Nano Hearing Aids 2022 Review

The modern world has its comforts, but it can also be rough on your precious ears. Loud music, house-rumbling construction noises, and more can all contribute to gradual hearing loss.

Some conditions and medications can cause hearing loss, too. It can also be age related or run in families.

However, there are ways to cope with hearing loss, including wearing a hearing aid or personal sound amplification product (PSAP).

Below, we take a closer look at Nano Hearing Aids and outline the difference between PSAPs and hearing aids.

What is Nano Hearing Aids?

Nano Hearing Aids has a line of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices. These aren’t technically the same as hearing aids, so the company’s name and their language on the Nano website under the FAQ section is a bit deceiving.

How are PSAPs different from hearing aids?

Many individuals have difficulty hearing sometimes and could benefit from a little extra assistance. PSAPs are designed to amplify environmental sounds for those without hearing loss.

Since 2017, the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act has allowed the sale of OTC PSAPs to improve access to these kinds of devices. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t currently regulate PSAPs the same way they do hearing aids, though.

Prescription hearing aids are FDA-regulated class 1 medical devices that treat hearing loss. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors and audiologists typically prescribe them after they’ve figured out what’s causing hearing loss.

On the other hand, PSAPs don’t require a prescription or doctor’s visit, but they also don’t actually treat hearing loss. Rather, they just make the sounds around you louder.

A key difference between the two categories is that licensed professionals program medical hearing aids based on a doctor’s prescription or audiogram, while PSAPs are mass-produced.

This would allow the FDA more quality control over companies like Nano Hearing Aids, ideally giving consumers more ability to trust in the advertising and products offered.

What’s available from Nano Hearing Aids?

Nano offers a variety of different models. They sell both behind-the-ear and in- the-ear devices. Current options include the following:

Nano SX2000

These are the priciest option that Nano sells. They fit behind the ear but have earbuds that go inside the ear. They’re very small, making them almost invisible.

When the battery is low, users get an audible alert.

Users can also access frequency and feedback controls to eliminate unwanted noise.

Nano Sigma

These devices are Bluetooth-enabled and work with the Nano mobile app. They also feature noise-reduction technology. They’re battery-powered and fit behind the ear.

Nano X2 and Nano X2 Recharge

These feature noise-filtering and -canceling technology and large, easy-to-press buttons. They also fit behind the ear.

They offer four different settings, depending on the type of environment you’re in. You can use the Nano X2 Recharge for up to 16 hours on a single charge. They come with a charging case.

Nano RX2000 Rechargeable

The units go behind the ear and feature noise-reduction technology. Like Nano X2 Recharge, these can be used for up to 16 hours after charging.

Nano CIC and Nano CIC Recharge

These are Nano’s in-the-canal devices. They come with multiple earbud sizes. They’re available in battery-operated or rechargeable styles and feature noise- canceling technology. With your purchase of a battery-operated pair, you’ll get a 6-month supply of batteries.

How much are Nano Hearing Aids?

Nano Hearing Aids cost between $999 and $3,500, and that’s for one unit to outfit one ear. However, there are frequent sales and options to buy one get one free.

The cost for a set of prescription hearing aids ranges from $1,600 to $8,000.

Should you buy Nano Hearing Aids?

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, your best bet is to speak with an ENT doctor. If there’s no known medical cause for your hearing loss, an audiologist can perform a hearing test and recommend a suitable device to treat it.

If you’re having trouble hearing, it’s important to get your hearing tested. During these exams, your healthcare professional can identify any underlying health issues, including life threatening conditions, that may affect your hearing.

Companies should be transparent about the differences between prescription devices and OTC devices. Unfortunately, many brands are more interested in selling their products than giving sound advice to customers.

On Nano’s FAQ page, they say that it’s unnecessary to see an audiologist, which makes us hesitant to recommend their products.

They also say that the hearing aids are FDA-registered and “are Medical Prosthetic Devices classified as Class I.” This is a misleading description. An FDA-registered device is different from an FDA-approved one.

All medical devices need to be registered with the FDA before being sold, so saying a product is registered doesn’t tell you much. Class I just means that it’s a type of device that’s considered low risk by the FDA.

Company reputation

Based on the following criteria, Nano Hearing Aids has a fair to poor reputation:

• The company has several different distributers unranked with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which is not necessarily a good thing.
• The name Nano Hearing Aids is misleading since they’re not true medical hearing aids nor are they FDA- approved.
• There are currently no FDA warning letters addressed specifically to Nano. However, in 2018, the FDA issued a letter to all hearing device companies, cautioning them against advertising their products as OTC hearing aids.
• There are no recent or pending lawsuits involving Nano Hearing Aids, but there have been many complaints lodged with the BBB.

What do customers say about Nano’s products and customer service?

Most of the complaints we found have to do with product quality issues or issues with refunds. Some customers note they were not satisfied by the responses or outcomes. (There have even been examples of local news stations stepping in to try to help clients get a full refund.)

Unsurprisingly, most of the reviews on the company website are positive. Many of the negative comments have to do with background noise issues. People also say that the devices don’t clarify sound very well.

Nano warranties and returns

Nano has a 45-day satisfaction guarantee. People who are unsatisfied with their new device can return it for a full refund within the 45-day time frame. It’s important to note, though, that shipping fees are nonrefundable.

To start a return, you’ll need to call or email the company. Some complaints outline problems with the return process. In some cases, people say they never received their refunds.

The company also offers protection plans for their devices. These plans will cover you for 1 year if you accidentally damage the device or if you discover a manufacturing defect or malfunction. You can read more about Nano’s return policies here.

Nano Hearing Aids pros and cons

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Nano Hearing Aids:

How to get true hearing aids

Although you don’t need to get seen by a doctor unless you’re under 18, the FDA recommends getting an examination before buying any type of hearing aid.

A healthcare professional — preferably an ENT or audiologist — can evaluate the cause and amount of your hearing loss. They can also fit you with a hearing aid for your needs.

The FDA suggests double-checking whether an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser is licensed.

Alternatives to Nano Hearing Aids

Want the convenience of ordering hearing devices online but not sold on Nano Hearing Aids? Similar online competitors include:

• Audicus. Audicus focuses on customer support, with a free online hearing test as well as a 45-day risk-free trial.
• Lively. Lively offers a 100-day risk-free trial and on-demand audiologist care and hearing device adjustments.
• Eargo. Eargo includes unlimited lifetime support via phone, chat, and video. Extended warranties are also available on these hearing devices.

Takeaway

Without a firm FDA ruling, we can’t recommend Nano Hearing Aids. We’re also wary of the way Nano markets their products as “hearing aids.”

That said, nothing is stopping you from trying out this type of device for yourself. However, it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional or an audiologist before buying any kind of hearing aid.

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, a healthcare professional can determine what’s causing your hearing loss and help treat it.

Catherine Crider, CD/PCD(DONA), CLEC, CBE, JD, MEd, has worked with children for the past decade as a trained elementary and special education teacher, and finds special joy in supporting blossoming families and their infants. She enjoys educating new parents and parents-to-be about their different options as well as the current best practices in baby care. Catherine writes for various websites and teaches full-spectrum childbirth and postpartum education in several locations in California’s North Bay Area and Peninsula.

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