EarCentric EasyCharge vs Sony CRE-C20

The EarCentric EasyCharge is a budget-priced prescription hearing aid available for $229, earning a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.7/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear rechargeable device ranks #36 of 39 prescription hearing aids tested, placing it in the bottom tier of its category. In our standardized testing, the EasyCharge demonstrates a stark performance divide. Its standout strength is feedback handling, scoring an excellent 5.0/5—slightly above the category average of 4.72. This means users can expect stable performance without whistling during typical daily activities. However, speech clarity metrics tell a different story: speech in quiet scores just 1.0/5, which is 2.40 points below the category average, and speech in noise also scores 1.0/5, falling 1.11 points below average. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, indicating this device is not suitable for audio enjoyment. Own-voice comfort is also limited at 1.9/5, which is 0.80 points below the prescription hearing aid average of 2.70. The device showed no improvement between initial and tuned fitting conditions, with both scoring 2.7/5. At this price point, shoppers should note that alternatives exist with meaningfully better performance. The RxEars Rxi, available in the same price range, scores 4.07/5. The EasyCharge may appeal to those prioritizing feedback-free operation on a tight budget, but its low speech clarity scores suggest significant limitations for everyday conversation.

The Sony CRE-C20 is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid with an invisible-in-ear design, available for $999. In our lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.5/5, ranking #37 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested. This device shows a notable split in performance. Speech clarity is a clear strength—speech in quiet scores 4.1/5, which is 1.33 points above the category average, and speech in noise scores 2.7/5, sitting 1.24 points above average despite being only mixed in absolute terms. These results suggest the CRE-C20 prioritizes conversational intelligibility in its tuning approach. However, the device has significant limitations. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, falling 1.92 points below the category average—a notable weakness for users who want to stream audio. Feedback handling is solid at 3.9/5, though it sits 0.64 points below the category average of 4.54/5. Own voice comfort is mixed at 2.9/5, slightly above the category average. The CRE-C20 responds well to adjustment, with the normalized score improving from 3.3/5 at initial fit to 4.2/5 when tuned—a 0.9-point gain. Buyers focused primarily on speech understanding in conversations may find value here, but those wanting music streaming or seeking the strongest overall OTC performance should note that several competitors in this price range, including the Sony CRE-E10 at 4.66/5, scored higher in our testing.