Full Review
RCA is an iconic audio and media company with over 100 years of history, so when the brand released a new line of hearing aids in 2023, I was intrigued.
I recently ordered two of their top-selling devices to give them a try for myself. In this review, I'll walk you through what I learned and my overall thoughts.
RCA Hearing Aid Review
Soundly conducts in-depth research to guide prospective hearing aid wearers. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Unboxing My RCA Hearing Aids
RCA's packaging is compact and well-designed. The product manual and information cards got to the point and were easy to follow.
Battery Life
Both pairs of hearing aids are rechargeable.
- The behind-the-ear style gives 16 hours on a single charge
- The in-ear model offers 14 hours on a single charge
Setup
The devices themselves are straightforward - no app or customization. Wearers use the onboard buttons to change the volume and programs.
Both RCA devices come with four programs that can be adjusted through a long press of the volume button.
- Standard
- Restaurant
- Outdoor
- Music
Volume is adjusted individually per ear. More advanced devices adjust the volume on both sides simultaneously.
Sound Quality Notes
It's not entirely fair to compare RCA's $250 OTC hearing aids to prescription super-devices like Signia IX or even telehealth brands like Jabra Enhance. RCA is clearly built for budget and simplicity. That said, I still took some notes on RCA's sound quality. Note that you can listen to the product for yourself at the top of this page.
Volume
RCA devices max out at a reasonably low volume. That's a good thing from a safety perspective, but it left me wanting more power in a few scenarios.
Sudden Sounds
RCA did a reasonably good job managing sudden loud sounds like a dish dropping. I would put them on par with other budget brands like MDhearing. Lexie B2 Powered by Bose or Jabra Enhance are significantly better at managing these potentially uncomfortable situations (albeit at a premium price).
Background Noise
At times, RCA devices had trouble separating speech from noise. The devices were effective in front of the TV and in quiet conversations but struggled with street noise or in a restaurant setting.
Overall Thoughts
I love this price from Voxx and RCA. RCA can open up the hearing market to more folks at $99 - $399 for a pair. That said, RCA has a ways to go to truly compete on performance with OTC options likeLexie B2 Powered by BoseorJabra Enhance Select.
I hope you've found this review helpful. If you have questions, feel free to reach out at [email protected].
Soundly conducts in-depth research to guide prospective hearing aid wearers. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.