Lucid Hearing Tala vs. Sennheiser Sonite Rise

Name: Sennheiser Sonite Rise
Brand: Sennheiser

Check out our comparison of the Lucid Hearing Tala vs Sennheiser Sonite Rise. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Score

0.0

Tala

$1,299.99 per pair

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Sonite Rise

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Product Overview

Form Factor

EarbudForm FactorNon-custom earbud style device.

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.

Expert Rating

Score

0.0

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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

Product Features

Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP22

Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

Tala

Sonite Rise

Tala

4.0ABOVE AVERAGE

The Lucid Tala is a new over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid priced at $1,299.99 per pair, designed to enhance speech clarity and offer wireless streaming for both iOS and Android devices. While it features customizable sound settings through the Lucid Hearing app and boasts a 16-hour battery life, it lacks ear-level controls and has subpar Bluetooth audio quality, making it a mixed bag for users.

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Sonite Rise

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Tala

4.6EXCELLENT

Lucid Tala achieved a SoundScore of 4.64/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #3 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

Sonite Rise

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Tala

3.5BELOW AVERAGE

Tala is an impressive OTC hearing aid though it does not seem to have the best build quality. I found the plastic casing of Tala and the charging case

Sonite Rise

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Tala

3.1BELOW AVERAGE

Tala hearing aids packs some impressive features, but the build quality isn't great. Both the hearing aids and portable charger appear to be made of thin plastic, which aligns with its lower ingress rating of IP22.

Sonite Rise

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Tala

5.0EXCELLENT

I was pleased to learn that Tala offer audio streaming and hands-free calls for both iOS and Android, but make sure you purchase the right version as they are mobile OS specific. While the audio quality is not great, it is still a great feature to have.

Sonite Rise

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Tala

3.8BELOW AVERAGE

Lucid's app offers many useful features, like the 7-band equalizer LucidShape, and recently received an update improving the overall appearance. You will definitely want to use the app to get the most out of Tala hearing aids.

Sonite Rise

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Tala

4.0AVERAGE

I found Tala lightweight and had no issues with them fitting and staying in my ears. They are not as occluding as some other earbud-like hearing aids so I felt less plugged, though this can hurt audio performance in various ways.

Sonite Rise

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Tala

3.9BELOW AVERAGE

Tala hearing aids have an interesting earbud-like design that stands out, but it is not the most modern-looking option available. Its bright white color also makes it very noticeable in ear which can be good or bad depending on your preferences.

Sonite Rise

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Tala

3.7AVERAGE

Lucid Tala has a value score of 3.7/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Sonite Rise

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Tala

5.0EXCELLENT

Tala are easy to use, but they lack physical buttons, so you'll need to use the app for adjustments. The included case also works well, but be careful to place the left and right hearing aids in the correct charging slots.

Sonite Rise

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Tala

2.0BELOW AVERAGE

Lucid is a step above some other OTC companies as they offer lifetime support from licensed professionals. This is not the same as in person can but it is a great addition even for those familiar with hearing aids.

Sonite Rise

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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

Bluetooth Streamer

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Easy Line TV Connector

Bluetooth Streamer+1

The TV Connector is a small accessory that sends audio from a TV or other audio source directly to compatible hearing aids. It connects to the audio source using either an optical TOSLINK cable or a 3.5 mm analog cable, and it is powered through micro-USB. Once set up, it can stream audio wirelessly to paired hearing aids from up to about 15 m / 50 ft away, although walls, furniture, or other obstacles may reduce the range. In everyday use, the device is meant to work mostly in the background: when the TV or audio source is on, it transmits sound to the hearing aids; when no audio is detected, it goes into standby. Users can adjust the streamed audio volume using buttons on the device, and compatible hearing aids may also allow balancing TV sound against surrounding environmental sound. It supports Dolby Audio, stereo, and mono signals, but not DTS, so some TVs may require an audio-setting change or use of the analog cable instead.

