Audicus Omni 2 vs. Sony CRE-C20

Check out our comparison of the Audicus Omni 2 vs Sony CRE-C20. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Score
0.0
Audicus Omni 2 Rechargeable
Add Product
Featured Products

Omni 2 Rechargeable

$1,798 per pair
Shop Now ↗
Score
0.0
Sony CRE-C20
Add Product
Featured Products

CRE-C20

$999 per pair
Shop Now ↗

Product Overview

Form Factor
Receiver In The EarForm FactorThis type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. A wire runs along the top of the ear and down to a speaker sitting inside the ear canal. An custom-fitted mold may be required.
Instant-Fit Completely in CanalForm FactorNon-custom device that typically sits completely inside the ear canal. Some of the device may be visible to the naked eye.
Expert Rating
Score
0.0
Score
0.0
User Rating
—
3.7
4 reviews
Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.
MildModerateSevereProfound
MildModerateSevereProfound
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

Omni 2
CRE-C20
Omni 2
4.2ABOVE AVERAGE

Audicus Omni 2 is a polished “premium OTC” RIC built on proven Sonova/Unitron tech, with a smaller design, strong speech enhancement in quieter settings, reliable universal Bluetooth and hands-free calling, and a simple, capable app, but its rechargeable battery life is only middling and the remote-care model feels more limited and less modern than some top direct-to-consumer competitors.

Read full review
CRE-C20
3.4AVERAGE

The Sony CRE-C20 is a discreet, over-the-counter hearing aid designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, featuring a compact size and rechargeable battery for up to 28 hours of use. While it offers a user-friendly setup and an Auto Sound Analyzer for enhanced speech clarity, it lacks Bluetooth streaming capabilities, which may be a consideration for users seeking more advanced connectivity options.

Read full review
Omni 2
4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

Audicus Omni 2 achieved a SoundScore of 4.32/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #8 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

CRE-C20
3.7AVERAGE

The Sony CRE-C20 achieved a SoundGrade of B and ranked #21 out of 56 devices in the OTC Hearing Aid category, placing it in the top 36% of OTC devices tested by HearAdvisor. This positions it as an above-average performer within a competitive category.

Omni 2
4.8EXCELLENT

I found the build quality of Omni Series 2 top-notch which is consistent with a prescription hearing aid redesigned for the OTC market. With a durable ingress rating of IP68, these hearing aids should last many years with a good maintenance regiment.

CRE-C20
4.8EXCELLENT

Sony CRE-C20 has an excellent IP rating of 68, which aligns with our hands-on experience as we observed an improved build quality compared to CRE-C10.

Omni 2
4.0AVERAGE

Omni Series 2 have a 16 hour battery life, which less than many other prescription level hearing aids. However, Audicus also offers a disposable battery option which you may prefer based on your needs and preferences.

CRE-C20
4.4ABOVE AVERAGE

CRE-C20 offer an impressive battery life of up to 28 hours. I also liked the portable charging case which offers you Qi wireless charging.

Omni 2
5.0EXCELLENT

Omni Series 2 are Made for All (MFA) with Universal Bluetooth compatibility for iOS and Android devices. I found the Bluetooth features highly reliable and easy to use, just as you would expect with reputable hearing aids. Various wireless accessories are also available which can be very useful.

CRE-C20
—
Omni 2
4.3AVERAGE

The app is user-friendly, with many handy features such as hearing based personalization and multi-band adjustments. You should find plenty of tools to tailor Omni 2 to your preferences.

CRE-C20
3.0BELOW AVERAGE

Sony's Hearing Control app includes good features and allows your to further personalize CRE-C20 with their on-ear hearing assessment. One downside though is that the hearing aids and app communicate with sound cues from your phone. I find this method of wireless communication less reliable that Bluetooth, and it overall makes the pairing process more complicated.

Omni 2
5.0EXCELLENT

I found Omni Series 2 very comfortable with their slim design and modern earwire design. You will also have plenty of options to improve fit and sound with different ear tips, earwire sizes, and expert remote support.

