Bad OTC vs. Good OTC Hearing Aids

[@crimlarksSteve]

I bought the Sony CRE-C10 hearing aids when my current (pretty old) hearing aids were no longer working too well. The Sony setup process was very easy. I've had them for about a month now and they're great. Better than my old prescription hearing aids, and about 1/3 the cost of my old ones. I'm really glad I went with them. I also like having in-ear hearing aids rather than the ones that sit behind the ear as my glasses were always causing them to make noise.

[@garyganser2451]

Just bought the Sony CRE C10 from your HearingUp website. I appreciate you mentioning the in this video, because I had missed your review of the 8 months ago. Thank you for your thorough, data oriented reviews!

[@zsempai9]

I was drawn to this video because I love to research products before spending my money. I am still evaluating the information. Now one thing to keep in mind is that many speakers and presenters race through the presentation as if there is a limited time for presentation. Slowing down your speech with appropriate pauses is a great way to effectively communicate, especially when doing a video for the hearing challenged people. Please consider this and thank you for the good information.

[@captainmay9033]

Appreciate the info, but how can I trust anything you say about the Sony hearing aids when this video is sponsored by Sony? You should know better, or at least give some sort of disclaimer or explanation as to why we shouldn’t worry about bias.

[@SequoiaAlexander]

I agree unfortunately. The combination of “sponsored by Sony” and making the comparison about “quality hearing aids” (using Sony as your example) versus “cheaper hearing aids” (no brand given) makes the whole video come across as an advertisement for Sony. I’d rather the video name multiple brands and make recommendations that are not exclusively for the video’s sponsor.

[@hjjackson05]

You missed the point/purpose of the video. It wasn't to compare 2 products. It was to teach you the differences between high and low quality products. And he did that well. He told you the video was sponsored by Sony. He didn't have to but he did. When comparing quality, name brand is an important indicator of quality, not an endorsement of a product. He didn't recommend Sony, try to sell you Sony, he didn't say " Hey, buy Sony it's what I would buy""

[@LovinLnCottage]

I just returned the Sony E10 hearing aids that you rated as best. Sadly, they were way too big to fit into my ear canal even with the smallest fitting on them. I never got to try them out as a result. The only hearing aids I have tried that actually fit into my ears is the behind the ear Widex Sheer using an extra small fitting. My local audiologist that carries them wants $6500 for them, not the $4700 that an audiologist who is 75 miles away lists them. Both prices are WITH service after the sale and real-ear measurements. Both prices are a financial hardship for me so I guess that I must suffer the decline into deafness and dementia that you have talked about. I was a science, math, and Latin teacher to middle school and high school students. These subjects are now in demand but not being able to hear voices in the students range makes it impossible to serve in any way. I also was a scientific illustrator and could teach drawing skills. I used a professional computer graphics program to do some of my illustrations, as well. I can’t do that anymore because my eyesight is not good enough anymore. Our social system is going to fail if you people keep throwing away talent and wisdom in your pursuit of money. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil. The entire medical system in this country sucks. Greed is paramount rather than patient welfare. At my age, I have watched many friends and relatives being “treated” (read fleeced) and sent to an earlier and more miserable death than if they had done nothing at all, which I have also witnessed. Thanks for the info, Dr Cliff. It saves me aggravations trying other brands since I have already tried the best.

[@samueladams4145]

I expect the medical care system to continue to decline at the EXACT same rate as government involvement increases. That is what has happened over the years, so why should we expect different results for more of the same socialist policies.

[@relaxingsoundsdeepsleeptin7408]

Hi, Hopefully you`ll read this. I am a hearing aid professional from the Netherland. Try finding the Oticon Zircon 2. It is a lot cheaper and a pretty good hearing aid. It is not the best but if you find a pretty good professional he or she can adjust it just fine. Wishing you the Best, Jos

[@markgood8518]

Purchased the C10’s 2 days ago. They are definitely invisible and natural sounding. Did have trouble following conversation in a restaurant environment. I do like them but, time only will tell.

