Eargo Audiologist Safety Score
Caring.com worked with two expert audiologists to research and evaluate popular hearing aid brands for safety. The resulting Safety Scores are calculated using a system of three core metrics and 11 subcategories covering access to professional care, accuracy of the brands hearing tests, and more. You can find a detailed explanation of Caring.coms Hearing Aid Safety Scores by reading our Methodology.
Eargo Safety Score:
Hearing Test & Consultation: Eargo offers a free hearing check, but not an official audiogram performed by a licensed professional. Though easily accessible online, our audiologists did not find the hearing check to be accurate.
Fitting & Follow-Up Care: Eargo devices include access to lifetime support and remote adjustments. It scored poorly for its device fittings because devices are not custom-programmed based on ones individual hearing needs.
Device Safety: While Eargo is fully licensed by the FDA, not enough documentation was provided to ensure that industry-leading safety measures, including safe decibel limiting, were utilized.
How Do I Clean Eargo Hearing Aids
You can clean Eargo Neo HiFi hearing aids in four simple steps: Polish the stainless steel battery with a soft cloth. Next, brush around the microphone with the small cleaning brush thats included with each device. Then, brush the speakers on the tips of the hearing aids. Finally, wash your brush bristles with warm water and mild soap. For the other models, such as the Eargo 5 and Eargo 6, check the companys support articles, where the instructions are slightly different and include GIFs to help guide you.
Resources:
Great Product Excellent Customer Support
Yes, I very much enjoy my Eargo 6 hearing aids.It improves my ability to talk to people without asking them to repeat the sentence. They fit and sit perfectly the whole day without pain or discomfort.The customer care and support is amazing! Once a week I’m getting a follow up message with recommendation and supportive question.THUMB UP! to all designers, engineers and all who were involved.
Date of experience:October 23, 2022
Reply from Eargo
So happy to hear that you are enjoying your Eargo hearing aids and they’re making a difference in your life!
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Using My Eargo Hearing Aids
Eargo hearing systems are designed to be user-friendly. To insert a hearing aid, you pick up the device by the plastic removal thread, flip it over, and gently insert it into your 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 hand. The device will sit entirely inside your ear canal with the removal thread resting on your earlobe facing downwards.
To remove the device, grasp the removal thread and gently pull. The important thing with handling these devices is to treat them with care. They are delicate, so you dont want to jam them in or out of your ear.
Eargo devices work by pressure switches, so if you want to change sound profiles at any time, you simply tap on your ear. The method that worked best 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 amplification.
The Eargo mobile app can adjust bass and treble along with personalizing environment settings. Default audio environments include restaurants, crowds, theaters, and meetings.
Eargo Hearing Aids Cost And Payment Options
Eargo is a disruptive player in the hearing aid market, selling its high-tech devices online directly to customers at prices well below traditional brands. You can only purchase Eargo hearing aids in pairs, so the prices listed below are for two devices.
Eargo Max costs $1,450, with financing starting at $67 per month.
Eargo Neo HiFi costs $1,950, with financing starting at $90 per month.
Eargo 5 costs $2,450, with financing starting at $90 per month.
Eargo 6 costs $2,950, with financing starting at $85 per month.
The cost of Eargo hearing aids includes:
- Carrying case made of hard plastic, with a built-in charger
- Two Flexi Dome ear tips
- Wax guard and cleaning brush
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Are There Alternatives To Hearing Aids
Hearing amplifiers or personal sound amplification products, also known as PSAPs, are alternatives to hearing aids, but experts dont recommend them. Lindsey Jorgensen, AuD, PhD, and associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Dakota, cautioned that PSAPs are not personalized to a users hearing ability they are meant for people with normal hearing who have difficulty in specific listening situations.
The FDA states that hearing amplifiers are intended for people with normal hearing to amplify sounds in certain situations, such as recreational activities like birdwatching or hunting.
Jorgenson compared the way a hearing amplifier works to using the volume control on a TV both increase sound equally, rather than filtering out background noises or increasing specific types of sound the way a personalized hearing aid would.
These devices are cheaper because they have less advanced technology and capabilities than standard hearing aids. PSAPs may be a good option for some people, if PSAPs are the only devices that fit in their budget, but they are not recommended for people with moderate to profound hearing loss and could potentially cause more damage to the ears. Its important to take a hearing test before purchasing any type of assistive listening device. An audiologist or hearing aid professional can assist you in determining the best next steps based on your hearing loss.
