Lexie leads the OTC hearing market in volume, with wide availability in pharmacies and strategic partnerships that make it highly accessible. Here’s why it stands out:

1. User-Friendly App with Extensive Adjustments: Lexie’s app offers near-limitless adjustment options, ideal for users who want full control over their sound quality.
2. Top-Notch Customer Service: Lexie excels in customer support, allowing users to connect quickly through the app for any assistance needed.
3. Soundly Extras: Purchasing Lexie hearing aids through Soundly includes a complimentary audiology setup call, ensuring you start with a perfectly tailored fit.

Ease of Use and Setup

• Cindy B. – "After a lot of research on OTC hearing aids for my moderate hearing loss, I chose Lexie B2 Plus. I wanted rechargeable hearing aids that would link to my iPhone, and the price was affordable...One of the most exciting experiences I’ve had was hearing the birds in my backyard! It was almost completely quiet without them on."
• William – "These Lexie B-2's were easy to adjust per the app and proved to be superior to the more expensive ones, plus no trips to the doctor every week or so."

Sound Quality and Listening Experience

• Faith Li – "The Lexie B2 hearing aid doesn't get time to charge as I just love wearing them. I am grateful for the gift of hearing and that I no longer miss out on the moments."
• Listener T. – "The sound quality through the aids was fine, once I had them set appropriately. The noisy room filter allowed me to focus on the person in front of me in a restaurant."

Affordability and Value

• Carolyn – "I kept putting off getting hearing aids because they are so expensive and my insurance doesn’t cover them. Once the audiologist mentioned the high quality, I looked into them...What a difference they have made!"
• Kyle, MD – "The Lexie B2 Plus hearing aids are very good introductory hearing aids...The sound quality is excellent and extremely natural."

Challenges

• DJR-NJ – "Customer service and support were excellent! Unfortunately, I was unable to wear the devices because the wires were too short. They did respond quickly to my calls and sent the longest wires they make, but I still couldn't wear them long enough to judge their performance."
• James - "Android App on my phone kept dropping connection with the Lexie hearing aids. The app was more consistent on my iPad"
• Shopper A - "Android phone tries to play audio through hearing aids with No Way To Turn it off unless it's a phone call. Otherwise, you must turn your media volume off. Phone call through hearing aids mutes your microphone so caller can't hear you."

Lucid Engage may not have the brand recognition of OTC giants like Bose or Sony, but it’s one of the most feature-rich hearing aids on the market. Here’s why it stood out to us:

• ‍Solid Technology: Lucid Engage offers rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth streaming on both iPhone and Android, making it a versatile choice for tech-savvy users.‍
• Convenient Support: With a long-standing partnership with Sam’s Club, Lucid provides free in-person support at over 500 Sam’s Club clinics, a unique advantage that ensures users have easy access to help if they need it.‍
• User-Friendly Customization: Lucid’s smartphone app (and Lucid shape feature) allows users to adjust settings for their specific hearing loss, making personalization simple and accessible.

Lucid Engage combines strong features with a reliable support system, making it a solid choice for users with mild-moderate hearing loss.

Improved Hearing Quality: Many users report a noticeable improvement in hearing quality, with better clarity in both everyday situations and noisy environments. They feel more engaged in conversations and social events with enhanced sound.

• "As soon as I took my evening walk with my dog, I could hear the crickets, the water running in the creek, and the leaves rustling in the woods among others nature sounds that I had forgotten about. They also work well when my wife talks, and even in a group setting in a restaurant." - Mark R.

Great Value for Price: Lucid Engage users appreciate the value they get for a fraction of the cost of traditional hearing aids. The affordability, combined with the robust smartphone app, is a strong draw.

• "The lucidshape app enables user to program the hearing aids for your specific hearing frequency deficiency. They are awesome!I was able to set them up better then the past audiologists ever did in the past. Also there customer support is staffed by experts in the U.S. who take the time to LISTEN to customer issues. Louis is a great support person. Thanks Lucid for providing a cost effective solution to my hearing loss." - William S.