[@ratlips4363]

I just went to the Sony hearing aid site. The E 10s are going for well over $1000

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

Do a video for those of us are comfortable wearing one hearing aid ... especially when we have other problems in the other ear that negates the use of a hearing aid. Thank you.

[@mogulserrano9499]

makes the whole video come across as an advertisement for Sony I am a poor retiree. I need hearing aids. I cannot hear 60-65 percent. Which in-ear device do you recommend?

[@keyblooms1]

I have been using some $200 in the ear hearing "amplifiers" called Audien Atom Pros. They are still visible like the cheap OTC hearing aids in your video. I have been impressed with how good the sound is. I was known for needing things repeated and sometimes still did not hear what was said, and I could not hear higher sounds. Now I can. There are some distortions with the Atom Pros, but they have helped me out alot. (I tried the company's newer Atom 2 series and was not impressed at all). I have been considering the SONY CREs, but my question is...will I notice a big difference?

[@DrCliffAuD]

Yes, especially if you have Real Ear Measurement performed on the CREs.

[@keyblooms1]

@@DrCliffAuD Thank you for your prompt reply. Having failed two hearing tests at our local hospital/hearing center, I know I have mild to moderate hearing loss. Since SONY has a 45 day return, then I think I will go with your advice and give them a try. Again, thank you and I enjoy your many videos. You have helped me avoid some mistakes with cheap hearing aids.

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@keyblooms1 keep me posted. I'd be interested to hear how you compare them. [e-mail]

[@robertbecker9372]

I had the Sony CRE C10s for about 5 months. I only used them when I needed to hear speech clearly (church, meetings). They seemed to work fairly well, but I wasn’t that happy with the high frequency response and lack of rejection of extraneous sounds in noisy environments. Unfortunately, They got wet and are now useless. I bought Audience Atoms to replace the Sonys. They’re not as comfortable as the Sonys and are quite noticeable in the ear, but the sound quality isn’t that much different. I refuse to pay thousands of dollars for devices that I’ll only use a couple Of times a week. Eventually OTCs will come with software to perform parametric equalization from smart phones and switch from omnidirectional to directional response. I’ll wait.

[@keyblooms1]

@@robertbecker9372 I bought the Sony C10s and returned them. As odd as it sounds, the sound quality was not as good as my Audien Atom Pros. I absolutely loved how small the C10s were in my ear and really wanted them to work. They fit perfectly and did not fall out. However, the phone app would not connect to my hearing aids too often so it was tough to adjust them. I too will keep my cheap ones until something better comes along.

[@abarchini1]

Hello Dr. Cliff. I took the plunge and bought my first hearing aids at a good discount. They are the Jabra Enhance Select. With $1600 I have 100 days to return and 3 years of online audiology support. The price and service plan are great for a beginner but I’m really not sure if I’m getting the best product for my hearing loss. How does the quality of these hearing aids compare to a higher end product such as the Oticon More or Real, etc? Do you have thoughts on that? Thank you.

[@irisjacobson5353]

Hi Please try to always preface your reviews with whether that model is good for moderate to severe hearing loss. Thanks

[@sp33dking34]

Definitely, the good quality hearing aids are more visible.

[@HobbyOrganist]

I bought the MDHearing volt max, but I returned them after a few days, I decided the behind the ear style just doesnt work for me- I wore one of the pair to work as a test and before lunch time it fell out onto the concrete floor TWICE, other than the little wire/tube snaking over and into the canal, there's nothing to hold the body in place, and it fell off so easy. So I did an RMA and asked them to ship me their in the ear Neo model which I feel should work out better for me and a lot less likely to just fall off

[@AliceSchoonbroodt]

In the fitting section on the Sony App, does it Test and adjust by frequency or more generally? I have more loss the higher the frequency. So, I’d like an OTC hearing aid that adjusts for that.

