Eargo SE vs Sontro Soundwave

The Eargo SE is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid at $1,699, featuring an invisible-in-ear design and earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.1/5 in our lab testing. This places it in the top 85% of the OTC hearing aid category, ranking #56 of 65 devices tested. In our testing, the Eargo SE demonstrated solid performance in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 3.2/5—0.43 points above the category average. Feedback handling was excellent at 4.6/5, meaning users should experience stable performance without whistling issues. However, the device showed limitations in challenging listening situations, with speech in noise scoring 1.3/5, which falls 0.23 points below the category average. A notable weakness is the complete absence of music streaming capability, scoring 0.0/5 compared to the category average of 1.92/5. Own-voice comfort scored 2.4/5, slightly below the category average. These mixed results suggest the Eargo SE prioritizes its discreet form factor over comprehensive audio features. The Eargo SE may appeal to users who prioritize an invisible design and primarily need help hearing conversations in quieter settings. However, given its premium price point and the availability of alternatives like the Jabra Enhance Select 50R that deliver stronger overall scores at lower prices, value-conscious consumers may want to explore other options before committing.

The Sontro Soundwave is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.0/5 in our lab testing. At $849, this behind-the-ear device uses disposable batteries and sits in the lower tier of OTC performance, ranking #61 of 65 devices in its category. The Soundwave's strongest attribute is own-voice comfort, scoring 3.6/5—a solid result that sits 1.09 points above the OTC category average. This makes it relatively comfortable for wearers who are sensitive to hearing their own voice sound unnatural or boomy. However, other performance areas present significant limitations. Speech clarity scores are below average in both quiet and noisy environments. Speech in quiet scores 2.7/5 (0.12 points below average), while speech in noise drops to 1.2/5 (0.28 points below average). Feedback handling is a notable weakness at 2.5/5, falling 2.04 points below the category average of 4.54/5. Perhaps most limiting is the music streaming score of 0.0/5, indicating this device does not support phone audio streaming—a feature many competitors in this price range offer. Consumers prioritizing own-voice comfort on a moderate budget may find the Soundwave acceptable, but those seeking strong speech clarity or streaming capability should consider alternatives. Several higher-performing OTC devices are available at similar or lower price points, including options like the Lexie Lumen or HearingAssist Control that deliver comparable or better overall sound quality.