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RCA Hearing Aids Review

Prices, Sound Recordings, Models
Blake Cadwell
Blake Cadwell

Blake Cadwell is a hearing aid wearer and co-founder at Soundly. He regularly tests and reviews hearing technology to share his experience with Soundly’s readers. Blake's research and perspectives have been featured in the The New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, AARP and FastCompany.

About Soundly
i

Soundly is an independently owned hearing health research tool. Our reviews are conducted by hearing aid wearers and audiologists. We physically review the leading hearing aids on the market for sound quality, comfort, durability, and more. Our review process starts with hands-on unboxing and days, weeks, or months of wear. We also record live sound demos using a calibrated binaural microphone (read more here). We experiment with backend fitting software for prescription products and use test box measures to measure prescriptive accuracy and flexibility. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Read more about our story here.

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RCA, originally known as the Radio Corporation of America, was established in 1919 and quickly became a titan in the field of electronics and communications, playing a pivotal role in the development of radio broadcasting, television, and various consumer electronics. 

In March 2023, Voxx International Corporation, a leading audio manufacturer, announced a new range of budget-friendly over-the-counter hearing aids under the RCA name. The new RCA hearing aids range from $99 - $399 a pair. 

What Makes RCA hearing aids stand out

RCA devices are laser-focused on price. RCA devices do not offer Bluetooth streaming, app controls, or personalization based on your hearing loss. Instead, the devices have onboard buttons allowing volume and program changes. All RCA hearing aid models are rechargeable with a life of 14-20 hours. 

Our Take

RCA's technology is undoubtedly simple - and by design. We found the overall setup and handling of RCA's devices was straightforward, and the price was impressively low. Still, the sound quality in background noise wasn't great. If you have only a few hundred dollars, we suggest comparing RCA to MDHearing. For folks who are less price-constrained, we suggest you consider Lexie B2 Powered by Bose

Pros 👍
  • Affordable
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Rechargeable
Cons 👎
  • Less advanced sound-quality
  • Not-customized to your specific hearing loss
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Soundly Scorecard
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Hearing Loss Level 🔊
Mild - Moderate
  • RCA offers OTC products appropriate for mild-moderate hearing loss levels
  • If you have more significant hearing loss you might consider local or Telehealth care. Read more about prescription Vs. OTC hearing aids here
Care Type 🏥
Over-The-Counter
  • Available for purchase online
  • Does not require a prescription from a doctor
  • RCA offers limited options for customization
Sound Quality 🔊
Weaker in Background Noise
  • RCA is less effective than leading prescription devices in background noise (although significantly more affordable)
Comfort 🦻
Somewhat Comfortable For All-Day Wear
  • Comfortable thin-tube is great for all day wear
  • We suggest that you change the eartips on this product for additional comfort
  • RCA's in-ear devices are slightly less comfortable due to "occlusion" (boominess of your voice)
Style  💫
Behind The Ear, In The Ear - Non Molded
  • RCA offers both behind-the-ear and in-the-ear devices
  • Devices are slightly larger than other OTC options
Battery 🔋
Rechargeable Only
  • RCA has built-in rechargeable batteries that last up to 20 hours on a single charge
  • RCA hearing aids come with a recharge case that carries additional portable charge
Connection 📡
Bluetooth Not Available
  • RCA devices do not allow Bluetooth streaming or app controls
Dexterity Level 🤏
Average
  • RCA's behind-the-ear options are reasonably easy to handle but do require the wearer to place the hearing aid behind their ear and insert the receiver into the ear (consistent across all behind-the-ear styles)
  • RCA devices are rechargeable and do not require battery changes
Waterproof Level 💦
N/A
  • RCA devices are not advertised as waterproof. Avoid moisture if possible
App features 📱
Does Note Have An App
  • RCA devices use onboard buttons to change programs and volume
How The Process Works
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You can purchase a pair of RCA hearing aids online or over the phone for $99 - $399 a pair. The devices will be shipped to your door along with instructions, charging cases, and supplies.

How To Choose a Style
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RCA currently offers three behind-the-ear models and two in-the-ear models. We typically suggest behind-the-ear styles for more comfortable all-day wear. RCA's in-the-ear devices may cause some occlusion (boominess of your own voice) due to their larger ear tips.

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Name

Full Review

Blake Cadwell
Written by
Blake Cadwell

RCA is an iconic audio and media company with over 100 years of history, so when the brand released a new line of hearing aids in 2023, I was intrigued. 

I recently ordered two of their top-selling devices to give them a try for myself. In this review, I'll walk you through what I learned and my overall thoughts.

Unboxing My RCA Hearing Aids

Unboxing RCA devices.

RCA's packaging is compact and well-designed. The product manual and information cards got to the point and were easy to follow. 

RCA hearing aid style comparison.

Battery Life

Both pairs of hearing aids are rechargeable. 

  • The behind-the-ear style gives 16 hours on a single charge 
  • The in-ear model offers 14 hours on a single charge 

Setup

The devices themselves are straightforward - no app or customization. Wearers use the onboard buttons to change the volume and programs. 

Both RCA devices come with four programs that can be adjusted through a long press of the volume button. 

  • Standard
  • Restaurant 
  • Outdoor
  • Music

Volume is adjusted individually per ear. More advanced devices adjust the volume on both sides simultaneously. 

Sound Quality Notes

RCA in-the-ear devices.

It's not entirely fair to compare RCA's $250 OTC hearing aids to prescription super-devices like Signia IX or even telehealth brands like Jabra Enhance. RCA is clearly built for budget and simplicity. That said, I still took some notes on RCA's sound quality. Note that you can listen to the product for yourself at the top of this page.

Volume

RCA devices max out at a reasonably low volume. That's a good thing from a safety perspective, but it left me wanting more power in a few scenarios. 

Sudden Sounds 

RCA did a reasonably good job managing sudden loud sounds like a dish dropping. I would put them on par with other budget brands like MDhearing. Lexie B2 Powered by Bose or Jabra Enhance are significantly better at managing these potentially uncomfortable situations (albeit at a premium price).  

Background Noise 

At times, RCA devices had trouble separating speech from noise. The devices were effective in front of the TV and in quiet conversations but struggled with street noise or in a restaurant setting. 

Overall Thoughts

RCA behind-the-ear style.

I love this price from Voxx and RCA. RCA can open up the hearing market to more folks at $99 - $399 for a pair. That said, RCA has a ways to go to truly compete on performance with OTC options likeLexie B2 Powered by BoseorJabra Enhance Select.

I hope you've found this review helpful. If you have questions, feel free to reach out at hello@soundly.com.

Blake Cadwell
Written by
Blake Cadwell
Soundly Staff
Reviewed by
Soundly Staff

Soundly conducts in-depth research to guide prospective hearing aid wearers. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

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