Eargo Link vs ReSound OMNIA RIE

The Eargo Link is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 22% of the OTC hearing aid category. At $799, this visible-in-ear style device offers a balance of solid speech performance and exceptional streaming capabilities. In our testing, the Eargo Link demonstrated strong music streaming quality, scoring 2.48 points above the category average—a standout result for consumers who prioritize audio entertainment. Speech in quiet environments also performed well at 0.42 points above average, while speech in noise scored above the category average but remained mixed in absolute terms at 2.0/5. Feedback handling was excellent at 4.7/5. The most notable limitation is own-voice comfort, which scored 1.3/5—significantly below the category average by 1.21 points. Users sensitive to hearing their own voice may find this distracting, particularly with the closed dome configuration used in our tuned fit. The Eargo Link features rechargeable batteries and supports both iPhone and Android streaming with hands-free functionality. It's best suited for consumers who value premium streaming audio quality and solid speech clarity in quieter settings, and who can tolerate some own-voice compromise. Those prioritizing speech in noise or own-voice comfort may want to consider alternatives like the Sony CRE-E10 or Lexie B2 Plus in this price range.

The ReSound OMNIA RIE is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2022, currently available at $4,498. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.9/5, ranking #31 of 39 devices in the prescription hearing aid category. This device shows notable strengths in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 3.7/5—a solid result that sits 0.34 points above the category average. Own-voice comfort also performs above average at 3.0/5, which may appeal to users who find their own voice bothersome in other devices. Feedback handling is strong in absolute terms at 4.1/5, though it falls 0.62 points below the category average of 4.72/5. The OMNIA RIE's most significant limitation is speech in noise performance, scoring just 1.0/5—a low result that trails the category average by 1.11 points. For users who frequently encounter challenging listening environments like restaurants or group conversations, this represents a meaningful gap compared to alternatives. Music streaming scores a mixed 2.7/5, essentially matching the category average. The device offers flexible power options with both rechargeable and disposable batteries, plus streaming compatibility with iPhone and Android devices including hands-free functionality. However, at this premium price point, several competitors deliver stronger overall performance, including options from Phonak, Oticon, and Widex. The OMNIA RIE may suit users who prioritize quiet-environment clarity and own-voice comfort over noise-handling capabilities.