Affordable Hearing Aids You Can Buy Without an Audiologist in Australia
Overseas you hear a lot about over-the-counter hearing aids, the sort you can buy off a shelf and set up yourself. Australia is a bit different, and the choices here aren’t always obvious. The good news is that real, affordable options do exist now, and one of them may already be sitting in your ears at the gym. Let’s go through what’s genuinely available, and be honest about who each one suits.
A word before we start. These options are designed for mild to moderate hearing loss that you’ve noticed yourself. They aren’t a fix for significant loss, and they aren’t a reason to skip a proper check if you’re worried. With that understood, here’s what’s on offer.
Quick answer
The standout affordable option in Australia is now the AirPods Pro 2 or Pro 3, which include a hearing aid feature approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use here, at a fraction of the cost of traditional aids. Reputable self-fitting aids can be bought online, and Costco sells cheaper devices without the clinic model. All of these suit mild to moderate loss only. And don’t overlook the funded route: eligible pensioners can get quality aids at no cost through the Hearing Services Program. If your loss is more than mild, or you’re not sure, get a hearing check first. It costs little or nothing and tells you what you actually need.
First, an honest word
Buying hearing help yourself puts you in charge of the fitting, and that cuts both ways. It saves money and a clinic visit, but how well the device works depends on setting it up properly. Hearing professionals are fair about this. Over-the-counter and self-fitting aids can suit mild to moderate loss, but it’s still wise to have a proper check so you buy the right thing. One catch worth knowing is that some self-fit aids can’t later be adjusted by an Australian clinic, so you’re on your own with them.
None of that means don’t do it. It means go in with eyes open. For a lot of people with a mild loss, these options are a sensible, low-cost way to hear better without a big outlay.
The options worth knowing
AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3, with the hearing aid feature
This is the big change. Apple’s AirPods Pro include a hearing aid feature, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved it for use in Australia, with the feature going live here in early 2025. You take a short hearing test on your iPhone, and the AirPods then adjust to your results, lifting the sounds you miss. It’s a genuine hearing aid function for perceived mild to moderate loss, not just an amplifier.
The appeal is obvious. AirPods Pro cost around a few hundred dollars, far less than a traditional pair of aids, and the hearing feature itself is free once you own them. They double as ordinary earphones for music and calls, so nobody blinks at you wearing them. The catches are that you need a fairly recent iPhone, the battery lasts a day rather than all week, and they’re more visible than tiny modern aids. Prices change, so check the current price at Apple, JB Hi-Fi or Officeworks. If you’re weighing up the phone side of things, our guide to the best smartphones for seniors helps.
Self-fitting aids bought online
There are mail-order aids you set up yourself using an app or a simple hearing test on your phone. They can be good value, and some are well reviewed. This is the option that most needs the honest word above. Check before you buy whether an Australian clinic can adjust the device if you need help later, look for a product that’s properly listed for sale here, and be wary of anything sold as a miracle cure at a suspiciously low price. Stick to established brands with a clear returns policy.
Cheaper devices from Costco and pharmacies
Costco runs hearing centres that sell fitted aids for a good deal less than most high-street clinics, and also stocks the AirPods Pro. Pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse carry simple personal sound amplifiers for light, occasional use. These sit between a full clinic fitting and a pure do-it-yourself buy, so they suit someone who wants a lower price but still a bit of help. Ring ahead to check what’s on offer before making a trip.
The funded route, which can cost nothing
It’s worth knowing that the cheapest path of all can be a funded aid. If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card, the Hearing Services Program covers a range of quality aids at no cost. That does involve a provider, so it isn’t strictly do-it-yourself, but if saving money is the goal, don’t overlook it. Our guide to getting hearing aids funded in Australia explains who qualifies.
Which option suits you
| If this is you | A good option |
|---|---|
| Have an iPhone and a mild loss | AirPods Pro with the hearing feature |
| Want a lower price but a bit of help | A Costco hearing centre or pharmacy device |
| Happy to set things up yourself | A well-reviewed self-fitting aid online |
| Want the lowest cost and may qualify for funding | A funded aid through the Hearing Services Program |
Who should still see an audiologist
Some situations really do call for a professional, and it’s worth being straight about them. If your hearing loss is more than mild, if only one ear is affected, if you have pain, discharge or ringing, or if things have got worse quickly, book a check rather than buying off the shelf. Those can be signs of something a doctor should look at. A self-fit device could paper over a problem worth treating. If any of this rings true, our piece on the signs a parent needs a hearing check is a good next read.
Before you buy a self-fit aid
- Is it meant for mild to moderate loss, which matches what you have?
- Can an Australian clinic adjust it later if you need help?
- Is there a real trial period and a clear returns policy?
- Do you have the phone or device it needs to work?
- Is the seller established, not a too-good-to-be-true bargain?
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
The bottom line
For a mild loss and a modest budget, the AirPods Pro hearing feature has quietly become the easiest place to start in Australia, especially if you already have an iPhone. Costco, pharmacy devices and reputable self-fit aids fill in the rest. But if you hold a Pensioner Concession Card, compare the funded route too, because a fully subsidised aid can cost nothing and perform better. Just keep the honest word in mind, and get a check if there’s any doubt. When you’re ready to compare the funding, our guide to getting hearing aids funded in Australia and the piece on hearing aids versus amplifiers cover the next steps.
FAQ: buying hearing aids without an audiologist
Can I really use AirPods as hearing aids in Australia?
Yes. AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 include a hearing aid feature approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for mild to moderate loss, and it’s available here. You set it up with a hearing test on your iPhone.
Are over-the-counter hearing aids as good as fitted ones?
For mild loss they can help a lot. For anything more, a professionally fitted aid usually performs better and comes with support.
What’s the catch with self-fitting aids?
You do the setup, and some can’t be adjusted by an Australian clinic afterwards. Check that before you buy, and choose a seller with a returns policy.
How do I know if my loss is only mild?
The surest way is a hearing check. If you’re straining in quiet one-to-one chats, your loss may be more than mild, and worth a professional look.
Is the cheapest option always the best value?
Not if it doesn’t suit your loss. A funded aid through the Hearing Services Program can cost nothing and perform better, so compare that route too before you buy.
