Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Hear.com Horizon Go IX

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid released in 2025, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5 in our lab testing. At $250, it sits in the most affordable price tier of OTC devices, though its overall sound performance ranks #49 of 65 in the category. This device delivers standout performance in music streaming, scoring a strong 4.3/5—a full 2.38 points above the category average. Feedback handling is equally impressive at 5.0/5, meaning users can expect excellent stability without whistling or squealing during normal use. These strengths make the AirPods Pro 3 particularly appealing for users who prioritize media consumption alongside hearing assistance. However, speech clarity presents a more mixed picture. Speech in quiet scores 2.3/5, falling 0.53 points below the category average. Speech in noise measures 1.8/5, which is above the category average but still low in absolute terms. Own-voice comfort also trails at 1.9/5, sitting 0.61 points below typical OTC performance. The AirPods Pro 3 is best suited for users already invested in the Apple ecosystem who want hearing assistance combined with premium streaming quality. Those prioritizing speech understanding in conversations may want to explore alternatives like the Apple AirPods Pro 2, which scores higher overall at a lower listed price, or the Elehear Beyond at the top of this price range.

The Hear.com Horizon Go IX is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2024, listed at $6,500. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, ranking #17 among 36 prescription hearing aids tested. This device demonstrates particular strength in speech clarity. Speech in quiet scored a strong 4.0/5, which is +0.72 points above the category average. Speech in noise performance also exceeded the category average by +0.61 points, though at 2.6/5 the absolute score remains mixed—meaning it handles challenging listening environments better than many competitors but still has room for improvement in demanding situations. The most notable limitation is own-voice comfort, scoring 1.8/5—a low result that falls 0.95 points below the category average. Users sensitive to how their own voice sounds may find this particularly noticeable. Feedback handling is strong in absolute terms at 4.4/5, though it sits slightly below the category average by 0.31 points. Music streaming performance is mixed at 2.7/5, essentially matching the category average. At this price point, the Horizon Go IX faces stiff competition. Same-price alternatives like the Phonak Sphere Infinio (5.0/5) and Oticon Intent (4.85/5) deliver higher overall sound performance. Budget-conscious shoppers might also consider options like the Rexton Reach R-Li T80 at Costco, which achieves a higher score at a lower price. The Horizon Go IX is best suited for those prioritizing speech clarity who can accept the own-voice trade-off and prefer the hear.com service model.