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Audicus Spirit vs. Sony CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC

Check out our comparison of the Audicus Spirit vs Sony CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Audicus Spirit
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Audicus

Spirit

$1,798 per pair
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Score
3.4
Sony CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
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Sony

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC

SoundScore 4.1/5
$699 per pair
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Spirit
$1,798 per pair
Shop Now ↗
CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
$699 per pair
Shop Now ↗

Product Overview

Spirit
CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
Form Factor
Form 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.
Form FactorNon-custom device that typically sits completely inside the ear canal. Some of the device may be visible to the naked eye.
Expert Rating
N/A
Score
3.4
User Rating
4.02 reviews
3.05 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.
MildModerate
MildModerate
Product Features
RechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68
—

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

Spirit
CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC

HearingTracker Score

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
3.4AVERAGE

The Sony CRE-C10 is a discreet, over-the-counter hearing aid designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. It features a self-fitting app-based system, impressive sound quality, and a compact CIC design, but lacks Bluetooth streaming and rechargeability, offering up to 70 hours of use on a single disposable battery.

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HearAdvisor SoundScore

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
4.1ABOVE AVERAGE

The Sony CRE-C10 achieved a SoundGrade of A and ranked #13 out of 56 devices in the OTC Hearing Aid category, placing it in the top 21% of its category. This positions the CRE-C10 as a strong performer among self-fit hearing solutions tested by HearAdvisor.

Build Quality

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
4.7EXCELLENT

Sony CRE-C10 aid might not have an official IP rating, but it appears to be built well and should handle everyday use just fine.

Battery

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

Unlike many OTC devices, CRE-C10 uses disposable size 10 batteries. While arguable antiquated, I find disposable batteries convenient though they may be difficult to manage if you have low vision and or dexterity issues.

App Features

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
2.5BELOW AVERAGE

Sony's Hearing Control app includes good features and allows your to further personalize CRE-C10 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.

Comfort

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
4.0AVERAGE

CRE-C10 are decently 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.

Design

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
5.0EXCELLENT

CRE-C10 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.

Value

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
3.5AVERAGE

The Sony CRE-C10 offers competitive value in the mid-priced OTC segment, balancing A-grade sound performance with its $798 price point.

Handling

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
3.5BELOW AVERAGE

CRE-C10's smaller size and method of wireless communication make it more difficult to manage than many other hearing aids. It is a unique offering with many pros but be sure to consider this against your needs and abilities.

Pro Support

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
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.

Spirit
CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Spirit

Lab recordings not yet available

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Spirit

Lab recordings not yet available

CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC

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

Spirit
CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
Remote Control

RemoteControl

Hearing Remote App+1

Hearing Control App+1

App for setting up and controlling your Sony hearing aids.

Remote Microphone

Partner Mic

None
TV Streamer

TV Connector

Streams TV audio via Bluetooth.

None

Hardware

Spirit
CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
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.
No
10
IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.
IP68
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
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

Spirit
CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC
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.
14
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.
Binural synchronizationBinural synchronizationBinaural synchronization of hearing aids for volume and program control
Ear-to-Ear Wireless LinkEar-to-Ear Wireless LinkHearing aids will adjust as a pair to your surroundings.
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.
No
Yes
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.
Universal auto-adaptive programUniversal auto-adaptive programDefault universal auto-adaptive program adjusts to environments, amplifying close sounds while eliminating background noise
Situation AnalyzerSituation AnalyzerThe situation analyzer within the hearing aid adjusts sound based on your surroundings to improve listening experiences in environments with background noise.
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.
No
Yes
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
4
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.
No
Yes
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.
14
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
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
Ear-to-Ear Wireless LinkEar-to-Ear Wireless LinkHearing aids will adjust as a pair to your surroundings.
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.
No
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.
Tinnitus MaskerTinnitus MaskerTinnitus, 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.
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.
No
Yes