Experiencing hearing loss can be alarming for anyone. Unfortunately, although wearing hearing aids can help improve your listening abilities, there is a range of other factors like sound quality, electronic interference, battery life, and overall fit to take into account.
Many people choose not to wear a hearing aid simply because they’re embarrassed by everyone seeing big, clunky devices behind their ears.
Eargo offers a solution to all the above problems, but are its hearing aids really as good as advertised?
This article provides a detailed review of the three main Eargo hearing aids, their prices, and the features that set them apart.
Quick View: Eargo Hearing Aid Reviews
Eargo Hearing Aids | Price | Battery Life | Style | Accessories | Noise Cancellation |
Eargo Max | $1,500 | Up to 16 hours | Nearly invisible once inserted | No added accessories | Poor noise and interference prevention |
Eargo Neo | $2,000 | Up to 16 hours | Nearly invisible once inserted | Extra Flexi Palms | Acceptable noise and interference reduction |
Eargo Neo HiFi | $2,500 | Up to 16 hours | Nearly invisible once inserted | Extra Flexi Tetrapalms | Above-average noise and interference reduction |
Quick Verdict
Eargo hearing aids improve the comfort and style of traditional, behind-the-ear hearing aids.
Their nearly invisible fit makes them unique within the market. However, they may fall short in the sound quality and feedback cancellation sector compared to devices like those produced by MDHearingAid.
Is Eargo a Reliable Company?
Located in San Jose, California, Eargo was founded in 2010 by Dr. Florent Michel, an ear, nose, and throat surgeon.
Eargo manufactures medical-grade hearing aids that have been mentioned in Time magazine, among other trusted publications, and provides reliable service to its customers.
How Does Eargo Work?
Eargo produces various hearing aid models to suit a range of budgets and requirements.
Unlike clunky, behind-the-ear models, Eargo provides listening assistance to people with moderate hearing loss through an in-ear-canal device made of medical-grade silicone Flexi Fibers.
Flexi Fibers and Palms are brush-like silicon inserts that allow ambient sound and air into the ear, ensuring the devices feel breathable and only focusing on enhancing treble (high-frequency sounds).
Eargo offers significant audio improvements for high-frequency hearing loss through the hearing devices’ background noise reduction and sound amplification.
Each hearing aid produced by the company can also be connected and controlled by the Eargo app, allowing you to easily switch between sound profiles with a single tap on the mobile app.
Eargo Hearing Assessment
If you suspect you may have mild to moderate hearing loss, getting the right hearing aids and medical assistance you need to treat its symptoms is vital.
Before visiting a doctor or buying hearing aids online, you can use Eargo’s online hearing check to assess whether or not you have mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.
Not only does it evaluate your ability to hear the full range of speech tones within background noise, but the best online hearing tests such as this also assess your lifestyle and habits to evaluate how they may be affecting your hearing.
Once the hearing test is completed, you can access the results and talk to an Eargo hearing professional to discuss your options and how their devices can help you.
If you decide to purchase an Eargo device, the hearing professionals will also be on call to guide you through wearing and maintaining the device and how to adjust the sound profiles on the Eargo app.
Ordering Eargo Hearing Aids
Once you’ve completed the hearing test and want to know more about their products, Eargo offers to ship you a non-working sample to test its fit and feel.
If you choose to purchase hearing aids Eargo, you can do so online.
Most Eargo hearing aids come with the following:
- Two hearing devices: All Eargo hearing aids are sold in pairs.
- Charger and charging base.
- Two regular Flexi Fibers: Patented by Eargo, Flexi Fibers keep the hearing device suspended inside the ear canal, allowing air and ambient sound to move into the ear.
- Wax guard: A wax guard prevents ear wax from getting into the vital components of the hearing aids.
- USB C cable.
- USB plug.
- Two ear cleaners.
- Cleaning brush.
- Access to Eargo’s smartphone app.
Maintenance and Care
Eargo hearing aids are simple to maintain. Before inserting them for the first time, it’s essential to clean your ears and remove excess wax.
Ear wax buildup could be one of the reasons your hearing abilities have decreased as it can lead to [1]:
- Hearing loss.
- Itching.
- Vertigo.
- Pain.
Most of the time, ear drops will be used to soften the wax, which can then be removed through syringing or microsuction [2].
A medical professional typically does syringing, but some people choose to do it themselves. It involves using water to remove ear wax without damaging the ear.
Once your ears have been cleared of excess wax, you can use the ear cleaners that came with the devices to gently remove remnants of wax before each insertion. Use one cleaner per ear and use rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab to remove any wax from the brush once you’re done.
Each time you remove the hearing aids, the Flexi Fibers or Flexi Palms may sweep out ear wax with it. You can clean the fibers by using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Other tips for keeping your Eargo hearing aids well maintained include:
- Using a wax guard can stop ear wax from getting into each device’s delicate electronic components.
