Go Ultra Expert Review: Underwhelming Sound Performance

Go Hearing Ultra is a more affordable OTC hearing aid offering wireless streaming and hands-free phone calls. It is comfortable and easy to use but we were not overly impressed with its ability to make speech clear. 

Pros of the Go Ultra

Cons of the Go Ultra

Who is the Go Ultra hearing aid for?

As an FDA-registered OTC hearing aid, Go Ultra is aimed at those individuals who have no greater than mild-to-moderate hearing loss. It is an accessible and convenient solution—the product is ordered online and delivered directly to your door, with no need to visit a hearing care provider.

Go Ultra has been designed with simplicity in mind. You won't need a smartphone app and there are no complex setup procedures. Go Ultra instead offers manual adjustments through easy-to-use multi-function buttons. This makes the device particularly attractive to those who value straightforward and intuitive operations.

The product also strikes a balance between quality and cost-effectiveness. Priced at $499, Go Ultra offers certain features that are typically associated with higher-end devices, such as rechargeability and Bluetooth streaming capabilities. And the product is under the umbrella of hearX (which owns Lexie and Go Hearing), a reputable hearing tech company based in South Africa.

For tech-savvy users who regard streaming as a key feature, Go Ultra doesn't disappoint. The device offers Bluetooth streaming and hands-free calling, a feature that is compatible with both Android and iOS platforms. Overall, were it not for underwhelming sound performance, Go Ultra would be a viable option for many potential users given its combination of accessibility, simplicity, affordability, and tech-forward approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Makes Go Ultra?

Go Ultra is manufactured by Huizhou Jinghau Medical Technology, based in China, and distributed by hearX USA under the Go Hearing brand. The hearX group, which also distributes Bose hearing aid technology through its Lexie Hearing brand, is based in Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa.

Go Hearing launched Go Ultra, its first behind-the-ear (BTE) style rechargeable hearing aid, on the QVC shopping network in May of 2022. Go Ultra can now be purchased directly from Go Hearing’s website as well as other online retailers such as Best Buy for $499 a pair. This makes Go Ultra one of the lowest priced OTC devices on the market to offer both rechargeability and hands-free Bluetooth capabilities.

Go Hearing also offers the in-the-ear style Go Prime ($299) and Go Lite ($199) OTC hearing aids. All Go Hearing products come with a 45-day risk-free return policy and 1-year warranty.

Unboxing Go Ultra

In the box you will find your pair of Go Ultra hearing aids, a charging case, various ear tip sizes and styles, several slim tub sizes, an ear measuring tool, cleaning supplies, charging cable and wall power adapter, and user manuals. Go Ultra will need to be charged (more on this later) and it is wise to check your ear size with the provided measuring tool before their first use. An extra set of eyes will help though your smartphone can be used to snap a quick picture. Be sure to reference the user manual for assistance with this and selecting the appropriate slim tube and ear tip combination. 

Comfortable enough on my ears

How do Go Ultra hearing aids feel on ear? Well, they seem rather large compared to other OTC and prescription devices. The slim tube is also much stiffer than the wires found on receiver-in-ear (RIC) hearing aids. Fortunately, I did not find these physical differences to be a deal breaker and influence comfort significantly. They are still lightweight at 4g per hearing aid and sit comfortably once positioned properly. Those who wear corrective lenses may notice that their glasses sit on top of Go Ultra, as opposed to alongside them, due to their slightly wider bodies. Most people should have no problems finding a good overall fit with the selection of slim tubes and domes. 

Controlling the Go Ultra hearing aids

Go Ultra are functionally very easy to use and will feel familiar to anyone who has previous experience with a RIC or BTE hearing aid. Adjusting settings is easier than some other devices thanks to the larger button size, physical feel, and audio indicators. 

Go Ultra have a familiar seesaw-like up and down multi-function button. This can be found on the back of each hearing aid and provides adjustment to power, volume, program changes, and audio settings while streaming phone calls. These adjustments should be fairly straightforward as they are similar to what many other hearing aids offer. I found them to provide enough helpful control without being too confusing. Go Ultra’s multi-function button controls are summarized in the table below.  