Remote Control

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Easy Line Remote Control

Remote Control

The Remote Control is a handheld accessory for compatible hearing aids that lets the user adjust volume and switch between hearing aid programs without using the hearing aids themselves or an app. It has separate volume up and down buttons, a program-change button, an on/off slider, an indicator light, and a battery door. It must be paired with the hearing aids before use, but pairing is only needed once; after that, it reconnects automatically. The remote uses a replaceable CR2032 lithium button-cell battery rather than a rechargeable battery. Each press of the program button moves the hearing aids to the next available program, while the plus and minus buttons raise or lower volume. Changes are applied to both hearing aids at the same time, and the hearing aids may play a confirmation beep depending on how they are configured. The guide also notes that its Bluetooth range is about 1 m, so it is meant for close-range control rather than long-distance operation.

Remote Microphone

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Easy Line PartnerMic

Remote Microphone

The PartnerMic is a small clip-on microphone designed to be worn by a conversation partner so their voice can be streamed directly to compatible hearing aids. It is intended for situations where the listener wants clearer access to one person’s speech, especially when distance or background noise makes conversation harder. The microphone can be clipped to clothing or worn on a lanyard, with the guide recommending placement about 20 cm / 8 inches below the speaker’s mouth and no more than 50 cm / 20 inches away. The device has a built-in rechargeable battery, charges by USB-C, and typically takes about 2 hours to charge. It pairs once with the hearing aids and then reconnects after being turned off and on. Its streaming range is up to 25 m / 80 ft, though walls, furniture, and even the human body can reduce stability or cause dropouts. Volume is adjusted through the hearing aids or the companion app rather than directly on the microphone.

Smartphone App

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Easy Line Remote app

Smartphone App

The Easy Line Remote app is a smartphone app for compatible hearing aids that lets users adjust their hearing settings and view basic hearing-related health data. It can be used to change volume, switch listening programs, adjust features such as noise reduction and microphone directionality, and fine-tune sound using equalizer presets or manual bass, middle, and treble sliders. The app also supports remote appointments with a hearing care professional, allowing hearing aid adjustments to be made during a live video call. Depending on the hearing aid model, it may track health-related information such as step count, wearing time, goals, and activity levels. It can also show battery level and device status, configure touch controls, set cleaning reminders, and provide information about connected hearing aids and accessories.

TV Streamer

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Easy Line TV Connector

TV Streamer+1

Hardware

AccelerometerAccelerometerThis hearing aid is capable of measuring acceleration through an embedded sensor.

Yes

Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.

Made for iPhone (MFi)
Android (ASHA)

Bluetooth® (A2DP)
Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
Auracast™ Ready

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.

Made for iPhone (MFi)
Android (ASHA)

Bluetooth® (HFP)
Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)

IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.

IP22

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

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

Tap ControlsTap ControlsThe hearing aid may be controlled by physically tapping it with your fingers.

Voice assistant
Accept/end calls
Pause/Resume
Tinnitus program

Voice AssistantVoice AssistantCertain devices will allow you to interact with voice assistants using "Hey Siri", "Hey Google", "Hey Alexa", etc commands.

Siri
Google

Volume RockerVolume RockerA volume rocker or wheel to allows the adjustment of volume with a finger.

Yes

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.

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

AI Noise RemovalAI Noise RemovalArtificial Intelligence is utilized to remove or modify background noise from the sound signal to help isolate speech for better speech understanding.

Spheric Speech Clarity: Full strength

Audio Stream MixerAudio Stream MixerAllows the user to adjust the volume of the audio stream relative to the microphone input using the push button or volume control on the hearing aid unit.

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

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

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.

AutoSense OS: 6.0

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

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

Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)

New User AdaptationNew User AdaptationProvider may set the hearing aid to gradually get louder over the first few weeks or months of a new hearing aid fitting. This can be convenient for new users who want to experience maximum benefit without making a lot of trips to the provider for tune ups.

Yes

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

Occlusion ReductionOcclusion ReductionWhen ears are plugged, or occluded, by hearing aids the low frequencies from one’s own voice are amplified and may be uncomfortable. This effect is typically reduced in hearing aids through venting or open-fit models. In some cases the perception of occlusion may also be reduced through software by adjusting the acoustic output of the hearing aid.

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

Preference AdaptationPreference AdaptationIf a hearing aid user frequently adjusts the volume or program settings of their devices, some hearing aids will recognize when and where these changes are made and begin automatically making these changes in those settings.

Yes

Self-fittingSelf-fittingThis hearing aid allows you to fit yourself without professional assistance. Typically found in OTC products.

Tuned based on audio preference selections
Tuned by user directly

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.

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

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

Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.

Yes

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

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