Eargo 5 Expert Review

The Eargo 5 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid ($1,450) that earned a B grade in HearAdvisor's lab testing, ranking in the top 43% of OTC devices. Its invisible-in-ear design sets it apart aesthetically, sitting completely within the ear canal for maximum discretion.

In our lab testing, the Eargo 5 demonstrated above-average speech clarity performance, particularly in quiet environments where it scored 1.08 points above the category average. Speech in noise performance was also above average, though more modestly so. Own-voice comfort measured above average, suggesting reasonable occlusion management despite using a closed sleeve coupling.

However, the Eargo 5 shows notable limitations. It lacks Bluetooth streaming capability entirely, which is increasingly standard even at lower price points—a significant omission for users who want to stream phone calls or music. Feedback handling measured below the category average, which may require attention in certain wearing situations.

The value proposition presents a challenge. At $1,450, the Eargo 5 competes with devices like the Lucid Tala (Score: 4.64) and Jabra Enhance Select 300 (Score: 4.33), both of which significantly outperform it in our testing. For those prioritizing sound performance over invisible aesthetics, alternatives like the Sony CRE-C10 ($798) deliver better measured performance at nearly half the cost. The Eargo 5 is best suited for users who place high value on cosmetic discretion and primarily need help with speech clarity in quieter settings.