Is Eargo A Hearing Aid Or Amplifier

Some Customer Complaints About Eargo

Eargo gets consistently high reviews from verified purchasers, but there are a few complaints. These concerns were mentioned on third-party review sites:

• Occasional high-pitched sound: Reviewers mentioned a whining or squealing sound, possibly due to feedback. This can result when amplified sounds from the hearing aid speaker are picked up again by the microphone.

  Of note, the latest generation of Eargo hearing aids, the Eargo 5 and the Neo HiFi, have more advanced feedback cancellation technology than the Max and Neo models.

• Does not work for more severe hearing loss:Users with severe high-frequency or profound hearing loss complain that the Eargo hearing aids don’t improve their hearing.

  This is not a complaint unique to Eargo devices, however. Most hearing aids purchased online without the expertise of an audiologist are not designed to treat profound hearing loss. People with more severe hearing issues typically need consultation with an audiologist to help them choose the proper device and tailor the settings specifically for their type and degree of hearing loss.

Hearing Aids Vs Hearing ‘amplifiers’

Personal sound amplification products are sold online under many different names, including “hearing aid amplifier,””hearing amplifier aid,””sound amplifier,””digital sound amplifier” and “voice amplifier.” Designs vary, but some models look nearly exactly like hearing aids.

Both hearing aids and personal sound amplifiers amplify sound however, there are major differences between the two products:

• Hearing aids are Class 1 medical devices regulated by the FDA. They are customized to a person’s hearing loss and are available from hearing healthcare professionals.
• PSAPs can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription or hearing evaluation. They’re not customized to a person’s unique hearing loss pattern.

Due to changes in federal law and deregulation of hearings, manufacturers also will soon be allowed to sell and market “over-the-counter” hearing aids, too. Whether these forthcoming devices will, technology-wise, be more like hearing aids or more like personal hearing amplifiers remains to be seen.

Not Your Grandmothers Hearing Test

Because Eargo has defined their niche very well, they can easily recommend which of several stock settings will work for you. With a combination of an online hearing test and extensive interactive interviews, their remote hearing care professionals select the configuration most likely to meet your needs and ship the hearing aids and charger to you. You can adjust them further once you receive them.

For their mid- and top-tier products, a smartphone app allows for even fuller sound customization. If youd rather have an expert assist you, Eargo offers the option to remotely program the devices in a telemedicine format. This live or synchronous type of telehealth is, in my experience, also different from the typical manufacturer.

Quick Tip: If you’re new to hearing aids and hearing tests, you’re not alone! Visit our 2021 hearing aid buyer’s guide to learn everything you need to know before purchasing a pair of hearing aids.

During my conversation with their in-house folks, I pressed them about what happens if a person is not quite right for the predetermined configurations. They were quite clear that they only want to fit individuals who will succeed and refer those falling outside of their lane to a partner audiologist for a more traditional hearing evaluation. If someone is on the fence, they may require a copy of a traditional hearing test before making a final determination of candidacy.

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About Eargo Hearing Aids

In 2017, Eargo released its first hearing aid, the Eargo Plus. It released the Eargo Max, the company’s popular entry-level hearing aid, in 2018, and following shortly after, the Eargo Neo and Neo HiFi in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Its latest line, Eargo 5, launched July 2021 as the company’s most advanced hearing aid to date.

The most common type of hearing loss is known as sensorineural hearing loss, and it’s often associated with aging. It can’t be cured, but it can be treated with a hearing aid. Because their tiny size and sleek design make them virtually undetectable to others, Eargo hearing aids can improve your mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss and eliminate the stigma sometimes associated with hearing aids.

What Should I Expect Hearing People In Noise

Within the first couple of weeks of acclimating to your Eargo devices and to sounds you may not have heard for a while your ability to understand speech should start to improve. After the first few weeks, many people find that its easier to hold a conversation in noisy environments.

Here are some helpful Listening Strategies you can use to get the most of your Eargos in those tricky listening environments.

Have an mobile app compatible Eargo model? Try using the Restaurant program when listening to conversation in noise.

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Bose Vs Other Competitors

The market for online, direct-to-consumer hearing aids is not new. Four companies stand out as reputable brands in this area: Lively, Audicus, Eargo, and MDHearingAid. All four sell hearing aids with more features and arguably better technology than Bose, plus they offer better warranties and service.