- Before charging your devices, always make sure they are completely dry.
- Never try to remove the Flexi Palms or Fibers by force as this could damage the device.
If you have any questions about the care or maintenance of Eargo hearing aids, the company offers lifetime support through the Eargo app or website, where many of your questions can be found in the FAQ section.
Can Eargo Hearing Aids Get Wet?
Eargo, like other traditional devices, cannot get wet. They should not be worn in the bath, shower, pool, or anywhere excessive moisture can reach them.
If your devices get wet accidentally, immediately remove them, turn them off, and let them air dry for at least a day before turning them on again.
Can I Sleep With Eargo Hearing Aids?
Although sleeping with your Eargo hearing aids shouldn’t cause any adverse effects, it isn’t recommended.
Not only does sleeping without hearing aids improve sleep quality, but it provides the perfect opportunity to put them on charge.
Eargo Help and Customer Service
If you need help inserting the devices, maintaining them, or using the Eargo app, Eargo provides lifetime support through its customer service hotline, email, or the contact button on the mobile app.
The website also hosts an extensive help section answering various questions about the devices and smartphone app.
Eargo Pros and Cons
Below are some of the most significant pros and cons of the Eargo hearing aids.
Pros
- Help people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Easy to use Eargo app for changing sound profiles.
- Provide feedback reduction and active noise cancellation.
- Fit inside your ear canal, making them almost invisible.
- The website offers a free hearing test and non-working samples before purchase.
- Offer feedback reduction.
- Affordable compared to traditional hearing aids.
Cons
- App only works on specific mobile devices.
- They are only sold in pairs, discouraging people with hearing loss in only one ear from purchasing.
- You must manually switch between sound profiles on your phone.
- No Bluetooth connectivity.
- Can’t be used by people with severe or profound hearing loss.
Eargo Hearing Aid Customer Reviews
If you’re still on the fence over whether or not you want to use Eargo hearing aids to help your hearing loss, these customer reviews may be able to help you decide.
One elderly user was able to vastly improve his hearing quality and wrote the following:
Another Eargo user was relieved he didn’t have to make endless trips to the audiologist anymore and reported:
One reviewer believes Eargo has helped their hearing more than any other device, writing:
Not all Eargo users had stellar reviews of the product, however, with one writing:
While another lamented the fact they weren’t able to help their relatively severe hearing loss:
One more user noted inconsistencies with the charging of the devices, despite following all the care and maintenance guidelines:
Eargo Hearing Aid Reviews Complaints
Despite Eargo’s impressive capabilities, many users had complaints ranging from the lack of volume personalization and poor battery performance to the fact that taking a call would create interference with their hearing.
One user complained about his Eargo charging connectors not working after just two weeks:
Another disliked the limited range of settings available to personalize:
The background sound reduction did not seem to work for this user, who wrote:
While another was put off by the number of times his devices had to be replaced:
Eargo Hearing Aid Models
Eargo offers three hearing aid models, the Eargo Neo HiFi, Eargo Neo, and Eargo Max.
Below is a summary of the main characteristics of each of the Eargo models.
Eargo Max
Feature | Description | Star Rating |
Price | $1,500 | 4.5/5 |
Battery Life | One battery typically lasts up to 16 hours | 4.5/5 |
Sound Profile Personalization | Only four sound settings available | 3/5 |
Style | The device is almost entirely invisible | 5/5 |
Comfort | Some users report forgetting they were even wearing the devices | 5/5 |
Pros:
- Very affordable compared to other traditional hearing aids.
- Great sound quality.
- Long-lasting battery.
- Comfortable to wear.
Cons:
- Poor feedback and background noise cancellation.
- May have trouble charging.
The Eargo Max can be seen as Eargo’s basic package. These devices provide an affordable alternative to traditional hearing aids and offer improved sound quality, extended battery life, and comfort while wearing.
Unfortunately, the Max devices may not remove all background interference, significantly reducing the overall user experience. The MDHearingAid VOLT+, on the other hand, automatically adapts to your sound environment and personal needs. They are also water-resistant and more affordable than the Eargo Max.
If you’re looking for more information on this offering from Eargo, take a look at our comprehensive Eargo Max review.
Bottom Line:
Max hearing aids Eargo are a great basic hearing aid that can help people with mild to moderate hearing impairments, although some characteristics of the devices fall short of their competitors.
Eargo Neo
Feature | Description | Star Rating |
Price | $2,000 | 3/5 |
Battery Life | One battery typically lasts up to 16 hours | 4.5/5 |
Noise Reduction | Improved background sound reduction compared to the Max | 4/5 |
Sound Profile Personalization | Despite offering personalized settings, the app still only makes four sound profiles available | 3/5 |
Accessories | Comes with large and regular Flexi Palms for added comfort | 5/5 |
Pros:
- Improved sound quality and noise minimization.
