The Eargo 8 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid featuring an invisible-in-ear design, released in 2025 at $2,699. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned a SoundScore of 2.85/5 and a C grade, placing it in the bottom third of the OTC hearing aid category.
The Eargo 8's primary strength lies in its own-voice comfort, scoring 0.69 points above the category average—a notable advantage for users sensitive to the "talking in a barrel" sensation common with hearing aids. Feedback handling was also solid in the initial fit condition, achieving a perfect 5.00/5 score. However, the tuned fit showed reduced feedback stability at 4.20/5, which fell below average.
Speech understanding performance was a significant weakness in our testing. Speech in noise scored well below average at -0.90 points below the category mean, which may limit effectiveness in challenging listening environments like restaurants or group conversations. Speech in quiet also measured slightly below average. Music streaming was not available for testing on this device.
At $2,699, the Eargo 8 sits at the top of the OTC price spectrum but delivers below-average sound performance compared to less expensive alternatives. Devices like the Jabra Enhance Select 50R ($1,195) and Blaids BlaidsX Pro ($549) achieved higher sound scores at significantly lower price points. The Eargo 8 may appeal to users who prioritize the discreet, invisible-in-ear form factor over maximum sound performance, but those seeking the best speech understanding should consider alternatives.