The volume control has 10 available steps and defaults to a middle setting of 5. This should provide plenty of volume adjustment for most situations. You will hear a single tone for volume adjustments and three consecutive beeps when you reach the top or bottom of the volume range. 

Four unique listening programs

Go Ultra also provides four listening programs which can be accessed by a long-press of the down button. The programs are as follows: 

1. Normal: This is the default program which is designed for general use. 
2. High-Frequency Setting: This program increases high frequency gain and is designed to help improve speech clarity. Go Hearing also recommends using this setting in noisy situations. 
3. Low-Frequency Setting: Opposite the previous setting, this program provides more gain in the lower frequencies. This may improve music quality and or be more appropriate for those with a low-frequency hearing loss. 
4. General Amplification Setting: The final program provides additional volume to all sounds. 

You can change between these programs by pressing and holding the bottom multi-function button for 3 seconds. This allows you to cycle through the programs in the order listed above and you will hear one to four beeps indicating the corresponding setting. Go Hearing does not have an associated phone app so adjustments must be made manually. Furthermore, the hearing aids do not communicate with one another so any changes need to be made to both devices independently. This holds true for both program and volume adjustments.

A nice feature that helps combat the independent adjustments is a memory recall function. Meaning, Go Ultra hearing aids save your settings when powered off and return to them the next time you use them. This is a nice feature that should help reduce the number of times you will be reaching for the multi-function button.

Bluetooth streaming and hands-free capabilities

Go Ultra has impressive wireless capabilities offering audio streaming and hands-free phone calls with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and other proprietary algorithms. These features are available for Android (7 and above) or iOS (13 and above) mobile devices. The Bluetooth version of your phone should be 4.0 or higher. Setting up wireless control is straightforward and best completed after the devices are adjusted to best fit your ears and fully charged. A detailed description of the pairing process can be found here or in the user manual.

The wireless features are rather basic but this provides for a simple setup and short learning curve. It is also understandable given the lower cost of Go Ultra hearing aids. Here are a few unique points that arose while testing the wireless capabilities of Go Ultra:

• Coordinated streaming volume: Volume adjustments while streaming are binaural, or in both ears. This differs from general use which requires independent adjustment of each device.
• Hands-free controls: For hands-free calling, Go Ultra allow you to adjust volume (up or down) and accept/reject/end calls (short press of the down button). However, adjustments while streaming audio are limited to volume control. There is no feature for pausing or skipping tracks with the multi-function buttons at this time.
• Amplification while streaming: Go Ultra hearing aids continue to amplify environmental sounds while using Bluetooth.
• Limited streaming personalization: Program changes do not influence streamed audio.
• Program button disabled while streaming: The program button seems to be disabled while streaming audio. You have to first pause audio on your phone and then switch programs with a long press of the down button.
• Annoying sounds: You may hear a short pop or click when starting or stopping streamed audio on your phone. This is not loud though it can be annoying.

Lastly, streamed audio quality is nothing to write home about but it is a useful feature that worked reliably during my testing. More on audio quality later.

Power and Rechargeability

Go Ultra are rechargeable and offer up to a reported 20 hours of battery life. Other actions such as streaming, using high volume settings, and various environmental factors will drain the batteries quicker. Here are estimates of Go Ultra’s battery life in various conditions:

1. 20 Hours: Normal use without Bluetooth connection to a mobile device.
2. 8 Hours: Go Ultra is Bluetooth connected but not streaming.
3. 2.5 - 3 Hours: Constant streaming of calls, music, or other media.

Charging Go Ultra is as easy as placing them in the corresponding left/right magnetic bays of their charge case. Charging begins automatically and will take 2-2.5 hours from a fully depleted battery. There is no need to set a timer as lights on the front of the case will change from blue to green when they are ready. Furthermore, Go Ultra turn off automatically when charging so feedback does not occur.