CRE-C20
4.0AVERAGE

CRE-C20 are good comfortable once you find the best tip for your ears. They are not overly plugging though it can take some time to get used to having a hearing aid so deep in your ear canal.

Omni 2
4.7EXCELLENT

Sleek and modern, Omni Series 2 feature a contemporary earwire receiver design and come with a strong charging case. This showcases Audicus's, and their parent company Sonova's, renowned quality.

CRE-C20
5.0EXCELLENT

CRE-C20 are surprisingly small and sit mostly invisible in your ears. The style works well and was originally designed as an "instant-fit" prescription hearing aid from Signia.

Omni 2
3.7AVERAGE

Audicus Omni 2 has a value score of 3.7/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

CRE-C20
3.3BELOW AVERAGE

The Sony CRE-C20 offers moderate value relative to its $999 price point, with several higher-scoring alternatives available at similar or lower prices.

Omni 2
4.5EXCELLENT

Overall, my experience using Omni 2 was straightforward with no major issues. There are many options for personalizing Omni 2, such as the app and remote case, which were easy to use and worth taking advantage of to get the most out these hearing aids.

CRE-C20
4.0AVERAGE

CRE-C20's smaller size and method of wireless communication make it more difficult to manage than many other hearing aids. However, Sony has improved upon the design as CRE-C20 now uses internal rechargeable batteries, as opposed to disposable ones. It is a unique offering with many pros but be sure to consider this against your needs and abilities.

Omni 2
3.0ABOVE AVERAGE

Audicus provides superior support compared to many OTC hearing aid companies, offering remote phone and email assistance from hearing experts. While the remote programming works effectively, it feels a bit outdated compared to what other modern prescription hearing aids offer.

CRE-C20
1.0BELOW AVERAGE

Sony does not offer great support with their hearing aids. You are limited to phone and email based technical assistance which is a downside to many OTC products.

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble
HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.

Accessories

Compatible accessories for each hearing aid

Battery Charger
Battery Charger

Battery Charger

Battery Charger

Charges hearing aids.

—
Remote Adjustments
Hearing Remote App

Hearing Remote App

Remote Adjustments+2

An app for iPhones and Android smartphones that not only lets you change programs, control volume and adjust the sound quality of your hearing aids, but also receive fine tuning adjustments from your hearing care provider all from the comfort of your own home.

—
Remote Control
Hearing Remote App

Hearing Remote App

Remote Control+2

An app for iPhones and Android smartphones that not only lets you change programs, control volume and adjust the sound quality of your hearing aids, but also receive fine tuning adjustments from your hearing care provider all from the comfort of your own home.

—
Remote Microphone
Partner Mic

Partner Mic

Remote Microphone
—
Smartphone App
Hearing Remote App

Hearing Remote App

Smartphone App+2

An app for iPhones and Android smartphones that not only lets you change programs, control volume and adjust the sound quality of your hearing aids, but also receive fine tuning adjustments from your hearing care provider all from the comfort of your own home.

—
TV Streamer
TV Connector

TV Connector

TV Streamer

Streams TV audio via Bluetooth.

—

Hardware

Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.
  • Bluetooth® (A2DP)
No
Disposable BatteriesDisposable BatteriesCommon disposable batteries last anywhere from a few days to two weeks or more. For more information Google "how long do hearing aid batteries last" and click on the Hearing Tracker link.
312
No
Hands-Free CallingHands-Free CallingIt is possible to have a hands-free phone call with this hearing aid. You are not required to hold the phone up to your mouth.
  • Bluetooth® (HFP)
No
IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.
IP68
IP68
Push ButtonPush ButtonThe hearing aid features a push button which allows toggling across different sound processing programs
  • Program control
  • Volume Control
  • Audio Stream Mix
No
Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Tap ControlsTap ControlsThe hearing aid may be controlled by physically tapping it with your fingers.
  • Voice assistant
  • Accept/end calls
  • Pause/Resume
No
TelecoilTelecoilThe hearing aid is able to pick up audio from landline telephones or public audio systems without using its acoustic microphones. This minimizes background noise and improves clarity and understanding, even over great distances. At performing arts venues, events, government meetings, etc., look for assistive listening systems (hearing loop, FM, and infrared systems), which must be provided at no cost under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other international regulations.
Yes
No
Volume RockerVolume RockerA volume rocker or wheel to allows the adjustment of volume with a finger.
Yes
No

