Editorial Sources And Fact
- Interview with Dr. Amy Myers. Department of communication sciences and disorders, University of North Carolina Greensboro. March 15, 2022.
- Best Inventions 2018: A Hearing Aid Meant for the Masses. Time.
- Using a Flexible Spending Account . HealthCare.gov.
- Health Savings Account . HealthCare.gov.
- Publication 502 , Medical and Dental Expenses. Internal Revenue Service. January 13, 2022.
The Eargo Smartphone App And Accessories
The Eargo Neo HiFi smartphone app comes with the purchase of Eargo Neo HiFi devices and works specifically with this model. You can use the app to choose one of the four settings, change bass and treble settings, and create your own listening profiles.
The Eargo app works with the Eargo 5 and 6 to allow adjustments and also comes with the purchase of a pair of Eargo hearing aids.
The app provides a range of features for managing your hearing aids. Here are some ways it can help you get the best listening experience with your hearing aids:
- Four settings to choose from based on your surroundings
- User guides, help videos, and tutorials
- Reminders for cleaning your hearing aids and replacing the tips
The app also provides you with telecare access so you can speak to a hearing aid specialist in one of the following ways:
Eargo sells hearing aid accessories for all of the models on its website.
Eargo Design And Technology Features
Eargos approach toward hearing aid technology centers around discreetness. All three of the brands models are invisible in-the-ear designs:
Image Source: Eargo.com
Three features stand out about Eargo visually:
- Black in Color: Eargos are black in color to mimic the natural shadow of the ear canal. This makes Eargos less noticeable.
- Fishing Lure Design: Eargo designers used the look of a fishing lure for inspiration. The most noticeable feature is the prickly silicone ear insert, which Eargo calls either Flexi Fibers or Flexi Palms depending on the device style. This design suspends the hearing aid in the center of the ear canal without forming an airtight seal which lets the ears breathe and helps prevent your own voice from sounding strange as you speak.
- Pull-Cord for Removal: Youll also notice a clear pull-cord for easy removal of the device from your ear.
These physical design elements not only make Eargo look unique compared to invisible-in-the-ear models from other brands, but they are well-thought-out improvements that make the hearing aid less visible, reduce the problem of own-voice distortion and make the hearing aid easier to remove.
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How To Access Member Benefits:
This benefit is only available to members of AFGE. If you are a member of AFGE, please . If you are not a member, but would like to find out how to become one, please visit the section.
Eargo is on a mission to change the way you think about hearing aids. Thats because Eargos aren’t your ordinary hearing aid. Theyre advanced, award-winning devices that are virtually invisible, fully rechargeable, and incredibly comfortable. Eargos are delivered right to your door in about 23 days, with remote support from our licensed hearing professionals, available at your convenience, on your schedule.
Every Eargo hearing loss solution includes:
- A pair of super small, medical-grade hearing aids
- Sleek, portable, charging case to take and recharge anywhere
- Lifetime, remote support from the leader in telecare hearing health
- Mobile app allowing you to further fine tune your devices
- Free and convenient shipping directly to your front door
- No in-person tests or appointments
Federal workers and retirees may even qualify to get Eargos at no costthanks to their Federal Employees Health Benefits . Check with your insurance provider for eligibility. Or you can call us with your insurance card handy and we will help you determine if you have coverage.
Plus, AFGE members get additional Eargo Flexis for free!
Start hearing life to the fullest again with AFGE and Eargo!
Toll-free Benefits Line:
How Can Hearing Aids Improve My Hearing
Hearing aids are very simple devices that can easily treat most forms of mild to severe degrees of hearing loss. Hearing aids receive sound via a microphone in the hearing aid, which is then converted into electrical signals and sent to an amplifier. The amplifier increases the strength of the signal and is then sent through a speaker into the ear. The type and style of hearing aid will all have bearing on how well a hearing aid is able to improve someones hearing.
> Do read the following reviews from Nano Digital Hearing Aids
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Warranties On Eargos Hearing Aids
The Eargo 5 and Neo HiFi models come with a 24-month warranty, and the Neo and Max models come with a one-year original warranty. A two-year extended warranty can be purchased for the Max and Neo models. The companys original warranty begins as soon as the wearer receives his or her hearing aids, charger, power cord, and USB plug.
With this warranty, customers are entitled to free, unlimited repairs on hearing aids and chargers. If the hearing device or charger is beyond repair, Eargo will replace it with a new or refurbished unit at no cost. Power cords and USB plugs will be replaced free of charge.
Hearing aids and chargers that are lost or suffer damage not related to normal use will be replaced free of device charges for one time only. If one or both of the hearing aids or the charger become damaged or are lost again, after the one-time free replacement, or after the warranty period, Eargo will offer a one-time per unit replacement at a discounted cost of $395 each for a hearing aid or $295 each for a charger.
