HearingAssist Control vs Oticon Intent

The HearingAssist Control is a mid-priced OTC behind-the-ear hearing aid available at $549. In our lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5, placing it in the top 77% of OTC hearing aids tested. This device demonstrates solid speech performance, scoring above the category average in both quiet and noisy environments. Speech in quiet earned a solid 3.4/5, while speech in noise scored 2.0/5—above average for the category but only mixed in absolute terms. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning wearers should experience minimal whistling during normal use. The HearingAssist Control has notable limitations. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, indicating this device does not support audio streaming functionality—a significant gap compared to many competitors in this price range. Own-voice comfort scored 2.1/5, which is below the category average and may result in a hollow or boomy perception of your own voice. For shoppers considering this price tier, alternatives like the Yeasound RIC800 (4.73/5) and Sony CRE-E10 (4.66/5) offer substantially higher overall sound performance. The HearingAssist Control may suit buyers prioritizing speech clarity and feedback stability who don't need streaming capabilities, but most users would benefit from exploring higher-scoring options at similar price points.

The Oticon Intent is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $4,898 and earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.8/5 in our lab testing. This places it at #4 among 39 prescription hearing aids tested, within the top 8% of its category. In our testing, the Intent demonstrates notable strengths in speech performance, scoring 0.54 points above the category average for speech in quiet and a substantial 0.95 points above average for speech in noise. Music streaming is a particular highlight, measuring 1.24 points above the category average with a strong 4.0/5 score. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, slightly exceeding the already-high category average. The primary limitation revealed in our testing is own-voice comfort, which scores 1.3/5—a low absolute score that falls 1.40 points below the category average. Users sensitive to the sound of their own voice may find this characteristic noticeable. This is a common trade-off in devices optimized for speech audibility. The Oticon Intent is well-suited for users prioritizing speech understanding across varied listening environments and high-quality audio streaming. It has earned HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024. Shoppers in this premium price tier may also consider the Phonak Sphere Infinio (#2) or the lower-priced Oticon Zeal, which offers strong performance at a reduced cost.