Software Features

Adjustment BandsAdjustment BandsThese are frequency-divided sections that can be adjusted in a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds. Although there are rarely more than 10 frequencies measured in a hearing assessment, having more bands that can be adjusted may allow for improved speech understanding and user comfort.
20
No
Adjustment SynchronizationAdjustment SynchronizationThis feature allows for a more pleasant listening experience by ensuring that both hearing aids process sound the same way. If one hearing aid changes its processing in response to noise or speech, it will send a wireless signal to the other hearing aid so both process sound in the same way.
Yes
Yes
DirectionalityDirectionalityDepending on the types and number of microphones a hearing aid has, the hearing aid may be able to boost sounds from specific directions (by reducing sounds from other directions). This can be helpful to focus on a speaker directly in front of the hearing aid user, as well as to give the user information about where different sounds are coming from.
Yes
Yes
Ear SimulationEar SimulationThe outer ear, or pinna, can have a significant effect on the frequency shape of sound arriving at your inner ear. Some hearing aids mimic the "pinna effect" when producing sound, to deliver more natural sound to the listener.
Yes
No
Environmental AdaptationEnvironmental AdaptationThe hearing aid can detect different acoustical environments, like speech in noise, and adjust the sound of the hearing aid accordingly to drive comfort or speech understanding, etc.
Yes
Yes
Extended bandwidthExtended bandwidthHearing aid provides amplification at frequencies (pitches) higher than the typical hearing aid.
No
12kHz
Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.
Yes
Yes
Frequency LoweringFrequency LoweringUnderstanding certain speech sounds is dependent on the high frequency parts of these sounds. For individuals with high frequency hearing loss, this feature can take high frequency speech information and move it to lower frequencies where it will be audible.
Yes
No
Noise ReductionNoise ReductionThis feature uses modern hearing aids’ processing power to examine the incoming sound signal, determine if noise is present and reduce the volume of the troublesome sound to increase comfort.
Yes
Yes
Phone in StereoPhone in StereoThis feature allows input from a phone presented to one hearing aid to be transmitted to both hearing aids at the same time, improving speech understanding.
Yes
No
Processing ChannelsProcessing ChannelsThese are all the frequency-divided sections the hearing aid is able to examine at a single time. The hearing aid uses this information to determine whether the contents of each section are noise, speech, or something else and amplify the sound in each section accordingly.
No
48
Self-fittingSelf-fittingThis hearing aid allows you to fit yourself without professional assistance. Typically found in OTC products.
No
  • Tuned based on hearing test through device
Soft Speech BoostSoft Speech BoostMore aggressive amplification for softer speech sounds
Yes
No
Spatial AwarenessSpatial AwarenessListening to sound through hearing aids is not a natural experience, and your ability to tell where a sound is coming from may be impacted by the way sounds are amplified with hearing aids. Some hearing aids attempt to fix this problem by preserving cues to sound localization like between-ear level differences, etc.
Yes
No
Spatial Noise CancellationSpatial Noise CancellationThis feature recognizes where sounds are coming from and can reduce noise coming from behind or to the side of the listener. This helps the listener focus on the speaker, usually in front of them.
No
Yes
Sudden Loud Noise ReductionSudden Loud Noise ReductionThis feature detects loud sounds and reduces their volume to a comfortable level. Though not a replacement for hearing protection, this technology can greatly improve listener comfort.
Yes
Yes
Tinnitus ReliefTinnitus ReliefTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.
Yes
No
Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.
Yes
No
Wind Noise ReductionWind Noise ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.
Yes
Yes