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Eargo SE Expert Review

Premium OTCReleased 2024

Our lab conducted independent testing of the Eargo SE invisible-in-ear OTC hearing aid. This review presents objective measurements, blind listening comparisons, and detailed amplification analysis to help you evaluate this premium-priced device.

Dr. Steve TaddeiDr. Steve Taddei, Au.D. — Lab Director & Reviewer
Dr. Abram BaileyDr. Abram Bailey, Au.D. — Fact Checker / Editor
How We Test
Product Image
HearAdvisor
Eargo SE
3.1HearAdvisor SoundScoreGrade B
As it sounds out of the box
Bottom Line

The Eargo SE is a discreet invisible-in-ear OTC hearing aid with excellent feedback handling, best suited for those prioritizing cosmetics over streaming features.

Top 85% of OTC Hearing Aid
Strengths
  • Excellent feedback handling
  • Solid speech in quiet+0.43 vs category
  • Truly invisible in-ear design
Drawbacks
  • No music streaming capability
  • Low speech in noise performance
  • Premium price for mid-tier sound performance
Measured Performance

SoundScore: 5 Acoustic Dimensions

The card below displays how the Eargo SE performed on speech in quiet, speech in noise, feedback management, music streaming, and own-voice naturalness. The purple SoundScore graph is the overall result, and the five graphs after it break it into individual measurements for the selected fit. Each curve shows how scores are spread across all tested hearing aids, and the dot and number mark the score for Eargo SE.

SoundScore
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  • 13 products scored from 3.50 to 3.75
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  • 16 products scored from 4.00 to 4.25
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  • 14 products scored from 4.50 to 4.75
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  • 1 product scored from 6.00 to 6.05
6.0
Choose your fit

Every hearing aid is lab-tested in two states — as it sounds out of the box, and after professional tuning. Switch fits to update the five metric graphs below.

As it sounds out of the box
Speech in quiet
New
0
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  • 1 product scored from 5.25 to 5.40
5.4

How clearly speech comes through in calm, one-on-one surroundings.

Speech in noise
New
0
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  • 43 products scored from 1.00 to 1.25
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6.4

Speech understanding against loud background noise — the toughest everyday test.

Own voice
0
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  • 7 products scored from 4.50 to 4.75
  • 1 product scored from 4.75 to 4.80
4.8

How natural your own voice sounds while wearing the aids, without a boomy, plugged-up quality.

Music streaming
0
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  • 7 products scored from 3.25 to 3.50
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  • 6 products scored from 3.75 to 4.00
  • 16 products scored from 4.00 to 4.25
  • 7 products scored from 4.25 to 4.50
  • 3 products scored from 4.50 to 4.75
  • 1 product scored from 4.75 to 5.00
5.0

Sound quality of music streamed to the hearing aids over Bluetooth.

Feedback handling
0
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  • 6 products scored from 3.75 to 4.00
  • 13 products scored from 4.00 to 4.25
  • 6 products scored from 4.25 to 4.50
  • 17 products scored from 4.50 to 4.75
  • 64 products scored from 4.75 to 5.00
5.0

Resistance to the whistling and squealing caused by acoustic feedback.

Lab Assessment

How the Eargo SE Performed in Independent Testing

The Eargo SE is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid at $1,699, featuring an invisible-in-ear design and earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.1/5 in our lab testing. This places it in the top 85% of the OTC hearing aid category, ranking #56 of 65 devices tested.

In our testing, the Eargo SE demonstrated solid performance in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 3.2/5—0.43 points above the category average. Feedback handling was excellent at 4.6/5, meaning users should experience stable performance without whistling issues. However, the device showed limitations in challenging listening situations, with speech in noise scoring 1.3/5, which falls 0.23 points below the category average.

A notable weakness is the complete absence of music streaming capability, scoring 0.0/5 compared to the category average of 1.92/5. Own-voice comfort scored 2.4/5, slightly below the category average. These mixed results suggest the Eargo SE prioritizes its discreet form factor over comprehensive audio features.

The Eargo SE may appeal to users who prioritize an invisible design and primarily need help hearing conversations in quieter settings. However, given its premium price point and the availability of alternatives like the Jabra Enhance Select 50R that deliver stronger overall scores at lower prices, value-conscious consumers may want to explore other options before committing.

Product Image
Eargo SE
VerdictListening TestGraphAudioLab NotesMore

Blind Comparison

Compare the Eargo SE Against Other Hearing Aids

Listen to recordings captured under identical acoustic conditions without knowing which device produced each sample. After you complete the challenge, the products are revealed and your anonymized responses contribute to ongoing research.

Loading listening test...

Amplification Analysis

Eargo SE Insertion Gain and Prescriptive Target Matching

The graph below plots measured insertion gain against prescriptive targets across the frequency range. This visualization shows how closely the Eargo SE's amplification aligns with evidence-based fitting goals for both Initial and Tuned conditions.

Graph

Audio Samples

Manikin Recordings of the Eargo SE in Simulated Environments

These audio samples were captured through an acoustic manikin fitted with the Eargo SE under controlled lab conditions. A reference recording is provided so you can hear the unamplified input alongside the processed output.

Eargo SE Audio Samples

How this hearing aid sounds in our lab scenes. Compare it out of the box and after professional tuning.

Before you listen

  1. Use good-quality headphones.
  2. Take out your hearing aids while you compare.
  3. Switch the hearing aid to Off, press play, and set a comfortable level. Then leave it.
  4. Switch recordings while it plays. You won't lose your place.

Scene type: Conversation

Scene: Food Court 2

Hearing aid off
0:00
–:––

These lab recordings demonstrate relative processing in our lab and cannot predict an individual fitting outcome.

Test Documentation

Eargo SE Fit Observations and Testing Configuration

Our lab notes document observations from both Initial and Tuned fit conditions along with the specific test parameters used during measurement. Below you will find details on configuration settings and any notable fitting considerations.

Lab Notes

Initial fit observations

Out of the box with its trumpet ear coupling, the Eargo SE achieved a normalized Initial Score of 3.0/5. Speech in quiet started at 1.9/5, indicating limited audibility benefit without adjustment. Speech in noise was low at 1.0/5, and music streaming was non-functional at 0.0/5. Feedback handling performed excellently at 4.6/5, while own-voice comfort was mixed at 2.4/5. The initial fit suggests users will likely need to explore the app's adjustment options to achieve better speech clarity.

Tuned fit observations

After tuning—while maintaining the same trumpet coupling—the Eargo SE improved to a normalized Tuned Score of 3.5/5, a 0.5-point gain. Speech in quiet rose substantially to 3.2/5, demonstrating meaningful improvement with adjustment. Speech in noise improved modestly to 1.3/5, though this remains low in absolute terms. Feedback handling stayed excellent at 4.6/5, and own-voice comfort remained at 2.4/5. Music streaming continued at 0.0/5, confirming this limitation is inherent to the device rather than a fitting issue.

Test configuration

Initial Fitting
Tuned Fitting
Ear Coupling
Trumpet
Trumpet
Receiver
Integrated in device
Integrated in device
Fitting Formula
Proprietary manufacturer default
Proprietary manufacturer default
Listening Program
Restaurant
Restaurant
Volume Setting
Default following Sound Match.
2 clicks above default.
Software Version
v4.8.0
v6.6.0
Tuning Adjustments
Sound Match performed resulting in Program 2 as default, Other settings and manufacturer defaults.
Other settings at manufacturer defaults.

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