The warranty will not cover devices bought through eBay , or damage caused by improper handling or care, exposure to chemicals, undue stress, water immersion, third parties, or services performed or attempted by an unauthorized service center.
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Best For Faster Charging: Eargo 5
The Eargo 5 is an almost invisible model. Using the Eargo app, a person controls the settings, including adjusting noise reduction and environmental sound matching.
Instead of contact pins, this model has magnets to keep it in place as it charges. The company says that this improves the charging time.
This device comes with two sizes of closed petal buds to ensure the right fit. The company highlights that this type of buds enhances comfort and amplification across sound ranges.
The Eargo 5 has a 45-day return policy, a 1-year warranty, and is available to purchase online for around $2,450.
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Are Eargo Hearing Aids Worth The Cost
Eargo hearing aids are smaller than most other hearing aids and are worn completely in the ear canal, making them more discreet for people who are self-conscious about their hearing loss. Eargo also offers hearing aids at a more affordable price than some of its competitors. However, since Eargo hearing aids are for people with mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss, they accommodate a less severe degree of hearing loss than some other brands.
Eargos newer, more expensive hearing aids do offer considerably more sound technology than older models and may be easier for the less tech savvy to use since they automatically adjust your hearing settings. With their top-of-the line model being cheaper than many other hearing aids and the option to finance, Eargo hearing aids may be worth the cost if you want a nearly invisible hearing aid and have mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.
Does Medicare Pay For Eargo Hearing Aids
Medicare Parts A and Bdo not pay for the cost of hearing tests or hearing aids.6 Some Medicare Advantage plans do cover extra health expenses such as hearing. If you have Part C, contact your Medicare provider to find out if your plan covers hearing aids and if so, how much of the total cost.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
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Eargo Online Hearing Test
You have two options for a hearing test with Eargo. The first step is to call and speak with an Eargo Personal Hearing Guide. If you already have results from a previous hearing test, the guide can help you decide which Eargo model would be best for you.
If you havent had a hearing evaluation before, the Personal Hearing Guide will direct you to Eargos online hearing test, where you can check your level of hearing loss and then choose the best model for you. The test is best done with earbuds or headphones, and takes about 810 minutes to complete.
Keep in mind Eargo hearing aids are best suited for people with mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss. If a hearing professional has said you have severe or profound hearing loss, this brand will not be the right choice for you.
Another thing to remember is that online hearing tests cannot diagnose the cause of your hearing loss. Only an in-person hearing test conducted by an audiologist can provide a diagnosis, according to research published in 2020.4 Still, online tests can measure the degree of your hearing loss and guide you to the right category of hearing aids based on the type of hearing loss theyre made to correct.
Eargo Hearing Aid Models
Eargo offers four hearing aid models. Depending on your level of hearing loss and budget, you can select from the Eargo Max, Eargo Neo Hifi, Eargo 5, or The New Eargo 6. 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.
| Compare Eargo Hearing Aids |
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Pros And Cons Of Eargo 6
The Eargo 6 is significantly more customizable than the previous Neo HiFi generation that I trialed in 2020. Eargo is a legitimate hearing aid that competes with the best. Still, there were some ups and downs.
First, the good stuff:
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Eargo 6 is far better at handling background noise than previous versions. The new noise filter option on the app makes a noticeable difference and significantly improved my listening comfort.
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Eargo 6 changes programs automatically when sounds change around you. This feature is another significant improvement for the brand and puts Eargo on par with other leading products.
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The new product offers useful programs and tells you what program you are switching to by name by announcing “mask,” “restaurant,” or “meeting.” Previous versions just identified these programs by a number.
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Eargo is easily the smallest digital and rechargeable hearing aid available. It’s nearly impossible to spot in my ear even if you are looking.
Eargo 6 drawbacks:
A few other things to know:
Eargo devices are tiny, and to design such a small device, they had to build in two unique features.
Can I Set My Eargos On Different Programs For Each Ear
If your hearing loss is different between ears, then you simply set each hearing aid on a program that’s right for each ear. The goal is to hear balanced between both ears. If you have Eargo 5, we recommend performing Sound Match to tailor Eargo to your hearing needs and preferences.
Still not sure you want to wear two? Helping both ears hear their best helps the brain, localizing where sounds come from, and understanding in noisy environments. You can read more about it in this Article: Do I Need 1 or 2 Hearing Aids?
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Do Hearing Aids Help High Frequency Tinnitus
High frequency tinnitus, or tinnitus that leads to a steady and continuous high-pitched ringing in the ears, is the most common type of tinnitus and can result from loud noise exposure, medication side effects and hearing loss. Hearing aids can help ease high frequency tinnitus symptoms by improving the quality of sound in ones external environment and masking ringing sounds with the help of various white noise settings.
