Hear.com Horizon Go IX Expert Review

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 4.16/5, ranking #14 among 35 prescription hearing aids tested.

This device demonstrates notable strength in speech understanding. Speech in quiet scores a strong 4.0/5, measuring 0.57 points above the category average. Speech in noise performance is particularly impressive relative to competitors, scoring 1.17 points above the category average—though at 2.7/5, it remains mixed in absolute terms. This pattern suggests the Horizon Go IX handles challenging listening environments better than many prescription alternatives, even if noisy settings remain difficult overall.

Own-voice comfort is a notable weakness, scoring 1.8/5—a low result that falls 0.93 points below the category average. Users sensitive to how their own voice sounds may find this limiting. Feedback handling scores a strong 4.4/5 in absolute terms, though it measures 0.34 points below the category average. Music streaming lands at 2.7/5, essentially matching the category average.

At this price point, the Horizon Go IX faces stiff competition. Several alternatives in the same price range—including the Oticon Intent (4.70/5) and Phonak Sphere Infinio (4.64/5)—deliver higher overall sound performance. Shoppers prioritizing value may also consider options like the Rexton Reach R-Li T80 at Costco, which scores 4.54/5 at a lower price. The Horizon Go IX is best suited for users who prioritize speech clarity and have access to hear.com's service model, though own-voice comfort limitations should be considered.