Audicus Omni 2 vs GoHearing Ultra

The Audicus Omni 2 is a premium-priced behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid available for $1,898. With a SoundScore of 4.6/5 and an A grade, it ranks #5 among 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 6% of its category. In our lab testing, the Omni 2 demonstrates strong speech clarity in quiet environments, scoring 4.2/5—well above the category average by 1.38 points. Speech in noise performance is more modest at 2.3/5, which is above the category average by 0.79 points but mixed in absolute terms. This pattern suggests the device handles everyday conversations well while challenging listening situations may still present difficulty. Music streaming is a particular strength, scoring 3.6/5 and exceeding the category average by a substantial 1.68 points. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.5/5, virtually matching the category average. Own-voice comfort scores a solid 3.0/5, which is 0.49 points above average for OTC devices. The Omni 2 offers both rechargeable and disposable battery options, along with streaming compatibility for iPhone and Android devices with hands-free capability. It has earned Expert's Choice Awards for both 2023 and 2024. Consumers seeking alternatives in this price range may also consider the similarly-priced Lucid Tala, while the lower-priced Lexie B3 offers competitive performance for those with tighter budgets.

The GoHearing Ultra is a budget-priced behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.1/5 in our lab testing. At $499, it sits in the most affordable price tier of the OTC market, though its overall sound performance ranks #58 of 65 devices in its category. In our testing, the Ultra shows a distinctive performance profile with significant strengths and weaknesses. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, scoring 0.46 points above the category average—users can expect stable operation without whistling during typical wear. Music streaming quality is also a genuine strength at 3.6/5, performing 1.68 points above average, making it notably better for phone audio than most OTC devices. However, speech clarity scores reveal meaningful limitations. Speech in quiet environments measured just 1.0/5, which is 1.79 points below the category average and low in absolute terms. Speech in noise similarly scored 1.0/5, falling 0.48 points below average. Own-voice comfort rated 1.9/5, also below the category norm. These results suggest the Ultra may struggle to deliver the speech audibility improvements that many users prioritize. The GoHearing Ultra may suit budget-conscious consumers who primarily want reliable streaming audio and feedback-free operation, and who have modest expectations for speech enhancement. However, several competitors in the same price range—including the Elehear Beyond and Apple AirPods Pro 2—deliver substantially stronger overall sound performance. Users prioritizing speech clarity should consider these alternatives despite similar pricing.