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Linner Mars Expert Review

Budget OTCReleased 2023

Our lab tested the Linner Mars using standardized acoustic measurements and real-ear verification to evaluate its performance across speech clarity, noise handling, and user comfort metrics. This independent assessment reveals how this budget OTC hearing aid performs against measurable benchmarks.

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

The Linner Mars is a budget OTC hearing aid with exceptional music streaming and feedback handling, but weak speech clarity for conversation-focused users.

Top 83% of OTC Hearing Aid
Strengths
  • Excellent music streaming+2.68 vs category
  • Perfect feedback handling
  • Affordable at $399
Drawbacks
  • Low speech in quiet performance
  • Poor own voice quality1.51 vs category
  • Weak speech in noise
Measured Performance

SoundScore: 5 Acoustic Dimensions

The card below displays how the Linner Mars performed in speech-in-quiet, speech-in-noise, own-voice comfort, feedback control, and music streaming tests. 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 Linner Mars.

SoundScore
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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
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5.4

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

Speech in noise
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6.4

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

Own voice
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4.8

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

Music streaming
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5.0

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

Feedback handling
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5.0

Resistance to the whistling and squealing caused by acoustic feedback.

Lab Assessment

Where the Linner Mars Lands in Independent Testing

The Linner Mars is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.1/5 in our lab testing. At $399, it falls in the lowest price tier for OTC devices, though its overall sound performance ranks #55 of 65 in the OTC Hearing Aid category.

This device presents a stark contrast in performance across different listening situations. Music streaming is a genuine standout, scoring an excellent 4.6/5—well above the category average. Feedback handling also earns a perfect 5.0/5, meaning users shouldn't experience whistling or squealing issues. However, the Mars struggles significantly with its core hearing aid function: speech clarity. Speech in quiet scores just 1.9/5, and speech in noise drops to 1.0/5, both falling below category averages.

Own-voice comfort is another weak point at 1.0/5, which is 1.51 points below the category average. Users may find their own voice sounds unnatural or boomy when wearing these devices. The tuned fit shows modest improvement over the initial fit (3.4/5 vs 3.1/5), primarily through better speech-in-quiet performance.

The Linner Mars may appeal to budget-conscious consumers who prioritize music and media streaming over speech understanding. However, several competitors in the same price range—including the Elehear Beyond and Apple AirPods Pro 2—offer substantially better overall sound performance. Those seeking improved speech clarity should consider alternatives that score higher in that critical area.

Linner Mars Hero
Linner Mars
VerdictListening TestGraphAudioLab NotesSpecsMore
Reliable & Repeatable Lab Results

Quality data starts with quality recordings. HearAdvisor worked with GRAS to build a no-compromise front end so every test is repeatable and reliable.

Learn more
Steve in HearAdvisor Lab

Blind Comparison

Hear the Linner Mars Against Other Tested Devices

Our listening challenge presents recordings from the Linner Mars alongside other products captured under identical acoustic conditions. After you complete the comparison, the products are revealed and your anonymized responses contribute to ongoing research.

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Amplification Analysis

Linner Mars Insertion Gain Versus Prescriptive Targets

The graph below plots measured insertion gain from the Linner Mars against established prescriptive fitting targets. This visualization shows how closely the device matches recommended amplification curves across the frequency range, with both Initial and Tuned fit conditions available for comparison.

Graph

Audio Evidence

Manikin Recordings of the Linner Mars in Controlled Conditions

Below are audio samples captured through our acoustic manikin wearing the Linner Mars under standardized test conditions. A reference recording without any hearing aid processing allows direct comparison of how the device modifies incoming sound.

Linner Mars 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. Play the to set a comfortable level, then leave it.
  4. Switch recordings while it plays. You won't lose your place.
Scene type

Scene type: Conversation

Scene: Cafe 1

As tested out of the box
0:00
–:––

164 lab recordings of this product. They demonstrate relative processing in our lab and cannot predict an individual fitting outcome.

Test Documentation

Fit Observations and Configuration Details for the Linner Mars

Our technicians documented observations during Initial and Tuned fitting procedures for the Linner Mars. The notes below include test configuration details and any relevant observations recorded during the measurement session.

Lab Notes

Initial fit observations

In our initial fit testing with closed domes, the Linner Mars earned a normalized score of 3.1/5. Speech performance was limited, with speech in quiet at 1.0/5 and speech in noise also at 1.0/5—both below the category average. Own-voice comfort scored 1.0/5, suggesting users may notice occlusion effects. On the positive side, music streaming excelled at 4.6/5, and feedback handling was flawless at 5.0/5. Out of the box, this device prioritizes audio entertainment over conversational clarity.

Tuned fit observations

After tuning with closed domes, the normalized score improved to 3.4/5—a gain of 0.3 points over the initial fit. The improvement came primarily from speech in quiet, which rose to 1.9/5, though this remains a low absolute score. Speech in noise stayed at 1.0/5, and own-voice comfort remained at 1.0/5. Music streaming and feedback handling maintained their excellent scores of 4.6/5 and 5.0/5 respectively. Tuning provides incremental benefit but doesn't fundamentally change the device's performance profile.

Test configuration

Initial Fitting
Tuned Fitting
Ear Coupling
Closed Dome
Closed Dome
Specs
Visible in Ear
Visible in Ear
Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable Batteries

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