In 2005, buying hearing aids meant committing to a purchase with little to no ability to change your mind — trial periods were rare, inconsistent, and often came with steep non-refundable deposits if you weren’t satisfied. Today, the landscape looks very different: most U.S. states legally require dispensers to offer a minimum trial period, typically 30 to 45 days, and many providers voluntarily extend that further.
Trial Period Costs and Terms
| Provider Type | Typical Trial Length | Restocking Fee If Returned |
|---|---|---|
| State-mandated minimum | 30–45 days (varies by state) | Varies, often $50–$250 |
| Independent audiology practice | 30–60 days (often extended voluntarily) | $0–$300 per device |
| Jabra Enhance (direct-to-consumer) | 100 days | $0 (full refund policy) |
| Eargo (direct-to-consumer) | 45 days | $0–$100 |
| Costco Hearing Aid Centers | 90 days | $0 (no restocking fee) |
| Big-box retail/OTC brands | 30–45 days (varies by retailer) | $0–$50 |
Why State Law Matters Here
Nearly every state has a hearing aid trial period law on the books, though the specific length and terms vary. These laws exist specifically because hearing aids are a significant purchase that requires real-world adjustment — a quiet audiology office fitting doesn’t reveal how a device performs in a noisy restaurant, a windy parking lot, or a crowded family gathering. Check your specific state’s hearing aid trial law, since some states mandate longer minimums or cap the maximum restocking fee a dispenser can charge.
What the Restocking Fee Actually Covers
When you return hearing aids during the trial period, many providers charge a restocking or fitting fee rather than issuing a full refund. This fee is meant to cover the professional time already invested — the initial evaluation, custom earmold impressions (if applicable), fitting appointments, and adjustment visits during the trial. Fees typically range from $50 to $300 per device, though this varies enormously by provider, and some practices waive it entirely as a competitive differentiator.
Before purchasing hearing aids anywhere, ask specifically: “If I return these during the trial period, what fee applies, and is it per device or per pair?” Get the answer in writing on your purchase agreement. This single question can save you hundreds of dollars if the devices don’t work out, and providers vary significantly enough on this policy that it’s worth factoring into your choice of where to buy.
Direct-to-Consumer Brands Often Offer Longer Trials
Companies selling hearing aids directly online or through their own retail model — rather than through independent local audiology practices — often compete partly on trial length and return policy generosity, since they can’t rely on an in-person relationship built over years of care. Jabra Enhance’s 100-day trial and Costco’s 90-day, no-restocking-fee policy are both notably longer and more consumer-friendly than the legal minimums in most states.
Making the Most of Your Trial Period
Don’t just wear the hearing aids around the house during your trial. Specifically test them in:
- Restaurants or other noisy environments
- Phone calls, both handheld and with any Bluetooth streaming features
- Outdoor settings with wind
- Group conversations with multiple speakers
- TV watching, ideally with any connected streaming accessory tested as well
Don’t wait until the final week of your trial period to decide whether the hearing aids are working for you. Set a personal check-in point at roughly the halfway mark of your trial to assess progress and raise any concerns with your audiologist while there’s still time for adjustments — reprogramming and fit changes during the trial are typically included at no extra cost, but only if you flag issues before the window closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, most U.S. states have laws requiring hearing aid dispensers to offer a minimum trial period, typically 30 to 45 days, during which you can return the devices for a full or partial refund if they don't work for you.
Many providers charge a restocking or fitting fee, typically $50 to $300 per device, when hearing aids are returned during the trial period, though some practices waive this fee entirely as a customer service policy.
Most state-mandated minimum trial periods run 30 to 45 days, though many audiology practices and manufacturers voluntarily offer longer trials, with some brands offering up to 100 days, specifically to give patients enough time to adjust in real-world listening situations.