Eargo 8 vs. Nuance Audio Hearing Glasses

Eargo 8 achieved a SoundScore of 2.8/5 and a SoundGrade of C in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #39 of 63 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.49/5.

Nuance Audio Glasses achieved a SoundScore of 4.0/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #12 of 63 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.49/5.

Eargo 8 hearing aids appear to be well build with an IP68 rating, offering great protection against moisture and debris. The portable charging case is also a nice addition and should protect Eargo well when not in use.

Nuance Audio Hearing Glasses have an IPX4 rating, which means they can withstand light splashes of water but may require extra care to ensure long-term reliability. Fortunately, their delicate components are less susceptible to moisture damage since they aren't positioned inside the ear like traditional hearing aids.

Eargo are extremely small making their 16 hour rechargeable battery life impressive. The case offers additional on-the-go power and I found the magnetic charging bays a nice easy to use addition.

Nuance Hearing Glasses use internal lithium-ion batteries that provide up to 8 hours of use. To extend battery life throughout the day, Nuance recommends using them situationally and turning them off when not needed. Recharging takes approximately 3 hours.

I found Eargo's app to be packed full of useful features like the Sound Match hearing assessment and automatic noise reduction controls. You have plenty of options for personalization though adjustments are not always reliable as Eargo relies on phone speaker commands instead of Bluetooth.

The Nuance Audio mobile app is user-friendly and available for both iOS and Android devices. It includes useful features such as volume control, microphone directionality, and noise reduction. Nuance hearing glasses are preset-based and use 4 default programs for adjustment, but they are not customizable based on a hearing test.

Comfort will vary by individuals depending on your tolerance to a deeper fitting hearing aid. Overall, I found them moderately comfortable through they can cause a tickling ear sensation due to their fit.

Nuance Hearing Glasses are comfortable, lightweight, and fit similarly to other broad-rimmed eyeglasses. If you're accustomed to wearing both glasses and hearing aids, you may feel less encumbered since there's no need to fit both glasses and hearing aids on your ear.

Eargo's instant-fit, completely-in-the-canal, style is unique discrete. If you are interested in a nearly-invisible OTC hearing aid you will love their design.

Nuance Audio currently offers two frame styles that may appeal to different aesthetic preferences. However, the frames are larger than traditional eyeglasses to accommodate the internal hearing components.

Handling can be challenging with Eargo 8 due to the small size and reliance on tap controls. Furthermore, Eargo relies on acoustic indicators for wireless communication, which is less reliable than Bluetooth and caused me several problems.

Nuance Audio Hearing Glasses are easy to use, especially if you're already accustomed to wearing glasses. However, care is required when placing them on the charger, as they must be in a specific orientation to magnetically lock and charge properly.

Eargo is one of the first direct to consumer hearing aids, but support is unfortunately limited to to their Client Care team and personal hearing professionals. While Eargo claims they work alongside audiologists, it is not the same as direct professional hearing care.

Nuance Audio Hearing Glasses can be ordered and picked up in-store, where a vision professional will provide basic fitting guidance. Remote technical support is also available online and through the Nuance Audio mobile app. However, remote programming and support from a hearing specialist is not currently offered.