Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs HearingAssist Control

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 26% of OTC hearing aids tested. At $249, it represents one of the more affordable options in the category while delivering strong overall performance. In our testing, the AirPods Pro 2 shows particular strength in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 4.2/5—a strong result that sits 1.38 points above the category average. Music streaming is where this device truly excels, earning 4.4/5 and outperforming the category average by a substantial 2.48 points. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users should experience virtually no whistling issues. The device does have limitations. Own-voice comfort scores 1.9/5, which is low in absolute terms and 0.61 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounds different or boomy. Speech in noise performance is above average for the category at 2.3/5 (+0.77 points), but this remains a mixed result in absolute terms, suggesting challenging listening environments will still be difficult. The AirPods Pro 2 is best suited for consumers already in the Apple ecosystem who want hearing support primarily in quieter settings and value excellent music and media streaming. Those frequently in noisy environments or sensitive to own-voice changes may want to consider alternatives.

The HearingAssist Control is a behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid priced at $549, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5 in our lab testing. This places it in the lower portion of the OTC category, ranking #51 of 65 devices tested. In our testing, the Control demonstrates notable strengths in speech performance. Speech in quiet scores 0.59 points above the category average at 3.4/5, representing solid absolute performance. Speech in noise comes in at 2.0/5—above the category average by 0.56 points, though only mixed in absolute terms. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning the device remained stable without audible squealing during our standardized challenge tests. The device shows significant weaknesses in other areas. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, which is 1.92 points below the category average and indicates this device does not support or perform well with phone audio streaming. Own-voice comfort is also below average at 2.1/5 (0.41 points below category average), which may be noticeable during extended conversations. The HearingAssist Control may suit users who prioritize speech clarity over streaming functionality and who don't require premium sound quality across all use cases. However, buyers in this price range should note that several competitors—including the Yeasound RIC800 and Sony CRE-E10—deliver substantially higher overall scores. Those seeking similar speech performance at a lower cost may also consider the iHear MatriX.