EarCentric EX2 vs Oticon Real

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.

The Oticon Real is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid released in 2023, currently available at $4,798. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.8/5, placing it in the top 8% of all prescription hearing aids tested and ranking #4 out of 36 devices in its category. Speech performance is a standout strength. Speech in quiet scores an excellent 4.5/5 on initial fit—0.72 points above the category average—while speech in noise scores 3.0/5, nearly a full point above the category average of 1.96/5. While the speech-in-noise result is above average for the category, it remains mixed in absolute terms at 2.9/5 after tuning, reflecting the inherent challenge of noisy environments for all hearing aids. Music streaming quality starts strong at 4.2/5 on initial fit, though it drops to a mixed 2.8/5 after tuning—still slightly above the category average. Feedback handling scores a solid 4.0/5, which is strong in absolute terms, though it falls 0.71 points below the category average of 4.71/5. Own-voice comfort is mixed at 2.4/5, slightly below the category average. The Oticon Real competes directly with other premium devices like the Phonak Sphere Infinio (5.0/5) and Oticon Intent (4.85/5). It offers versatile connectivity with iPhone and Android streaming plus hands-free capabilities, and supports both rechargeable and disposable batteries. This device is best suited for users prioritizing strong out-of-box speech clarity who want a well-rounded premium hearing aid from a trusted manufacturer.