Based on lab testing, not for sound performance—the Neo XS actually scored worse on speech in noise (-0.2 vs 0.5) and tied on overall HT score (2.8/5). The extra cost mainly buys a smaller, more discreet form factor and MDHearing's free lifetime phone support from licensed professionals.
Audien Hearing Atom Pro 2 vs. MDHearingAid Neo XS
Check out our comparison of the Audien Hearing Atom Pro 2 vs MDHearingAid Neo XS. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.
Quick Verdict
AI summarizedSummarized with AI assistance from our human-researched product information, in-lab testing, objective sound measurements, and expert ratings.
Both are OTC (over-the-counter) rechargeable hearing aids from different brands and sellers, tested under the same HearAdvisor lab protocol, which makes their sound scores directly comparable.
Atom Pro 2
Choose the Audien Atom Pro 2 if you want the lowest price of the two (about $280/pair, roughly $120 less than the Neo XS), don't need Bluetooth, and can tolerate its larger, less ear-tailored fit in exchange for slightly better tested speech-in-noise performance (0.5 vs -0.2) and a longer 24-hour battery run.
Neo XS
Choose the MDHearingAid Neo XS if discretion matters most—it's a nearly invisible completely-in-canal design—and you want access to MDHearing's free lifetime phone support from licensed hearing professionals, even though it costs about $120 more and scored worse on speech in noise.
Product Overview
Atom Pro 2
Neo XS
Form Factor
Form FactorNon-custom device that typically sits inside the ear canal. The device will be clearly visible to the naked eye.
Form FactorThis type of custom-fitted hearing aid is mostly hidden inside the ear. In people with smaller ear canals this type of hearing aid may not be possible. This type of aid is often fitted without directional microphones or telecoils.
Expert Rating
Score
0.0
Score
0.0
User Rating
3.64 reviews
—
Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.
MildModerate
MildModerate
Product Features
Rechargeable
Rechargeable
Expert Ratings
Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.
Atom Pro 2
Neo XS
HearingTracker Score
Atom Pro 2
2.8BELOW AVERAGE
Audien’s Atom Pro 2 is an easy-to-use, budget-friendly OTC option with excellent battery life, but our hands-on experience and HearAdvisor lab results show weak speech clarity—especially in noise—leaving it a “you get what you pay for” choice for mild needs rather than a true disruptor.
Read full reviewNeo XS
2.8BELOW AVERAGE
Neo XS is an instant-fit in-ear OTC hearing aid that offers improvements in MDHearing's product line in terms of rechargeable battery life, audio processing, and size. However, our lab testing found its performance underwhelming.
Read full reviewHearAdvisor SoundScore
Atom Pro 2
2.5BELOW AVERAGE
Audien Atom Pro 2 achieved a SoundScore of 2.48/5 and a SoundGrade of C in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #45 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.
Neo XS
2.5BELOW AVERAGE
MDHearing Neo XS achieved a SoundScore of 2.47/5 and a SoundGrade of C in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #47 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.
Build Quality
Atom Pro 2
3.9BELOW AVERAGE
Audien Atom Pro 2 hearing aids lack an IP rating, so they might not be the best against moisture or dust. While using them they feel decently built and they do come with an excellent portable charging case.
Neo XS
3.8BELOW AVERAGE
Neo XS do not have an ingress rating but they appear to be well built. The charging case feels sturdy and should offer good protection when Neo XS are recharging or otherwise not in use.
Battery
Atom Pro 2
4.2ABOVE AVERAGE
They boast a 24-hour battery life, which is impressive for their small size. Recharging is on the longer end and can take up to 5 hours.
Neo XS
4.0AVERAGE
Neo XS offers internal rechargeable batteries lasting up to 18 hours. This should be enough to get you through your day without needing a recharge.
Comfort
Atom Pro 2
3.0BELOW AVERAGE
I did not find Atom Pro 2 to be the most comfortable OTC in-ear hearing aids. This was likely due to their larger size and not being tailored to a standard ear shape.
Neo XS
3.5BELOW AVERAGE
Neo XS are relatively comfortable in ear. However, using the button caused minor discomfort as it required some force which pushed the hearing aid deeper into my ear.
