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Quickly becoming a leader in hearing aid innovation, Eargo’s team of ENT surgeons and hearing professionals has developed comfortable and highly functional hearing aids. Eargo has a solid customer reputation, and after testing the devices ourselves for two weeks, we understand why. Eargo offers safe remote hearing checks, phone consultations, and online ordering—all done remotely and from the comfort of your home.
Eargo is a technological leader in the hearing aid industry. Its devices are packed with tech advancements, and its slightly higher costs reflect that. Still, the OTC provider cuts out the middleman to keep costs low.
Eargo Hearing Aids Review
You can buy Eargo hearing aids without a prescription, but the company does not produce models for profound hearing loss. After testing Eargo devices for two weeks, Eargo hearing aids are affordable for the amount of features they come with. It’s also a durable hearing aid best suited for tech-savvy users with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Pros
Includes support from licensed hearing professionals
Payment plans as low as $70 per month
Pricing can be 50% less than traditional hearing aids
Completely rechargeable
Cons
No models for profound hearing loss
Batteries are rechargeable, but not replaceable
Our Experience Using Eargo Hearing Aids
The Retirement Living editorial team tested the Eargo 7, one of the smallest over-the-counter hearing aids on the market. After using the device for two weeks, we deemed it well-made and durable. At more than 60 hours of wearable time, its battery life is a standout feature.
To learn more about our experience using the Eargo 7, watch our YouTube review. We also scored it across 10 different metrics, which you can see below.
Metric
Eargo 7
Price
6
Product Quality
9
Ease of Use
9
Sound Quality
8
Sound Profiles
8
Battery
10
Size and Discreteness
10
Connectivity
9
Adjustments
7
Tinnitus Management
6
Overall Score
8.2
OTC Eargo 7 Hearing Aids Scorecard
Eargo Hearing Aids Features
Eargo hearing aids are designed to promote an active, comfortable, and social lifestyle with the latest in hearing aid technology. People are often embarrassed by the prospect of using hearing aids, but Eargo’s discreet design means they are barely visible. Price can also be a barrier to buying hearing aids, but Eargo hearing aids are often more affordable than prescription devices.
Eargo’s barely-there design fits comfortably into your ear canal and is nearly invisible, so no one knows you are wearing a hearing aid.
Eargo hearing aids offer four sound profiles to cover a range of mild to severe high-frequency hearing loss. We found that it takes a little bit of fine-tuning to get your hearing aid profile just right, but once you do, Eargo will remember your settings.
Unlike behind-the-ear devices that amplify sounds coming from behind you, Eargo hearing aids amplify sounds in front of you.
How Eargo Hearing Aids Are Designed
Eargo manufactures in-the-ear hearing aids with soft silicone instead of rigid plastic, which makes for a much more comfortable fit while being nearly invisible to others. The open fit design blends the higher frequencies amplified by the hearing aid with ambient lower sound frequencies to provide a richer hearing experience.
Eargo’s Flexi Dome fits inside the ear to help the hearing aids stay in place. Flexi Fibers or Flexi Palms are flexible silicone flanges located behind the dome. They are designed to keep the hearing aid even more secure while remaining breathable. Flexi Palms were developed more recently and feature a flatter design to better adjust to movements in the ear canal, although you can still buy Flexi Fibers.
Eargo hearing aids have four sound profiles. To switch profiles, tap on the hearing aid twice. One model even allows you to fine-tune the hearing profile.
To charge Eargo hearing aids, place them in the included case, which also functions as the device’s charger. A fully-charged case can power your hearing aids for a week.
Eargo Hearing Aid Models
Eargo offers four hearing aid models. Depending on your level of hearing loss and budget, you can select from the LINK, the Eargo 6, or the new Eargo 7. All hearing aid models come with both left and right hearing aids, a charger case, charging cord, replacement Flexi Fibers or Flexi Palms, wax guard, and a cleaning brush. The hearing aids are labeled to quickly determine which device is for the left or right ear, but they are technically interchangeable.
Eargo hearing aids come with a one- or two-year warranty.
