Hear.com Horizon Go IX vs Nuance Audio Glasses

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 Nuance Audio Glasses are a premium OTC hearing aid priced at $1,200, featuring an innovative hearing glasses form factor that integrates amplification technology directly into eyewear. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, they earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.9/5, ranking #20 among 65 OTC hearing aids tested. This unique design delivers standout performance in own-voice comfort, scoring an excellent 4.7/5—well above the category average by 2.19 points. Speech clarity in quiet environments is also a strength at 3.8/5, exceeding the category average by 1.05 points. Speech understanding in noisy situations scores 2.3/5, which is above the category average but only mixed in absolute terms. The glasses form factor comes with notable trade-offs. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, falling 1.92 points below the category average—a significant limitation for users who want to stream audio. Feedback handling at 2.0/5 is 2.54 points below the category average, indicating potential stability challenges in certain situations. The Nuance Audio Glasses are best suited for consumers who prioritize discretion and want hearing amplification without a traditional in-ear device. The excellent own-voice comfort makes them appealing for those sensitive to the "plugged up" feeling of conventional hearing aids. However, buyers seeking music streaming functionality or who are in the same price range should note that alternatives like the Lucid Tala (4.61/5) or Audicus Omni 2 (4.59/5) offer stronger overall sound performance.