If you‘re one of the nearly 30 million American adults with hearing loss, you know how frustrating and isolating it can feel to struggle through conversations. You may have looked into hearing aids only to be shocked by the high prices of $1000+ per ear.
Enter Bossa Hearing – a relative newcomer aiming to make quality hearing care much more accessible and affordable. In just two years, this American company has attracted a devoted following with their "smaller than a pill" designs and budget-friendly prices starting under $100.
Sounds promising, right? But you‘re smart to do your research before pulling out your credit card. In this comprehensive Bossa Hearing review, I‘ll give you all the important information to decide if their hearing aids are the right choice for your ears and wallet. Let‘s dive in!
About Bossa Hearing
Bossa Hearing was founded in 2020 by a team of doctors and engineers with a shared mission – to provide high-performance hearing aids that the average person can actually afford.
The company is based in sunny Los Angeles and all of their products are designed in the USA. However, to keep costs down, the hearing aids are manufactured in China.
Since launching just two years ago, Bossa has served thousands of happy customers. They‘ve earned an impressive 4.6 out of 5 star rating on their website with many rave reviews. The brand has also quickly grown to over 1K followers on Facebook.
Why You Can Trust This Review
Our team has years of experience thoroughly researching and testing health and wellness products. We combine hands-on analysis with feedback from real users and expert opinions.
For this Bossa Hearing review, I dug through hundreds of customer reviews and consulted with an audiologist to get the full picture. I‘ll give you my unbiased take on the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Bossa Hearing‘s Products and Prices
Bossa keeps things simple with just three main hearing aid models at different price points:
Bossa Hearing TX-1 Mini
The TX-1 Mini is Bossa‘s entry-level model priced at just $80 for a pair. But don‘t let the low cost fool you – these tiny devices pack some impressive technology.
Key features:
- 2022 X1 microchip provides natural sound and filters out background noise
- Compact design that‘s virtually invisible when worn
- 35-hour battery life with a portable charging case
- Reduces symptoms of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
The TX-1 is designed to fit 95% of ear canals right out of the box. Many users raved about the comfort and sound quality. "I am in disbelief at how well these work for the price," one customer wrote. "I can carry on conversations in noisy environments that were impossible before."
However, some reviewers had trouble with the fit and said the aids fell out easily. The TX-1 also lacks more advanced features like mobile app controls.
Bossa Hearing TX-5 Mini
For just $10 more at $90 a pair, the TX-5 Mini offers several upgrades over the base model:
- 30% smaller size to fit even more ear sizes comfortably
- Improved tinnitus masking and noise reduction
- Handy magnetic charging case snaps the aids into place
- Easy in-ear volume and program controls
This model earned a perfect 5 out of 5 stars from over 300 reviewers on Bossa‘s site. Users loved how discreet and effective the TX-5s are. "These have been life-changing," raved one customer. "I barely notice them in my ears and they‘ve brought back the joy of social gatherings for me."
On the downside, the 35-hour battery life can‘t quite compete with the 3-4 days of some pricier rechargeable aids. A few people also said the magnet in the case was too strong and made the aids hard to remove.
Bossa Hearing ProTon Plus+
At the top of Bossa‘s line-up is the ProTon Plus+. Priced at $197 a pair, it‘s still hundreds less than most premium hearing aids. For the extra money, you get Bossa‘s most advanced technology in their smallest package yet.
Stand-out features of the ProTon Plus+:
- Measures just 0.39 inches – about a third the size of the TX-1 Mini
- Intelligent noise reduction adapts to your environment
- Improved feedback cancellation for clearer, whistle-free sound
- Extended 40-hour battery life with rapid 3-hour charging
- Mobile app for personalized hearing test, remote adjustments, and live virtual support from Bossa‘s team of audiologists
This model has only been out a few months but is already earning high praise. "Worth every penny," said one of the many 5-star reviews. "I‘m hearing details I haven‘t in years, from birds singing to rain tapping the windows. The app made setup a breeze with the hearing test and custom settings."
The biggest complaint was that the ProTon Plus+ doesn‘t come with a physical user manual, just instructions in the app. A couple reviewers also felt the included earbuds were too small.
How Bossa Hearing Aids Work
All of Bossa‘s hearing aids use advanced digital sound processing. Tiny microphones pick up sounds and filter out unwanted noise before amplifying what you want to hear, like voices.
