Eargo Hearing Aids Review, Audiologist Reviewed

Eargo Pros and Cons

Eargo Hearing Test

Eargo offers a free online hearing test. It consists of a standard hearing screening and questions to help you understand how hearing loss impacts your lifestyle. Hearing loss, more prevalent among adults 65 and older, can “disrupt interpersonal communication” and “interfere with perception of meaningful environmental sounds,” leading to embarrassment, distress, and self-criticism, according to the National Institutes of Health.2

The hearing test works best with in-ear headphones. While you can use traditional over-the-ear headphones, the test produces more accurate results with earbuds. I found that the hearing check was similar to the screening you undergo at an audiologist exam.

Choose a quiet room to undergo the hearing screening. The test requires a “calibration” step to ensure more reliable results. Afterward, the check will play tones of various frequencies to determine the hearing loss in each ear. Once you hear the tone, you press the button to confirm it; then, the test will move on to the next frequency. There are four tones for each ear.

After the screening, you must answer a few questions about your age and socialization and television habits. The results gauge your hearing health from “no loss” to “profound” hearing loss; they also determine whether you could benefit from hearing aids. While the test is user-friendly, the results are not very detailed.

Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

Even if you choose over-the-counter hearing aids, it’s a good idea to get your hearing tested in person at least once. A professional hearing test can ensure you don’t have any ear wax impaction. After doing this, you can be much more confident the online results used to program your device will be accurate.

Eargo Hearing Aid Models

Eargo offers three different models: the Eargo Link, Eargo SE, and Eargo 8. The biggest difference between them is the sound quality. The Eargo 8’s Smart Sound Adjust technology will automatically adjust based on your location. For example, when I wore these hearing aids in a crowded restaurant, they automatically recognized and canceled background noise — allowing me to focus on my conversation.

The other major difference will be the Bluetooth streaming available on the Eargo Link. While each Eargo model can pair with a smartphone for remote adjustments, only the Eargo Link can stream music and calls directly from a smartphone.

Eargo Models Compared

Using My Eargo Hearing Aids

Eargo hearing aids are designed to be user-friendly. To insert my hearing aids, I picked up each device by the plastic removal thread, flipped it over, and gently inserted it into my ear canal. Each device is marked “R” and “L” for identification. I found it easier to insert the devices by pulling gently on my earlobe with one hand and inserting the device with my other. The device sat entirely inside my ear canal with the removal thread resting on my earlobe facing downwards. The removal thread is made of translucent plastic, so it can hardly be seen despite it hanging out of one’s ear.

Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

Inserting hearing aids can take practice. In my experience, if hearing aids are going to be lost by falling out of the ear, it’s usually in the first couple weeks when the wearer is not used to inserting them. Make sure to practice in front of a mirror until you are confident you can feel if they are inserted correctly and securely.

To remove the device, you grasp the removal thread and gently pull it. The important thing with handling these devices is to treat them with care. They are delicate, so you don’t want to jam them in or out of your ear. Eargo devices work by pressure switches. So, if you want to change sound profiles anytime, you simply tap on your ear. The best method for me was using the flat of my hand to double-tap on my ear canal. You will know it worked when the device says the sound profile name, such as “program two.” In the factory settings, one is the lowest amplification, and four is the maximum.

For the Eargo 8, I could further personalize these sound profiles through the Eargo mobile app on Android and iOS. To do this, I placed the devices into the charger and connected the app to the hearing aids. Once I paired the devices, I could customize audio settings, check the battery life, and watch tutorials. I could even contact the Eargo help center for support from licensed hearing professionals.

The Eargo mobile app can adjust bass, treble, and personalize environment settings. Default audio environments include restaurants, crowds, theaters, and meetings.

I liked the TV setting, as I’ve had trouble understanding various programs clearly with other hearing aids. If you have specialized hearing needs outside these default environments, you can create presets for your left ear, right ear, or both. The devices must be in the charger to create and update personalized settings. The devices will remember these settings when you’re on the go.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Eargo Hearing Aids

The process of cleaning and maintaining your Eargo hearing aids differs based on the model. While the Eargo 8 and the Eargo SE are both completely-in-canal, a similar design, you’ll clean the Eargo Link slightly differently, so we’ll start with that. To clean your Eargo Link hearing aids:

• Clean the brush: Wash your cleaning brush in warm water and dish soap and let it air dry.
• Wash and replace your earpieces: You can either wash or completely replace your eartips if they’re broken, brittle, or torn. If they’re in good shape, remove the earpieces and soak them in warm water and dish soap, letting them air dry after scrubbing.
• Clean the exterior: Using a wipe of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, wipe down the outside of the hearing aids.
• Clean the sound ports: Finally, you can clean the sound ports using the cleaning putty. Knead it into a ball, remove the ear tips, and press the putty into the sound outlet and inlet. Wipe down both hearing aids with the alcohol wipe to get rid of any remaining putty.

