The Otofonix Encore is a budget-priced prescription hearing aid released in 2018, earning a D grade with a SoundScore of 1.74 out of 5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing. At $295, it sits in the lowest price tier for prescription devices, but our testing found significant performance limitations that potential buyers should carefully consider.
In our standardized testing protocol, the Encore struggled with core hearing aid functions. Speech in noise performance measured 2.32 points below the prescription hearing aid category average, which directly impacts the device's usefulness in challenging listening environments like restaurants or social gatherings. Own-voice comfort also fell well below average, suggesting wearers may experience noticeable occlusion effects when speaking.
The device's strongest showing was in feedback handling, where it performed above average in both fit conditions—a modest bright spot in otherwise limited results. However, this alone doesn't compensate for the substantial gaps in speech performance metrics that matter most for daily communication.
Budget-conscious shoppers in this price range may want to consider alternatives that delivered better results in our testing. The RxEars Rxi, also in the budget category, achieved a significantly higher SoundScore of 3.73. Even some lower-priced OTC options like the HSKLock Hearing Aid ($69) and Audien Hearing Atom ($99) outperformed the Encore in our lab measurements. The Otofonix Encore may appeal to those specifically seeking a low-cost prescription option, but our data suggests exploring alternatives before committing.