Eargo Hearing Aids Review
The Hearing Health Foundation says 20 percent of Americans over the age of 12 have some degree of hearing difficulty, and that number increases to 50 percent of individuals over age 75. Thanks to the 2017 FDA Reauthorization Act, you can buy Eargo hearing aids without a prescription, but the company does not produce models for profound hearing loss. If youre not sure what type of hearing aids would work best for you, read our Hearing Aid Buyers Guide for tips. Eargo hearing aids are among the most effective and affordable models available, with the company selling directly to consumers to keep costs low.
Pros
- No models for profound hearing loss
- Batteries are rechargeable, but not replaceable
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Is Eargo Worth It
I loved the style and invisibility of Eargo hearing aids. They were extremely comfortable and I didnt even notice them in my ear. The price is also hard to beat for the quality of the device. With that said, Eargo hearing aids arent meant for profound hearing loss, so if you are among the millions of older adults with severe to profound hearing loss, 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 so they dont have to deal with replacing a more expensive battery down the line.
I do want to emphasize the stellar customer support from Eargo. Its a convenient and cost-effective alternative to an audiologist. Plus, Eargo employs licensed hearing professionals to answer technical support queries. The only downside is that they dont offer in-person cleaning and maintenance for devices, unlike some audiologists. However, Eargo makes up for this by offering a huge collection of user guides to help you maintain your hearing aids on your own.
All in all, the pricing and discounts help those who could benefit from hearing aids to realize there is a viable and cost-effective option. For these reasons, Eargo is one of my picks for this years best hearing aids.
Should I Use Eargo If I Dont Have Severe Hearing Loss
According to Eargo, they have designed their hearing aids to help mainly with mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss. These problems are usually due to typical wear and tear from noise and aging.
If youre unsure if Eargo can help you, you can use the hearing screening tool on the Eargo website to find out.
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Eargo Customer Service Experience
During multiple calls to customer service in one day, the touch tone prompts didnt work, forcing us to call back more than a dozen times. We were connected only one time with a customer service agent, who was courteous, knowledgeable and helpful. Several other times, the call prompt worked but disconnected after several minutes of being on hold. However, on a different day, we were able to get through to an Eargo representative right away.
The chat box on the Eargo website provides only automated answers and links to articles that might be helpful. To get questions answered by a real person, you must provide your phone number for a callback.
The Eargo Is Invisible It Doesnt Look
The Eargo is invisible it doesnt look like you have a prosthetic ear you can vary the sound for different and noisy locations no battery to Chang every day Ive tried the 6,000 aids at the hearing center and thy didnt cut it Neil
Date of experience:November 25, 2022
Reply from Eargo
We are so glad you tried Eargo and you’re happy with our hearing aids! Thank you for sharing.
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Cleaning And Maintaining Your Eargo Hearing Aids
Cleaning hearing aids ensures theyll continue to work properly. Eargo recommends daily and monthly cleaning routines. You can wash the flexi silicon tips with soap and water. Eargo recommends dropping the flexis into a small glass of hot water and adding a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Soak them for thirty minutes, rinse them off, and gently dry them with a paper towel. Use the included brush to clean any excess ear wax, especially around the microphone.
Pro Tip: Want to learn some tricks and tips on how to thoroughly clean your hearing aids? Read our hearing aid maintenance guide to learn how to take care of them.
Not all hearing aids are water-resistant, so be conscious about wearing them in the shower or in a pool. Additionally, always keep your hearing aids in their designated charging device when youre not using them, especially if you keep them in the bathroom. Bathrooms can be humid and the water may damage the devices over time.
If you accidentally get the hearing aids wet, immediately remove them and dry the devices with a cloth. Store them in a dry location for several hours. I accidentally wore mine in the shower once and this method worked for me. The Eargo warranty does cover a one-time replacement of damaged or lost devices for a $295 deductible fee.
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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How To Save Money On Hearing Aids
From hearing aid styles like in-the-canal and behind-the-ear models to advanced technology like fall detection, language translation, frequency lowering and tinnitus therapy, different factors can drive up the cost of hearing aids.
Murray explained that traditional hearing aid manufacturers like Oticon, Signia and Widex have a significant edge when it comes to sound quality and performance due to features such as frequency response and the number of channels in their hearing aids. He also noted that traditional hearing aids are programmed specifically for a patients diagnosed hearing loss as well as feedback from the patient during the fitting. Depending on what youre searching for in a hearing device, all of these factors can impact the cost.