The process works similarly for the Eargo SE and Eargo 8, but after you’ve cleaned your brush, you may need to wash or replace the Trumpet tips the same way you would with the earpieces. Then, you’d clean the sound ports with the putty. Don’t forget to clean your charger with an alcohol wipe, as well!

Battery Life and Charging

All Eargo hearing aids feature rechargeable batteries, eliminating the need for disposable battery replacements.

Additionally, each model has a portable charging case that doubles as storage when the devices aren’t in use.

The charging case itself can store multiple charges, allowing you to recharge your hearing aids on the go without needing access to an electrical outlet. How many charges each charger holds, how long charging takes, and how long each charge lasts depends on the hearing aid model, detailed below.

We recommend placing your Eargo hearing aids in the charging case overnight. This ensures fully charged devices for the next day and protects them from dust and moisture. The charging case uses LED indicators to show the charging status of the hearing aids and the remaining power in the case itself.

One consideration worth noting is that, like all rechargeable devices, the batteries will gradually lose capacity over time. After approximately two to three years of regular use, you may notice a decrease in battery performance. Since the batteries cannot be replaced separately, you must purchase new devices once they no longer hold an adequate charge and your warranty has expired.

For those concerned about battery longevity, remember that certain features like Bluetooth streaming (available on the Eargo Link) will drain the battery more quickly. During our testing, we found that streaming audio reduced battery life.

Eargo Warranty and Return Policy

Eargo provides a warranty on all hearing systems and their associated accessories. The Eargo Link, and Eargo SE devices have a one-year warranty, while the Eargo 8 has a two-year warranty.

If a device malfunctions, you may send the system back to Eargo, where specialists will inspect it and either repair it or provide replacement. In-warranty repairs come at no extra charge.

The warranty does not cover devices in the following situations:

• Devices that have been abused, misused, or improperly handled or cared for, including exposed to chemicals
• Devices that have been immersed in water for prolonged periods of time (for the Eargo 8) or immersed in water at all (for the Eargo SE and the Eargo Link)
• Devices that have earwax buildup due to poor maintenance
• Devices that have used parts or supplies that Eargo does not sell or authorize, etc.

While the warranty is active, Eargo will pay to replace a portion of lost hearing aids, but not the entire cost, except for the Link earbuds which have a free replacement. For the Eargo 8, you’ll owe a fee of $395, while you’ll have to pay $295 to replace the Eargo SE. Repairs, on the other hand, are free for all models.

Additionally, there is a 45-day, right-to-return period, so if you decide the system is not for you, you can return it for a full refund.

Is Eargo Worth It?

I loved the style and invisibility of Eargo’s hearing aids. They were extremely comfortable, and I hardly noticed them in my ears. The price is also hard to beat for the quality of the device. With that said, Eargo hearing aids aren’t meant for profound hearing loss. Are you among the millions of older adults with severe to profound hearing loss?3 If so, then a device from Signia or Oticon might suit you better.

Additionally, while rechargeable batteries are good for some lifestyles, some people prefer to use regular batteries. This way, they don’t have to deal with replacing a more expensive battery down the line.

I do want to emphasize the stellar customer support from Eargo. It’s a convenient and cost-effective alternative to an audiologist. Plus, Eargo employs licensed hearing professionals to answer technical support queries. Unlike some audiologists, the only downside is that they don’t offer in-person cleaning and maintenance for devices. However, Eargo makes up for this by offering a huge collection of user guides that will help you maintain your hearing aids independently.

All in all, the pricing and discounts help those in need realize that they are a viable and cost-effective option. For these reasons, Eargo is one of my picks for this year’s best hearing aids. But, if you want to explore other options, compare Eargo to some of the top providers:

• Eargo vs. Oticon
• Eargo vs. Phonak
• Eargo vs. ReSound