The HearingAssist Control is a mid-priced OTC behind-the-ear hearing aid that earned a B SoundGrade in HearAdvisor's lab testing. At $549, it sits in the middle of the OTC price spectrum but faces stiff competition from higher-performing alternatives in the same price range.
In our testing, the Control showed a notable performance gap between initial and tuned fit conditions. Out of the box, speech understanding scores were below average, but with proper adjustment, the device improved significantly—particularly for speech in quiet environments. Feedback handling was a consistent strength, scoring a perfect 5.00/5 in both fit conditions, meaning users are unlikely to experience whistling issues.
The device's main limitations include below-average own-voice comfort due to occlusion effects, and music streaming was not available for testing. Consumers who prioritize streaming audio may want to consider alternatives. When compared to competitors at similar price points, the Control trails significantly behind options like the Sony CRE-E10 (5.00/5) and Lexie B2 Plus (4.60/5), which offer substantially better sound performance.
The HearingAssist Control may be suitable for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize feedback-free operation and are willing to invest time in adjustment. However, those seeking the best value in this price tier should explore the higher-ranked alternatives that deliver meaningfully better speech clarity.
