Lucid Ultra 128 vs Yeasound RIC800

The Lucid Ultra 128 is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid priced at $5,000, earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5 in our lab testing. It ranks #16 of 36 devices in the Prescription Hearing Aid category. Speech performance is a clear strength for the Ultra 128. In our testing, speech in quiet scored a strong 4.3/5, landing 1.03 points above the category average. Speech in noise measured 2.7/5—above the category average by 0.74 points, though mixed in absolute terms. These results suggest the device prioritizes intelligibility in everyday listening situations. The Ultra 128 does show notable weaknesses. Feedback handling scored just 1.7/5, falling 3.01 points below the category average of 4.71/5—a significant gap that prospective buyers should consider. Music streaming measured 2.3/5, slightly below the category average. Own-voice comfort was mixed at 2.9/5, though this sits just above the category norm. The device uses disposable batteries and supports streaming to both iPhone and Android. At this price point, buyers may want to compare against higher-scoring competitors like the Phonak Sphere Infinio (5.0/5) or Oticon Intent (4.85/5). The Lucid Ultra 128 may suit those who prioritize speech clarity in quieter environments and can work with their hearing care provider to manage its feedback limitations.

The Yeasound RIC800 is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.8/5 in our lab testing, placing it #2 among 65 OTC devices tested. At $659, this behind-the-ear rechargeable device delivers performance that significantly outpaces the category average of 3.71/5. Speech clarity is a standout strength. The RIC800 scores 4.4/5 for speech in quiet—a strong result that sits 1.63 points above the OTC category average. Speech in noise performance is more mixed at 2.4/5, though this still lands 0.93 points above the typical OTC device. Music streaming is where this device truly excels, scoring 4.3/5 and outperforming the category average by a substantial 2.38 points—making it one of the better choices for consumers who frequently stream audio from their phone. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users shouldn't encounter whistling issues during normal wear. The tradeoff comes with own-voice comfort, which scores 2.1/5—a mixed result that falls 0.41 points below the category average. Some users may notice their own voice sounds more hollow or boomy than expected. The RIC800 earned a 2025 Expert's Choice Award and supports both iPhone and Android streaming. For consumers seeking strong speech performance and exceptional streaming quality in the OTC space, this device represents a compelling option. Those particularly sensitive to own-voice quality may want to compare alternatives, but overall performance places the RIC800 among the top tier of OTC hearing aids we've tested.