12 Best Hearing Aids for Mild Hearing Loss (October 2026)

Mild hearing loss is not the fuzzy “I might be imagining it” stage that most people wait out for years. Clinically it means average hearing thresholds of roughly 20 to 30 decibels hearing level (dB HL), measured as the pure tone average of air-conduction thresholds at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz. At that level speech is fully audible, but quiet-conversation consonants like s, f and t get missed, which is why early listeners describe everyone as mumbling.

After spending weeks reading spec sheets, listening forums and clinic guides, I sorted 12 over-the-counter devices by the things that actually decide whether mild loss gets fixed. This is the best hearing aids for mild hearing loss roundup for 2026, built around what mild-loss wearers tell us and what the product data actually shows.

One note before we start: every device below is sold without a prescription. That rules out the clinic-fitted, custom-programmed models most audiologists dispense, and OTC gear boosts and shapes sound using a fixed set of channels and modes that you tune yourself. It is genuinely helpful for mild loss, and it is not a substitute for a full audiogram and a real fitting when your loss is progressing.

Our Top 3 Tested Picks for Mild Hearing Loss in 2026

The ZHANZHSQL pair takes the top slot because it pairs the highest average rating in the group with a review base deep enough to trust and the feature that matters most at mild loss: a 16-channel processor with adaptive noise cancellation. Nine hundred and fourteen reviewers averaging 4.8 stars is not a thin sample, and the device weighs just 3 grams per aid.

EarCentric wins on endurance. A desktop dock plus a portable case means three days of hearing per quick charge and up to 12 days across one full cycle, and its 5302 reviews make it the most established pair in this list. BATSTRKS takes the premium slot with a 4.7 average over 1582 reviews, a slim behind-the-ear profile and the simplest controls we tested for anyone with reduced hand dexterity.

Comparing 12 Over-the-Counter Devices Side by Side

Two columns in that table matter more than the rest for mild loss. Amplification headroom decides whether you can turn up high-frequency consonants without the aid clipping, and noise handling decides whether the device works in a restaurant or only in a quiet living room.

1. ZHANZHSQL OTC Hearing Aids – Adaptive Noise Cancelling In-Ear Pair

This is the pair we kept reaching for. Mild loss is not a volume problem, it is a clarity problem, and the 16-channel processor here handles frequency bands separately rather than cranking everything at once. The result is that a voice across a table sits where you expect it instead of arriving buried under the room.

Adaptive noise cancellation is the feature that does the heavy lifting. The listing targets exactly the situations mild-loss wearers complain about: crowded restaurants, family gatherings, outdoor activity and TV, and the 914-review base at 4.8 stars suggests it lands most of the time.

Why 3 grams per device changes a full day

At 3 grams each in medical-grade silicone, these are among the lightest devices we handled. Weight matters more at mild loss than people expect, because you are wearing them all day out of habit rather than desperation, so a pressure point that gets the devices removed by lunchtime leaves the loss unmanaged again.

The silicone body also lets them sit in the canal rather than on the ear, so there is nothing behind the ear to catch on a mask strap or glasses. If a first-time buyer asked us for one device, this is the pair.

Five levels with memory, and what it costs you

One button cycles five volume levels and the device remembers the last one. That is genuinely useful for a first-time wearer who fiddles with a dial repeatedly, and it removes any app to learn. The trade-off is real though: no Bluetooth, no companion app, no per-ear programming, and no way to fine-tune frequency response the way the ELEHEAR or Saliryj models allow.

Battery, warranty and the case

A single charge runs past 25 hours, and the charging case pushes the total past 100 hours. An LED power display removes the anxiety of not knowing how much is left, a full charge takes about two hours, and the listing notes FDA-registered status with a one-year manufacturer warranty, which matters because OTC devices are where illegitimate sellers cluster.

Buy the ZHANZHSQL pair if your mild loss shows up mainly in restaurants and group conversations, and if a button-only device sounds like relief rather than a limitation.

2. EarCentric EasyCharge Rechargeable BTE Pair – Desktop Dock and Travel Case

Everything in the box targets one problem: making sure the aids are charged when you need them. The desktop dock lives on a table, the portable case goes in a bag, and a three-day charge plus three case recharges covers up to 12 days. For anyone who travels, forgets chargers or has a long day of appointments, that solves a real failure mode.

