The Sony CRE-C10 is one of the biggest names in hearing aids since the introduction of OTC hearing aids in October 2022. Arguably, only the merger of Lexie with Bose hearing aids introduced a bigger name. Now, Japanese tech giant Sony has entered the market, too. These Sony OTC hearing aids look promising, but can they deliver?
In this review for the Sony CRE-C10 OTC hearing aids, we’re looking at the key features, general performance, and possible downsides. As always, I’ll discuss some alternatives before giving you my final buying recommendation.
If you can’t wait for the verdict, I’ve got a 30-second visual review summarizing the entire text. Go to the bottom of this article or click here to skip the reading.
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Key features
I’m sure Sony agrees with me, but I think the CRE-C10 hearing aids are the first of a new generation OTC hearing aids. Here’s why: the Sony CRE-C10 is a CIC model (not that special in itself) that is also self-fitting, and automatically adjusts sound to your environment. I’ve not seen that in CIC models (under $1,000) before, just as the app control for this type of hearing aids is new.
In short: these Sony hearing aids offer more advanced features than I’ve ever seen in this model under $1,000.
Who is this hearing amplifier for?
The Sony CREC10 hearing aids are for people who want to have a top-of-the-line over the counter hearing aid – and are willing to pay for it. The advanced features offer a unique combination of options, with great sound quality. It’s not for those who want the very best deal for over the counter hearing aids.
How well does the Sony CRE-C10 work?
As you might expect (when you pay close to $1,000), the sound for the CRE-C10 is great. The device automatically adjust sound to your environment, so even though you have app control from your smartphone, you don’t need to spend time changing your settings when you walk into a restaurant.
Other than sound quality, these hearing aids have a 70-hour battery life, noise reduction features, and offer a one-year warranty. If you buy them on Amazon, they also come with free returns.
What’s not to like about the Sony CRE-C10?
First, it’s not rechargeable. That might be to keep the price under $1,000, because its bigger brother is rechargeable, and costs quite a chunk of cash more. It doesn’t take much away from the other features, but it’s a shame that an advanced piece of technology doesn’t at least come with the option for rechargeable batteries.
Second, they’re expensive. That’s maybe not fair, because I believe they’re worth it, but I don’t believe they offer the best value for money. Like I mentioned above, this Sony OTC hearing aid is for people who want the best, and are willing to pay for it.
Alternatives for this hearing aid
This also means that your alternatives are going to be worse options. Probably the best bet is the Lucid Hearing fio, a similar model that’s a little cheaper, rechargeable, but doesn’t offer the same advanced features. Way further down the price scale and fancy scale are the MDHearing NEO hearing aids.
For more features and rechargeable batteries, you’ll need to switch models from CIC to a classic behind-the-ear model. Here, only the Lexie B2 hearing aids really compete with the advanced features of the Sony CRE-C10.
Should you buy the Sony CRE-C10?
Yes. If you want to pay a little extra to get the newest and best (and you don’t mind conventional batteries). If you’re looking for the best deal or the best value for money, I believe there are other options out there. But that doesn’t mean these Sony hearing aids aren’t worth their price – they most definitely are, and it makes me excited to see how the competition will respond.
These hearing aids are just under $1,000 at $999.
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