Audien Atom Pro 2 vs Hear.com Horizon Go IX

The Audien Atom Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5 in our lab testing. Available for $289, this visible-in-ear device delivers solid performance in some areas while showing limitations in others. In our testing, the Atom Pro 2 demonstrated excellent feedback handling, scoring a perfect 5.0/5—0.46 points above the OTC category average. This means users can expect stable performance without whistling during typical daily activities. Own-voice comfort scored 2.6/5, slightly above the category average, suggesting acceptable naturalness when speaking. However, speech clarity presents a mixed picture. Speech in quiet scored 2.3/5 (0.49 points below category average), and speech in noise scored a low 1.3/5 (0.16 points below average). The most significant limitation is music streaming, which scored 0.0/5—nearly 2 points below the category average—indicating this device is not suitable for those who want to stream audio from their phone. At this price point, several alternatives offer stronger overall performance, including the Elehear Beyond and Apple AirPods Pro 2. The Atom Pro 2 may suit budget-conscious consumers who prioritize feedback-free operation over streaming capabilities and don't need maximum speech clarity. Those seeking better speech performance or any music streaming should consider higher-scoring options in this price range.

The Hear.com Horizon Go IX is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $6,500. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, ranking #19 among 39 prescription hearing aids tested. Speech performance is a clear strength for the Horizon Go IX. It scores 4.0/5 in speech-in-quiet conditions—0.64 points above the category average—delivering strong audibility in conversational settings. Speech-in-noise performance also exceeds the category average by 0.46 points, though at 2.6/5 the absolute score remains mixed, meaning challenging listening environments may still pose difficulties. Own-voice comfort is the device's most notable weakness, scoring just 1.8/5—a low result that falls 0.90 points below the category average. Users sensitive to how their own voice sounds may find this limiting. Feedback handling scores 4.4/5, which is strong in absolute terms, though slightly below the category average of 4.72/5. Music streaming performance is essentially average at 2.7/5. At this price point, shoppers face stiff competition. Several alternatives in the same premium tier—including the Phonak Sphere Infinio, Oticon Intent, and Widex Allure RIC 440—deliver higher overall scores. Devices like the Rexton Reach R-Li T80 at Costco offer comparable or better sound performance at lower prices. The Horizon Go IX is best suited for users who prioritize speech clarity and have access to this product through hear.com's network, but those flexible on brand should compare alternatives before committing.