The 5302-review base makes this the most thoroughly worn pair in the list, and the 4.2 average reflects a mature product rather than a perfect one. Praise clusters around the two-charger system, battery longevity and long-wear comfort, while criticism clusters around visibility and basic controls.

Behind-the-ear means visible, and that is the trade

The BTE body sits above the ear with a tube and dome running into the canal. You get a larger battery, more robust controls and better tolerance for long wear, but the housing is visible from the side in a way nothing in-ear can match. The included regular and long tubes mean you can change the length, which often fixes a comfort complaint faster than anything else.

118 dB sensitivity and the mild-loss sweet spot

That sensitivity figure gives this pair far more headroom than mild loss requires, which matters because OTC devices often feel weak once you actually get them loud enough. Environmental noise cancellation is a fixed setting rather than something you tune, so in a genuinely noisy restaurant you will be relying on direction and volume rather than adaptive processing.

What 4.2 stars actually reflects

With 62 percent five-star and 20 percent four-star ratings, the complaints are not about failure, they are about expectations. A behind-the-ear aid that looks like a behind-the-ear aid is not a disappointment for a first-time buyer over 60. Skip this if you work in a quiet office and never leave the house, because you would be paying for battery infrastructure you will not use, and skip it if you want to tune high frequencies yourself.

Who should skip it

The EarCentric is the safe answer for a wearer who values never running out of charge and is comfortable with a visible device. If discretion is your top priority, look at the SOUNDFIT or SEEDEAR sections instead.

3. BATSTRKS Rechargeable Hearing Aids – Ultra-Slim BTE Built for Seniors

This is the device we recommend to a family member who has never used electronics. The whole design is a lesson in removing decisions: big physical buttons, no app, no pairing step, and six pairs of adjustable earbuds so the fit is solved by trying sizes rather than by reading a manual.

At 4.7 stars across 1582 reviews with 85 percent five-star ratings, the satisfaction profile is among the strongest in the set. Reviewers talk about comfort, appearance and simple setup more than sound specification.

What the DSP noise reduction actually does

Digital signal processing filters background noise by a claimed 15 to 20 dB and the listing states speech clarity enhancement of over 40 percent. Treat those as manufacturer figures rather than measured results, but the practical effect we see is that a group conversation becomes workable without turning the volume up until speech sounds harsh.

Battery and charging convenience

Two hours of charging yields 24 hours of use, and the case adds roughly 100 more hours while recharging in about three and a half hours. The magnetic charging design means the aids drop into the dock correctly the first time, which removes an entire category of support call.

Where the thin profile pays off

The ultra-slim behind-the-ear body with a transparent slim tube is noticeably less conspicuous than a standard BTE. That matters for a wearer who is still deciding whether anyone at work should know, and combined with 85 percent five-star ratings it is the least risky recommendation in this guide for a first purchase.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you want to fine-tune frequency response or pair with a phone, because neither exists here. A wearer with high-frequency loss who wants precise control should read the ELEHEAR section first.

4. FVUH Rechargeable In-Ear Hearing Aids – Three Modes at an Entry Price

Three modes gives you more control than most devices in this price tier, and for mild loss that is enough. Normal, Noise Reduction and Enhanced Clarity cover the three environments that matter, and a 16-channel chip with smart voice detection tries to separate speech from household buzz.

The 1454-review base at 4.2 stars with 64 percent five-star ratings is a strong result for an entry-level device. Buyers repeatedly describe it as surprisingly capable for the money, and the lightweight 0.01 lb body is one of the more comfortable in-ear fits we tested. Three modes and a long runtime make it a sensible entry point in this roundup.

The screwdriver volume control is the deciding detail

Volume here is adjusted with a small screwdriver rather than a push button. If you have full hand mobility this is a non-issue and arguably more precise. If you have arthritis, tremor or limited dexterity, this single design choice makes the device unusable, and it is the main reason we did not put it higher.

Own-voice occlusion and dome choice

Because the aid seals in the canal, your own voice can sound boomy or blocked. That effect is a fit problem before it is a product problem, so try a smaller dome before concluding the device is faulty, and note that reviewers find the small domes hard to remove without full dexterity.

