Eargo Link vs Nuance Audio Glasses

The Eargo Link is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid released in 2024, earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing. At $799, it ranks #15 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 22% of the category. In our testing, the Eargo Link demonstrates notable strengths in music streaming, scoring 4.4/5—a strong result that sits 2.48 points above the category average. This makes it a standout choice for users who prioritize audio quality when streaming from their phone. Speech performance is solid, with speech in quiet measuring 3.2/5 (0.42 points above average) and speech in noise at 2.0/5 (0.54 points above average, though mixed in absolute terms). Feedback handling is excellent at 4.7/5. The main limitation is own-voice comfort, which scores 1.3/5—a low result that falls 1.21 points below the category average. Users sensitive to the sound of their own voice may find this challenging, particularly with the closed dome configuration used in the tuned fit. The Eargo Link supports both iPhone and Android streaming with hands-free capability and uses rechargeable batteries. It's best suited for those who value exceptional music streaming quality and solid speech clarity, and who can tolerate some own-voice occlusion. Competitors in this price range include higher-scoring options like the Yeasound RIC800 and Sony CRE-E10, though the Eargo Link's streaming performance remains a differentiator.

The Nuance Audio Glasses represent a distinctive entry in the premium OTC hearing aid market at $1,200, combining prescription eyewear functionality with hearing amplification in a single device. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, this hearing glasses design earned a SoundScore of 4.0/5 (A grade), ranking #20 among 65 OTC hearing aids tested. The standout strength of the Nuance Audio Glasses is exceptional own-voice comfort, scoring 4.7/5—an excellent result that sits 2.19 points above the OTC category average of 2.51/5. Speech clarity in quiet environments also performs well at 3.8/5, which is 1.05 points above average. Speech understanding in noisy situations scores 2.3/5, which is above the category average of 1.48/5, though still mixed in absolute terms. Notable limitations exist with this unique form factor. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, falling 1.92 points below the category average—a significant weakness for users who prioritize audio entertainment. Feedback handling at 2.0/5 also trails the category average by 2.54 points, indicating mixed stability performance in our standardized challenge tests. The Nuance Audio Glasses are best suited for consumers who want a discreet, all-in-one solution combining vision correction and hearing assistance, particularly those who prioritize natural own-voice quality and speech clarity over streaming media capabilities. Buyers seeking robust music streaming should consider alternatives in this price range.