Audicus Omni 2 vs EarCentric EX2

The Audicus Omni 2 is a premium behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid priced at $1,898 that earned an A grade in our lab testing, placing it in the top 6% of the 65 OTC hearing aids we've evaluated. This two-time Expert's Choice Award winner (2023 and 2024) delivers consistently strong performance across multiple listening scenarios. In our testing, the Omni 2 demonstrated particular strength in speech clarity during quiet environments, scoring 4.2/5—a strong result that sits 1.38 points above the category average. Music streaming quality also impressed at 3.6/5, exceeding the category average by 1.68 points. Speech understanding in noisy environments scored 2.3/5, which is above the category average of 1.48 but represents mixed performance in absolute terms—meaning challenging noise situations may still prove difficult. The device offers flexible power options with both rechargeable and disposable batteries, and supports streaming from both iPhone and Android devices with hands-free capability. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.5/5, essentially matching the category average, while own-voice comfort scores a solid 3.0/5. The Audicus Omni 2 is best suited for consumers seeking a premium OTC option with strong everyday speech clarity and quality streaming capabilities. Those frequently in very noisy environments should set realistic expectations, though the device still outperforms most OTC competitors in these conditions.

The EarCentric EX2 is a budget-priced prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2021, earning a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.7/5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing. At $218, it ranks #33 of 36 prescription hearing aids tested, placing it in the bottom 11% of its category. In our testing, the EX2 showed a significant split in performance. Feedback handling was excellent at 4.7/5, essentially matching the category average and demonstrating stable operation during movement. However, speech performance was notably limited, with both speech in quiet and speech in noise scoring 1.0/5—well below the category averages of 3.32 and 1.96 respectively. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, falling 2.64 points below the prescription category average of 2.64/5. Own-voice comfort scored 2.3/5, a mixed result that sits 0.45 points below the category average. The device uses a rechargeable battery, which adds convenience for daily use. Notably, tuning did not improve performance in our testing—the Initial and Tuned fit scores were identical at 2.7/5. Budget-conscious shoppers in this price range may want to compare alternatives. The RxEars Rxi scored 4.09/5 at a similar price point, while OTC options like the Audien Hearing Atom offer comparable or better sound performance at lower prices. The EX2 may suit users who prioritize feedback stability and rechargeable convenience over speech clarity, but its limited speech performance is a significant tradeoff.