Top 5 Hearing Aids on the Market
Hearing loss is a common issue in the United States. A common misconception is hearing loss only begins when you are a senior.
While seniors are more likely to experience hearing loss, there are plenty of younger Americans with hearing disabilities as well. Some hearing conditions begin at birth, while others are the result of damaged occurred throughout your lifetime. No matter what the case, hearing loss is a serious issue. Not only is it harder to communicate because of hearing loss, but you risk missing important details in your surroundings, such as warning alarms going off. Hearing loss can also lead to a general feeling of isolation.
If you have a hearing condition, one of the best ways to treat it is through a hearing aid. Hearing aids are available whether you are hard of hearing or legally deaf. There have been many advancements in hearing aid technology over the years, creating many new products to choose from.
Evoke Series
The Evoke series is one of the newest lines of hearing aids to hit the market. They are manufactured by Widex, one of the most reputable companies in the hearing aid industry. Each of the Evoke hearing aids is available in four different levels, 110, 220, 330 and 440. No matter which level you choose, all the hearing aids are fully directional and feature excellent noise reduction capabilities. The three Evoke hearing aids are:
The CIC has five programmable channels, and is also compatible with any DEX assistive listening devices. It uses Fluid Sound Controller to process sound both quicker and clearer than other Widex hearing aids. The Fusion is intended for individuals with severe hearing loss. It uses SoundSense, a unique machine learning software to anticipate your volume needs. The Fashion Mini is the smallest model and intended for individuals with minimal hearing loss. It increases sounds by up to 64 decibels and boasts an impressive 165-hour battery length. The CIC costs on average $2,500, while the Fusion goes for around $2,100. The Fashion Mini is the least expensive, costing $1,300.
Eargo
Many individuals are self-conscious about wearing a hearing aid in public. If you want to keep your hearing aid hidden, Eargo is one of the best brands available. As of writing, there are three main Eargo models to choose from. What sets Eargo apart from other hearing aids is the small size of the hearing aid, as well as the comfort levels.
Eargo hearing aids are made using silicone earpieces, which are suspended inside of the ear canal instead of plugging directly into your ear. Because it is not directly inserted into your ear, it is not as irritating. Because of this, it is often recommended to any patient who has not used a hearing aid before. It also makes it much harder to spot you are wearing a hearing aid. Eargo hearing aids work best for mild to moderate hearing loss.
The basic Eargo hearing aid, the Max, costs around $1800. The next type, Neo, costs $2,350, while the final type, Neo HiFi goes for $2,950.
Audicus
What sets Audicus apart from other hearing aid manufactures is the affordable price. One of the ways Audicus keeps the costs down is by focusing on upgrades. This makes the base product affordable, while still giving you access to advancements in hearing aid technology. Another useful feature of Audicus is the free online hearing test. You can take this hearing test from the Audicus website. The hearing test determines your hearing loss profile, which helps you customize your hearing aid. If you already took a test, you can also upload the results to the website.
All of the Audicus products are compatible with Bluetooth and feature directional noise detection. Some of the newest models also feature streaming options. In addition to individually purchasing hearing aids, you can sign up for a monthly membership. With a membership, you receive new products through the mail. All your Audicus products are also fully insured. The membership costs $39 a month, or $100 if you sign up for a full year.
As of writing, there are three main Audicus hearing aids to consider. These are:
Oticon Opn S
Oticon is one of the newest hearing aid manufacturers, but it has earned critical praise due to the Opn line. The Oticon Opn S is one of best Oticon hearing aids available. It utilizes a unique Velox chip, which allows it to automatically sort between different types of noise, such as speech and background sounds. The Velox chip changes volume levels based on the type of sound as well as where it is coming from. It also uses the OpenSound Optimizer, to cancel out unnecessary sounds and eliminate feedback from the hearing aid. Because it is a newer brand, it is one of Oticon’s more expensive products, costing on average $2,500.
Phonak Audéo Marvel
Phonak is owned by Sonova, one of the biggest hearing aid companies in the world. Phonak earned critical acclaim by releasing the Audéo Marvel, the first hearing aid to allow direct-streaming from any Bluetooth device, not just Apple products. It boasts many other impressive features, such as hands-free compatible with your phone. You can also install the Phonak app, allowing you to quickly change your volume, directional and focus levels with the press of a button.
There are multiple hearing aids available under the Audéo Marvel line. The newest hearing aids costs around $1,400, while the older models are between $900 and $1,000.
