There’s a lot to be said about OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. They’re more accessible, usually because they’re more affordable, and you don’t need a prescription to get some. That’s precisely why they’re called “over-the-counter.” Of course, they’re really meant for mild to medium hearing loss, however. If you experience severe hearing loss you’ll need to go to your local physician, as you might expect. But also one of the great things about this relatively new, untapped category of sound devices is that there are a lot of great options from brands you wouldn’t expect. Take Sony, for instance, which has several OTC hearing aid options, and they’re available at Best Buy of all places.
You can walk in, off the street, and walk out with them same-day, or buy them online and have them shipped to your house. How’s that for excellent service and accessibility? But if you need a quick introduction to some of Sony’s best OTC hearing aid options, we’ve got you covered.
Sony CRE-C10 discreet OTC heading aids — $800
Meant for everyday balance and to vastly improve your casual experiences, these self-fitting hearing aids rely on replaceable batteries. Don’t worry, that’s a lot more convenient than it sounds. They use traditional size 10 Air batteries and last for up to 70 hours. When you need new batteries you simply replace them. As for the earbuds, they analyze and optimize sound based on your surroundings, ensuring you can always hear the conversations happening around you. Plus, they’re FDA-cleared, sync with the Sony Hearing Control app, and feature a sleek, discreet design.
Sony CRE-E10 earbud-style OTC rechargeable hearing aids — $1,100
If you prefer your earbuds or hearing aids with rechargeable batteries, these are the best option for you. They last for up to 26 hours on a single charge, but a quick 15-minute charge will net you another 2.5 hours in a pinch. They can be easily controlled using the Sony Hearing Control app, with settings to personalize them to your individual hearing profile. You get an FDA-cleared device with prescription-grade sound quality that optimizes and analyzes your surroundings, adjusting your experience to match. They work better as a pair for noise reduction and directionality support. Plus, they’re designed to be incredibly comfortable for all-day use.