Purpose: to compare, in a real-world scenario, the effects of different levels of technology on attention, memory, electrophysiological response, and self-perceived benefit of new users of hearing-aids in a developing country such as Brazil. Method: A pragmatic parallel-group, single-blinded, and randomized pilot clinical trial was conducted. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to hearing aid technology: (A) advanced technology; (B) basic technology; and (C) placebo. Participants were ≥ 60 years old, had moderate sensorineural hearing loss, and had never been exposed to hearing aid before. Prior to data collection, patients were electronically randomized to receive unique identity numbers. Patient numbers were placed in opaque envelopes until the day of the first visit at which hearing aids were fitted with appropriate amplification settings. Attention, memory, and latency of auditory evoked potentials of patients were assessed while using the hearing aids at baseline and then after 12 weeks of use. The primary outcome was any improvement in scores on neuropsychological tests and/or shortening of latency in the auditory-evoked potentials. Results: A total of 22 individuals were assessed (A=8, B=6, and C=8). Participants had a mean age of 80.4 (±6.1) years, were predominantly female (63.63%), and were poorly educated (3.8±1.6 years). Comparison of groups AXC and of BXC revealed differences in NEUPSILIN scores (Brazilian instrument) for reverse counting (p=0.002, 95%CI 5.9;20.55) and recognition (p=0.013, 95%CI -6.1;-0.88). No difference between groups A and B were found. Responses on the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) differed for the benefit (p<0.001), satisfaction (p=0.007), participation restriction (p=0.012) and quality of life (p=0.037). Conclusion: The level of technology of the devices had no impact on the general satisfaction of new users of hearing-aids and appeared to have no differential effect on memory or attention after 12 weeks of use of the sound amplification products.