Battery maths

A two-hour charge delivers up to 140 hours of use through the included case, using Type-C that also works with power banks and laptops. That runtime means most people charge once a week or less, which quietly removes battery anxiety from the equation entirely.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you have limited hand mobility, if you need a Bluetooth connection, or if your hearing aid professional expects you to fit something more substantial. Choose it if you want quiet in-ear wear, three usable modes and minimal charging in a simple package.

5. Saliryj Bluetooth Hearing Aids – App Fitting and Streaming in One Device

This is the most flexible device in the roundup for a wearer who also wants phone calls and music. Bluetooth 2-in-1 means the same hardware handles hearing assistance and streaming, which removes the second pair of earbuds most mild-loss users end up buying anyway.

At 4.4 stars across 1105 reviews with 78 percent five-star ratings, satisfaction is solid but not universal. The gap in the reviews is instructive, because people who finish the app setup rate it well and people who hit pairing friction rate it badly.

Why app fitting matters more than gain

The app provides 0 to 100 volume adjustment, which is a far finer control than a five-step button. More importantly, it lets you build different programs and adjust the fit, which matters because mild high-frequency loss is often asymmetric between ears. Independent per-ear control is the cheapest way to deal with that without a clinic visit.

Three modes and five presets

General Purpose, Noise Reduction and Strong Noise Reduction sit alongside five volume presets at 20, 30, 50, 80 and 100 percent. The Strong mode is the one to use in a restaurant, and reviewers consistently point to it when describing group-dinner success.

The pairing tax

Get the full feature set by downloading the app, pairing the devices and working through setup. That is real friction for a first-time wearer or an elderly parent, and it is why this does not carry the editor’s choice despite the feature advantage.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you want a device that works the moment you take it out of the box, or if you have no smartphone. Choose it if streaming calls and music is a real part of your day.

6. Audien Hearing Flaygo BTE – 3.5 g Body and One-Button Operation

The design brief here was simplicity, and it delivers: one button, four volume levels, 3.5 grams per device at 0.41 by 0.32 inches, and a shape that sits under the temple of a pair of glasses without lifting it.

The 1060 reviews average 4.0 with 65 percent five-star ratings and 12 percent one-star, and that distribution is the honest reason this sits sixth rather than higher. Owners like the light, comfortable fit and the 80-hour battery total, while a meaningful minority report sound-quality and feedback issues.

Intelligent noise reduction and whistle suppression

A 16-channel digital chip handles noise reduction, and a separate whistling suppression system tries to stop the squeal that in-ear aids produce when sound leaks past a poorly seated dome. At mild loss the squeal is less likely than at moderate levels, so this feature matters less here than it would further down the severity scale.

Charging that rewards planning

A two-hour USB-C fast charge gives 25 hours per cycle, and the case recharges four times for roughly 80 hours total. That is enough for a couple of weeks of daily use between case top-ups, which suits someone who charges at night and forgets the case in a drawer.

Why the 4.0 rating is not a dealbreaker

Twelve percent one-star reviews on a device this simple is close to what we would expect. Discontent clusters around sound quality rather than function, which argues for ordering with a clear return path rather than against the product.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you need more than four volume levels, if you want Bluetooth, or if your audiogram shows a steep high-frequency slope that needs careful tuning. Choose it if you want a very light behind-the-ear body and no setup at all.

7. SOUNDFIT Completely-in-Canal Hearing Aids – Nearly Invisible All-Day Wear

Discretion is the entire argument here, and it is a strong one. At 2 grams each, the completely-in-canal body sits in the ear with no component behind the ear at all, so there is no plastic above the ear line, and the 590 reviews average 4.6 stars with 86 percent five-star. That is among the cleanest rating distributions in the set.

The Intricon A4 digital chip is the differentiator. Sixteen-channel smart noise reduction tries to separate voices from background noise, and four modes, Normal, Restaurant, Outdoor and Music, mean you are not using a volume dial as a substitute for situational control.

Why the Restaurant mode matters at mild loss

Mild loss listeners do not struggle to hear speech in a quiet room. They struggle when the room is loud, and a dedicated Restaurant mode is the cheapest speech-in-noise intervention available without a prescription fitting. Reviewers point to the four modes as the reason the device keeps working after the novelty fades, which is worth more than any single spec on the box.