[@Jss766]

I know this video is partial to sony but do you know anything about bossa hearing aids

[@PaulFinePF]

This was a shameful plug for Sony products. Sony paid for his company's use of their products and they ethically should not have been included in this video. Instead its just an advertisement for Sony OTC hearing aids. What other higher quality companies? NONE are named -- except Sony. Disappointing at best.

[@JulloaU]

What type of hearing loss are they recommended for? Is it good for a deep loss in the high frequencies?

[@meric12131415]

So the Sony cre hearing aids are for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss it might not do you any good with your loss I'd recommend prescription hearing aids from a clinic that'd be better for you

[@kaylasmusic]

Which manufacturer (not phonak or starkey) have the best venting for molds?

[@florimar2462]

Does the Sony CRE-C10 or the Sony CRE-E10 address the occlusion effect that you spoke about when you talked about the Jabra Enhance Plus hearing aids?

[@DrCliffAuD]

If you use the vented click sleeves, you can avoid the occlusion effect.

[@vickihale4080]

Just bought atom pro 2 from Aiden. Hope it works. Can not afford the high price of others

[@gufv]

Do they provide noise stimulation? Thx

[@wisemaj]

Great information! Dr. Cliff, I have moderate to severe hearing loss and currently have Costco Signature 9 RIC hearing aids. The problem I have is that I cannot wear those devices to bed. I would like a very basic pair of in-the-ear aids so that I can hear my alarm clock or smoke alarm during the night. Can you steer me toward an inexpensive OTC aid that would meet your minimum requirements for quality (ie, domes not getting stuck in my ears, etc.)?

[@DrCliffAuD]

The Sony CRE-C10 is likely a good option.

[@Ben-lr2vz]

Why don't you review emplifier hearing aids?

[@TheRCNetwork]

Hey Dr. Cliff - long time subscriber and I need your help! I’m 52 and have had slyly mild hearing loss the past 4 years. I purchased Eargo’s top of the line devices in 12/21 and realized they were garbage and quickly returns them…I then found your video about AirPods Pro and the Mimi app and have been using them since. I just had a proper audiologist test at Kaiser….and it was found that I’m now mild to severe in one ear….but they don’t dispense hearing aids in CA for some reason…they referred me to HearUSA, and even getting an appointment with them is a nightmare, not impressed. How do I go about getting hearing aids these days? Can you make any recommendations? I’ve heard that Costco has both the product and service, but I’m hesitant. Thanks in advance

[@DrCliffAuD]

Have you checked out my website, HearingUp.com to find a Best Practice provider in your area?

[@RG-hf4et]

The good thing about Costco is their terrific return policy. It can vary for different products ef: electronics. My internist told me many of her patients are very satisfied with the Costco hearing aids. It's worth looking into.

[@juliochingaling5824]

Excellent video. Thank you Doc. Blessings.

[@JohnnyDelaney-mc5ve]

How will OTC hearing aids affect offices such as yours ?

[@DrCliffAuD]

Bad offices will suffer, good offices will continue to thrive.

[@boomerrangerron]

Hi Cliff this was a great video! Since I've followed your channel for a couple of years, I'm a three-decade hearing aid user. My last three sets have been RIC's, and my current pair is a PHONAK Paradise 50. I've recently taken a part-time job at Bass Pros Shops in the marine department selling boats and ATVs. (hey retirement is over-rated). The problem has arisen because I need to wear a communications device, an in-house radio, and the earpiece fits over one ear. Can I buy one SONY, place it in my right ear, and still leave my RIC in my left ear? I also have to use the phone and with the microphones on top of the RIC's that' not really possible. Appreciate your advice and comments. Thanks

[@tixer8629]

Is an OTC aid inappropriate for asymmetric hearing loss? Please explain!

[@DrCliffAuD]

Yes, an asymmetrical hearing loss could be due to a serious medical condition. Please consult with an Audiologist.