Why Do Hearing Aids Cost So Much
Numerous factors contribute to the high cost of hearing aids, including:
- Constant research and development for product and technology innovation
- The bundled services model, which makes the cost of the devices themselves appear inflated
- High markups on hearing aid products from the manufacturers themselves
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Comparing Eargo To The Competition
Among similar devices, the invisible Phonak Lyric device is a close comparison, though the latter must be fit by an audiologist and remains in the ear until an audiologist takes it out. A Phonak Lyric is also more expensive and works on a yearly subscription base.
On the plus side, because Eargo devices sit inside the ear, theyre more easily wearable with glasses and are not noticeable. For people with dexterity concerns, the size and shape of the Eargo also make them easier to place inside the ear. Moreover, Eargo devices are water-resistant and rechargeable.
As for drawbacks, the biggest concern is that Eargo aids arent able to facilitate sound therapy for tinnitus sufferers. Theyre also not appropriate for more than moderate hearing loss. And for technical minuses, no current Eargo model is Bluetooth compatible for audio streaming.
Frequent Customer Complaints About Eargo Products
Customer service Issues:
Customer service can be tricky with Eargo. The chat box listed on their website offers basic answers to pre-filled frequently asked questions. If you need something more specific answer, you need to provide a phone number for a representative to call you back.
Additionally, the representatives are not all informed at the same level. Its a gamble of whether or not your question will be answered. Complaints on the BBB website list untimely responses, long hold times, and empty promises from representatives.
Not Good for Low-frequency Hearing Loss:
Not all hearing needs are met, especially for those with low-frequency hearing loss. The design of the Eargo hearing devices is that they let certain sounds pass through the ear and amplify others, so they dont work for everyones hearing loss needs.
Eargos hearing screening is also not thorough and doesnt provide users with a comprehensive view of their hearing needs. Hearing test takers may not be aware of the levels of their hearing loss.
Poor Customization:
You and your neighbor probably have different levels of hearing loss. So why would you want the same hearing aids? For the best results, hearing aids should be customized to your specific level of hearing loss.
Unfortunately, many of Eargos products do not allow for special programming, leading to a one-size-fits-all hearing solution.
Lackluster Warranty:
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Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids
Medicare and most private insurance plans dont cover hearing aids. However, some insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage, pay for some costs.
The Veterans Administration covers hearing aids in many cases, and many federal workers, including retirees, may have hearing aid benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.
What Should I Expect Day To Day And Overall From The Rechargeable Battery
It takes up to 6 hours to charge a fully depleted hearing aid, so we recommend charging them each night while you sleep. Youll have about 16 hours of hearing aid power for the day! The process just described is considered 1 cycle. Your hearing aid batteries are rated for 1,000 cycles, which is roughly three years. After that, theyll continue to work, but wont hold a charge for quite as long. Three years is the typical life expectancy of most in-the-ear hearing aids. At that point, it is usually time for a new pair.
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Best For A Longer Warranty: Eargo 6
Its makers say that Eargo 6 is almost invisible and very comfortable.
It comes with two types of petal buds: open and closed. The company says that open buds provide less sound obstruction for a more natural hearing experience, while closed buds prevent more sound from escaping and reduce feedback.
The Sound Match function allows people to customize sound levels in each ear and save up to three settings.
The Eargo 6 has a 45-day return policy and a 2-year warranty. It is available to purchase online for around $2,950.
Tips For Wearing Hearing Aids
We talked to hearing aid user Katherine Bouton, author of Smart Hearing: Strategies, Skills and Resources for Living Better With Hearing Loss. She has these three top tips for hearing aid users:
1. Avoid providers that sell aids from one or two manufacturers only. The companies use different algorithms to process sound and have different accessories. Some may work for you better than others.
2. Wear your hearing aids constantly , especially for the first month. Your brain is learning to hear new soundsyou need to train it well by wearing the aids full-time.
3. Schedule in-person or telecare follow-up visits to your audiologist. Your audiologist can reprogram your hearing aids to help them keep up with your hearing, or you can return your hearing aids if youre not happy and try something else.
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What Are The Best Hearing Aid Companies
The big six hearing aid manufacturers have a strong reputation for producing quality products: Phonak, GN Resound, Oticon, Signia, Widex and Starkey. These companies invest heavily in research and development and are known for excellent patient care, customer support and great products, says Dr. Sarow. Each company offers a range of hearing care solutions with different features. While any of these companies is an excellent choice for hearing devices, your audiologist can make product-specific recommendations based on your needs.