Tala From Lucid Hearing Review

Prices, Sound Recordings, Models
Blake Cadwell
Blake Cadwell

Blake Cadwell is a hearing aid wearer and co-founder at Soundly. He regularly tests and reviews hearing technology to share his experience with Soundly’s readers. Blake's research and perspectives have been featured in the The New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, AARP and FastCompany.

Updated
January 24, 2024
Methodology
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Soundly is an independently owned hearing health research tool. Our reviews are conducted by hearing aid wearers and audiologists. We physically review the leading hearing aids on the market for sound quality, comfort, durability, and more. Our review process starts with hands-on unboxing and days, weeks, or months of wear. We also record live sound demos using a calibrated binaural microphone (read more here). We experiment with backend fitting software for prescription products and use test box measures to measure prescriptive accuracy and flexibility. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Read more about our story here.

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Affordable
In the Ear
OTC
Rechargeable
Bluetooth

Background

Lucid Hearing isn't the best-known name in hearing health, but the company has an impressive history. Lucid is best known as the exclusive provider inside Sam's Club locations around the country, and the brand also has a solid lineup of direct-to-consumer products and over-the-counter hearing aids. We've previously reviewed Lucid Engage and Lucid Fio. The brand is now back with a new earbud-style hearing aid called Tala. Keep scrolling for our complete review. 

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What Makes Lucid Tala Special 

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Design

Lucid Hearing's new Tala product looks more like a pair of earbuds than hearing aids. The devices are smaller than AirPods but share the same white and modern aesthetic. Like AirPods, Tala comes with a compact recharge case. Each charge gives the user around 16 hours of wear time (4 times what you'll get from AirPods).

Streaming 

When you purchase Tala you'll choose between an iPhone or Android compatible version. The devices are built and programmed slightly differently depending on your operating system. 

Tala's Streaming quality is excellent, with clear resonating sound. We especially love the EQ adjustment features in the app that allow users to manipulate the sound of streamed audio. Users can also choose how much outside sound to allow in while streaming. 

Programming

Like Lucid's other products, Tala uses a robust smartphone app to program your hearing aids. Users can select between mild, moderate, bass boost, or max. Users can also use the Lucid Shape feature, which allows users to manipulate their sound profile using an interactive audiogram-style chart. 

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Our Take

Tala is a solid option for multimedia-focused users. The devices are comfortable and discreet. If you are looking for a hearing aid to wear in front of the TV, in quiet settings (when voices get lower), or while streaming, Tala could be a good fit. The sound quality greatly promoted voice clarity in quiet settings. 

On the flip side, Tala does not manage complex background noise or sharp sounds as well as other OTC hearing aids like Sennheiser All-Day Clear or Sony CRE-E10. We also noticed some feedback when placing the devices in the ear and removing them. 

Overall, this is a solid option for anyone looking for a hearing aid that blends in with earbuds. 

Pros πŸ‘
  • Modern earbud design
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  • Clear voices in quieter environments
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  • Flexible streaming options with great EQ

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Cons πŸ‘Ž
  • Less advanced background noise management
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  • Sharp sounds can be uncomfortable
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  • Some feedback when putting in and removing the earbuds
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Soundly Scorecard
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Hearing Loss Level πŸ”Š
Mild - Moderate
  • Tala hearing aids are sold over the counter and are appropriate for those with mild-moderate hearing loss
  • If you have more significant hearing loss it is recommended that you access professional care through Telehealth or local care
Care Type πŸ₯
Over-The-Counter
  • Available for purchase online or at retail stores Best Buy
  • Does not require a prescription from a doctor
  • Customize your hearing aids using the Lucid Hearing app
Sound Quality πŸ”Š
Average in Background Noise
  • Tala does a great job of boosting voice clarity but isn't the strongest on the market in background noise
Comfort 🦻
Somewhat Comfortable For All-Day Wear
  • Tala sits in the ear like an earbud and comes with various ear tip sizes
  • The product does a good job handling occlusion
  • Our team finds all in-the-ear models slightly less comfortable for all-day wear than RIC hearing aids

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Style  πŸ’«
In The Ear - Earbud Style
  • Sits inside the ear like an earbud
  • Only available in white
Battery πŸ”‹
Rechargeable Only
  • Tala has built-in rechargeable batteries
  • 16 hour runtime on a single charge (assumes 2 hours of streaming)
  • Each pair comes with a small, portable charging case that includes additional, on-the-go charges
Connection πŸ“‘
Bluetooth Available
  • Tala streams Bluetooth through iOS or Android devices
  • Users must select their device type at checkout or in store
Dexterity Level 🀏
Easy
  • Tala is very easy to handle
  • The recharge case includes convenient magnets that pull the product into place
  • No battery changes needed
Waterproof Level πŸ’¦
N/A
  • Tala has an IP Rating of IP22, which means water exposure should be avoided
App features πŸ“±
Has An App
  • The Lucid Hearing app has a robust set of features including volume control by ear, EQ adjustments for audio streaming and sound quality adjustments via Lucid Shape
How the Process Works
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Lucid Tala is available over-the-counter, meaning you can purchase the hearing aids online or at a local retail store (some Walmart stores and Sam's Club).

Once you receive your new hearing aids, you'll use the Lucid Hearing app to customize the amplification and frequency to match your hearing loss. Unlike some other OTC devices, Lucid does not administer a hearing test through their app; instead, they give you access to a control panel and an interactive chart called Lucid Shape. You will use those tools to customize the hearing aids to your comfort.

If you have questions or issues along the way, you can call the Lucid support team for live troubleshooting and advice.

Where to Purchase Tala
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Lucid Tala is available at some retailers like Sam's Club, Best Buy and Walmart. You can also purchase Tala directly from Lucid here.

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