Elehear Beyond Pro vs Sontro Soundwave

The Elehear Beyond Pro is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.2/5 in our lab testing, placing it #11 out of 65 OTC devices tested. At $631, this behind-the-ear rechargeable device delivers strong overall performance and has earned HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award for both 2024 and 2025. In our testing, the Beyond Pro excels in music streaming, scoring 3.8/5—a solid result that sits 1.88 points above the OTC category average of 1.92/5. Speech clarity in quiet environments also performs well at 3.3/5, which is 0.46 points above average. Speech in noise scores 2.5/5, which is above the category average by 1.00 points, though this remains a mixed result in absolute terms. Feedback handling is excellent at a perfect 5.0/5. The primary limitation is own-voice comfort, which scores 1.2/5—a low result that falls 1.31 points below the category average. Users sensitive to hearing their own voice may find this more noticeable. The device uses closed domes with a medium-power receiver and achieved identical scores in both initial and tuned fit conditions in our testing. The Beyond Pro supports both iPhone and Android streaming with hands-free functionality. It's best suited for users who prioritize streaming audio quality and speech clarity and are less sensitive to own-voice occlusion effects. Within its price range, it competes with devices like the Sony CRE-E10 and Lexie B2 Plus, though some competitors in this tier score higher overall.

The Sontro Soundwave is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.0/5 in our lab testing. At $849, this behind-the-ear device uses disposable batteries and sits in the lower tier of OTC performance, ranking #61 of 65 devices in its category. The Soundwave's strongest attribute is own-voice comfort, scoring 3.6/5—a solid result that sits 1.09 points above the OTC category average. This makes it relatively comfortable for wearers who are sensitive to hearing their own voice sound unnatural or boomy. However, other performance areas present significant limitations. Speech clarity scores are below average in both quiet and noisy environments. Speech in quiet scores 2.7/5 (0.12 points below average), while speech in noise drops to 1.2/5 (0.28 points below average). Feedback handling is a notable weakness at 2.5/5, falling 2.04 points below the category average of 4.54/5. Perhaps most limiting is the music streaming score of 0.0/5, indicating this device does not support phone audio streaming—a feature many competitors in this price range offer. Consumers prioritizing own-voice comfort on a moderate budget may find the Soundwave acceptable, but those seeking strong speech clarity or streaming capability should consider alternatives. Several higher-performing OTC devices are available at similar or lower price points, including options like the Lexie Lumen or HearingAssist Control that deliver comparable or better overall sound quality.