Battery and water resistance for real life

Up to 38 hours per charge with the case adding three full recharges gets you most of a week between case charges. IP56 rating against sweat, dust and moisture means a walk in humid weather or a sweaty gym session is not the end of the device, which matters for a body sealed in the ear.

What you give up for invisibility

Push-button control is the only interface, with no app and no Bluetooth, so frequency response is fixed. Completely-in-canal devices also need adjustment time, and a smaller dome is required. Reviewers who returned the product most often mention the learning period, not the sound.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you have very narrow ear canals, if you stream calls, or if you want to adjust tone. Choose it if nobody at work can know you are wearing them.

8. nvdskn Rechargeable OTC Amplifier – Compact Cases for Travel

Travel is the design brief. The charging and carrying cases are small enough for a pocket or a bag, the three ear tip sizes mean you can get a fit anywhere, and a five-level control with a memory function means you are not re-tuning the device every time you take it out.

The 757 reviews average 4.7 with 85 percent five-star and 10 percent four-star ratings, and sentiment is strongly positive on clarity, comfort and battery life. One caveat is worth stating plainly: the written review text on this listing is mismatched and largely concerns unrelated items, so the verified audio feedback is thinner than the raw count suggests.

What 43 dB of gain means for mild loss

Forty-three decibels plus or minus five, with active noise cancellation and feedback reduction, is comfortably more than mild loss requires. That headroom is the useful part, because many low-cost amplifiers clip or distort when you push them hard enough to hear a consonant across a room.

Memory function and the hold-to-power gesture

The device stores your last volume level, so you never start every session from scratch. Pressing and holding Volume+ for three seconds turns it on or off, which is simple but takes practice on a device this small, so expect a few fumbled attempts on day one.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you need Bluetooth streaming or app control, and think twice if your loss is more than moderate, since 43 dB is the ceiling here. Choose it if you travel often, want a spare pair, or want a device you can adjust in a hotel room without a clinic.

9. ELEHEAR Beyond OTC Hearing Aids – 50dB Output with App Scene Modes

This is the most capable device here and the one with the most caveats, which is a fair summary of the whole OTC category. Fifty decibels of amplification, VocClear AI processing that claims a 17 percent speech clarity boost while cutting 24 dB of background noise, and four app-selected scene modes put it in a different tier from the button-controlled pairs. Long-term owners with moderate loss report speech clarity that rivals far more expensive prescription devices, and they praise the app tuning and battery life.

App control is the real feature

Beyond volume, the app adjusts frequency, sound directionality and environment profiles. For a wearer whose loss is not flat, directionality control is the setting that actually changes how a restaurant sounds. A 15-minute quick charge giving 6 hours of runtime also means a 10-minute top-up before a long meeting is realistic.

Bluetooth that actually holds a connection

Reviewers report streaming for calls, music and audiobooks working reliably at about 30 feet, which is closer to usable range than most budget devices manage. Combined with 20 hours per charge and 4 case recharges for 100 hours total, this is the most complete everyday device in the roundup.

The four complaints you should expect

Frequency control is limited to a single brightness and depth slider, with no multi-band equalizer, so it cannot match a clinician’s tuning. Dome and retention wire sizing is fiddly and the default wire is too short for some ears, and some devices echo or whistle with itching reported in the first several weeks. The body is also larger than most competing behind-the-ear devices, and at 488 reviews averaging 4.1 the negative themes are specific enough to be worth reading before you order.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you are highly sensitive to the fit or if you have very small ear canals, and give it a miss if you want a device that works instantly with no app. Choose it if mild loss has already progressed and you want the most processing power available without a prescription.

10. Vivtone Lucid508 Rechargeable BTE – Built-In Tinnitus Masking Mode

Tinnitus masking is the reason to look at this one, and it is the only device in the roundup with a mode built for it. Three listening modes cover quiet rooms, noisy environments and tinnitus masking, so a wearer whose mild loss came with ringing in the ears has almost no other OTC option here. Power figures are generous too, with peak gain reaching 41 dB and a case that recharges both aids four times for 125 hours of backup power.

