Otofonix Elite vs Yeasound RIC800

The Otofonix Elite is a behind-the-ear amplification product priced at $249, earning a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.6/5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing. Released in 2016, this budget amplifier ranks #8 of 8 in the Amplification Product category. In our lab testing, the Elite demonstrates one clear strength: excellent feedback handling at 5.0/5, which is 0.72 points above the category average. This means users are unlikely to experience whistling or squealing during normal use. However, the device shows significant limitations in other areas. Speech performance is notably limited, with speech in quiet scoring 1.0/5 (1.11 points below category average) and speech in noise also at 1.0/5 (0.37 points below average). The device does not support Bluetooth streaming, resulting in a 0.0/5 music streaming score. Own-voice comfort is particularly low at 0.1/5, falling 2.54 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounds unnatural or boomy. At this price point, consumers may want to consider alternatives that offer better overall performance. Several devices with higher SoundScores are available at lower prices, including the Audien Hearing Atom (3.31/5) and HSKLock Hearing Aid (3.00/5). The Otofonix Elite may appeal to those prioritizing feedback-free operation above all else, but its limited speech clarity and lack of streaming make it difficult to recommend for general use.

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.