The Sontro Soundwave is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid priced at $849 that earned a C grade in HearAdvisor's lab testing, ranking #37 out of 56 OTC hearing aids tested. This behind-the-ear device uses disposable batteries and represents an older 2022 release in a rapidly evolving market.
In our lab testing, the Soundwave showed a notable split in performance. Own-voice comfort measured well above category average, scoring 1.09 points higher than typical OTC devices—a meaningful advantage for users sensitive to occlusion effects. However, speech understanding performance was underwhelming, particularly in the initial fit condition where speech in quiet scored just 1.10 out of 5.
The competitive landscape presents challenges for this device. At the $849 price point, alternatives like the Sony CRE-E10 and Elehear Beyond Pro achieved significantly higher sound scores. Budget-conscious consumers may also consider the HearingAssist Control at $549, which delivered comparable overall performance in our testing for $300 less.
The Sontro Soundwave may appeal to users who prioritize natural own-voice perception and prefer a traditional behind-the-ear form factor with disposable batteries. However, those seeking stronger speech clarity—especially in challenging listening environments—should explore higher-performing alternatives in this price range.