Which Features Are Important

In our survey, 53 percent of people who wear hearing aids said that rechargeable batteries were one of the most important features they looked for when purchasing a hearing aid. Smartphone capabilities or tinnitus masking was noted as most important by 43 percent, and 42 percent said automatic noise level adjustment was most important.

Forty-one percent said that the option of multiple program settings was one of the most important features they looked for. Forty percent mentioned advanced microphone features, and 37 percent said wireless connectivity to other devices was most important. Other key features, according to hearing aid experts, include the following:

TelecoilAn option on many modern hearing aids, a telecoil is a small sensor or copper wire that is placed in the hearing aid. When activated, it wirelessly picks up a magnetic signal from hearing-aid-compatible telephones and public address systemssuch as those that may be in conference rooms, concert halls, museums, taxis, and even subway trainsand converts that energy into sound. An audio induction loop, or hearing loop, which is a wire that circles a telecoil-compatible room or space, emits the signal that the telecoil picks up.

Digital Noise Reduction Improves listener comfort and communication in noisy environments by blocking out some background noise. This makes it easier to hear and understand speech, though it is not a fix for all situations.

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How Does Eargo Work

According to their website, the creators of the Eargo Plus Hearing Aids wanted to make a new hearing aid that were nearly invisible, so comfortable you could forget you were wearing them, and provided customers with a crisp, natural sound.

To do this, they created their Flexi Fibers which give their hearing aids their unusual appearance. These flexible fibers hold the Eargo in place so that it floats inside your ear, which they say makes their product virtually invisible.

The Flexi Fivers also let low frequency sounds, or bass, pass through so that only high frequency sounds, or treble, will need to be amplified. They claim that the result is a much more natural sound than from other hearing aids. & nbsp

Finally, Eargo Hearing Aids arrive to your home ready to use right out of the box, and the promise to provide their customers with a user guide and some How-To videos, but if you need any additional help they are always available to provide some support.

If you are not sure that this product is right for you, you can contact their Customer Service team and speak with a representative, or you can order a free, non-working sample to try the fit for yourself.

Eargo Features And Tools

• Several factory-set sound profiles

• Rechargeable batteries: 16 hours of use on an overnight charge, and 3 hours on a 30-minute quick charge

• Small size

• Silicone tips to comfortably hold the hearing aid in the ear canal

• Smartphone app with Neo, Neo HiFi, and 5 models

• Noise and wind reduction and feedback cancellation for clear sound quality

• Remote support options to allow users to receive updates and adjustments from the manufacturer

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Eargo Neo Hearing Amplifier Review

The Eargo NEO hearing amplifier promises to be a revolution in the hearing amplifier space. In a nutshell, Eargo has bridged the gap between hearing aids and hearing amplifiers. Although there are some differences between hearing aids and hearing amplifiers, the end result for most people is the same. With the Eargo NEO, you can buy a hearing amplifier with hearing aid amenities. You get lifetime support, remote adjustments, great sound quality and amazing engineering quality.

Yes, the Eargo NEO is more expensive than many other hearing amplifiers, but its still cheaper than most hearing aids. The question of course is whether the Eargo NEO is worth all that money. Are these hearing amplifiers overpriced or do they truly offer that much more than their competition?

In this review for the Eargo NEO hearing amplifier, Ill answer these questions. Well look at the key features of these devices, find out how well they work in practice, and discuss any downsides you may experience from wearing the NEO amplifiers on a daily basis. All my findings are summarized in a 30-second visual review, that can be found at the bottom of this page.

Links in this article pointing to another website might be affiliate links. If you purchase something on those websites, I may receive a small commission. This doesnt affect your price nor my review.

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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Where Can I Buy Eargo Hearing Aids

You can order from the site with confidence as Eargo provides a 1 year warranty. 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.

They accept payments split between two credit or debit cards or from an HSA debit card. If you are having difficulty affording the cost of hearing aids, you can apply for customer financing on Eargos website. Terms are for 12 to 36 months with rates from interest-free to 29.99 percent.

Eargo Hearing Aid Models

Eargo has been described as a disruptor in the hearing aid space, selling nearly invisible in-the-ear hearing aids directly to consumers, without the need for an audiologist prescription. The entire process, from hearing screening to fitting, to post-purchase support, is done online.

The hearing aids themselves are modeled after fishing flies, with a set of silicone tips that allow the devices to float within the ear canal. Eargo sells four rechargeable models, all with several amplification profiles for different sound environments.

