My Thoughts on the Ceretone Core One OTC Hearing Aids

When I first heard about the Core One OTC Hearing Aids, I was curious about how well they would perform given their compact design and advanced features.

Ceretone was kind enough to send us a sample of the Core One to test out for myself. I’ve spent the last few weeks trying them out and seeing what they’re all about. Let’s get right into it.

Key Takeaways

• Offer discreet, in-canal design and advanced digital sound with Wide Dynamic Range Compression.
• The Ceretone app allows for personalized settings, volume control, and mode switching.
• These hearing aids provide up to 12 hours of continuous use and quick charging.
• Limited color options and challenging insertion are noted drawbacks.

What Is It?

The Ceretone Core One is an over-the-counter hearing aid that’s incredibly lightweight and almost invisible, weighing just 0.96 grams and measuring 0.47 inches. Their discreet in-canal design means you can wear it without drawing attention, which is great if you’ve ever felt self-conscious about needing a hearing aid.

The Core One isn’t just about aesthetics. It offers premium sound quality thanks to advanced digital chips and Wide Dynamic Range Compression. This ensures that the sounds you hear are clear and true-to-life. With adaptive feedback canceling technology, it mostly eliminates annoying whistling before it even reaches your ear, letting you enjoy a seamless auditory experience.

A very-useful feature is its connectivity with the Ceretone app, which allows you to control basic settings easily. Whether you’re at a noisy restaurant or a quiet home, the app lets you adjust the hearing aids to fit your environment and enhances your overall experience.

Thankfully, the Core One comes with an IP66 waterproof rating, making it resistant to rain and dust. This assures that the device remains functional in various conditions, adding to its reliability.

What I Liked

Excellent Fit and Comfort

The Core One’s incredibly small size and lightweight design make them nearly imperceptible and exceptionally pleasant for all-day wear. Measuring less than an inch and lighter than a gram each, these hearing aids fit discreetly within the ear canal. The only visible part is a tiny “thread” that barely protrudes, making them socially seamless to wear.

What I found impressive are the variety of removable ear tips that come in small, medium, and large sizes. This guarantees a snug, comfy fit for any ear shape, preventing any undesired movement. Even after wearing them for extended periods, I experienced no pressure points or discomfort. Using the correct-sized tips and inserting them properly is crucial to achieving this level of comfort.

Another great feature is their performance in various conditions. Despite sweating or in wet environments, the Core One hearing aids remain comfortable, never causing irritation. This reliability makes them ideal for all-day use, whether you’re at work, exercising, or just going about your day.

Good Audio Quality

Remarkable sound clarity sets these hearing aids apart, especially given their over-the-counter accessibility. The Core One OTC Hearing Aids deliver an impressive audio experience that rivals more expensive, prescription-only options.

There are two preset hearing programs: standard and restaurant. The standard mode works well for everyday environments, providing clear and natural sound. But it’s the restaurant mode that truly shines, minimizing background noise and enhancing speech clarity in bustling public areas.

One feature I particularly appreciated is the binaural audio capability, allowing me to use either one or both hearing aids depending on the situation. Initially, I noticed some ‘hissing’ and ‘tinny’ sounds, but these issues were easily resolved by adjusting the volume. The noise cancellation and adaptive feedback cancelling technologies are effective, reducing unwanted whistling and squealing noises before they reach my ears.

What really impressed me was how well these hearing aids picked up voices and sounds from across the room with minimal distortion. Conversations became more effortless, and I found myself straining less to hear.

App Control

One aspect that truly stood out to me was the seamless functionality of the Ceretone app. Available on both iOS and Android, the app is user-friendly and lightweight, making it easy to manage my Core One hearing aids. I appreciated how intuitive the interface was; it didn’t overwhelm me with a plethora of settings, yet it provided all the essential features I needed.

The app allows me to set the volume for each hearing aid individually, which is perfect for tailoring the sound to my specific needs. Switching between different sound modes, such as the restaurant mode for noisy environments, was a breeze. This feature alone made a significant difference in my day-to-day hearing experience.

What truly sets the Ceretone app apart is the accessibility of support and help documents. Whenever I had a question or needed assistance, I could easily find the information right within the app. This all-in-one approach saved me time and reduced any potential frustration.

Charging Case

After customizing my hearing aids through the Ceretone app, I appreciated the convenience of the charging case that keeps them powered and ready to go. The case is a compact, clamshell design that effortlessly fits into my pocket or bag, making it easy to carry around.

One of the standout features for me is the magnetic charging ports. Every time I place the hearing aids into the case, they securely snap into place and start charging immediately.

The internal 300mAh battery of the case provides multiple recharges, extending the usability of my hearing aids significantly. Charging the case itself is straightforward with the included USB-C cable, and it takes about 2-3 hours to fully juice up.

I found that a full charge of the hearing aids gives me around 10-12 hours of continuous use, depending on the volume settings. This means I can go through my day without worrying about them running out of power.

Durable

I appreciate the durability of the Core One hearing aids, particularly their IP66 waterproof rating that guarantees they hold up well against splashes and moisture. These hearing aids are designed to withstand various environmental conditions, making them reliable for daily use. Whether I’m caught in a sudden rain shower or simply dealing with the humidity, I don’t have to worry about damaging my hearing aids. This peace of mind is invaluable, given how crucial these devices are to my daily life.

The Core One hearing aids are fully sealed to protect against dust and moisture ingress. This means they continue to function flawlessly even in dusty environments or during activities that might cause sweating.

However, it’s worth mentioning that while the hearing aids themselves are IP66 rated, the charging case isn’t waterproof. Despite this, the sturdy construction of the hearing aids themselves makes them a dependable choice.

What I Didn’t Like

Small Parts

Despite the impressive compact design, handling the tiny components of Core One hearing aids without a steady hand can be quite challenging. I found that inserting these hearing aids into my ears required a level of dexterity that some people may not possess. The small size, while advantageous for discretion, becomes a drawback when precision is necessary.

One particular issue I encountered was with the “thread” that need to be placed downward. Without a mirror or some extra assistance, aligning these properly can feel somewhat tricky. This small but vital step could turn into a frustrating ordeal, but with some patience, it gets easier with time.

Additionally, the plastic strings meant to help remove the hearing aids are prone to breaking, which I do worry about happening in the future.

Only One Color Scheme

The lack of color options for the Core One hearing aids is disappointing, as a variety of shades could better match different skin tones. Currently, these hearing aids are only available in white. While the white appearance is sleek and neutral, it doesn’t cater to everyone’s aesthetic preferences or needs.

For someone like me who values discretion, the inability to select a color that blends seamlessly with my skin tone is a significant downside. I understand that white is a safe, universal choice that might work for many, but it feels like a missed opportunity for a product that aims to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Final Thoughts

Having tested the Ceretone Core One OTC Hearing Aids extensively, I can confidently say they offer a significant upgrade in daily auditory experiences. These lightweight devices, weighing less than 0.04 oz, fit snugly within the ear canal, making them almost invisible and socially comfortable. The sound quality is exceptional, and they seem to easily pickup sounds from across the room.

The adaptive feedback-canceling technology effectively eliminates whistling, while the Ceretone app makes adjusting settings straightforward. The Restaurant mode is particularly useful for noisy environments, ensuring conversations remain clear.

With up to 12 hours of continuous use and a quick 2-3 hour charge time, the battery life is impressive. Plus, the charging case is convenient, allowing multiple recharges (~78-hours worth).

However, more color options and improved “thread” alignment could enhance the user experience. Despite these minor issues, they’re a solid choice for quality hearing aids.