Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs HearingAssist Eaze

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 HearingAssist Eaze is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid released in 2023, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.4/5 in our lab testing. At $399, it sits in the most affordable price tier of the OTC market, though it ranks #43 of 65 devices in its category. In our standardized testing, the Eaze demonstrates excellent feedback handling, scoring a perfect 5.0/5—0.46 points above the category average. This means users can expect stable performance without whistling during typical daily activities. However, the device shows limitations in other areas: speech clarity scores are mixed at 2.6/5 in quiet and low at 1.3/5 in noisy environments, both falling slightly below category averages. The most significant limitation is music streaming, which scored 0.0/5—nearly 2 points below the category average. Buyers who prioritize phone streaming for music or media should consider alternatives. Own-voice comfort is also mixed at 2.2/5, approximately 0.31 points below average for OTC devices. At this price point, shoppers have several higher-scoring alternatives to consider, including the Elehear Beyond and Apple AirPods Pro 2, which offer stronger overall performance. The HearingAssist Eaze may suit budget-conscious buyers who prioritize feedback stability over streaming capabilities and can accept modest speech performance in challenging listening situations.