Who Makes The Best Hearing Aids

Oticon Xceed Sp: Best Hearing Aid For Severe Hearing Loss

Reasons to Avoid

With the Xceed, Oticon prides itself on offering the worlds most powerful hearing aid specifically designed for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss. The Oticon Xceed Hearing Aid uses innovative tech that helps wearers feel more connected to their environment. An OpenSound Optimizer, for example, prevents feedback before it occurs, while Oticons BrainHearing technology brings in optimum sound information so wearers can reduce their listening effort and receive better speech clarity.

Other perks of the Xceed include connectivity via the iPhone-only Oticon On app for streaming music and TV, taking calls and controlling the hearing aid. If you have an Android phone you can get the same function via the ConnectClip, a small gadget that transmits to your hearing aid. There is also a remote control available.

The Oticon Xceed hearing aid comes in seven different colors from grey to black, and two different power levels Super and Ultra, with the Oticon Xceed SP and the Oticon Xceed UP respectively.

• Read our in-depth guide to the Oticon Xceed SP
• View the Xceed SP at Oticon

Best Hearing Aids Of 2021

3 years

An estimated 15% of American adults, roughly 37.5 million people, suffer from some form of hearing loss, according to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

To help you compare models and product features, we created a variety of categories and gathered a list of the best hearing aids in the industry today, including companies like Signia, Starkey and Phonak.

Resound Linx Quattro Bluetooth Hearing Aid

This Bluetooth hearing aid can stream directly to Bluetooth-compatible devices without using an intermediate device. People can use it to stream TV, audio, and more directly to their hearing aids.

ReSound provides an app that allows users to customize and control their hearing aids from their smartphones. For example, the app enables users to adjust volume based on location or setting, check the battery status, and find missing hearing aids.

This model is available in three different designs:

• receiver-in-ear
• behind-the-ear
• custom-crafted model

These hearing aids use rechargeable batteries and can last up to 30 hours after a complete charge.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders , individuals should consider the following before purchasing a hearing aid:

• which option provides the most useful features for their needs
• the total cost of the hearing aid
• whether there is a trial period
• whether a company offer a warranty, how long that warranty lasts, and what it covers
• whether the manufacturer will provide temporary replacement hearing aids if the originals need repairing

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The Cost Of Hearing Aids

Hearing aid costs can vary dramatically depending on the type of device, its basic and premium features, and the manufacturer. As demonstrated in our list of the Ten Best Hearing Aids, some hearing aids can be purchased for just a few hundred dollars, while other, more advanced models may cost upwards of $2,000. Below, we cover three key things you should consider before purchasing a hearing aid to ensure you choose a suitable device for your needs and budget.

Access to Professional Care and Assistance

While in the past you would have to work with an audiologist to obtain a hearing aid, modern companies offer a direct-to-consumer model. Today, you can easily buy hearing aids online without any input from an audiologist. However, that doesnt mean you should.

Though most DTC hearing aids offer online hearing tests and some form of customized programming, be aware that its not the same level of personalization and care you would experience working with a hearing care professional. For those with mild-moderate hearing loss, these DTC devices are often sufficient and in general, theyre much less expensive. But for those with more advanced hearing loss or other audiology-related concerns, it may make more sense to work with an audiologist to get your hearing aid .

Payment Structures

Long-Term Costs

Hearing Aid Clean & Care

Your hearing aids are a costly and important investment in your life, they have been designed to be both reliable and durable. However, to keep them in tip-top shape involves some commitment from you, we have a guide that will help you to care for your hearing aids no matter which type they are.

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Simplicity And Continued Care

Begin the process by completing an online hearing test followed by a pre-purchase video. Once you receive your hearing aids, youâll be connected with an audiologist via video conference who will program and adjust your hearing aids.

Thereâs no need to wait for an appointment or drive to a hearing center, which is especially nice during the pandemic. Working with an audiologist ensures you get hearing aids specific to your hearing loss. It also allows the opportunity to ask questions about the best way to use your hearing aids.

My Pick: Phonak Virto M Titanium Iic

Phonak started manufacturing 3D-printed titanium hearing aids back in 2017 with Virto B. My mind was blown at the time, because I didnt even know it was possible to print metal. Apparently printed metal is a thing, and Phonak saw an opportunity to bring the technology into the hearing aid manufacturing process.

In a press release, Phonak stated that their titanium shells were 15x stronger and 50% thinner than traditional acrylic hearing aid shells. This meant deeper placement in the ear canal and a more discreet fit. In 2021, Phonak is still ahead of the pack when it comes to hearing aid visibility no other manufacturer is producing printed-titanium shells that compete on size or invisibility.

