Eargo 8 vs. Orka Two

Eargo 8 is Eargo's latest flagship OTC hearing aid, featuring automatic sound environment adjustments, enhanced audio fidelity, and patented device-health monitoring. Designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, it emphasizes user convenience, extended battery life, and robust customer support.

The Orka Two hearing aids offer sleek, modern design and advanced wireless features, including Bluetooth connectivity and hands-free calling for both iOS and Android devices.

Eargo 8 achieved a SoundScore of 2.85/5 and a SoundGrade of C in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #39 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

The Orka Two achieved a SoundGrade of B and ranked in the top 62% in the Prescription Hearing Aid category. While solid, this mid-tier positioning means several competitors in the same price range deliver stronger overall sound performance in HearAdvisor's standardized testing.

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.

Orka Two have a published ingress rating of IPX6, meaning they have some moisture protection but they are not waterproof. They appear very well built, nearly on par with prescription 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.

Orka Two are rechargeable and you can expect up to 12 hours of battery life per charge. This is less than many modern hearing aids and may limit all-day use for some. The case does offer on-the-go power which takes only 1.5 hours for a full recharge.

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Orka has made sure their hearing aid offers excellent Bluetooth features for both iOS and Android users. You can expect wireless streaming, app control, and hands free calls across both platforms.

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.

Orka Two's app is a nice addition with many useful features, such as personalization through an app-based hearing assessment.

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.

Orka Two are very comfortable thanks to their smaller size and ergonomic design. Their team of hearing care professionals can also assist you in optimizing comfort based on the available earwire and ear tip sizes.

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.

These hearing aids appear very modern and have a sleek design similar to Apple products.

Eargo 8 has a value score of 2.0/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

The Orka Two offers moderate value, though higher-scoring devices are available at this price point.

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.

Orka Two are fairly easy to use, though the receiver-in-canal style may require some practice for people just starting out. While these hearing aids do not have physical buttons, the portable charging case does offering you options beyond their nifty tap-controls.

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.

Orka offer relatively good pro support for an OTC company. You receive unlimited remote support and adjustments from their team of licensed hearing care professionals.