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The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life
The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life
Jun 7, 2025 5:54 AM

  I used to hear everything: the crunch of boots on frosted grass; the unlimited hum of billions of little wings; the flick of a mule deer’s tail as it vanished into the brush; the smallest disruption in the flow of stream water.

  I didn’t think much about it then. Hell, I didn’t think at all.

  I shot guns without ear protection, sat front row at concerts that rattled my teeth, and treated my ears like they were indestructible.

  Turns out, they weren’t.

  Granted, in my particular case, I had some medical issues that helped hurry along my hearing loss, but my recklessness with my ears no doubt played into my current state. If youve ever run into me and noticed I do a lot of smiling and nodding, this is why.

  But the biggest loss for me when it comes to hearing is those sounds of nature we take for granted.

  In short: The Zepp Clarity Pixie OTC hearing aids are simple, accessible, and surprisingly effective. They’re ideal for outdoorsmen who want to reclaim the sounds they’ve lost without dropping thousands or sitting through appointments. I tested them while hunting, working, and moving through daily life. They’re not magic, but they brought the world back into focus for me.

  Zepp Clarity Pixie Check Price at Zepp Clarity

  

The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life1

  8.9 How we rate products Specifications Price: $1,999 (often on sale) Form: Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Processing: Adaptive noise reduction, speech enhancement Bluetooth: Yes, for streaming and calls Battery: Rechargeable with included charging case Modes: Multiple presets for different environments App: Zepp Clarity App for fine-tuning and adjustments Pros Excellent natural sound quality Tiny, in-canal design stays out of the way Easy app controls with remote audiologist support Strong battery life with wireless charging Cons Higher price than other OTC options Rachelle Schrute Zepp Clarity One Pixie Review The Basics

  

The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life2

  Zepp Clarity Pixie Left, Zepp Clarity One Right; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) The Zepp Clarity One Pixie packs in a surprising amount of useful features, especially for folks who spend serious time outdoors. The rechargeable battery charges both wired and wirelessly through the included case.

  Fully charged, the hearing aids themselves can run for up to 17 hours, and the charging case holds enough juice for about three full charges, making it easy to stay powered through multiday trips without hunting for an outlet.

  One feature I immediately appreciated was the Find My Hearing Aid capability built into the Zepp Clarity App. If one of these tiny devices gets dropped or knocked loose in the field (which, let’s be honest, happens), the app can help track them down before you have to tear apart your truck or camp looking for it.

  The Zepp Clarity App also allows for easy on-the-fly adjustments to volume, noise reduction, and environmental modes. Whether youre glassing elk on a windy ridge or sitting around a noisy campfire, it takes seconds to adapt your hearing aids to match the conditions.

  First Impressions: Simple Setup With Professional Help

  

The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life3

  Super-sleek packaging with everything included; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) When the box showed up, it felt like opening a new piece of tech. The packaging was sleek and clean, with a high-end vibe. The hearing aids are tiny, fitting entirely in the canal.

  The charging case is compact and simple. Inside the box was everything I needed: the hearing aids, charging case, multiple ear tip sizes, a cleaning brush, a USB-C charging cable, and clear instructions.

  The whole process was impressively simple. I ordered the Zepp Clarity One Pixie online, and then hopped on a call with one of Zepps on-staff audiologists.

  We walked through the app together, fine-tuned the settings based on my specific hearing profile, and made sure the fit was dialed in. No waiting rooms, no insurance headaches, no sitting awkwardly in a chair while someone pokes at your ears. Just quick and painless, done from my kitchen table.

  I did have some fit issues that I wasnt able to resolve on my own. Once I got on another call with the Zepp team, they immediately knew I was wearing the wrong size tip. Once I made the switch, the issues were immediately resolved. It was one of the most straightforward gear setups Ive done.

  Testing the Zepp Clarity One Pixie

  

The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life4

  They really are tiny; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) When I first put them in and got them dialed, I braced for the overly amplified, tinny sound Id always heard about with cheaper hearing aids. If youre of a certain age, youll certainly remember the infomercials for the old-school Walkers Game Ear. I mean no slight to the modern Game Ear, but the old version, which I wore, had the sound quality of an old tape recorder.