In terms of comfort, the new Virto M is about as comfortable as any other invisible in canal hearing aid on the market which is to say pretty comfortable for most people. Most people prefer open-fitting hearing aids over custom-fitted in-canal style hearing aids.

In terms of reliability, the Virto M Titanium is as reliable any IIC can be. Its the only one that Im aware of that has an IP68 for moisture and dust protection. Having said that, ear canals are a hostile environment for even the most robust of hearing aids, so if you are someone who perspires a lot or produces a lot of wax, you might want to consider going with a thin-tube style hearing aid that doesnt put any electronic components deep in your ear.

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Widex: Best For Artificial Intelligence Features

Widex provides some of the most customized hearing aid solutions for users, coupling industry-leading technology with AI learning features and comprehensive support from in-person audiologist consultation and a telehealth app for users to adjust their device or solve problems at home.

The Widex Evoke Fusion is a small, inner-ear canal fitted device created for users of all stages of hearing loss, including profound hearing loss. These devices all come with SoundSense, the machine learning software of all Widex products. This technology adapts to the wearers environment and adjusts the sensitivity, volume, and clarity accordingly. The devices have ten programmable channels, and users can easily change from one setting to the next. Some models also offer wind resistance features and speech enhancers.

Best Hearing Aids Of 2020

iPhones and big-screen TVs arent the only things flying off the shelves in 2020. Believe it or not, hearing aids are the next big thing in wearable technology. The old stigma that hearing aids are for old people is fading quickly. With features like Bluetooth, rechargeability, and award-winning designs, todays hearing aids are attracting a younger, more tech-savvy audience. As a result, many brands are coming out with sleeker and more advanced hearing aids that will surely become hot sellers in 2020.

2019 saw a number of awesome innovations in the hearing aid industry. And as we enter 2020, it seems like hearing aids will continue to get smaller, smarter, and stronger than ever before. Heres a sneak peek of some of the latest and greatest devices in 2020.

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Buying Hearing Aids Online

Most of the companies included on this page are direct-to-consumer brands, meaning that you can buy a hearing aid from them, usually online, without visiting an audiologists office. Many of them are FDA-registered, Class I medical devices. These FDA-registered hearing aids you can buy online are not PSAPs they are proper hearing aids designed to help people diagnosed with hearing loss.

However, its important to note that FDA registration is not the same thing as FDA approval. Class I medical devices pose the lowest risk of harm to consumers and thus are not required to undergo the testing process necessary for FDA approval before reaching the market. Being FDA-registered simply means that the FDA knows that the product is being manufactured. On the other hand, FDA approval means that there has been sufficient testing of the product and it has been determined that the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Hearing aids sold directly to consumers online can certainly still be safe and effective as long as they are custom-programmed for wearers sound profiles, ideally by an audiologist. If youre on a budget, buying a hearing aid online from a company that offers remote care and adjustments with an audiologist can be the best way to get a high-quality and safe hearing aid.

My Pick: Phonak Paradise

While most hearing aid companies went down the path of providing Made For iPhone hearing aids , Phonak lagged behind, not launching their first Bluetooth-connected hearing aid until early 2018. For many, the wait was worth it. Because it was the first hearing aid to offer universal Bluetooth connectivity, Phonak Marvel was a raging success.

The early days for Marvel were rocky, with only one Bluetooth connection supported at a time, and lacking support for Phonaks popular Roger wireless accessories. All of that was fixed with the Marvel 2.0 firmware upgrade, which added support for Roger and 2 simultaneous Bluetooth connections.

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Phonak was slow to jump into the world of Bluetooth connectivity, but ended up stealing the crown this year with Phonak Paradise, which provides significant upgrades to Marvels connectivity by adding support for up to 8 Bluetooth devices and 2 active Bluetooth connections. This means going back and forth between a phone and laptop, etc, is now as seamless as any other modern true wireless earbud. Connection stability and ease of pairing is as youd expect too.

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Financial Assistance For Seniors Buying Hearing Aids

Hearing aids can be a significant expense, especially medical-grade devices purchased through an audiologist. However, the price tag shouldnt deter you from seeking professional hearing care if you need it. Hearing aids undoubtedly improve everyday quality of life for those who struggle to hear, and studies have shown that wearing them can even improve brain function for those with hearing loss.

Additionally, there are some financial assistance options available for seniors that can make hearing aids more affordable. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of help paying for hearing aids.

Things To Consider Before You Buy Hearing Aid

You have to look out for some essential features when getting a hearing aid, it goes beyond being affordable. Some of these features include custom programming for effective ear testing, automatic gain control etc.

Consider its directional processing which filters out background noise and concentrates on sound origins. Also, the noise reduction feature helps to maintain the integrity of the sound close by.

