What Is The Best Hearing Aid App

Which Is Better: In

Hearing aids come in several styles including behind-the-ear and in-the-ear. Finding the best device for you depends on several factors.

A behind-the-ear hearing aid sits behind your ear with a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The case that sits behind your ear holds all the electronic parts necessary to make it work. BTE devices are bigger, so they are typically easier to use and handle, making them a good choice for kids and seniors. They’re also able to house a larger battery, which provides a longer battery life. Plus, the bigger size makes them more durable and able to provide more features. BTE hearing aids serve a range of ages and hearing loss. They are appropriate for all ages and work well for anyone with mild to profound hearing loss.

In-the-ear hearing aids fit inside the ear, either partially or completely, and work well for mild to severe hearing loss. Some ITE devices come with a telecoil, which is a small magnetic coil, that enables you to hear sound through the circuitry rather than the microphone. This may improve the quality of phone conversations or help you hear in environments that use special sound systems like induction auditoriums. ITE aids are more discreet than BTE, but they are still bigger than nearly invisible options like a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid.

Runner Up: Oticon More

More is the latest hearing aid from Danish company Oticon. More is in the second tier of rechargeable hearing aids when it comes to battery life, matched with brands like Phonak and Starkey which offer 24 hours on a full charge. While Oticon does not offer a portable charger , Oticon does provide something unique your hearing aids wont need to be sent back to the manufacturer when its time to replace the built-in lithium-ion batteries. We want to encourage more manufacturers to follow suit!

*Via Made For iPhone and Android ASHA protocols on select smartphones.**According to research from Oticon

Best For Vertigo: Silk Nx

Based on US survey data from 2001-2004, a 2012 study of over 2,000 people 40 to 69 years old found that those with mild hearing loss were almost three times as likely as those without hearing loss to report falling over the preceding year. Research has not shown whether the use of hearing aids could help reduce this problem. Hearing aids are not really going to help balance per se, they can help your spatial awareness in the sense that you’re hearing things better, explains Dr. Wichova.

The Silk Nx is small and comes with a silicone sleeve so it can sit naturally in the ear, where it is almost invisible. Whether youre making a phone call, listening to music, or trying to speak to someone in a loud room, the noise sounds natural and youre able to focus on the most important voices. If you ever need to modify these hearing aids, you can always use the touchControl App to change its settings so they meet your personalized needs at the moment.

Hearing aids like the Silk Nx are helpful to those struggling with vertigo because it provides necessary visual information by restoring ones ability to detect where sounds are located in a space. That way, its easy for the body to orient itself without feeling too dizzy. However, Dr. Wichova suggests patients see an ENT if theyre struggling with vertigo or other conditions before their hearing aid fitting, just to ensure there are no other health issues present.

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If You Have An Android Phone

Many smartphone-compatible hearing aids work with Android phones. However, not all hearing aid models will work with all Android phones. Check your hearing aid user guide or your manufacturers website for a list of Android phones that will work with your hearing aids. Manufacturers websites:

• Widex

With most hearing aid models, you will need to purchase a separate phone clip accessory in order to stream phone calls, music, and other audio to your hearing aids. However, even without a Bluetooth accessory, you can still use many of the other smartphone features are available through the app, such as changing volume and switching programs.

Hearing Aids: A Breakdown

No matter the style or model, digital hearing aids usually have the same components inside: a microphone, amplifier, speaker, and battery. How do they work? The microphone first picks up the sounds around you and sends them to a microchip that amplifies and converts them into electrical signals. The microchip adjusts these signals to comply with the programming set up by your hearing care provider, and then theyre converted back into soundwaves and transmitted to your ear through the speaker. Unlike analog devices, digital hearing aids are sophisticated enough to identify particular sounds, like someones voice, and amplifies that sound while decreasing all other noises around you. Some hearing aids also include additional components that dont alter this process, such as extra microphones, Bluetooth, volume switches, program buttons, ear hooks, and a battery hatch.

Although all hearing aids work the same way, that doesnt mean that they come with the same features. For example, canal hearing aids have less programs you can cycle through and they usually dont have Bluetooth capabilities, since, as Dr. Arroyo explains, The chassis is way smaller and so the circuitry has to be placed closer together, and thats why theyre usually less potent and have less features. Some of them have Bluetooth, but most dont.

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Embrace Hearing A Series: Best Hearing Aid For Seniors

The simple and comfortable Embrace Hearing A Series hearing aid has three options, each of which steps up the performance according to your needs: the entry-level A-410 is ideal for use at home and smaller environments while the top A-920R can deal with noisy restaurants and bigger venues such as theatres the A-710 sits comfortably in the middle.

The hearing aids are easy to operate with a button on the device with features that include AutoSurround providing adaptability for multiple environments, as well as a tinnitus manager program and Telecoil and BiCROS programming.

Power is provided with a size 312 battery, although the A-920R comes with a rechargeable Li-On option. All three options include a two-year warranty. The A Series is the best hearing aid for you if you want a no-nonsense high-quality hearing aid that you can reliably depend on. Embrace also offers excellent support for its customers including services for fitting, maintaining and repairing the hearing aids.

