Eargo Neo HiFi Review

Click the button below for personalized recommendations from a Doctor of Audiology.
Eargo Neo HiFi Review

In this comprehensive article, we will assess the Eargo Neo HiFi hearing aids by uncovering how these discreet rechargeable devices work and if they are suitable for your needs.

How Is The Eargo Neo HiFi Different From Previous Models?

The Eargo 5 is the latest model of hearing aid from Eargo and we have reviewed it separately, but if you’re curious about the predecessor -the Neo HiFi- then read on for our review.


Dr. Ben Thompson talks about the different benefits and drawbacks of the Eargo Neo HiFi hearing aids.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of The Eargo Neo HiFi

Benefit #1: Eargo’s team of hearing professionals.

Eargo stands out for its dedicated team of hearing care professionals and assistants that ensure you understand how to use their products. In addition, the nuances of Eargo’s hearing aids vary from those on the market, thus this professional squad is devoted to helping you gain maximum advantage from these specialized devices.

Benefit #2: Small, compact design.

The Eargo Neo HiFi is not just small and comfortable but also provides a natural sound experience without blocking your ear canal, which can sometimes lead to the Occlusion Effect. As an added bonus, you don’t need to worry about removing it when wearing a face mask – unlike many other hearing aids that are currently available!

Benefit #3: Discreet appearance.

When the Eargo Neo HiFi is fitted properly in the ear, it is almost invisible.

Benefit #4: Rechargeable battery.

With the exceptional Eargo Neo HiFi, you can expect an unrivaled rechargeable case – a feature that is not often found in other hearing aids!

Drawback #1: The possibility of inadvertently switching programs.

At a noisy gathering or event with both music and conversation, the Eargo Neo HiFi may mistakenly switch programs in response to certain sounds. This happens because certain kinds of acoustic changes in your environment can automatically trigger changes between various preset programs. That said, as long as you have your charger with you and can connect your phone to the hearing aids, it shouldn’t become a recurring problem.

Drawback #2: No Bluetooth capability. 

The Eargo Neo HiFi don’t offer Bluetooth connectivity, and thus unlike other hearing aids on the market, they don’t offer the ability to stream music or podcasts or take phone calls through the hearing aids directly.

Drawback #3: No sound therapy features.

There are no tinnitus sound therapy features inside of the Eargo devices, and it’s not possible to play any sound therapy directly through the device due to the lack of Bluetooth connectivity.

How Does The Eargo Neo HiFi Look And How Is It Used?

The Eargo Neo HiFi hearing aids are designed for mild to moderate hearing loss, meaning that they’re mainly for people who have mid and high pitch hearing loss, and aren’t specifically suitable for patients with low frequency hearing loss (resulting from a history of ear infection, different types of genetic hearing loss, etc.). The Eargo Neo HiFi comes with a warranty, and also includes professional services.

Eargo Neo HiFi: Smartphone App

The Eargo App is perfect for customizing your sound to achieve auditory perfection – adjust the bass, treble and more! There are four distinct settings made especially to accommodate different acoustic environments. To guarantee you acquire the best listening experience, we strongly suggest consulting an audiologist who can assist in unveiling which program will suit your specific needs.

For those who prefer a serene atmosphere, it’s possible to disable hearing aids whenever desired. With these devices, you just need to tap your ear lightly and the device will announce available programs such as “program one” or “program two”. This configuration is dissimilar from other conventional hearing aids that require tapping each ear separately.

It is important to note that if you do want to make changes to the Eargo programs, you have to first put the hearing aids in the charger and then make the changes from your phone. This process might involve some trial and error until you figure out the right settings for you.

Eargo Neo HiFi: Telehealth

Eargo offers a good telehealth system. When I purchased the Eargo Neo HiFi, I first met with a client care specialist who doubles as an in-app technical support specialist. They helped with troubleshooting and offered cleaning tips. From there, I was put in touch with Carrie, an audiologist, whom I chatted with over the phone and who helped to make sure that the hearing aids were working well. Next, I had a video consultation with Patrick, a hearing instrument specialist, who checked in to make sure the hearing aids were being used properly and meeting my needs. The reason that the Eargo Team offers all these professionals is because there are some nuances to their hearing aids that might be lost if you’re learning how to use them on your own. 

To maximize the Eargo Neo HiFi’s potential, I highly encourage at least one or two appointments with their accredited hearing care professionals. Doing so will ensure you are configuring them correctly and familiarize yourself on how to use its app. After speaking to the friendly team of experts, I quickly became adept in using this device!