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How We Chose The Best Hearing Aids

Finding the best hearing aid brands becomes a simpler process when you apply a few fundamental principles to your search. The devices that made our list of the best hearing aids of 2021 all have compelling features that demonstrate what modern hearing care can accomplish. Below, youll learn about some of the qualities that we looked for to compile our list.

• Individualized Adjustment: We have largely excluded hearing aids that are not audiologist-tuned for the individual, or which do not at least offer versatile, user-programmable sound settings. We have also worked to exclude brands that are locked so that buyers can only have their hearing aids adjusted through that specific brands audiologist locations.
• Sound Quality: We have included devices that have directional microphones, noise reduction, wind reduction, and feedback reduction, and some that provide more high-tech features, like specialized processing of the wearers own voice and in-ear memory prompts.
• Modern Features and Designs: Most of the brands and models recommended below offer features like Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone application controls, telehealth capabilities, and intuitive adjustment. Weve also included a broad range of fit styles, including new invisible-in-canal designs.
• Value: We have done our best to include a consistent range of prices and feature sets for people with any severity of hearing loss.

Hearing Aids From 14900

Hearing Direct are one of the World’s leading hearing aid specialists, stocking an expansive range of hearing aids, phones and accessories. Your hearing health is important to us and we produce the best advice and offer the most prominent products available to satisfy your listening needs.

Our philosophy at HearingDirect is simple: We feel that the improvement in the quality of life hearing aids can provide, should be easily and readily available to everybody at affordable prices. Until now, the average price of a privately purchased hearing device has approximately been a colossal £1,100. At HearingDirect.com you’ll find a super range of high quality digital hearing products at 90% cheaper!

The committed team behind HearingDirect have worked in the hearing aid manufacturing industry for countless years and we bring a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise on auditory health and products we provide.

We know the true value of these micro-engineered digital devices and know the products inside-out. Quite simply, we have removed many of the hefty costs associated with buying any hearing device privately and passed those savings directly on to you. Thats why our range of quality products are at such low prices!

Our hearing aids start from as little as £149 and this includes an expansive selection of affordable, reliable and discreet devices, from ITE to BTE aids.

Thank you for visiting HearingDirect.com.

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Unitron Hearing Aid: Widest Variety Of Options

Unitron brings 50 years of hearing aid manufacturing experience to a wide variety of hearing aid models built for different medical needs and budgets. While Unitrons dizzying array of options is enough to make the average customers head spin, many audiologists and hearing aid technicians appreciate the flexibility this offers their patients.

Like Signia, Unitron boasts advanced technology that follows the most recent hearing aid trends. With prices starting below $2,000 per pair and going up to more than $6,000 per pair budget-conscious patients have plenty of options with this brand, and so do patients who want to pay more for advanced features. Still, weve encountered many online complaints regarding the quality and durability of Unitron-made hearing aids.

Unitron pros:

• Unitron hearing aids are more affordable compared to other options.
• Unitron offers a wide variety of models, styles, configurations, prices, and technology.

Unitron cons:

• You must visit an audiologist or hearing aid specialist multiple times for testing, fitting, purchasing, and fine-tuning these hearing aids.
• Were concerned that Unitron doesnt meet the highest standard of quality and durability.

Heres how we rate Unitron:

Experience The Best Hearing Aids Of 2020

Its important to note that hearing aids are medical devices. This means only a licensed hearing care provider can prescribe hearing aids. He or she also has to program the devices in order to match your exact needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Moreover, a professional can help you navigate through all the extra features, so you get the most out of your hearing aids.

If you havent started your journey to better hearing yet, simply click the button below to sign up for a hearing aid trial period. Youll have 30 days to test drive any one of the best hearing aids of 2020. We have a network with hundreds of licensed audiologists and specialists who can program and fit your hearing aids. In other words, with hear.com, you get an awesome hearing loss solution from one of the most reputable companies in the industry. But best of all, you get the coolest hearing technology of 2020!

Jesse Botella

Jesses love for attending rock concerts without ear protection caused him to develop noise-induced hearing loss in his right ear. He now uses his personal experience and passion for words to write about hearing loss and the benefits of wearing hearing aids.

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What To Look For In A Hearing Aid

Comfort: Since youll likely be wearing your hearing aids for a decent amount of time, you want to make sure they fit comfortably in your ear and dont become an annoyance. Hearing aids that come with sleeves are ideal and can fit better to the natural curve of your ears.

Focus: Hearing aids should help you zoom in on the voices you want to hear, so make sure to choose one that takes extra care to cut out excess noise in order to help you focus on the sounds that are most important to you.

Trial Periods: Take advantage of trial periods and test as many hearing aids as you can. Its important to remember that getting used to a hearing aid takes time and if you’ve been missing amplification for a while it’s going to take a while to get adjusted. So I think one big tip is just not to be worried and try them, confirms Dr. Wichova.