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Eargo 6 hearing aids may be a good, affordable, direct-to-consumer option for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. However, since these hearing aids don’t require a prescription or a comprehensive examination from an audiologist, medical conditions that could cause hearing loss may go undetected and untreated.

Founded in 2010, Eargo is a medical device company headquartered in San Jose, California. Eargo hearing aids were designed by ear, nose and throat surgeon Florent Michel, M.D., and have been on the market since 2015. Dr. Michel’s idea for the self-adjusting, soft and flexible hearing aids was inspired by feathers used for fly fishing.

Eargo has a Better Business Bureau rating of A- and 134 resolved or “answered” customer complaints.

Like Eargo’s other hearing aids, the Eargo 6 is nearly invisible and “floats” inside the ear canal, attached to a barely visible thread for easy removal. Eargo hearing aids are the smallest in-the-canal, open-fit hearing aids on the market, according to the company.

Unlike prescription hearing aids, you can order Eargo hearing aids directly from the company without undergoing an audiologist exam. Eargo devices are hearing aids—not to be confused with personal sound amplification products, commonly known as PSAPs, which merely amplify all sounds and also don’t require a prescription.

Eargo 6 hearing aids automatically adjust to enable optimal hearing in noisy environments. This self-adjusting feature allows for better hearing during conversations, in noisy restaurants or in other public settings. Eargo 6 hearing aids also self-adjust to help you hear better when talking on the telephone or listening to music.

The medical-grade silicone petal tips for Eargo 6 aids come in two styles. The closed petals reduce feedback and sound leakage. The open petals have less obstruction, which provides a more natural listening experience. The closed petals are better for those with hearing loss in the low frequencies, while the open petals will work better for those with normal hearing in the low frequencies and hearing loss in the high frequencies.

Eargo 6 hearing aids come with the following environmental, preset programs you can start using right away:

The Eargo 6 and some of Eargo’s other hearing aids also connect to the Eargo app and are compatible with iOS 12 or later and Android 7 or later. With the Eargo app, you can use Eargo’s “sound match” to personalize hearing preferences for each ear and adjust the volume yourself when necessary.

If you’re unsure about the level of hearing loss you have in each ear, you can take the online hearing screening on Eargo’s website. The screening can give you an idea of whether you have mild to moderate hearing loss. However, this test shouldn’t take the place of a diagnosis or hearing test conducted by an audiologist or other hearing health professional.

As of July 2022, a pair of Eargo 6 hearing aids cost $2,950 and come with a two-year unlimited warranty for repairs that also covers one-time damage or loss.

Eargo also offers occasional discounted rates if you want to hold out for a better price. For example, in July 2022, Eargo 6 hearing aids were priced at the July 4 promotional rate of $2,600.

Most health insurance plans, including Medicare, don’t cover the cost of hearing aids. However, some Medicare Advantage plans may cover a portion of the cost. To make the cost more manageable, Eargo offers financing so you can make monthly payments on its hearing aids.

Hear More Of Every Conversation

Designed for comfort and virtually invisible, Eargo 6 with Sound Adjust automatically optimizes the soundscape as you move between environments.

Eargo offers lifetime support from licensed hearing professionals who can help with setup and answer questions about the company’s hearing aid products. If you try the Eargo 6 and decide the hearing aid isn’t right for you, the company also has a 45-day return policy that includes a full refund.

If you think you have narrow ear canals or if you’d just like to see how the hearing aids fit before making a purchase, you may want to order a free, non-working sample from Eargo. The sample kit includes two replicas of the Eargo 6 hearing aid with different size tips.

The primary concern with direct-to-consumer hearing aids like the Eargo 6 is the lack of in-person care from an audiologist, says Stelios Dokianakis, audiologist and owner of Holland Doctors of Audiology in Holland, Michigan.

“Self-diagnosing hearing loss and self-prescribing hearing aids circumvents a professional assessment to rule out problems. A diagnostic assessment from an audiologist should be the first step in understanding auditory problems,” says Dr. Dokianakis. “Self-fitting of an over-the-counter device using an online test means no one looks in the ear, hearing levels and ear canal acoustics aren’t accurately measured and the sound reaching the eardrum will not accurately match the person’s needs.”

Hearing problems can come from allergies, sinus problems, impacted wax, fluid in the middle ear and even some types of growths or tumors, warns Dr. Dokianakis. “Without an appropriate diagnosis, rushing to get hearing aids to improve hearing ability can mask these problems and lead to more serious complications,” he says.

At the current price of $2,950 for Eargo 6 hearing aids, there are other affordable options that include an in-person examination and hearing device fitting so they can be precisely fit to the shape and size of each ear, says Dr. Dokianakis. “These can be better adjusted to the exact hearing prescription and offer Bluetooth connectivity to smartphones, TV and more,” he adds.

“The best road to direct-to-consumer hearing aids may be for patients to see a professional before purchasing a device and to also evaluate all options within their budget,” says Dr. Dokianakis. “Ruling out medical concerns and understanding the hearing loss and individual patient needs opens up options for a number of devices, including over-the-counter hearing aids. An educated consumer will make better choices.”

You May Also Be Interested In These Hearing Aids From Our Featured Partner

Eargo Neo HiFi Direct To Consumer Hearing Aid

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(Note: All prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.)

The primary difference between Eargo 5 and Eargo 6 is that the Eargo 6 has the “sound adjust” feature, which isn’t available on Eargo 5. The sound adjust feature continually monitors and adjusts for the user’s sound environment. This feature adjusts accordingly for better listening and hearing, whether you’re in a “normal” listening environment, in a crowded restaurant, on the phone, in meetings or watching television.

The Eargo 6 also has a IPX-7 water resistance rating, which the Eargo 5 doesn’t have. With IPX-7, the device is protected from damage in water depths up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) for up to 30 minutes. If you forget to remove the devices while showering or drop them in the tub while bathing, the hearing aids should continue to work.

There’s also a difference in price, with the Eargo 5 selling for $2,450 and the Eargo 6 selling for $2,950. If you prefer the Eargo 6, keep an eye out for a promotional price on the devices, since that discount may make the cost comparable to that of the Eargo 5.

Both products come with a warranty, but Eargo 6 has a two-year warranty compared to the one-year warranty offered for Eargo 5 hearing aids. Eargo 5 and Eargo 6 hearing aids both come with one-time loss or damage coverage.

The life expectancy of Eargo hearing aids is around three years, according to the Eargo website. Hearing aids often have a lifespan between two to seven years, depending on the type. In-the-canal hearing aids (such as Eargo aids) may have a shorter lifespan.

Eargo 6 hearing aids don’t have Bluetooth capability for streaming music or other audio. However, they adjust automatically to identify your surroundings for better listening and hearing.

Eargo 6 also connects to the Eargo app to customize each individual device to allow you to hear better in certain environments, including when listening to music.

Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.

Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.

Deb Hipp is a freelance writer in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a former investigative reporter with more than 25 years of experience as a journalist and writer. She specializes in aging, long-term care, caregiving, retirement and a variety of other health and retirement topics.