HearingAssist Control vs Lucid Tala

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.

The Lucid Tala is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid at $1,300, earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.6/5 in our lab testing. Ranking #4 among 65 OTC hearing aids tested, it places in the top 5% of its category and has received HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024. Speech performance is a clear strength. Speech in Quiet scores an excellent 4.6/5, measuring 1.85 points above the category average. Speech in Noise reaches a solid 3.0/5, which is 1.56 points above the OTC average of 1.48—a meaningful advantage for conversations in challenging environments. Music streaming also performs well at 3.0/5, exceeding the category average by 1.08 points. The primary weakness is feedback handling, which scores a low 1.7/5 in our tuned testing—2.84 points below the category average of 4.54. This suggests users may experience more whistling or feedback artifacts than typical OTC devices. Own-voice comfort is mixed at 2.6/5, sitting just above the category average but not standing out in absolute terms. The Lucid Tala is best suited for users who prioritize speech clarity and are willing to pay premium OTC pricing for strong intelligibility performance. Those highly sensitive to feedback may want to consider alternatives. At this price point, comparable options include the Audicus Omni 2, though budget-conscious shoppers might explore lower-priced devices like the Elehear Beyond or Yeasound RIC700, which also deliver strong sound performance in our testing.