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While Nano hearing aids offer a low-cost alternative, the company is not without complaints. Find out if we still recommend them.
In the competitive market of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, Nano has carved out a niche for itself by offering OTC devices at a fraction of the cost of traditional hearing aids. While many OTC brands offer quality treatment solutions for hearing loss, Nano has been subject to lawsuits and other practices that make it a brand our MarketWatch Guides team does not recommend.
Read on to learn more about Nano hearing aids and why the product didn’t make our top list of the best hearing aids.
Based in Phoenix, Ariz., Nano was introduced in 2017 after the founder’s grandmother had difficulty hearing family conversations during a visit. He later discovered she had lost one of her hearing aids and couldn’t afford a replacement. In comes Nano, a low-cost hearing aid manufacturer. But Nano has a dubious history.
The company has been accused of unethical business practices involving false advertising, lying to consumers, not honoring return policies and illegally misrepresenting its products.
The Vermont Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against Nano in November 2022, claiming Nano falsely represented and sold personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs) as hearing aids. PSAPs are electronic wearable devices, not medical devices and aren’t a substitute for hearing aids. Since PSAPs amplify all sounds, experts only recommend them for people with typical hearing who want to hear better during recreational activities, like birdwatching or hunting, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
We reached out to Nano for a response but have not heard back. We will update this review when we do.
The Attorney General’s office noted, “The lawsuit seeks to protect consumers by requiring Nano to refund money to consumers, to give up any profits resulting from violations of the law, and to pay penalties for its conduct.”
In August 2022, the FDA established a regulatory category for OTC hearing aids, defining strict rules and guidelines that manufacturers must follow to sell OTC hearing aids to consumers. The Nano website repeatedly states that its hearing aids are “FDA registered.”
This is easily misconstrued to imply they are FDA approved, which they are not. The problem is common enough that the FDA has a page about it on its website. A search of the FDA medical device approval database revealed that, as of April 7, 2024, Nano still does not have FDA approval for its hearing aids. For all of these reasons, we can’t recommend Nano hearing aids to our readers.
Rachel Magann Faivre, AuD, owner of Oklahoma City-based Ash Audiology, added, “You can find similar quality amplifier products on Amazon for $30 to $60 and can easily return them if they don’t work for you.”
| Model | Price | Type | Degree of hearing loss treated | Rechargeable battery life (hours) | Bluetooth | Listening programs | Directional microphones | Feedback management | Noise reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIC Recharge (CIC 2) | $297 | CIC | Mild to moderate | Up to 12 | No | 2 | No | Basic | Basic |
| CIC Digital Recharge (CIC 4) | $397 | CIC | Mild to moderate | Up to 12 | No | 4 | No | Advanced | Advanced |
| X2 Recharge (BTE 4) | $497 | BTE | Mild to moderate | Up to 14 | No | 4 | Yes | Advanced | Advanced |
| Sigma Plus Bluetooth (BTE Plus) | $597 | BTE | Mild to moderate | Up to 14 | Yes, but only for app (no streaming) | 4 | Yes | Advanced | Advanced |
The Nano Hearing Aids App has 4 out of 5 stars in the Apple App Store based on 80 ratings. While it’s simple, it’s only compatible with the Sigma Plus model. You can use it to adjust the volume and the four different listening programs for both iPhone and Android users.
A Nano sales representative told our MarketWatch Guides team the app offers a hearing test and allows for adjustments at four different frequency levels, according to the test results. This isn’t mentioned on the website.
We also noted how the app names the four listening programs “Conversation, Restaurant, Traffic and Outdoor,” while the user manual for the Sigma Plus model refers to them as “All Around, Restaurant, TV and Outdoors.”
To make matters more confusing, the user manuals for the other three models call the programs “Normal Conversation, Noisy Places, Loud Places and Music Listening.” While the sales representative told us all listening programs are the same across all models, we think consistent language across all user manuals would make a more user-friendly experience.
