Best over-the-counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss

Top pick: ELEHEAR Beyond — a behind-the-ear OTC aid built for mild-to-moderate loss, with Bluetooth pairing to iOS and Android so you can fine-tune it from your phone, and up to 20 hours per charge. It's the most complete package here for everyday conversation and TV.

Who the others suit:

• Audien Atom Pro 2 — the safest crowd-pleaser: rechargeable, huge review base, simple to live with.
• Audien Atom X — a step up in features if you want more control than the basic Atom.
• Audien Atom One — the lightest, least fussy entry point for a first aid.
• Ceretone Core One Pro — nearly invisible in-the-canal fit if you dislike anything behind your ear.
• Hearing Assist Control — a receiver-in-canal aid with Bluetooth adjustment, for someone who wants a more clinical style.
• LINK Aware — long battery life and water resistance for outdoor, active days.
• Equate Rechargeable — a budget first pair to try the idea out.

Skip the cheap "sound amplifiers" (MSA PRO, generic over-the-ear units): they amplify everything rather than shape speech, which is the wrong tool for hearing loss. Get a hearing test first if you haven't had one.