When first using Go Ultra, be sure to remove the small sticker towards the bottom of the hearing aids otherwise the conducting pins will not make contact while charging. It is also important to place the hearing aids in the appropriate left/right charger bays as mismatching devices can also result in poor connection.

Lastly, the included case has an internal power bank offering an additional 3 to 7.5 charges (the manual and website offer conflicting information, respectively). The case is durable, includes a power switch, and can be charged simultaneously with Ultra hearing aids. My only complaint is that the power port is located on the bottom of the case, making it sit awkwardly on its back when plugged into a wall.

Lab Testing with HearAdvisor™

When tested in the HearAdvisor™ lab, Go Ultra hearing aids showed minimal speech enhancement benefits in quiet to moderately loud environments. Performance worsened when increasing to loud environments. This may result in-part due to Ultra offering limited amplification in the higher frequencies which are more important for speech clarity. Ultra also has only a single microphone per device and does not therefore have the directional benefits of beamforming multi-microphones. 

Feedback performance was good showing no signs of whistling even when Ultra were completely covered. The larger double-flange ear tips likely contributed to this though they did result in more overall occlusion, or a vocal “boominess” when speaking. Ultra’s streamed audio quality was good being slightly above average for an OTC hearing aid.

Biggest drawbacks of Go Ultra

Go Ultra can be connected to a mobile device but there is currently no associated app, adjustments to volume and programs must be made manually with the multi-function buttons. Furthermore, any adjustments must be made independently to both devices. 

The other major drawback of Go Ultra is that they don't function particularly well as hearing aids. While streaming audio was good, amplification for speech, in both quiet and noisy situations, was poor.

Where can you buy Go Ultra?

Go Hearing products are available online directly from GoHearing.com. They can also be purchased through other online retailers such as BestBuy, QVC, CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreens.

Final thoughts on Go Ultra

Go Ultra is a lower cost OTC hearing aid offering desirable tech features like audio streaming and hands-free phone calls. These features are available without the need to install an app or regularly navigate complicated menus. However, this also leaves Ultra somewhat limited from an adjustments standpoint. 

While the physical aspects of Ultra are no issue given the extra components, we found it to fall short on speech benefits especially compared to other OTC and hearable technology at a similar price point. With that said, individuals with a milder degree of hearing loss may find some benefits in quiet and enjoy the streaming capabilities without the price tag of a more typical prescription device. If you try Go Ultra, consider follow-up with a hearing care professional for on-ear testing as this can verify just how much benefit you are receiving.

What other products should I consider?

Lexie Lumen is a logical alternative to Go Ultra given their shared parent company hearX, and given they both use slim tubes. Lumen hearing aids are slightly more expensive at $799 (compared to $499 for Ultra) though Lexie offers monthly payments and other special rewards which can help offset the cost difference. 

Lumen devices are similar to Go Ultra in both size and style however, they have several added benefits for the more tech-interested individual. Lumen are a true self-fitting device offering an app based hearing assessment and greater customization through the Lexie app. Remote-care is also available and included in the cost of Lexie devices. 

Lexie Lumen are not currently rechargeable and require the more antiquated size 312 disposable batteries. This is not necessarily a downside though most hearing products are moving away from the disposable battery model. Another more noteworthy downside to Lumen hearing aids is that they do not currently offer audio streaming or hands-free calling.

Both Lexie Lumen and Lexie B2 Powered by Bose (another hearX product) are viable alternatives to Go Ultra. The pros and cons of Lumen hearing aids are discussed above, and B2 take it one step further offering Bluetooth streaming, rechargeability, and improved water resistance. Both of these devices also outperformed Ultra in the HearAdvisor™ lab with the Lexie B2 being a recipient of the 2023 HearAdvisor Expert Choice Award. 

Go Ultra, Lumen, and B2 can be purchased for $499, $799, and $999 respectively. While the escalating price may be off-putting, the feature set and speech-in-noise benefits may be well worth the extra expense for some individuals interested in an OTC hearing solution.