Hear.com Horizon Go IX vs RCA In-Ear

The Hear.com Horizon Go IX is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2024, listed at $6,500. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, ranking #17 among 36 prescription hearing aids tested. This device demonstrates particular strength in speech clarity. Speech in quiet scored a strong 4.0/5, which is +0.72 points above the category average. Speech in noise performance also exceeded the category average by +0.61 points, though at 2.6/5 the absolute score remains mixed—meaning it handles challenging listening environments better than many competitors but still has room for improvement in demanding situations. The most notable limitation is own-voice comfort, scoring 1.8/5—a low result that falls 0.95 points below the category average. Users sensitive to how their own voice sounds may find this particularly noticeable. Feedback handling is strong in absolute terms at 4.4/5, though it sits slightly below the category average by 0.31 points. Music streaming performance is mixed at 2.7/5, essentially matching the category average. At this price point, the Horizon Go IX faces stiff competition. Same-price alternatives like the Phonak Sphere Infinio (5.0/5) and Oticon Intent (4.85/5) deliver higher overall sound performance. Budget-conscious shoppers might also consider options like the Rexton Reach R-Li T80 at Costco, which achieves a higher score at a lower price. The Horizon Go IX is best suited for those prioritizing speech clarity who can accept the own-voice trade-off and prefer the hear.com service model.

The RCA In-Ear is a budget OTC hearing aid priced at $249, earning a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.8/5 in our lab testing. This places it near the bottom of the OTC category at #64 of 65 devices tested. Speech performance is a significant weakness for this device. Speech in quiet scores just 1.0/5, falling 1.79 points below the category average, while speech in noise also scores 1.0/5, sitting 0.48 points below average. These low absolute scores indicate limited benefit for understanding conversation in most listening situations. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, measuring 1.92 points below the category average—this device is not suitable for audio entertainment. The RCA In-Ear does show strength in feedback handling, scoring an excellent 5.0/5, which is 0.46 points above the category average. Own-voice comfort is mixed at 2.6/5, essentially matching the category average with only a 0.09-point advantage. The rechargeable battery design offers convenience for daily use. At this price point, consumers have substantially higher-performing alternatives. Devices like the Elehear Beyond (4.36/5), Apple AirPods Pro 2 (4.06/5), and several others in the same budget range deliver meaningfully better speech clarity and overall sound quality. The RCA In-Ear may appeal to those prioritizing feedback-free operation above all else, but most users seeking improved hearing will find better value elsewhere in the OTC market.