Design
Atom Pro 2
3.5BELOW AVERAGE
The design of Atom Pro 2 falls between a custom hearing aid and wireless earbud. They are only available in a medical beige color, which is meant to match skin color, but will not suit everyone. The case does include a UV cleaning light which is a nice touch.
Neo XS
4.0BELOW AVERAGE
Neo XS are smaller than other MDHearing aids and many OTC products. If you are interested in discrete hearing aids Neo XS are nearly invisible in your ears.
Value
Atom Pro 2
3.6AVERAGE
Audien Atom Pro 2 has a value score of 3.6/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Neo XS
3.3BELOW AVERAGE
MDHearing Neo XS has a value score of 3.4/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Handling
Atom Pro 2
3.8BELOW AVERAGE
I found Atom easy to use though they can be more challenging to insert and remove due to the small pull tab. Two features I really liked were the larger program buttons and easy to use portable charger.
Neo XS
3.0BELOW AVERAGE
Neo XS are relatively small hearing aids which may be difficult for individuals with vision and or dexterity issues. This should not be a problem for most but MDHearing does offer assistance from licensed professionals if needed.
Pro Support
Atom Pro 2
1.0BELOW AVERAGE
Like many OTC products, Audien does not offer remote assistance from hearing experts, support is limited to email and phone customer support.
Neo XS
2.0BELOW AVERAGE
MDHearing does not offer in-person support or remote programming. You do however receive free lifetime phone and online help from their licensed hearing professionals. This is a nice offering especially if you are new to hearing aids.
Lab Recordings
Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.
Atom Pro 2
Neo XS
Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Atom Pro 2
Neo XS
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Atom Pro 2
Neo XS
HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.
Hardware
Atom Pro 2
Neo XS
Push ButtonPush ButtonThe hearing aid features a push button which allows toggling across different sound processing programs
No
- Program control
- Volume Control
Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Software Features
Atom Pro 2
Neo XS
Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.
No
Yes
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
4
No
Noise ReductionNoise ReductionThis feature uses modern hearing aids’ processing power to examine the incoming sound signal, determine if noise is present and reduce the volume of the troublesome sound to increase comfort.
Yes
Yes
Bottom Line
AI summarizedThe Verdict
Neither device is a strong performer in HearingTracker's lab testing—both land at a 2.8/5 overall HT score and a "C" SoundGrade, ranking #45 and #47 out of 61 OTC hearing aids tested, with essentially unusable speech-in-noise scores (0.5 and -0.2) and no music streaming support.
This is a comparison between two budget also-rans, not a choice between two good options, so treat both as basic amplification for mild hearing loss in quiet settings rather than a substitute for a properly fit hearing aid.
Which is right for you?
If price and battery life matter most, the Atom Pro 2 is the cheaper, longer-lasting pick at about $280/pair with 24-hour battery, but its 1/5 professional-support score and lack of an app mean you're on your own if the fit isn't right. If you want a smaller, more discreet aid and the reassurance of free lifetime phone support from licensed professionals, the Neo XS's roughly $400/pair price buys you that service layer along with a slightly higher comfort and design score (3.5/5 and 4.0/5 vs 3.0/5 and 3.5/5), but you're trading away the Atom Pro 2's edge in speech clarity testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
AI summarizedThe Atom Pro 2 tested better, scoring 0.5/5 on HearingTracker's lab speech-in-noise metric compared to the Neo XS's -0.2/5. Neither score is strong, but the Atom Pro 2 has a clearer edge here.
No, neither device offers Bluetooth audio streaming or an associated app. Both rely solely on physical buttons for program and volume control.
The Atom Pro 2 lasts up to 24 hours per charge, compared to up to 18 hours for the Neo XS. Both use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in a portable charging case.
Both are basic OTC options for mild to moderate hearing loss, but the Neo XS offers an advantage for beginners with its free lifetime phone support from licensed hearing professionals, versus the Atom Pro 2's 1/5 professional-support score and email/phone-only help. Neither scored well in lab testing for speech clarity, so first-time users with more significant hearing loss may want to look elsewhere.