  Its not at all what I experienced.

  You know how they say, You dont know what you dont know? This experience was like that. Once I got them in and configured, I was blown away by how much I wasnt hearing. I set everything up indoors, but I immediately stepped outside. Although Im not an overly emotional person, I got a bit watery-eyed.

  It was the sudden realization that Id been missing out on so much for so long.

  Fit and Comfort

  

The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life5

  Nearly invisible and almost undetectable; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) Comfort matters whether youre glassing for hours or just living your day-to-day life. The Pixie sits entirely in the canal, so its not competing for space under hats, headlamps, or earmuffs. The fit was snug but comfortable, even on long days chasing turkeys this spring.

  Battery life held strong. I ran them for full hunting days without needing a recharge, and the charging case made it easy to top them off between outings.

  By the end of a long day, I did notice a bit of ear canal pressure/discomfort, but thats very specific to me. I cant even wear earbuds of any size/shape without whining. I have tiny ears, and the reality is that anything I put in them is going to eventually be a bit uncomfortable. These are more comfortable than even my best-fitting earbuds, though.

  The App and Settings

  

The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life6

  The app is super simple and easy to use; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) The Zepp Clarity App ties it all together. Through the app, I could adjust volume, switch modes, and fine-tune everything depending on where I was. Whether sitting on a windy ridge, around a noisy campfire, or on a trade show floor, I could adapt my hearing aids in seconds.

  You can also tap the device itself to cycle through different listening modes, which makes quick adjustments easy even when your phone is tucked away in a pack or pocket. A simple double tap to the outside of your ear, and it moves to your next preset.

  Affordable, Accessible Hearing Help Traditional hearing aids can run several thousand dollars and require more appointments than most people want to deal with. The OTC model flips that whole system. With Zepp, I handled everything from home, at a fraction of the cost. For outdoor folks whove been putting off hearing aids because of price or hassle, its hard to keep making excuses.

  This doesnt mean you shouldnt see a doctor if you experience hearing loss. Im aware of what caused my hearing issues. Any loss of hearing should warrant a visit to your doctor to make sure youre healthy and not experiencing a more serious health issue of any kind.

  Budget Alternatives: Zepp Clarity One and Omni

  

The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life7

  From left to right: Zepp Clarity Omni, Pixie, and One; (photo/Zepp Clarity) For anyone not ready to drop premium dollars on the Pixie, $1,999 (often on sale for $999), Zepp offers two solid budget options that still get you back in the game.

  I also tested the Zepp Clarity One $1,199 (often on sale for $499) and absolutely recommend it if youre looking for some cost savings while keeping the bulk of the features. You lose the full in-canal design, and the app functionality is more limited, but the sound quality and core amplification are still excellent.

  Its a solid middle ground that covers most outdoor scenarios just fine. I tend to find myself wearing the Clarity Ones just as often as the Pixies.

  The Zepp Clarity Omni, $899 (often on sale as low as $399), sits as the most affordable entry point. While you sacrifice some of the advanced processing and features like Bluetooth streaming or environmental presets, it still offers amplification and basic noise management. For anyone looking for a simple solution to stay more connected, both outdoors and indoors, without breaking the bank, itll very likely do the job.

  Final Thoughts

  

The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life8

  Tossed in the back of my truck, they even match the aesthetic; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) I live a pretty rough-and-tumble life. This one little gadget has given me a bit of the finer details back.

  More than anything, the Zepp Clarity hearing aids gave me back the world I didnt realize I was missing. The breeze in the trees, the birds at first light, the quiet sounds that make being outdoors so rich, are all back, and I hadnt really even noticed theyd faded.

  Even better, I can finally hear my loved ones clearly and enjoy conversations I used to miss entirely.

  And when I want a little peace, I can turn the volume down on the background noise. Those same loved ones are also often the background noise. Its control I never had before, and its worth every penny to feel fully present again in both the wild and with the people around me.

  

The Hunt for Sound: How Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Brought the Outdoors Back to Life9

  Glassing for Success: 6 Tips to Upgrade Your Big-Game GlassingGlassing is the name of the game in Western hunting, but it’s not easy. We’re going to help you shorten the learning curve. Read more

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