Technical Limitations: Some users report issues with connectivity on certain phones, particularly when switching from Android to iOS, or needing to re-pair the device often.

• "I tried to connect them to my iPhone to listen to a podcast, and they couldn’t maintain a connection." - Joy C.
• "These connected for a while... maybe two months. But then they started to lose Bluetooth connectivity. It started with sound dropping out unexpectedly from one ear." - Jax

Eargo has long set the standard for design in the hearing aid industry. Their compact devices, along with an intuitive app and thoughtful packaging, make Eargo a standout choice for early adopters. Here’s why we picked it:

1. Invisible Design: The Eargo 7 is the smallest rechargeable hearing aid on the market, rivaled only by the Sony CRE-C20.
2. Reduced Occlusion: Eargo’s patented “floating” ear tip design sits comfortably in the ear without causing occlusion, a common issue for in-ear hearing aid users.
3. User-Friendly App: The Eargo app is easy to navigate, and it allows audiologists to remotely adjust your devices as needed, though most adjustments can be managed directly in the app.

Eargo has received numerous customer reviews, reflecting a generally positive reception.

Overall

Customers frequently commend Eargo for its discreet design, sound quality, and responsive customer service. Many users highlight the significant improvement in their hearing experience and the comfort of the devices.

Positives

• Discreet Design: "The Eargo hearing aids are virtually invisible, and no one can tell I'm wearing them." — James D.
• Sound Quality: "The clarity of sound is remarkable; I can hear conversations clearly even in noisy environments." — Charlie B.
• Customer Service: "Eargo's support team was incredibly helpful and guided me through the setup process with ease." — Rowdy G.

Complaints

While the majority of feedback is positive, some customers have reported issues with device durability and the need for adjustments. However, these concerns are relatively infrequent compared to the overall satisfaction expressed by users.

For a comprehensive view of customer experiences, you can visit Eargo's review page.

The Jabra Enhance Select 500 offers an impressive blend of clinic-grade technology, affordability, and user convenience. Here’s why it stands out:

1. Professional-Grade Technology at a Lower Price: Jabra’s Enhance Select 500 provides the advanced sound quality of clinic-only brands like ReSound but at less than half the price.
2. Professional Programmed Hearing Aids From Home: Jabra’s pre-programmed approach ensures a personalized fit without needing in-clinic visits—customers simply take or upload a hearing test, and Jabra's audiologists program the hearing aids before shipment.
3. Seamless Bluetooth Streaming: Equipped with LE Audio, the Enhance Select 500 delivers high-quality, direct streaming for calls and media, with excellent sound quality and range.
4. Purchase Perks: Jabra offers 100-day returns, unlimited remote adjustments, and seven-day-a-week customer support.

Overall

Users commend the Jabra Enhance Select 500 for its natural sound quality, discreet design, and effective customer support. Many report significant improvements in hearing clarity and comfort.

Positives

• Natural Sound Quality: "The sound quality is excellent, and the ability to adjust settings via the app is a great feature." — Timothy T.
• Discreet Design: "These hearing aids are virtually invisible and very comfortable to wear throughout the day." — Angel M.
• Customer Support: "The customer service team was incredibly helpful and guided me through the setup process with ease." — Damian.

Complaints

While the majority of feedback is positive, some customers have reported issues with device durability and the need for adjustments. However, these concerns are relatively infrequent compared to the overall satisfaction expressed by users.

For a comprehensive view of customer experiences, you can visit Jabra Enhance's review page.

Budget-Friendly Options: Go offers two models, the Lite at $199/pair and the Prime at $299/pair, making them a very affordable OTC option.

No Bluetooth or Full Customization: While Go doesn’t offer Bluetooth streaming or personalized programming, it does include pre-set programs for different hearing loss types.

Rechargeable: Both models come with rechargeable batteries, an appealing feature in this price range.