Eargo Neo HiFi: Rechargeability

If you want to hear for most hours of the day, it’s important to have your hearing aids actually last all day. Fortunately, the Eargo Neo HiFi will last about 16 hours on just one charge, so you can rely on them for a full day of work or socializing. A full charge takes about six hours to complete. The case itself can hold multiple charges, with a single charge taking about two hours to complete. All in all, Eargo offers a reliable rechargeable system. 

Eargo Neo HiFi: Tinnitus Sound Therapy

Eargo hearing aids do not offer sound therapy inside of the hearing aids nor via Bluetooth streaming. The only benefit of the Eargo Neo HiFi hearing aids for tinnitus is amplification of sound via the hearing aids. They are not recommended to follow Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT).

Independent Quantitative Measurements Of The Eargo Neo HiFi

In order to see if the Eargo Neo HiFi hearing aids were able to meet certain degrees of hearing loss, I purchased them and put them through some of our professional testing equipment. In my initial tests, I went through three of Eargo’s preset programs, getting progressively stronger. My results showed a progressive increase in the overall gain or amplification in the mid and high frequency regions, with the low frequency regions receiving limited amplification. This result makes sense, as most people have high pitch progressive hearing loss. Thus, the Eargo Neo HiFi will help people who have a mild to moderate degree of hearing loss. 

Subsequently, I tested the Eargo Neo HiFi in a simulated ear environment to assess how it performs in complex audio situations. The results indicated that when speech came from both the front and background, these hearing aids lessened background noise by approximately five decibels. During my next experiment using continuous air conditioner sound as input, the same hearing aids reduced its intensity by around nine decibels – exhibiting impressive capability!

What Makes The Eargo Neo HiFi Different From Its Competitors?

Let’s compare the Eargo Neo HiFi to the Audicus Aura. Both have similar price points. In comparison, the Audicus Aura fully seals and blocks off the ear canal while still fitting quite nicely in my ears. Conversely, I found that Eargo Neo HiFi were much lighter and featured a natural open design. This made them infinitely more comfortable to wear than an Audicus Aura device. Moreover, you receive access to professional counseling or telehealth services upon buying the Eargo Neo HiFi – something not offered with the purchase of an Audicus Aura!

FAQs

I asked the following questions to Eargo’s audiology team. 

Question #1: Can I submit an audiogram? 

Answer #1: Yes, you can submit an audiogram to their team, but it’s not required to get the devices sent to you.

Question #2: Can you adjust the levels of my Eargo based on my hearing test? 

Answer #2: Yes, the audiologist can make some additional adjustments and changes to the device based on the information that you provide through the hearing test.

Question #3: How do you verify that I’m getting the most benefit? 

Answer #3: Eargo uses subjective patient responses to gauge hearing aid benefits.

Comparable Products To Consider

1. Phonak Paradise Hearing Aids

Phonak Paradise hearing aids are rechargeable premium technology. They have a reputation for excellent sound quality and a reliable rechargeable battery. The Phonak Paradise hearing aids are some of the best hearing aids in 2021. 

Click here for our detailed review of the Phonak Paradise hearing aids

2. Bose Sound Control Hearing Aids

Bose makes great electronics. Are the Bose online hearing aids any good? They offer affordable direct-to-consumer hearing aids for mild-to-moderate degree of hearing loss. 

Click here for our detailed review of the Bose Sound Control hearing aids

What To Do Next For Hearing Loss

Finding the right hearing aids can be a process. At Treble Health, we have compiled a consumer guide that explains the pros and cons of the best hearing aids on the market. Click here to get the free Hearing Aids in 2022: Consumer Guide.

Want to speak with an expert audiologist about hearing aids instead? At the tap of a finger, you can schedule a free Hear From Home™ telehealth consultation today! You’ll be connected with a real audiologist, not a salesperson, and there is no obligation or commitment.

More To Explore

TOP POSTS

Treble Health Audiologists Are
Professional Members Of The

CONNECT WITH TREBLE

Tinnitus Web Class
THIS Wednesday only

A special online event to help you find relief from tinnitus.

Class starts Weds at 8 p.m. EST.

The Best Hearing Aids to Stop Tinnitus

FREE Consultation with a Tinnitus Specialist
Explore Hearing Aid Options Tailored for Your Tinnitus