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What’s The Difference Between Sensorineural And Conductive Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when individuals experience problems in their inner ear or their auditory nerve that delivers sound to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss is generally treatable with hearing aids or cochlear implants. Conductive hearing loss implies that sound cannot travel through the outer and middle ear and therefore does not even reach the inner ear, due to an obstruction or damage. Conductive hearing loss is usually treated by surgery depending on the extent of damage or obstruction. With conductive hearing loss individuals may struggle to hear soft sounds and loud noises are muffled.

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Free Sample Program And Lifetime Support

Eargo has a unique free sample program. If you want to test the fit and feel of the hearing aids before you buy, you can request a free non-working sample to wear.

All Eargo hearing aids come with lifetime personal support from the company’s team of licensed hearing professionals. Your hearing aids arrive with an appointment for a welcome call with a member of the hearing team. You learn how to wear, fit, adjust, charge, and care for your hearing aids.

There’s a comprehensive “watch and learn” video library and FAQ section on the Eargo website with answers to common troubleshooting questions. The entire hearing aid user manual is also available to download. Live customer support is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. .

Eargo offers a 45-day, no-questions-asked return policy, which is one of the longest in the industry.

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Hearing Care Provider Can Help With Either

A hearing care professional can help youfind the best solution to your hearing loss.

While you might be tempted to opt for a cheaper piece of equipment when your hearing begins to fail, experts caution against making that decision without the help of a qualified hearing healthcare professional.

Theres a difference between the cost of something and the value, Dr. Danchak said. What concerns me the most about PSAPs is that they may give people the false notion that hearing devices really dont help when in fact, professionally fit and customized premium devices can help in a wide variety of settings.

may give people the false notion that hearing devices really dont help when in fact, professionally fit and customized premium devices can help in a wide variety of settings.

She said hearing aid costs are due to the years of research and equipment needed to meet FDA requirements and to make a product that can withstand years of use in a waxy, moist environment along with the service the hearing care professional provides over the life of the hearing aid, which is generally around five years.

PSAPs do not have to deal with any of this because they are not Class 1 medical devices, she added. They truly dont address or help the consumer hear better or understand more clearly in all their daily environments.

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Buying A Hearing Aid Online

Having the ability to buy hearing aids online is a huge win for buyers it eliminates some barriers that may prevent people from seeking care for their hearing loss. However, it’s important to consider that buying hearing aids online isn’t for everyone.

In some cases, hearing loss may be caused by a medical problem. Consultation with a medical doctor and an audiologist prior to buying hearing aids would uncover potential medical causes for your hearing difficulty. Buying hearing aids without that intervention may allow an underlying medical problem to persist.

It’s also important to keep in mind that your ability to find the right hearing aid for your needs may depend on your specific type and severity of hearing loss. Hearing aids that are bought through an audiologist are programmed individually for each person, according to the specifics of their audiogram . Many online hearing aid companies have an audiologist who will interpret audiograms and program hearing aids accordingly, but others do not.

If you aren’t sure what type of hearing aid you need, speak with an audiologist or hearing aid specialist who can guide you in the right direction.

Key Features Of Bose Hearing Aids

Innovative technology, user-friendly apps, affordability, and accessible customer service are just a few key features to consider when shopping for a hearing aid. Because Bose devices do not require a hearing test or a visit to an audiologist, they lack some of the advanced features you’ll find with other hearing aids. However, the Bose SoundControl still has some benefits that are worth pointing out.

• Direct-to-consumer sale: Companies that sell direct-to-consumer products handle everything from the sale, shipment, and aftercare of an item. Unlike medical-grade FDA-approved hearing aids that must be purchased through a licensed audiologist or hearing center, the SoundControl is available to consumers directly. No appointment necessary.

• Behind-the-ear design: Bose hearing aids are a behind-the-ear style, and each device weighs approximately 3 grams. The hearing aids contain two microphones, one speaker, and a replaceable zinc-air battery.

• Self-fitting hearing aid: Your hearing aid comes with a kit containing all the products and tools you need to ensure a proper fit. This includes three sizes of ear tips, a fitting tool, and batteries. The ear tips come in a set of open and closed tips.

• Water-resistant: The hearing aids won’t be damaged if they come into contact with water, but it’s best to keep them dry and protected from prolonged exposure.

• Replaceable batteries: The Bose hearing aids use replaceable size 312 zinc-air batteries, which last four days with standard use .

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