Eargo is able to keep its costs lower because it is not providing in-person care. While the company doesnt program its devices prior to delivery, the Eargo hearing care team is available to instruct hearing aid users on how to adjust their devices through the Eargo app.
One way to potentially save some money and time is by requesting a nonfunctioning pair to try on at home before making your decision. Here are a few more ways you can save money on hearing aids or find reduced cost or free hearing aids.
Will Insurance Pay For My Hearing Aids
Medicare Part B does not cover hearing aids although some Medicare Advantage plans do offer a hearing aid benefit. And some insurance plans may cover certain costs associated with hearing aids, such as hearing tests. Check with your insurance company to verify the scope of your coverage.
You can also use funds from a flexible spending account or health savings account to help cover the costs of your hearing aids, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
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How The Eargo 6 Hearing Aids Work
The Eargo 6 hearing aids provide strong sound quality by amplifying speech and cancelling out noise.
The Eargo 6 hearing aids are specifically designed to service those suffering from mild-to- moderate and high-frequency hearing loss. They are technologically stellar products that pursue high-quality features such as extended-life microrechargeable batteries, water resistance, super-comfortable materials, and very tiny in-the-canal designs. The package comes with a carry case that doubles as a charging case/dock, a set of large and medium closed and open pedals, a USB-C charging cord, and cleaning supplies to help maintain the devices during use.
Once the hearing aids are fully charged, users begin the setup process through the Eargo app, which takes about 45 minutes to complete. The app features a hearing test with Sound Match Technology that matches your individual hearing profile with the hearing aids amplification abilities to eliminate your auditory difficulty as much as possible. After about two days of use, I found myself needing to charge the device. Fortunately, the carry case doubles as a portable recharging station, capable of fully replenishing the hearing aids batteries while away from an outlet.
Eargo Online Hearing Test
Eargo offers a free online hearing screening to give you general information about your hearing. An important thing to note is that it cannot diagnose the cause of your hearing loss, it can only tell you what your current level of hearing is and whether you might be a candidate for hearing aids.
To take the test, youll be prompted with a few setup questions and tips, such as the type of earbuds or headphones youll be using, the best location to take the test Eargo suggests a quiet area or room for best results and making sure that your left and right earbuds are in the correct ears, since each ear is tested individually.
Then, youll test the level of sound each ear is able to pick up by clicking the I hear that button when you hear a tone .
Figure 1 A Member of Our Reviews Team Taking the Eargo Online Hearing Screening
After testing both ears, the screening program will ask you additional questions, such as your birth year, whether you find it challenging to understand someone who talks softly and whether your hearing prevents you from socializing as much as you would like.
Finally, you can choose to either listen to a hearing simulator of different listening environments to get an idea of how life would sound with improved hearing, or you can go straight to your results page. To see your results, youll need to enter your first and last name, email and phone number.
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The Eargo Hifi Hearing Aids I Purchased
The Eargo hifi hearing aids I purchased have been an unexpectedly rewarding change in my life. I am now able to hear sounds clearly that slowly were stolen from me. Now I can hear soft voices, enjoy listening to people talk in crowds or groups, can hear music, especially classical where I can differentiate among the different instruments. I’m 86 and never thought I could hear these sounds again. And three pluses. The price is reasonable. The hearing aids are easy to use, insert, adjust, clean and store. And the staff and tech support are friendly, helpful, professional and quick to respond with advice, service and free products. Do as this octogenarian did: Buy the Ergo hearing aids. They will change your life for the better.
Date of experience:December 07, 2022
Reply from Eargo
We couldn’t ask for better feedback… “they will change your life for the better.” Thank you so much for sharing your Eargo experience!
Customer Service And Payment Options
You can contact Eargo customer service by phone at 855-205-5599, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT.
The website also has an FAQ section and a watch and learn video library to help with your devices and with using the Eargo mobile app.
You can purchase a pair of Eargo hearing aids with PayPal or any major credit card . On the payment screen, youll have the option to split your payment between two cards. The company also offers financing through a third-party lender called Bread.
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Eargo Hearing Aid Models
Eargo offers four models: Eargo Max, Eargo Neo HiFi, Eargo 5, and Eargo 6. The biggest difference between them is the sound quality. Eargo 6s 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.
Another thing to consider is that the Eargo Neo HiFi, Eargo 5, and Eargo 6 models can connect to a mobile app for enhanced audio control and to personalize your audio profile on the go. This technology allows you to flip through various sound environments so that the sound quality is good whether youre in a movie theater or quiet room.