The Nano accessories page is also outdated and features accessories for discontinued models. You may purchase CIC kits, which come with extra domes and a cleaning brush, or BTE kits, which come with extra tubes, domes and a cleaning brush.
All kits are $19 to $20. You can purchase replacement tubes for the BTE models for $17.
New Nano hearing devices range in price from $297 to $597. The brand also sells refurbished devices for $222 to $447. To keep costs low, Nano doesn’t have storefronts, so you must make purchases online.
Medical insurance or Medicare does not generally cover the hearing products. Some Medicare Advantage plans may help pay for hearing aids, but you’ll need to check the conditions of your specific plan.
For payment, Nano accepts:
Nano offers multiple ways to contact customer support. You can contact the brand’s customer service team by phone at 619-738-2438 or 866-994-0907 or by emailing [email protected]. The company also offers an online form or live chat feature, as well as a FAQ page that answers a few basic questions.
Our MarketWatch Guides team called Nano and asked a sales representative whether the hearing aids have FDA approval, and we were told Nano has “FDA approval as OTC hearing aids.” The FDA only grants approval after the product has been reviewed and found effective and safe for medical use, which, as we mentioned previously, the FDA has not done for Nano. The representative we spoke with also used pushy sales tactics to try and make a sale.
Nano hearing aids have a limited one-year warranty covering defects in material and workmanship. The warranty also covers the charging case and cable. Any damage caused by improper handling or care, exposure to elements or chemicals or unauthorized service is not covered. You must contact customer support to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) for a repair request to be processed.
Nano offers a 45-day money-back guarantee to try its products risk free. Returns also require a phone call to customer service and an RMA. Many reviews claim the company unethically talks customers into keeping their hearing aids past the 45-day mark when they call to request a return.
With many different hearing aid manufacturers on the market, you have a lot to consider before making a selection. The hearing aids right for you will depend on the factors below.
Consider the extra features listed below.
We’re happy to report plenty of other affordable OTC hearing aid options exist. We recommend three brands: MDHearing, Eargo and Jabra Enhance.
Nano offers a range of low-cost, FDA-registered and OTC hearing devices designed to cater to people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The company’s history and business practices paint a mixed picture, with some customers praising the company’s customer service and others raising concerns about product quality and misleading marketing.
Despite the allure of lower prices and a user-friendly mobile app, the lack of FDA approval combined with questionable business practices, in addition to a pending lawsuit with the State of Vermont means we can’t recommend purchasing from this brand.
Nano states on its website that its devices are “FDA OTC compliant,” meaning they meet all of the requirements outlined by the FDA to be considered OTC hearing aids:
Yet, as of the writing of this review, Nano devices are not FDA approved. We discuss this distinction in detail above.
The State of Vermont filed a lawsuit against Nano in November of 2022, citing the following unethical business practices.
The lawsuit has not been settled, so these claims are unproven. We reached out to Nano for a response but have not heard back. We will update this review when we do.
Yes, if you purchase Nano products using ShopPay, you may be eligible to use a payment plan through Affirm.
It’s difficult to discern the manufacturer. Some reviewers have claimed Nano hearing aids are made by Xiamen NewSound Technology Co. because they look similar, but this is unproven.
The sales representative we spoke to said parts come from several U.S. states and are assembled in and shipped from Nevada. Nano Hearing Aids®, Nano CIC®, Nano X2®, Nano Sigma® are registered trademarks of Hearing At Home, LLC.
Nano hearing aids are FDA registered but not FDA approved. A lawsuit has accused the company of making false claims and misleading marketing due to repeated suggestions that these devices have FDA approval.
While Nano has fairly positive customer scores on Trustpilot and BBB, many complaints regarding product quality and deceitful customer-relation practices are present, especially regarding refunds for returns. Nano is also involved in a lawsuit with the State of Vermont, with many accusations of unethical business practices.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.