[@angelagem9333]

Hi, I’m hoping you can answer my question. I was at an event for Independence Day. They let off a cannon 50 times. I found out that I was approximately 280 feet or so from the cannon. Would that have been a safe distance to prevent hearing damage?

[@DrCliffAuD]

Depends on the decibel level of the cannon.

[@angelagem9333]

@@DrCliffAuDThank you. I’m not sure what the decibel level was. I think it was a 75mm Howitzer but I can’t find any information on the decibel level.

[@angelagem9333]

@@DrCliffAuDI’m still trying to figure out the decibel level of the cannon that was used. In the meantime, can you please tell me what the maximum decibel level of the cannon could be to be considered safe if I were sitting approximately 280 feet from it? Just trying to get an idea. Thank you.

[@karenrussell2091]

Don't buy the RCA in ear canal hearing aids, they are crap. I ordered a pair & received them today, 5/18/24, and all I can do with the all-in-one button is turn it on & off. I can't adjust the volume or change between the 4 pre-set functions. To make matters worse, I think they sent me a set that had been returned because the return address on the package was for the return center.

[@kevinw9073]

Where is the link for the Sony CRE-C10????

[@DrCliffAuD]

hearingup.com/hearing-aids/sony-cre-c10

[@ReformedFundy]

I'll be honest, I don't care if people can see them or not, I just want to be able to hear more than I do, lol.

[@PullmanMagee-t6u]

Chasity Run

[@stevenorton1881]

This is a Sony marketing video. You can't trust the information. Obvious bias

[@CongreveMacPherson]

532 Stamm Wells

[@AlanShortridge-t7p]

Barton Crescent

[@ownyourdreams]

I’ve gone from Phonak to Siemens to Eargo Neo to Audien Atom Pro, and recently I tried the Audien Atom Pro 2. The Audien Atom Pros are a bit big for my ears, and they are not as good as Eargos, but the difference isn’t profound enough for the price difference. The new and allegedly improved Atom Pro 2 were returned in a few days. They a bit smaller in the canal, (Audien claims 28% smaller), but the outside seems very little different from the Atom Pros. I was not impressed with the sound and noticed only slight improvement when they actually worked. They whistled like crazy regardless of which ear piece I applied (the rubber things). Worse than that, they held a charge for no more than 20 minutes! I realize I probably got a faulty charger. Audien must be so used to returns that they didn’t even want to know what was wrong. I tried explaining and I got cut off several times and told to just return them. I’m sticking with the Atom Pros.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Yeah, Audien knows they are selling garbage. They just hope people don't go through the trouble of returning them.

[@BrowningDominic-w6h]

Conroy Vista

[@ThomasDavis-k3z]

Edwina Shoal

[@LancelotMandy-g6z]

Jewel Lodge

[@SilasAndy-p2f]

Dickens Extension

[@CollinPopp-y2k]

Parker Forest

[@JamesHabib-t2c]

Eliseo Turnpike

[@terryfonealsasa6439]

1254 Austyn Keys

[@DonteBiddulph-o6g]

Collins Hill

[@DoddDorothy-n3q]

Treutel Key

[@patriciadawson6357]

This looks like a good product but this was not very objective. It is nothing more than advertisement for Sony. Considering that Sony sponsored this video and it was only Sony's product against 2 cheap units just shows us that even though this may be a good product it is nothing more that a commercial for Sony's hearing aids. Next time ditch the product sponsorship and have the video review several different units to be takes seriously.

[@DrCliffAuD]

You can always check out my other unsponsored review videos. I have many of them if you are looking for a non-sponsored video discussing this topic.

