest-priced) model for those with mild to moderate hearing loss who want to amplify everyday conversations. They lack some of the features of the more advanced CIC Digital Recharge model, but as an in-the-ear style, it’s very discreet in daily use.
Price:
$297 (new product)
$344 (new product plus Elite Protection Plan)
$222 (refurbished product)
$344 (refurbished product plus Elite Protection Plan)
Features:
Nearly invisible (fits completely in the ear canal)
Rechargeable, with up to 12 hours per charge
Portable charging case allows up to three recharges
Push-button control for easy adjustments
Customizable ear-tips for best fit and maximum comfort
NANO CIC Digital Recharge OTC (CIC4)
This is a more advanced version of Nano Hearing’s CIC hearing aid, suitable for users who want or need higher quality electronics, dual directional microphones, and advanced noise reduction to help them distinguish conversations from background noise.
Price:
$397 (new product)
$454 (new product plus Elite Protection Plan)
$297 (refurbished product)
$354 (refurbished product plus Elite Protection Plan)
Features:
Nearly invisible (fits completely in the ear canal)
Premium digital feedback cancellation and noise reduction
Rechargeable, with up to 12 hours per charge
Portable charging case allows up to three recharges
Push-button control for easy adjustments
Customizable ear-tips for best fit and maximum comfort
NANO X2 Recharge OTC (BTE4)
This is an even more advanced Nano Hearing model and comes in a behind-the-ear style that is still largely invisible if worn correctly. It’s suitable for users who want or need more advanced levels of hearing software. You can set it to help you in environments that may be either too quiet or too loud or in settings where ambient noise is much greater.
Price:
$497 (new product)
$574 (new product plus Elite Protection Plan)
$372 (refurbished product)
$449 (refurbished product plus Elite Protection Plan)
Features:
Nearly invisible behind-the-ear fit
Premium digital feedback cancellation and noise reduction
Four program settings for various environments
Dual directional microphones enhance sound quality
Higher amplification for moderate hearing
Rechargeable, with up to 14 hours per charge
Charging case included
NANO Sigma Plus Bluetooth OTC (BTE PLUS)
The Sigma Plus Bluetooth OTC (BTE PLUS) is Nano Hearing’s most advanced model, for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. It comes in a behind-the-ear style and contains Nano’s highest level of electronic components and hearing software.
It also supports a Bluetooth connection to a mobile phone app that you can use to control volume and adjust other settings. It’s therefore suitable for users who might have difficulty with small push-button controls or who prefer the ease of using the phone app to control volume, settings, etc.
Price:
$597 (new product)
$684 (new product plus Elite Protection Plan)
$447 (refurbished product)
$534 (refurbished product plus Elite Protection Plan)
Features:
Nearly invisible behind-the-ear fit
Premium digital feedback cancellation and noise reduction
Four program settings for various environments
Mobile phone app control for easy adjustments
Bluetooth support, but only for the app; no streaming
Dual directional microphones enhance sound quality
Higher amplification for moderate hearing
Rechargeable, with up to 14 hours per charge
Charging dock included
Additional Services and Products
The company offers an optional one-year Elite Protection Plan, available for either new or refurbished devices. It starts on the date you receive the item and includes the following:
One replacement per device
100% protection and free accidental damage coverage
Coverage for all manufacturer defects
Coverage for repairs, parts, labor, and shipping
Coverage for loss and theft (30% deductible)
Unlimited 24-hour support and phone troubleshooting
There are also several latex-free accessories that you can purchase through the website:
CIC Recharge JH Accessory Kit (domes + brush): $19
CIC Recharge RT Accessory Kit (domes + brush): $19
Model X2 Accessory Kit (thin tubes, cleaning brush, ear tips): $19
Model X2 Sigma Accessory Kit (thin tubes, cleaning brush, ear tips): $19
Model X2 Thin Tubes (pair, in different sizes): $17
Are Nano Devices Safe and Reliable?
OTC hearing aids cannot be sold to persons under the age of 18, so Nano Hearing’s products should be safe for all adults using them. Customer feedback is reasonable, and the company holds a rating of 3.6 out of five stars on Trustpilot (out of 2,676 reviews).
However, there are questions about whether the devices are FDA-registered and whether the Nano Hearing’s website and sales practices are as transparent as they should be. Our search of the FDA website revealed that the company is registered, but a search of the FDA’s product database did not show any Nano Hearing products.
