As an audiologist who's tested countless hearing aids, I find myself intrigued by the Lexie B2 Plus, a device with fascinating origins and strong performance potential. After spending significant time testing them, I've found they would rank among the top over-the-counter (OTC) options available - if not for one significant design issue. Let me break down what I discovered.

Price and Package

The B2 Plus represents an interesting chapter in hearing technology. Originally developed by Bose, this technology found a new home with Lexie after Bose Ventures invested in hearX group (Lexie's parent company). The result? We're looking at what's essentially a Bose self-fitting hearing aid, now marketed and supported under the Lexie brand. 

At $999 per pair, the B2 Plus sits at the higher end of Lexie's OTC lineup. Your purchase includes:

• Two hearing aids
• Charging case with USB-C connection
• Multiple dome sizes (both open and closed)
• Cleaning brush
• Ear wire measuring tool
• Wax traps
• User manual

Lexie offers some optional additions worth considering:

• 24-month protection plan ($180) covering accidental damage and reduced-cost replacement
• Care kit ($240) with maintenance supplies
• 10% military veteran discount
• FSA/HSA eligibility

Power and Charging Innovation

The B2 Plus brings some nice improvements in the charging department. The redesigned case now includes an internal power bank that stores an extra full charge - meaning you can recharge on the go without finding an outlet. The USB-C connection enables quick charging, and magnetic alignment helps position the aids correctly.

Battery life runs up to 18 hours on a full charge, though I've noticed this drops significantly with heavy Bluetooth streaming. One minor annoyance: unlike many modern hearing aids, these don't automatically power on when removed from the charger.

The Design Dilemma

Here's where we need to have a serious conversation about comfort. The receiver wire design creates an almost vertical angle when worn, resulting in significant pressure against the ear canal. During my testing, this made the devices uncomfortable after just minutes of wear.

While you can try different wire lengths (sizes 1-3 available), this fundamental design choice could make long-term wear challenging for many users. The devices themselves are somewhat bulky, which is expected given the rechargeable battery, and only come in gray.

Smart Features and App Control

The Lexie app (a rebranded version of the Bose Sound Control app) works with both iOS and Android devices. It offers several customization options:

• World Volume adjustment
• Treble/bass balance
• Left-right balance
• Front Focus feature for directional hearing
• Environmental presets for different listening situations

A new addition is the in-app hearing test, which attempts to create customized settings based on your hearing profile. However, my testing revealed some concerns about its effectiveness.

Connectivity and Streaming

The B2 Plus offers direct Bluetooth streaming from Apple devices for music and calls using Bluetooth Low Energy. While functional, the sound quality isn't outstanding, particularly with open domes which leak low frequencies. It's worth noting they don't use the newer, better-sounding Bluetooth LE Audio standard found in some prescription aids.

Performance Testing Results

I conducted detailed real ear measurements with my assistant Bri, who has a mild to moderate hearing loss - exactly the target range for these devices. Our findings were revealing:

Default Settings: The out-of-box programming missed the mark for matching her hearing prescription.

In-app Test Results: Surprisingly, the hearing test's recommended settings actually moved further from the optimal prescription.

Manual Adjustments: We achieved much better results by manually adjusting to:

• World volume: 35
• Treble: +10
• Left balance: 10

However, these optimal settings triggered significant feedback issues, even with closed domes.

The compression handling showed mixed performance:

• Good management of loud sounds
• Poor handling of soft speech
• No way to fine-tune compression settings

Medical Considerations

One serious concern emerged during testing: the in-app hearing test doesn't flag potential medical issues. When I tested them, the app didn't warn about my significant hearing asymmetry - something that could indicate conditions requiring medical attention. This highlights a key limitation of the self-fitting approach.

Who Should Consider These?

The B2 Plus might work well for:

• Adults with mild to moderate hearing loss
• Those comfortable using smartphone apps
• Users wanting rechargeable devices with Bluetooth
• People looking to try hearing aids before pursuing prescription options

These might not be ideal for:

• Users with severe hearing loss
• Those needing complex prescriptions
• People with significant hearing asymmetry
• Users requiring extensive professional support
• Those prioritizing streaming sound quality

Real-World Performance

Independent testing from HearAdvisor gave the B2 Plus predecessor a 4.6/5 Sound Score, placing it among the top OTC options. This aligns with my findings - when properly adjusted, these devices can perform quite well. The dual microphone system and Front Focus feature provide good directional hearing in noisy environments.

Final Thoughts: Great Performance Meets Major Design Flaw

The Lexie B2 Plus presents an interesting paradox. It offers strong technical performance, useful features, and good sound processing capabilities. However, the comfort issues from the receiver wire design create a significant barrier to taking advantage of these strengths.

If you're considering these devices, I strongly recommend using the 45-day trial period to assess whether the fit works for you. Remember: the best hearing aid is one you'll actually wear, regardless of its technical capabilities.

Just remember: if you don't get good results with these or any OTC aids, that's a sign to consult a hearing care professional who follows best practices. You can find verified providers at HearingUp.com.

Price aside, what makes or breaks any hearing aid is whether you'll actually wear it. While the B2 Plus excels in many technical aspects, its comfort issues make it hard to give a full recommendation despite its strong performance potential.