Eargo 8 vs Signia Active Pro IX

The Eargo 8 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid featuring an invisible-in-ear design with rechargeable batteries, priced at $2,399. In our lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.4/5, placing it in the top 71% of the OTC Hearing Aid category. Sound performance presents a mixed picture. The Eargo 8 delivers solid speech-in-quiet performance at 3.1/5, scoring 0.27 points above the category average—making it a reasonable choice for conversational settings without background noise. Own-voice comfort is another strength, measuring 0.69 points above average at 3.2/5, which may appeal to users who are sensitive to hearing their own voice through hearing aids. Feedback handling is strong in absolute terms at 4.2/5, though slightly below the category average. However, the device shows notable weaknesses in challenging listening environments. Speech-in-noise performance is low at 1.2/5, falling 0.27 points below the category average—users who frequently encounter noisy restaurants, busy offices, or social gatherings may find this limiting. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, significantly below the category average, making this device unsuitable for users who prioritize audio entertainment through their hearing aids. The Eargo 8 is best suited for users who prioritize discreet, invisible-in-ear styling and primarily need assistance in quieter conversational settings. However, at this premium price point, buyers should be aware that similarly-priced alternatives and even some lower-cost options may offer comparable or better overall sound performance.

The Signia Active Pro IX is a premium prescription hearing aid with a visible-in-ear style, priced at $3,199. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.7/5, ranking #7 among 36 prescription hearing aids tested—placing it in the top 17% of its category. This 2024 release demonstrates particular strength in speech performance. Speech in quiet scored a strong 4.3/5, sitting 0.93 points above the category average. Speech in noise measured 2.9/5, which is above the category average by 0.89 points, though only mixed in absolute terms. Own-voice comfort scored a solid 3.3/5, exceeding the category average by 0.55 points. Feedback handling presents a more nuanced picture at 3.4/5—solid in absolute terms, though 1.31 points below the category average. Music streaming scored 2.9/5, slightly above the category average but mixed overall. The device features rechargeable batteries, iPhone and Android streaming, and hands-free calling capabilities. The Signia Active Pro IX is best suited for those prioritizing speech clarity who want a discreet earbud-style design. It earned HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award for 2024. Shoppers in this premium price tier may also consider the Phonak Sphere Infinio or Oticon Intent, which scored higher in our testing, or explore options like the Rexton Reach at Costco for similar performance at a lower price point.