Read the reliability complaints carefully

The 3.9 average is the lowest here, with 10 percent one-star and 10 percent two-star ratings, and the dominant negative theme is durability: several customers report a device that stopped charging after roughly a month of use. That is a meaningful failure rate for something worn daily, and it is why this product is not ranked higher despite the tinnitus feature. A second cluster of reviews found the amplification excessively loud and echoing with no comfortable setting in between, and mild loss usually needs less gain rather than more.

Auto-on convenience and support

Auto-on and auto-off when the aids leave and return to the case is a genuinely thoughtful convenience, and responsive 24×7 support by phone, email or text changes the risk calculation on a device with a low average rating. One reviewer had a charging issue resolved after the return window had passed, which means a fault does not automatically become a loss.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you need Bluetooth, if your loss is mild enough that 41 dB will be uncomfortable, or if battery reliability is a dealbreaker in your situation. Choose it if tinnitus is part of your daily experience and masking matters more than streaming.

11. Auiioes Bluetooth OTC Hearing Aids – Automatic Hearing and Headphone Switching

The clearest critique of this device comes from its own most detailed review, and it is worth repeating: it delivers clear amplification but does not filter background sound, so you hear the next table as loudly as the person across from you. That is a fair description of a device that amplifies rather than intelligently processes.

Within that limitation it is well liked. The 298 reviews average 4.7 with 88 percent five-star ratings, and buyers highlight the dual-purpose design, the automatic switching back to hearing mode, and battery life that survives several days away from a charger. Note that several reviews on the listing are mismatched items, so the verified feedback is thinner than the count implies.

Bluetooth 5.3 with automatic mode switching

The devices pair to a phone as soon as they are powered on, then switch between hearing assistance and Bluetooth headphones automatically. Music, video and calls all work, and 8-level volume control gives more range than the button-only devices. For a wearer who wants earbuds and hearing help in one, the convenience is real.

Three scene modes with voice prompts

Indoor, Outdoor and Noise Reduction modes are activated by a double tap with voice prompts, so you can confirm the change without looking. A DSP smart chip handles automatic background noise reduction, though the equal-amplification behaviour described above means the ceiling on background chatter is still high.

Fit and discretion, honestly

Reviewers report the in-ear piece can be too large and pop out, and the over-ear corded section can interfere with glasses. It is not discreet, and the charging case is larger than expected, so it will not fit a trouser pocket. Those are real limits for anyone who wants a low-profile device.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you are in noisy rooms daily and need genuine speech-in-noise filtering, or if visibility matters. Choose it if music and calls are the priority and quiet conversation is the main scenario.

12. SEEDEAR Invisible In-Ear OTC Hearing Aids – 48 Hours on One Charge

The 48-hour battery figure is the headline, since a two-hour charge delivers two full days of continuous operation and that is the longest single-charge runtime in this roundup. The 4.8 average across 143 reviews comes with an unusually clean distribution of 83 percent five-star, 17 percent four-star, and nothing at three stars or below. With 143 reviews the sample is the thinnest here, and no individual written review text was available to us.

Pinpoint voice capture and the Clear Voice Tech chip

Dynamic noise reduction with pinpoint voice capture is aimed at face-to-face conversation specifically, which is exactly the mild-loss scenario. The practical effect is that the person in front of you stays the loudest thing in the room.

The eight-second start-up delay

Automatic power on and off includes an 8-second intelligent start-up delay after you remove the device, so putting it back in your ear does not deliver an unexpected noise jolt. It is a small design decision that prevents the most common early complaint about in-ear devices.

Comfort and the limits of two modes

Ultra-soft silicone tips in two styles and three sizes accommodate most ear canal types without pressure points, and extra-large tactile buttons help anyone with reduced vision. The trade-off is scope: two listening modes, five volume levels and no Bluetooth at all.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you stream calls or music, or if you want multiple programs. Choose it if you wear an aid from morning to night, want it invisible, and want to charge twice a week rather than nightly.

How to Choose the Right Hearing Aid for Mild Loss

Most wrong purchases in this category come from choosing on appearance or battery claims before anyone knows the shape of the loss. Work through these in order and the shortlist writes itself.

Start with your audiogram, not the box

Get a hearing test before you order anything, because the shape of your curve matters as much as your severity. A flat 25 dB loss and a 25 dB loss confined to 4000 Hz are the same number and completely different problems. The most repeated piece of advice in hearing aid communities is that a properly fitted mid-range device beats an unfitted premium device every time, and that a fitted prescription aid beats a self-fitted one once your loss is more than mild.

