Hear.com Horizon Go IX vs HearingAssist Control

The Hear.com Horizon Go IX is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $6,500. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, ranking #19 among 39 prescription hearing aids tested. Speech performance is a clear strength for the Horizon Go IX. It scores 4.0/5 in speech-in-quiet conditions—0.64 points above the category average—delivering strong audibility in conversational settings. Speech-in-noise performance also exceeds the category average by 0.46 points, though at 2.6/5 the absolute score remains mixed, meaning challenging listening environments may still pose difficulties. Own-voice comfort is the device's most notable weakness, scoring just 1.8/5—a low result that falls 0.90 points below the category average. Users sensitive to how their own voice sounds may find this limiting. Feedback handling scores 4.4/5, which is strong in absolute terms, though slightly below the category average of 4.72/5. Music streaming performance is essentially average at 2.7/5. At this price point, shoppers face stiff competition. Several alternatives in the same premium tier—including the Phonak Sphere Infinio, Oticon Intent, and Widex Allure RIC 440—deliver higher overall scores. Devices like the Rexton Reach R-Li T80 at Costco offer comparable or better sound performance at lower prices. The Horizon Go IX is best suited for users who prioritize speech clarity and have access to this product through hear.com's network, but those flexible on brand should compare alternatives before committing.

The HearingAssist Control is a mid-priced OTC behind-the-ear hearing aid available at $549. In our lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5, placing it in the top 77% of OTC hearing aids tested. This device demonstrates solid speech performance, scoring above the category average in both quiet and noisy environments. Speech in quiet earned a solid 3.4/5, while speech in noise scored 2.0/5—above average for the category but only mixed in absolute terms. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning wearers should experience minimal whistling during normal use. The HearingAssist Control has notable limitations. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, indicating this device does not support audio streaming functionality—a significant gap compared to many competitors in this price range. Own-voice comfort scored 2.1/5, which is below the category average and may result in a hollow or boomy perception of your own voice. For shoppers considering this price tier, alternatives like the Yeasound RIC800 (4.73/5) and Sony CRE-E10 (4.66/5) offer substantially higher overall sound performance. The HearingAssist Control may suit buyers prioritizing speech clarity and feedback stability who don't need streaming capabilities, but most users would benefit from exploring higher-scoring options at similar price points.