• View the A Series Hearing Aid at Embrace Hearing

Best Hearing Aid Apps For Your Smartphone

More than one in seven Americans experiences a degree of hearing loss, ranging from children to adults to seniors. Advancements in technology have affected every aspect of our lives, from the ways we communicate and socialize through to the ways in which we work and relax and the technology used for those hard of hearing is no different.

Hearing instrument specialists can now offer a variety of hearing aids with better sound clarity than ever before. One of the biggest changes to happen to the hearing aid market in recent years is their transition from analog to digital. Whereas analog hearing aids work by simply amplifying a sound and all the background noise that comes with it, a digital hearing aid transforms sounds into bytes that can then be manipulated to reduce background noise.

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Best Hearing Aid Apps For Android

My Hearing Centers Hearing, Hearing Aid Technology, Hearing Aids, Hearing Health

Todays hearing aids are nothing like the hearing aids you may remember from 15 years ago. We know the ones youre thinking about: those clunky, awkward devices that were visually obvious and whistled when you got to close. If youve recently been diagnosed with a hearing loss, we are excited for you to learn more about todays sophisticated hearing aid technology. We work with the worlds top manufacturers to bring you the best hearing aid offerings. New hearing aids are sleek devices, small or nearly invisible in size, and as advanced as your smartphone or laptop! Youll never have to fiddle with your device to change the settings, and your hearing aids can be fully controlled from the palm of your hand.

Apps for Android

Todays hearing aids feature the best in connectivity and can be easily controlled from your phone. A few years ago, many hearing aids manufactures introduced Made for iPhone technology, which seamlessly connected hearing aids to iPhone software for the ultimate in connectivity features. If youre not a fan of Apple products, and prefer Android technology, you can also enjoy great connectivity, and have full control of your hearing technology.

Starkey TruLink

Phonak Remote

ReSound Smart 3D App

My Hearing Centers

Finding A Hearing Aid App For Android

There was no real distinction between Android and iPhone, as far as hearing aids were concerned, until Apple released proprietary Bluetooth technology exclusive to iOS in 2013. Because of this release, Made for iPhone hearing aids can now communicate directly with iPhones without being a huge drain on battery power or requiring an intermediary streamer to connect.

Unfortunately for Android users, no Made for Android or otherwise-named technology has followed yet. However, that doesnt mean its difficult to find a hearing aid app for Android.

When looking for a hearing aid app for Android setup you will find one downside however: Most currently rely on an intermediary streamer to provide the full benefits, such as the ConnectClip for Oticon Opn devices or the Phone Clip+ for ReSound hearing aids. These come at an additional cost of a few hundred dollars.

Fortunately, this wont be a concern for much longer. An equivalent of the iPhones proprietary technology is beginning to be incorporated into Android phones. This means the playing field will soon be level once again, allowing Android phones to connect directly with hearing aids while maintaining full features with minimal power consumption.

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In 2021 Bluetooth Hearing Aids Are Becoming The Standard

Today there are dozens of powerful Bluetooth-enabled hearing devices on the market. Bluetooth connection allows for conveniences for hearing aid wearers like:

• Listening to podcasts and music directly through your hearing aids.

• Connection to a hearing aid app that can control settings and volume + indicate when your battery is low.

• Take phone calls without holding the phone to your ear.

• Some hearing aids are using Bluetooth to experiment with fitness tracking, fall detection, and language translation.

Consumer Reports & Reviews For Earspoke R100 Rechargeable Hearing Amplifier Programmable Wireless App Sound Assist Aid

Carolyn Leach: It comes with excellent sound quality with the background noise cancellation feature. I use it when I need to go outside.

May King: Its an amazing product for people like me who cant hear properly. I am happy to have it.

Eleanor M. Youngblood: Thanks to EarSpoke R100 that has made my life more beautiful. Now, I can hear every sound without much effort.

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Lexie Hearing Aids Review

Best Rewards Program

Lexie is an industry newcomer that offers a premium hearing aid at the extremely competitive price of $799 per pair. Founded by the experienced hearX group, Lexie was created to make high-quality hearing care more accessible. The Lexie hearing aid leverages smart technology to offer sought-after features like on-demand remote care and adaptive noise reduction at an affordable price, so users dont have to compromise on features for affordability.

In addition to its industry-beating price, Lexies suite of extra features helps set it apart from other companies. Its rewards program, Lexie Rewards, guides and supports customers from the moment they start using their Lexie Lumen. This unique program encourages users to wear their aids regularly and learn more about their devices during the crucial first weeks of wear. Users are incentivized to meet their goals with award points that can later be used as a discount on their subscription or in-app purchases. Users access the rewards program through the Lexie Hearing mobile app, which has many additional features for users to take advantage of as well.

