The RCA Micro is a budget-priced behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid that earned a D grade in HearAdvisor's lab testing, ranking near the bottom of the OTC category at #52 of 56 devices tested.
In our standardized testing, the RCA Micro struggled significantly with core hearing aid functions. Speech understanding in both quiet and noisy environments measured well below the category average, with speech-in-quiet scores falling nearly 5 points below typical OTC performance. The device does handle feedback well, scoring above average in that metric, but this strength cannot compensate for the fundamental speech audibility limitations.
At $399, the RCA Micro faces stiff competition from significantly better-performing alternatives at similar or lower price points. The Elehear Beyond, for example, offers a SoundScore of 4.35 compared to the RCA Micro's 1.11 at the same budget price tier. Even devices priced $100-$180 less, such as the EarCentric EX2, outperform the RCA Micro in our testing.
Consumers seeking an affordable entry into OTC hearing aids should carefully consider alternatives before purchasing the RCA Micro. While the rechargeable batteries and familiar RCA brand name may appeal to some buyers, the device's limited speech benefit in our lab testing suggests most users would be better served by higher-scoring options in this competitive price range.
