Eargo SE vs Yeasound RIC800

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 Yeasound RIC800 is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.7/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 2% of the OTC hearing aid category and ranking #2 out of 65 devices tested. Priced at $659, this behind-the-ear rechargeable device delivers strong performance that competes favorably against other options in its price range. In our testing, the RIC800 demonstrated strong speech clarity in quiet environments, scoring 4.4/5—a full 1.63 points above the category average of 2.79. Speech understanding in noisy situations scored 2.4/5, which is 0.93 points above the category average but remains mixed in absolute terms. This pattern is common even among higher-scoring OTC devices, where challenging noise environments continue to be difficult. Streaming quality stands out as a particular strength, scoring 4.3/5—an impressive 2.38 points above the category average of 1.92. Feedback handling was excellent at 5.0/5. However, own-voice comfort scored 2.1/5, falling 0.41 points below the category average, which some users may notice during conversations. The RIC800 supports both iPhone and Android streaming and features rechargeable batteries. It earned a 2025 Expert's Choice Award. Among similarly priced competitors like the Sony CRE-E10 (4.66/5) and Lexie B2 Plus (4.41/5), the Yeasound RIC800 leads in overall sound performance. This device is best suited for those prioritizing speech clarity and music streaming quality who can accept some own-voice trade-offs.