In the ear or behind-the-ear, that is the question [View all]
Hearing appliances are varied and personal, I've realized, but I thought I'd relate my own experience with the plethora of OTC choices.
Three years ago, I purchased the Eargo5 hearing aids. I was amazed at the difference these tiny devices made in my hearing clarity, seriously questioning my reluctance to address what had clearly become a hearing disability.
I'll notch that up to vanity. 
However, like all good things there was an end point. After 3 years of constant use, my tiny Eargos died (the original warranty was 3 years though I think the company has backtracked to a 2-year contract.)
Faced with choosing a new set of hearing aids (because I can't live without them now), I was left with the question in my header: do I go for another Eargo set or try a behind-the-ear device?
The Eargos are near invisible and the new series now water-proof. The water-proofing feature was a plus since I'd forgotten to remove my devices several times in the shower. Somehow they survived the mishaps. What the standard Eargo does not offer is bluetooth capability; they're just too small. You can buy a Eargo set with bluetooth but the appliances are quite visible, a plug-like design which I personally found unacceptable.
We're back to vanity again.
So, I'm now on my second set of appliances and went with a behind-the-ear design, the Jabra Enhance series. The behind-the-ear piece is quite small, the size of an almond and the overall effect is near invisibility. More importantly, the hearing quality is very good. I had to switch out the buds to find the right size. Surprisingly, I found the large, closed buds to work best (for me). I say surprising bc I'd always used a medium, opened bud on the Eargos.
Different devices, different experience.
What I really love about the Jabra is the bluetooth connectivity. I walk and work around the house listening to podcasts and music. I can now pipe all that through my hearing aids. Plus my telephone calls automatically go to my hearing appliances. I get a beep as an alert on the calls, and then I'm hooked in. TV reception requires a separate streaming device. I haven't tried that (the extra streaming device is approx $300). Might consider it later but overall I don't need it now.
At the moment I'm quite happy with the selection. I wear my appliances for about 12 hours a day; they're getting a workout. There's a 3-year warranty on the devices, and as with the Eargos, a phone app that makes on-the-spot environmental changes (for instance, restaurant noise and filter accommodations).
Anyway, I wanted to pass the info/experience along for anyone else who may be confused by all the products out there.
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