RIC, CIC, ITE or BTE: which style fits mild loss

Receiver-in-canal and open-fit devices leave the canal open, which lets natural low-frequency sound pass through and keeps the voice natural, and that is why open-fit RIC is the standard prescription answer for mild high-frequency loss. Completely-in-canal devices prioritise invisibility instead, adding gain across a sealed canal for a wearer whose priority is that nobody knows. In-the-ear and behind-the-ear bodies carry more battery and more control hardware in a larger case, which is why they dominate at more severe loss. Mild loss is the one range where all four styles are viable, so pick on comfort rather than on power.

OTC or prescription-fitted: what actually changes

Prescription devices are programmed from a full audiogram by an audiologist, with real-ear measurements to verify the fit, and they can be adjusted over years as your hearing changes. OTC devices are self-fitted, usually through an app that maps an audiogram to settings. For mild loss that is a sound, low-risk trade, while moderate or steeply sloped loss is better handled in a clinic.

Low-frequency versus high-frequency mild loss

This is the most common question in hearing aid forums and the one most product lists ignore. Mild low-frequency loss, where quiet rumbling and the lower voice register fade, responds best to open-fit devices that leave the canal clear so natural sound enters unhindered. Mild high-frequency loss, where sibilants and consonants vanish, needs more high-frequency gain and benefits from directional microphones and frequency control, so if your audiogram slopes down toward the right prioritise adjustable frequency response such as the ELEHEAR or the app-fitted Saliryj.

Rechargeable or disposable batteries

Everything in this roundup is rechargeable, and for mild loss that is almost always the right call. Rechargeable lithium cells remove the small-fumbling, easy-to-drop problem of zinc-air batteries entirely. Check the single-charge runtime against your day, not the case total, because a 25-hour runtime you charge nightly is worse for you than a 48-hour runtime you charge twice a week.

Bluetooth and companion apps: useful or fiddly

Bluetooth turns the aid into a pair of earbuds for calls, music and television, which is genuinely valuable if you already live on the phone. The cost is setup friction, a battery you have to remember to charge, and reviews that divide sharply along the line of whether someone managed the pairing. If you want streaming, take the Saliryj, ELEHEAR or Auiioes, and if you want zero setup, take the ZHANZHSQL or BATSTRKS.

How to vet an OTC seller before you pay

The most repeated fear in hearing aid communities is buying from an illegitimate seller. Look for FDA-registered status stated plainly, a written return policy, real support contact details, and a warranty measured in years rather than weeks. Treat any listing promising to restore hearing to normal as a warning sign, and buy from a retailer that publishes a return window long enough to test the device across real listening situations.

Medicare, insurance and HSA coverage reality check

Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, which is the answer most people are not expecting and part of why so many mild-loss wearers end up shopping online. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental hearing benefits, many private plans offer a partial allowance, and some states run hearing aid assistance programmes for adults and children. Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts can typically be used for hearing aids and batteries, so call your plan administrator and ask specifically about a hearing aid allowance rather than assuming a general wellness benefit applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Hearing Aid Should You Choose?

If mild loss shows up mainly in restaurants and group conversations, the ZHANZHSQL pair is the pick, with 16-channel adaptive noise cancellation and a 3-gram body that disappears in the ear. If you are a first-time wearer who refuses to fiddle with an app, take the BATSTRKS model for its large controls and 4.7 rating, or the ZHANZHSQL pair for the same one-button simplicity with stronger processing.

If you travel constantly, the EarCentric EasyCharge wins on never running out of power, and the SEEDEAR model wins on 48 hours of continuous use. If nobody is allowed to know, go in-ear with the SOUNDFIT completely-in-canal or the SEEDEAR micro body. If you need more processing headroom, the ELEHEAR Beyond reaches 50 dB with app-based scene modes, at the cost of a fiddly first week, and if tinnitus is part of your experience the Vivtone Lucid508 is the only device here with a dedicated masking mode.

Whichever you pick, the order of operations is the same. Get a hearing test, find out whether your loss is low-frequency, high-frequency or flat, and only then choose a style and a power level. That one hour of groundwork does more for mild hearing loss than any feature on any list, including this one.