Hearing aid comparison
Certus Max vs. a Professionally Fitted RIC: Same Shape, Different Service
Certus Max and a fitted RIC look alike. The difference is service: diagnosis, verification and follow-up. Compare them side by side, then book a test.
Read time: 6 min read
On October 24, 2026, Certus Hearing launched Certus Max, a rechargeable receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid for adults with perceived mild-to-moderate loss. Its charging case has a color touchscreen that shows volume, mode and battery. A professionally fitted RIC has the same basic shape. What differs is the service around it.
This page sets the two side by side. Certus details are company claims from its launch release, which gave no price. We have seen no independent testing, and we do not sell or fit Certus.
“Same shape, different service. The device is half of hearing care. The other half is who measures, sets and follows up.”
Same hardware class, different service class
A RIC has a small body behind the ear, a thin wire and a speaker in the canal. Certus says Max weighs about 4 grams per device, streams calls and music into both ears over Bluetooth, and offers four listening modes. A fitted RIC from a prescription brand can offer similar hardware features. The gap is not the shape. It is who measures your hearing, who sets the aid and who looks after you afterward.
The comparison table
The table separates the hardware rows from the service rows. If you compare only the first half, the two look alike.
| Item | Certus Max | Professionally fitted RIC |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware class | Receiver-in-canal, about 4 g per device, soft dome | Receiver-in-canal, choice of dome or custom mold |
| Streaming | Calls and music into both ears over Bluetooth | Varies by model. Bluetooth is common |
| Controls | Touchscreen case plus app | App, buttons or remote, chosen with you |
| Battery | Up to 15 hours per charge. Case recharges 4 to 5 times | Varies by model |
| Diagnosis | Five-minute guided hearing check in the app | Comprehensive evaluation, audiogram and medical screen |
| Verification | None described in the release | Real-ear measurement |
| Follow-up | Company support. 90-day trial, two-year guarantee | In-person adjustments, cleanings and warranty handling |
| Price | Not stated in the launch release | Varies by technology level |
What the touchscreen case teaches
The case answers a fair complaint. Many patients dislike app-only controls and not knowing the battery state. Prescription aids also use apps, remotes and buttons, and some people find those harder than a screen they can see. We take the usability point seriously. A good fitting includes choosing controls you can actually use. See our page on Bluetooth hearing aids before you buy for what to check in any device.
Total cost over four to five years
A device price is not the cost of hearing well. A fitted aid usually includes the evaluation, the programming, real-ear verification, follow-up visits and cleanings, and warranty handling. A self-fit aid shifts those tasks to you or leaves them out. Compare the price with care over the years you will wear the device, not the sticker price alone. Our guide to hearing aid costs in Westchester County explains what a visit covers.
A note for patients
Certus Max is a sign that visible, tactile controls are moving into the OTC world. Good. The question to ask is whether your loss is the kind a self-fit device can handle, and nobody can answer that from a product page.
What to do next
Book a hearing-aid consultation at our Harrison or Somers office, or call (914) 949-0034. Compare with open-ear OTC aids and the wider decision guide to listening, OTC and prescription aids. Read why real-ear verification matters.
Status and last update
Last updated October 28, 2026. Change note: this is the first version. We will add independent reviews if credible ones appear. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
Medical information notice
This article explains product announcements and published research for general education. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose or treat any condition. Sudden hearing loss, ear pain, drainage and dizziness need prompt medical care. Call (914) 949-0034 to book at our Harrison or Somers office.
Common questions
Is Certus Max as good as a prescription hearing aid?
We cannot say. The release lists features, and we have seen no independent testing. The hardware class is similar. The service is different, because a fitted aid is programmed from your audiogram and verified in your ear.
Does the touchscreen case replace the app?
Per Certus, the case lets you change volume and mode without a phone. The app adds a guided hearing check and phone controls.
How much does Certus Max cost?
The launch release gave no price. Check Certus's own product page for the current price and trial terms.
Are direct-to-consumer hearing aids good?
They can work for some mild losses. They leave out the evaluation, real-ear verification and in-person follow-up. Whether that matters depends on your hearing and your needs.
Can you adjust a hearing aid I bought online?
We can test your hearing and tell you how it compares with the device. We do not sell or fit Certus. Ask when you book what we can do for a device bought elsewhere.