Model
Best For
Custom Sound Profiles
Price
Monthly Cost
LINX by Eargo
– Bluetooth – Sweat and splash-resistant – Up to 9 hours of listening time – Low profile, in-the-ear
Yes
$799
$26/mo
Eargo 6
– Self-fitting, nearly invisible CIC model – App personalization – Water-resistant (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) – Up to 16 hours of listening time – Up to 2 days of on-the-go charging
Yes
$2,250
$65/mo
Eargo 7
– Self-fitting, nearly invisible CIC model – App personalization – Noise reduction technology – Water-resistant (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) – Up to 16 hours of listening time – Up to 2 days of on-the-go charging
Adaptive
$2,950
$84/mo
Eargo Hearing Aid Products
How to Buy Eargo Hearing Aids
You can buy hearing aids directly from the website and they ship free. Eargo can also send you a pair of hearing aids to test before you make a buying decision. While the trial hearing aids can’t correct hearing, they let customers know how Eargo models look and feel in the ear. If you have any problems ordering online or prefer to order over the phone, call the number on the website to speak to a representative.
Cost of Eargo Hearing Aids
Depending on the model, two Eargo hearing aids cost from $1,500 to $2,950. You could easily pay that price for just one hearing aid from other manufacturers. Eargo offers a 20% discount to veterans and active military members.
Eargo accepts payments split between two credit or debit cards or from an HSA debit card. While Eargo does not submit claims to insurance, you can order over the phone if you have Care Credit. If you are having difficulty affording the cost of hearing aids, you can apply for financing on Eargo’s website without affecting your credit score. Financing terms are for 12 to 36 months.
Eargo Hearing Aids Complaints
The Better Business Bureau gives Eargo hearing aids an “A+” rating. ConsumersAdvocate rates the company 10 out of 10 stars and places Eargo at the number one position in their hearing aid review category. Eargo earned 4 out of 5 stars from HearingTracker, and PCMag notes the comfort and sound quality in their review.
While many people are delighted with Eargo hearing aids, some customers experience product failure soon after purchase or poor customer service when seeking support. Some consumers expressed frustration with irreplaceable batteries rendering the hearing aids useless when the cells would no longer charge.
Eargo Hearing Aids Q&A
Do I need a prescription to buy Eargo hearing aids?
The Food & Drug Administration recommends you get your hearing screened by a physician before purchasing hearing aids, but you can buy from Eargo without a prescription or hearing exam. Eargo professionals will work with you or your doctor to ensure you receive suitable hearing aids. You can check your hearing online with Eargo’s clinically validated hearing check, on their website.
Can I buy replacement Eargo accessories?
Yes, the Eargo website sells replacement chargers, Flexi Fibers, Flexi Palms, and wax guards.
How do I get help from Eargo?
You can get assistance with Eargo hearing aids over the phone or via chat on the website. Licensed hearing professionals assist prospective or current customers and are qualified to address any concerns or answer questions. Eargo also has an online help center with more than 80 articles explaining how to order, use, care for, troubleshoot, or get repairs for your Eargo hearing aids.
Can I sleep wearing Eargo hearing aids?
Do not sleep with your hearing aids inserted. Eargo recommends taking the hearing aids out and charging them while you’re asleep.
What if I get Eargo hearing aids wet?
Eargo hearing aids shouldn’t get wet, so don’t forget to take them out when you shower or swim to avoid damage. Otherwise, you might void the warranty.
Conclusion
Not being able to hear clearly can be frustrating, and it can feel lonely when you can’t participate in conversations. Don’t suffer through hearing loss without seeking help. Eargo hearing aids are a discreet, convenient, and affordable solution for hearing enhancement.
I have used Eargo Max for several months and am generally pleased with them. There are several areas where the could be improved. For example, the “tap” function only appreciably increases their level to amplify the sound; you cannot decrease the level below the 1st stage, nor can you Tweak them to limit some frequencies which can be annoying. After taking several flights, I have found I must remove them as they pick up the lower frequencies of the engines and there is a constant “rumble” of sound while in flight. In addition in most crowded situations, like a busy restaurant, they are useless. They amplify the background noise so much that keeping in tune with those during conversation at the table is very difficult. I am uncertain what the manufacturer could do to improve performance under the situations described. Some friends who have other brands of hearing aids have noted that they find they amplify the wind at the shore so there is a constant noise; Eargo does not do that. Eargo does very well at theaters, at home to understand your wife, and allows listening to tv or the radio at lower volume levels. Overall I am happy with the devices but wish they were adjustable in more precise ways.
Don S.
Kannapolis, NC
Eargo
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Don. We'd suggest getting in touch with your Personal Hearing Professional to learn more about which Sound Programs are best suited to help you hear throughout the day.