- Comes with Flexi Palms and Fibers so you don’t have to order replacements.
- It does not cause as much cell phone interference when taking a call.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other hearing aids in the same category.
- It does not provide a wide range of sound profile personalizations.
Eargo Neo hearing aids offer all the comfort and sound quality of the Eargo Max, with additional noise control and provision of the patented Flexi Palms for greater comfort while wearing.
Despite its minor improvements in background interference cancellation, the Neo is much pricier than a similar alternative, the MDHearingAid AIR. MDHearingAid’s AIR model provides high-quality sound and interference reduction along with a very affordable price range.
For more information on these hearing aids Eargo, take a look at our detailed Eargo Neo review.
Bottom Line:
The Eargo Neo improved on the sound quality of the Max, but not enough to justify its price compared to the MDHearingAid AIR.
Eargo Neo HiFi
Feature | Description | Star Rating |
Price | $2,500 | 4/5 |
Battery Life | One battery usually lasts up to 16 hours | 4.5/5 |
Noise Reduction | Provides added wind noise control and feedback reduction, although cell phone interference is still possible | 4/5 |
Sound Profile Personalization | Only offers four sound profile options | 3/5 |
Accessories | Comes with Flexi Tetrapalms and Fibers that increase comfort and ambient sound detection | 5/5 |
Pros:
- Vastly improved sound quality compared to the Max and Neo.
- It comes with a variety of accessories.
- It is within the price range of other hearing aids in its class.
Cons:
- It still only offers four sound profiles to choose from.
- Some users report echoing while using the Eargo Neo HiFi.
The Eargo Neo HiFi is a relatively new addition to Eargo’s hearing aid arsenal. It gained significant improvements when compared to older Eargo models and provides dramatic background and wind noise reduction alongside excellent battery life.
Unfortunately, despite its revamped sound quality, the devices are still only run on four sound profiles chosen in the Eargo mobile app. Unlike the Neo HiFi, the MDHearingAid CORE offers in-depth sound profile customization and Bluetooth connectivity to smartphones and tablets.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out our complete Eargo Neo HiFi review.
Bottom Line:
Although the Neo HiFi version offered improvements on Eargo’s Neo hearing aids, the lack of personalization still pulls Eargo hearing aids down.
Where Can I Buy Eargo Hearing Aids?
You can purchase Eargo hearing aids through third-party online vendors like Amazon, although using the Eargo website is strongly recommended.
Eargo Price: How Much Do Eargo Hearing Aids Cost?
The prices of Eargo hearing aids as advertised on the official website are as follows:
- Eargo Max: $1,500.
- Eargo Neo: $2,000.
- Eargo Neo HiFi: $2,500.
Does Insurance Cover Eargo Hearing Aids?
Several insurance plans offer benefit allowances that can be used to purchase Eargo hearing aids.
Talk to one of the company’s hearing professionals if you’d like to verify your insurance benefits cover the purchase.
Does Eargo Give Refunds?
Yes, they offer a 45-day return policy, and refunds are typically issued within ten days of receipt.
Are Eargo Devices Under Warranty?
Yes, all Eargo hearing aids come with a one-year warranty.
FAQ
Is Eargo a Good Hearing Aid?
Eargo devices have a lot going for them, including comfort, nearly invisible fit, and a simple maintenance routine.
However, compared to other hearing aids in the market, those offered by MDHearingAid may have a slight advantage when considering overall sound quality, noise cancellation, and price.
Is Eargo an Amplifier or a Hearing Aid?
Eargo is classified as a hearing aid. Although it does also offer sound amplification, the devices developed by the company are not suitable for improving profound hearing loss.
Are Eargo Hearing Aids Worth the Money?
Although Eargo models all have a one-year warranty and are affordable compared to traditional devices, cheaper models offer similar, if not better, sound enhancement and hearing assistance.
Who Can Use Eargo?
Eargo is made for use by people with moderate or mild hearing loss. It is not suitable or helpful for anyone with severe hearing loss.
Conclusion
Hearing loss can be a traumatic experience. Don’t let choosing the right hearing aid be one too. Take your comfort, sound quality, and ease of use into account before deciding on a hearing aid to choose. If you’re interested in Eargo, also take a look at our MDHearing Aid review for an alternative with better quality and style.
References:
- Loveman, Emma, et al. “Ear Wax Removal Interventions: a Systematic Review and Economic Evaluation.” The British Journal of General Practice : the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of General Practitioners, Oct. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3177138/.
- Browning, George G G. “Ear Wax.” BMJ Clinical Evidence, BMJ Publishing Group, 25 Jan. 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907972/.