Sony’s CRE-C20 is a big step up for in-ear OTC hearing aids, packing new features that make it our top pick. Here’s why we chose it:

1. Sound Quality Boost: Sony borrowed tech from in-clinic product Signia Silk for sound processing, and the difference is clear. The CRE-C20 delivers noticeably better sound than past models.
2. Long-Lasting Battery: With 28 hours on a single charge, you can count on the CRE-C20 to get you through a full day.
3. Invisible, Comfortable Fit: Designed to be invisible in most ears, the CRE-C20 fits comfortably and stays discreet—even more so than many other IIC models we’ve reviewed. We especially like the slightly curved design that improves in-ear comfort.

If you’re looking for an in-ear OTC hearing aid, the CRE-C20 wins on sound, battery, and comfort.

Sony CRE-C20 is Soundly's top-performing in-ear OTC hearing aid. Our customers love the discretion and sound quality and often comment on how comfortable CRE-C20 is compared to other in-ear options. Some customers do report that the app setup is more involved than simpler products like Lexie or Sennheiser. Some sample review:

• "Over the past few years, I have tried a half-dozen or more OTC hearing aids and none of them were better than the Sony CRE-C20  aids that I have had the opportunity to evaluate. I have tried less costly and more expensive OTC's - doesn't matter - these were the answer to my inability to hear in many situations." - Ern
• "In terms of function, I was very impressed with the overall sound quality once it was dialed in.  Initially they sounded a bit tinny, but that was easily adjusted with the Sound Balance control.  It took a couple of days of use and adjusting before I really felt they were dialed in.  At that point I wore them all day in different environments to put them through their paces.  One of my main concerns is the ability to hear clearly and understand what the person I’m speaking with is saying in a louder environment.  The CRE-20Es did a fantastic job with toning out the background noise and producing a clear and easy to understand conversation experience.  I tend to have to listen and read lips at the same time but quickly realized I could hear the conversation very well, even in a loud restaurant environment." - Stanley
• "These are IP68 Sweat and water resistant - I was able to wear these biking multiple times without any fear of them falling out or being damaged." - James
• "I shut down and restarted the app, turned off my phone, uninstalled and reinstalled the app, and nothing seemed to work.  I tried the next day, and then it worked." - Trobadaur

We chose the Sony CRE-E10 for its unique mix of convenience, sound quality, and customization, making it a standout in the in-ear hearing aid category. Here’s why it’s a top pick:

1. Bluetooth Streaming: The CRE-E10 stands out as one of the few in-ear hearing aids that provides direct Bluetooth streaming from iPhones, allowing hands-free calls and media playback with clear, high-quality sound.
2. Rechargeable & Long-Lasting: With up to 26 hours of battery life, this device supports all-day wear and includes a simple charging case for extra convenience, making it great for active users.
3. Self-Programming: Sony’s app guides users through an intuitive hearing test, allowing personalized adjustments to fit individual hearing needs. This feature gives users greater control and convenience right from home.

At Soundly, we’ve seen firsthand how these features resonate with our customers, who appreciate the balance of tech and comfort Sony offers.

Users share excitement that Sony has entered the hearing space. Many reviewers comment on E10's streaming capabilities and comfortable fit. A few complain about the setup process.

• "I knew Sony would come through with these hearing aids and I'm very, very happy with them...my research payed off!...they've already made me a little more confident and willing to interact with people without saying WHAT? or HUH?" - Ben
• "After initial calibration, there is some fine tuning that you can perform in order to customize the hearing aids for specific situations like speech and your own voice. I liked the ability to adjust the sound EQ balance between treble and bass. This made it easier to focus on voices in higher or lower registers on-the-fly, as needed. You can also set directional hearing amplification as well to focus on sounds coming from in front, behind, or to either side rather than omnidirectional." - Phil
• "The Sony E10s are significantly smaller and lighter than what I had, but sound just as good, with the added benefit of being able to go through the app test to customize them in ways that only a doctor can on professional ones." -Fixm