hear.com Horizon Go IX vs. JLab Hear OTC

Horizon Go IX is a top-tier, Signia-based rechargeable RIC that pairs excellent lab-verified speech performance with standout hands-free Bluetooth and a genuinely useful app suite, though its music streaming is only average for the open-fit form factor and many “unique” perks mirror what you can get from comparable WSA models.

The JLab HEAR OTC Hearing Aid offers an affordable and user-friendly solution for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, featuring customizable sound settings and a sleek design. Extensive testing reveals its effective performance in various environments, making it a reliable choice for everyday use.

Hear.com Horizon Go IX achieved a SoundScore of 4.4/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #19 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.

JLab Hear OTC achieved a SoundScore of 3.5/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #36 of 65 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.68/5.

Horizon Go IX have an impressive build quality, featuring a top-of-the-line IP68 ingress rating. They also come with a robust portable charging case.

The portable charger is flimsy and HEAR have a lower egress rating of IPX4. However, with some extra care and cleaning they should hold up to regular daily use.

Horizon hearing aids offer an impressive 28 hours of use per charge, which is plenty to get you through the day. Recharging takes around 3 hours, but you can always get an addition 6 hours of use if needed with Horizon’s 30-minute quick charge feature.

HEAR do not offer enough power for all-day use with a battery life of 10 hours (less with streaming). The battery life is however respectable for a wireless earbud.

Horizon Go IX are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for audio streaming and hands-free calling.

HEAR offer wireless connectivity for both iOS and Android users. I personally experienced stable streaming and phone calls with my iPhone 12.

The Horizon app has a user-friendly interface and modern, appealing design. It includes practical features like the ability to control the focus of your hearing aids and a tonal balance slider. Additionally, you will find preset modes which can help improve your listening experience depending on the environment you are in.

The JLab Hearing Health app offers a nice feature set for personalization. Some elements could be more user friendly, but it makes sense after a little troubleshooting.

I found Horizon IX to be very comfortable thanks to their ergonomic shape and earwire design. Your hearing care provider should ensure they are fitted for optimal comfort and hearing benefit.

HEAR are comfortable and had good retention in my ears. They completely seal your ear when worn properly but feel less “plugging” as they are lightweight.

Horizon IX features a modern, sleek design and is available in a variety of colors.

This is highly personalized, but HEAR look like modern earbuds and distance themselves from the negative stigma some attribute to hearing aids.

Hear.com Horizon Go IX has a value score of 3.1/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

JLab Hear OTC has a value score of 5.0/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

I did not run into any issues while using Horizon Go IX hearing aids. They are very easy to use once setup by your hearing care provider. First-time users may need some practice to get accustomed to inserting the receiver-in-ear style properly.

I ran into a few issues with my initial Bluetooth pairing but HEAR and the touch controls work well otherwise.

You should receive quality hearing care and support from your Hear.com provider. The Horizon app should further enhance your experience with easier access to useful setting adjustments.

JLab falls short on actual hearing care as help is limited to their online Help Center and or standard Customer Support.