[@BartonRumore-f7h]

Doris Hill

[@MilissaYacko]

531 Beau Falls

[@GusWright-l5f]

Helene Shores

[@PalmerDevin-l4d]

Daryl Plains

[@BuckleLucien-e9g]

Kulas Highway

[@nofeerz]

Just buy the new AirPod hearing aid stick down

[@ObadiahEdward-b7v]

Ellsworth Plain

[@HousmanNeil-w9f]

Walker Estates

[@Wunderpus-photogenicus]

Numerous reports say that wearing prescription hearing aid can prevent dementia. Doctor: Do you think these OTC hearing aids (including the Airpod Pro 2) are also able to prevent dementia?

[@WaltonWillie-o3h]

Ramona Union

[@HoraceCornell-i7z]

Oberbrunner Ferry

[@klacy5555]

So this is basically a Sony commercial.

[@StracheyLucia-h5z]

Marquardt Drive

[@DorisWade-c8t]

Grimes Club

[@WebbAugustine-d5q]

Harley Station

[@jacobbockover1628]

Soo accessable for the average working class person? No its in fact still cost prohibative

[@JR1068]

yeah doesn't everyone have $thousands laying around to throw away on something that may or may not work :-}

[@SaxtonKirk-q9j]

Schiller Mountain

[@LonnieShipman-m4c]

Jada Streets

[@coach.dave.lingner]

This is an ad for Sony

[@DrCliffAuD]

What gave it away? The Visual disclaimer or the Verbal disclaimer in the video?

[@meric12131415]

Definitely the Sony's are most invisible in your ear all I see is a black hole

[@HabakkukElmer-e3v]

Leffler Passage

[@ShawnLavancha-w2w]

Evie Valleys

[@kumarsiva5855]

Sawayn Port

[@MarkDavis-s1r]

Bauch Centers

[@RandallFreeman-z7i]

Wava Springs

[@TeresaBarber-r7u]

Kuhic Drives

[@SimpsonDora-l6p]

Faustino Island

[@FreemanHale-f3m]

Fatima Radial

[@RickeyPirtle-l1l]

Lebsack Keys

[@patrickburke9764]

Sorry but i could see both aids in both ears so that,s not what,s important anyway 😮

[@RussStaples-k8h]

Stiedemann Union

[@EleanorCherry-l4e]

Alexane Parkways

[@EileenMoore-n6v]

Schmitt Lakes

[@sfrink1425]

You made a comment that prescribed hearing aids with Audiological care cost, on average, $4,700 a pair. True. But then you say the RANGE for OTC devices is between $700 and $3,000. To be fair, you should specify that the RANGE for prescribed aids is $1,600 to 8,000 a pair, and includes the cost of follow-up care. Not specifying this can lead consumers to believe that prescribed aids always cost more than OTCs, which isn’t true. And, really, a lot of what they’re paying for with prescribed aids is for the follow-up care, not just the product. If they can find an audiologist who offers unbundled care, then the price range for prescribed aids drops to maybe $1,000 to $4,500 a pair. And wouldn’t you say that ANY prescribed and professional fit aid, even entry-level products, works better than almost every OTC?

[@raymondpruneda2270]

The fact that this video is sponsored by Sony tells us all we need to know. If you're a dispensing audiologist, then you should be familiar with proper insertion of CIC hearing aids. The right ear demonstration of the inserted devise was extremely fake. Whilst the left (Sony) was executed flawlessly. Why be misleading? There are alot of good products out there that will provide the needed audiological benefit without being "name brand". There are more people on low budget, fixed incomes than there are mid to upper retirement incomes. So, just keep it real.

[@jackinkc767]

you dont need yo yell

[@ArthurStclair-r1h]

Kunze Spur

[@EstherLandry-f2b]

Klein Village

[@TheGnomeLarry]

A third rate Tony Robbins wanna be shilling for Sony. Cute.

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@TheGnomeLarry shit...Tony Robbins?!? That's a compliment! Thank you! 🙏

[@MooJo-xn8yi]

this is a scammer

[@MooJo-xn8yi]

It is scammer

[@JenningsWilliam-i6m]

6409 Nitzsche Bypass

[@ConnorTheodore-g7s]

Hayden Oval