Eargo 7 vs Resound Vivia 9 60S microRIE

The Eargo 7 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid at $2,550, featuring an invisible-in-ear design with rechargeable batteries. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.5/5, placing it in the top 57% of the OTC hearing aid category. Speech performance in quiet environments is a strength for the Eargo 7, scoring 3.1/5—0.33 points above the category average. Own-voice comfort also exceeds the category average by 0.39 points, though at 2.9/5 it remains mixed in absolute terms. However, speech understanding in noisy environments presents a limitation, scoring 1.0/5, which falls 0.44 points below the category average. A significant drawback is the complete absence of music streaming capability, scoring 0.0/5—nearly 2 points below the category average. Feedback handling is solid at 3.8/5 in absolute terms, though it falls 0.74 points below the category average for OTC devices. The Eargo 7 may appeal to users who prioritize a discreet, nearly invisible form factor and primarily need assistance in quieter listening situations. However, consumers seeking strong noise performance or music streaming should be aware of these limitations, particularly given the premium price point. Several alternatives at lower price points achieve higher overall scores in our testing.

The Resound Vivia 9 60S microRIE is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2025, currently available at $3,798. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.9/5, ranking #27 of 36 prescription hearing aids tested. This device demonstrates a mixed performance profile in our testing. Own-voice comfort is a notable strength, scoring 3.4/5—a solid result that sits 0.65 points above the category average, which may appeal to users sensitive to the hollow or boomy sound of their own speech. Speech clarity in quiet environments also performs well at 3.4/5, slightly above the category average. However, the Vivia 9 shows significant limitations in challenging listening situations. Speech in noise scored just 1.1/5, falling 0.81 points below the prescription hearing aid average—a substantial gap that suggests difficulty in restaurants, group conversations, or other noisy environments. Feedback handling, while strong in absolute terms at 4.2/5, still lands 0.51 points below what we typically see from prescription devices. Music streaming quality is mixed at 2.6/5, essentially matching the category average. At this premium price point, the Vivia 9 faces stiff competition. Several same-priced alternatives, including the Phonak Sphere Infinio and Oticon Intent, achieved notably higher overall scores in our testing. Consumers prioritizing noise performance may want to explore these options or consider lower-priced alternatives like the Sennheiser All Day Clear that delivered stronger overall results in our lab.