The Eargo 8 hearing aid is here, available over-the-counter with tons of tech, one standout self-diagnostic feature, and a nearly invisible design.You can order them on Eargo.com for $2,699, the same price as their predecessor, but with several improvements.Eargo 8(Credit: Eargo)The "device scan" feature diagnoses issues that are blocking or distorting sound quality. Eargo patented the tech, and says its new devices are the "only device in the category" to have it.In the accompanying mobile app, users can initiate a device scan to see what's wrong with their hearing aids. While hearing aids can suffer from faulty microphones or water damage, earwax seems to be the biggest culprit. In an Eargo study of 35 devices over five months, 29 had no issues detected, and the six that did were all related to wax buildup. Five could be cleaned by the owners, "although one required deep cleaning by Eargo staff," Eargo says. One was so clogged its microphone did not recover, but the rest were fine.Device scan recommends cleaning(Credit: Eargo)The feature could make the OTC hearing aids even easier to self-manage, offering better customer support without needing support from an audiologist, like a traditional hearing aid, which is typically much more expensive than OTC devices. Eargo hopes the new feature will "empower users to take corrective actions independently," and if Eargo customer support needs to be involved, it will provide them extra information to help troubleshoot.Recommended by Our EditorsThe diagnostic feature builds on many other high-tech features available in prior Eargo products as well as the latest Eargo 8. The new model gets more battery life thanks to an "extended-life charging case," which can keep the devices powered up for two full weeks. It can also charge wirelessly.Another major feature is smart sound adjust, which automatically configures the settings for users depending on their environment. For example, if you're in a noisy restaurant or crowded area, it will reduce background noise without the user needing "to fuss with controls," Eargo says. This feature is already available on their earlier models, though it's an important one that can significantly improve the wearer's experience.Charging case(Credit: Eargo)"This isn’t just another hearing aid, it’s a leap forward in technology, user experience, and accessibility,” says Tim Trine, Chief Technology Officer of LXE Hearing, a new company created by the merger of Eargo and hearX, which is overseeing the launch of the Eargo 8. "With Eargo 8, we’ve achieved an extraordinary breakthrough in sound quality and user experience that redefines what OTC hearing aids should be. We’ve done the research, pushed the technology, and listened to our customers to deliver a smarter, sleeker, and more accessible model," Trine adds.The Eargo 8 fits fully inside the ear canal, making it nearly invisible(Credit: Eargo) Source: https://me.pcmag.com/en/health-fitness/29801/tiny-eargo-8-hearing-aids-scan-for-issues-messing-with-sound-quality-like-earwax #tiny #eargo #hearing #aids #scan #issues #messing #sound #quality #like #earwax