The Lexie Lumen hearing aid is sold direct to consumers from Lexie and costs $799 for a pair. Users may also pay for their devices on a subscription basis at a rate of $49 a month for 24 months. Both payment plans include access to Lexie Rewards, remote care, and the mobile app.

Lexie Hearing Aid Device Features

The Lumen

Runner Up: Costcos Ks9

Coming up in second place is Costco with their latest Kirkland Signature hearing aid, the KS9, which is manufactured by Phonaks parent company Sonova. The KS9 is considered by many to be functionally the same as the Phonak Marvel, offering many of the same features and compatibility with Phonaks Roger wireless accessories.

A quick look through the state-by-state warehouse listings reveals that most of Costcos 558 US warehouses offer Hearing Aid Center services. In terms of access to in-clinic support, thats about 1000 less clinics than what Beltone has on the map, and word on the street is that wait times to get into any Costco Hearing Aid Center can be lengthy due to the popularity of their cheaper-than-average hearing aid offerings. As an example, a pair of Marvels might cost you 3x what youd pay for a pair of KS9s.

Hearing Aid Discounts Delivered to Your Inbox

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Runner Up: Resound One

ReSound was the first hearing aid company to offer support for both Made For iPhone and Android ASHA Bluetooth protocols, and Resound promises One will support the upcoming Bluetooth LE Audio protocol through a future firmware upgrade. While the Oticon More provides the same support , the product is still new, and has an unproven track record on ASHA support.

You can get high-quality hands-free calling for the ReSound One by purchasing the ReSound Phone Clip+ and pairing it to your phone. The microphone on the Phone Clip+ which can be worn on a lapel is used to pick up your voice and send it to the caller. For those looking at Oticon More, youll need the ConnectClip to accomplish hands-free calling.

Eargo Hearing Aids Review

Best for Comfortable In-Ear Hearing Aids

Eargo offers some of the least visible completely-in-canal hearing aids available, and unlike the majority of other hearing aid brands, all four Eargo models are rechargeable. But what makes this brand unique is its approach to inner-ear comfort and sound amplification.

Featuring soft silicone earpieces that are suspended within the ear canal rather than plugging it, Eargo hearing aids give users with mild to moderate hearing loss a far more breathable option than ever before. Eargos Flexi earpieces fit deep inside the ear, hiding the hearing aid from view, and they leave plenty of room for bass-heavy sounds to travel into the wearers eardrum unamplified while only high-treble sounds are picked up and aided by the device. The result is natural sound and unrivaled comfort.

Eargo hearing aids are sold directly to consumers via the companys website, Eargo.com. Though these hearing aids are not pre-programmed using individuals audiogram results, Eargo offers a capable and user-friendly app through which users can program their devices and reach Eargo hearing specialists.

Eargo Hearing Aid Device Features

Eargo Max hearing aids retail at $1,500 for a set of two and come with ten extra Flexi Fiber earpieces.

A set of Eargo Neo hearing aids retails at $2,000 and comes with six medium-sized Flexi Palm earpiece replacements.

Neo HiFi

Eargo 5

Pros and Cons of the Eargo Hearing Aid Brand

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Phonak Audo Marvel: Best Bluetooth Hearing Aid

Reasons to Avoid

The award-winning, high-tech Phonak Audéo Marvel is truly one for the audiophiles, offering excellent clarity and rich sound. The best hearing aid for musicians, it features Marvel technology with universal Bluetooth connectivity making it the first hearing aid to support binaural direct streaming from Android, iPhone and countless other devices.

Meanwhile, the myPhonak app can be used to swiftly and intuitively control your hearing aid, for real-time adjustments, access to video support, as well as a hearing diary. And, of course, you can also adjust the hearing aids volume and set up preferences for certain environments, as well as control the Bluetooth phone call configuration.

Additional accessories for tech lovers include the Roger microphone, a discreet gadget used in combination with a receiver in your Phonak Audéo Marvel hearing aid. The Roger comes in the form of a small disc-shaped unit or a pen that helps you hear more clearly in noisy surroundings such as restaurants.

• Read our in-depth guide to the Phonak Audéo Marvel
• View the Audéo Marvel at Phonak

Determine What Accessories You May Need

Most companies sell accessories like remotes and streamers that can make programming and using your aids more convenient. However, buying accessories for various purposes can easily make your hearing aid far more expensive. For that reason, its best to start the shopping process by considering your specific accessory needs. The following are some of the most common accessories offered by hearing aid brands.

Streaming Accessories

Many of the devices covered here feature Made for iPhone functionality, so Apple device users often spend less on accessories as these devices stream directly to Apple devices. However, if your phone runs on OS and youd like the freedom to connect to other devices, such as your TV or car stereo, most brands will most likely require you to purchase a separately sold accessory. Bluetooth streamers can connect a hearing aid either wirelessly or with the use of a wired adapter to a broad range of external devices, and users will no longer need to excessively crank the volume of their TV or radio. Bluetooth streamers and adapters can cost hundreds, but they can make the balance of sound in your listening environment more level and clear.

Remote Controls

Microphones

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