How Nano Hearing Works
The key selling point for Nano Hearing is its easy buying process. Simply place your order online, and Nano Hearing will send your products directly to your home.
However, there’s limited support to help fit and configure the devices once they arrive. For users who need a little more “hand-holding,” Nano’s Elite Protection Plan may be a good idea because it theoretically provides 24-hour support and troubleshooting.
How To Sign Up With Nano Hearing
You don’t need a prescription to select and purchase the devices on the website. Just choose the model you’re interested in, pay for it, and it will be sent to you.
This approach will work for many users without serious hearing problems, but if you’re experiencing significant hearing loss, you might want to consult an audiologist to test your hearing and ask whether Nano Hearing’s devices will cover your needs before you order. However, this isn’t a requirement.
Nano Hearing Customer Service
For new customers, the support number is 888-310-6266. For existing customers who have placed an order or who want help with their devices, it’s 619-738-2438. Hours of operation are 9am-5 pm (PT).
Nano Hearing also provides an online chatbot feature you can access via a popup on its site. When I tested this, the response was immediate. In addition, the website says you can contact Nano Hearing at support@nanohearingaids.com
, but I waited four days for an answer to my email. To Nano Hearing’s credit, however, the website contains several training videos and a user manual for each device.
Is There a Nano Hearing App?
There is a Nano Hearing app, but it only works with the Sigma Plus Bluetooth model. You can download it for free from the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store. Follow the instructions to pair it with your devices, and you’ll be able to view your remote control functionalities, such as adjusting the volume and checking the battery level.
Nano Hearing Pricing
How Much Does Nano Hearing Cost?
Pricing of the different Nano Hearing models is pretty straightforward, because there are no subscriptions, maintenance fees, or hidden costs. Prices are considerably lower than prescription hearing aids and are also lower than many other OTC hearing aids.
Nano OTC devices
One-time cost
$297
$397
$497
$597
One-time cost plus Elite Protection Plan
$344
$454
$574
$684
Refurbished OTC devices
One-time cost
$222
$297
$372
$447
One-time cost plus Elite Protection Plan
$269
$354
$449
$534
As far as I can tell, choosing whether to purchase new or refurbished devices is just a matter of preference. The refurbished devices come with the same warranties as the new devices, and the company says all refurbished devices have been extensively cleaned using Covid-aware procedures.
Nano Hearing Alternatives
How Does Nano Hearing Compare to Other Hearing Aids?
Price range
$297-$697 per pair
$800-$3,250 per ear
$998-$2,798 per pair
$1,195-$1,995 per pair
Trial period
45-day Money Back Guarantee
45 days
45 days
100 days
Prescription needed?
No
Yes (hearing specialist appointment required)
No, but recommended
Yes (online hearing test required)
Warranty
1-year standard warranty (but optional $79 Elite Protection Plan also covers loss and damage)
Yes, 1-3 years (depending on model)
Yes, 1 year
3-year comprehensive warranty
App connectivity
Yes, but only for Nano BTE PLUS model
Yes
Yes
Yes
Nano Hearing vs Hear.com
Hear.com offers several prescription and OTC hearing aids. Because Hear.com partners with audiologists to provide prescriptions and configurations, its hearing aids are more customizable to each customer’s unique hearing needs. However, it comes at a much higher price than Nano Hearing’s models.
Nano Hearing vs Audicus
Audicus offers four models of hearing aids, which are also sold OTC. Reviews suggest that Audicus’ products provide better sound quality than Nano Hearing’s. However, its prices are considerably higher, so if you’re on a budget, Nano Hearing might be the better option.
Nano Hearing vs Jabra Enhance
Jabra Enhance offers three models of FDA-approved Bluetooth hearing aids, which are significantly more expensive than Nano Hearing’s. Jabra Hearing seems to have better reliability and customer support ratings than Nano Hearing. However, unlike Nano, Jabra doesn't offer any in-the-ear models.
Bottom Line (Is Nano Hearing Worth It?)
In my opinion, Nano Hearing’s products fill an important low-end niche in the hearing aid market. The company’s devices are significantly lower in price than prescription hearing aids and are also lower than most other OTC hearing aids we’ve tested. Thus, they allow those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to try out PSAP models before possibly progressing to medical-grade hearing aids.