The hearing aids analyze your environment and automatically adjust the settings to provide the clearest sound, whether you‘re in a quiet room or a loud restaurant. You can also manually change the volume and program via taps on the aids or buttons in the app.
While Bossa doesn‘t share detailed specs, their site mentions the use of adaptive directionality and layered noise reduction. These AI-powered features help you focus on speech coming from in front of you and tune out distracting background sound.
The hearing test in Bossa‘s app also allows the aids to be fine-tuned to your specific hearing loss pattern. An audiologist can make further adjustments remotely based on your feedback.
Are Bossa Hearing Aids FDA Approved?
Currently, only the Bossa ProTon Plus+ is registered with the FDA. The other models are classified as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs). While they can help with mild to moderate hearing loss, they‘re not medical devices.
Bossa is working on getting FDA clearance for all of their hearing aids. In the meantime, they offer a 45-day risk-free trial. You can return your aids for any reason within that period for a full refund.
What Do Customers Think of Bossa Hearing?
Bossa Hearing aids have earned thousands of positive reviews online. The company showcases an impressive 4.6 out of 5 star average rating on their website.
The TX-5 Mini is the most reviewed model with over 400 ratings and a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 stars. Customers repeatedly called out the invisible fit, crisp sound, and great value.
"These have far exceeded my expectations," wrote one typical happy buyer. "I barely feel them in my ears but the difference in my hearing is dramatic. It‘s wonderful to enjoy conversations again without constantly straining and saying ‘what?‘"
The ProTon Plus+ is also off to a strong start with a 4.8 average from the first 100+ reviews. People especially liked the smart noise reduction and easy customization via the mobile app.
Negative reviews were harder to find but there were a few consistent themes:
- Discomfort or poor fit for some ear shapes
- Occasional feedback/whistling, especially when adjusting the aids
- Inconsistent Bluetooth connectivity with the app
- Slower than expected shipping and difficulties reaching customer service
It‘s important to note that no hearing aids work perfectly for everyone. Fit and performance can vary based on your individual ears and type of hearing loss.
I did find a handful of reviews saying Bossa‘s aids didn‘t provide enough amplification for those with more severe impairment. The company acknowledges their products are best for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Bossa also has a less favorable 3.6 out of 5 rating on the Better Business Bureau with some complaints about long shipping delays and difficulty getting support. However, the company does seem to respond and attempt to resolve most issues.
Bossa Hearing Aid Alternatives
If you‘re not sold on Bossa, here are a few other popular direct-to-consumer hearing aid brands to consider:
- Eargo: Known for their invisible completely-in-canal designs and lifetime support. Prices range from $1500-$2950 per pair.
- Lively: Offers Bluetooth hearing aids with remote care from audiologists starting at $1195 per pair.
- MDHearingAid: Affordable FDA-registered aids starting at $400 a pair with a 45-day trial.
You can also consider personal sound amplifiers from brands like Otofonix and Banglijian. They‘re not hearing aids but can provide a low-cost way to amplify sound.
For more severe hearing loss or custom fits, it‘s best to see an audiologist or ENT doctor in person. They can perform a complete hearing test and recommend medical-grade hearing aids personalized to your needs.
The Bottom Line: Is Bossa Hearing Worth It?
Based on my research, I believe Bossa Hearing aids are a solid choice for those with mild to moderate hearing loss on a budget. While you won‘t get the absolute best sound quality or features, Bossa‘s prices are hard to beat.
The TX-1 and TX-5 Mini offer excellent value under $100 if you want a simple, easy-to-use aid. The ProTon Plus+ is also a compelling option at $197 with its advanced noise reduction, smaller size, and handy app controls.
I would recommend starting with Bossa‘s free online hearing test to see if you fall in their target range. If you decide to buy, take advantage of the 45-day trial to make sure the aids are a good fit for you.
Bossa‘s customer support seems to be hit or miss. Prepare for potential shipping delays and don‘t expect instant replies if you need help.
Overall, I believe Bossa Hearing is succeeding in its mission to make hearing care much more accessible. While not perfect, their aids provide great performance for the price and have earned thousands of positive reviews. They‘re definitely worth considering if you want to hear better on a budget.
