Hearing aids have helped a lot people who suffer from hearing impairment. Some hearing aids are so good that using them gives the same effect as someone who does not have hearing problems. In this guide, we will be discussing on the best hearing aids out there. If you are inquisitive enough to read through, you shall be marveled by the amazing features some of these hearing aids have.
What Are Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are battery-powered devices that amplify sounds for people with hearing loss. They are considered medical devices by the FDA and are regulated for efficacy and safety.
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
All hearing aids, regardless of the style, consisting of four main parts:
- Microphone This is what captures sounds from the environment.
- Computer Chip and Amplifier Also called a processor, it converts the sounds into digital signals, analyzes and amplifies the signals, and converts them back into sound waves.
- Speaker and Receiver This transmits the amplified sound waves from the processor to the inner ear canal.
- Battery Rechargeable batteries are built into hearing aids and are designed to provide a full day of power after a full charge; disposable batteries last from 3 to 22 days, depending on use.
Buyer’s Guide for Hearing Aids
Features to Look For in a Hearing Aid
Feedback Cancellation
Most hearing aids, come with feedback cancellation. This feature cancels out interference coming from other devices that are held close to your hearing aid, such as a phone, which might cause a whistling sound otherwise.
Digital Noise Reduction
Along with feedback cancellation, digital noise reduction is now a standard feature as well. A survey was carried out and it revealed that digital noise reduction is the most important feature people want in a hearing aid. Digital noise reduction may allow you to hear and understand conversatiobetter by cutting down on background noise.
Directional Microphones
While directional microphones aren’t a given with every brand of hearing aid, they are included with the majority of models. Directional microphones pick up and amplify sounds coming from certain directions, most often from the front, although some microphones, include motion sensors that adjust the microphone direction when they sense you’re moving and having a conversation.
Directional microphones and digital noise reduction work together to allow you to focus on important sounds without being distracted by background noise.
Telecoil
While not all hearing aids include a telecoil, also called T-coil, according to the Arizona State University Speech and Hearing Clinic, many RIC and BTE models, and especially the smallest CIC models do. T-coil allows you to connect to hearing assistive technology, called a hearing loop, in certain public facilities.
This direct connection between your hearing aid and the hearing loop will enable you to hear sounds without the interference sometimes caused by the acoustics present in large settings. Places of worship, theaters, and museums are often equipped with feedback loops.
Additional Hearing Aid Features
Bluetooth Connectivity
While they aren’t necessary, Bluetooth hearing aids offer a great deal of convenience because they basically function as a set of earbuds when connected to your phone, tablet, or another device.
Keep in mind that some hearing aids offer Bluetooth connectivity but not Bluetooth streaming. An example is the Eargo hearing aids, all of which include Bluetooth connectivity for making adjustments with a smartphone app but are too small to house the parts needed for Bluetooth streaming.
If you want to stream music, movies, or phone calls to your hearing aids, look for a brand that provides a variety of models with Bluetooth streaming capabilities.
Advanced Sound Technology
Top hearing aid companies offer some of the most advanced hearing aid technology on the market. In addition to the features listed above, these companies have engineered their devices to change sound profiles automatically as you move from one place to another, adjust sound processing based on your emotions, and even employ artificial intelligence algorithms to instantly process sound with greater accuracy than some other brands.
You will pay more for these features, of course, but if your budget allows for the extra expense, your listening experience with the newest high-tech hearing aids should be seamless.
NAMES | SPECIFICATIONS | WHERE TO BUY |
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MDHearing |
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Phonak Paradise |
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Digital Hearing Amplifier |
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MDHearingAid AIR Hearing Aid
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Widex Moment Sheer 440 Hearing Aids |
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iBstone K18 |
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Eargo Neo HiFi |
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Digital Hearing Amplifiers |
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Lucid Hearing Engage |
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Best Hearing Aids
Lexie Lumen
Lexie Lumen sells affordable digital and Bluetooth hearing aids with some of the most advanced features available in its price range.
Interestingly, Bluetooth hearing aids come with extra technology that lets you connect wirelessly to compatible devices such as headphones or smartphones.
After you connect your Bluetooth hearing aids to a device such as a smartphone (also called “pairing”), you simply answer the call on your phone, and the call is routed right to your hearing aids, eliminating the need for you to hold your phone up to your ear while you talk.
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iHEAR TRēO
iHEAR TRēO offers behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids to fit almost any budget. But the real benefit of iHEAR TRēO is the company’s versatile line of products. Although it only sells three models, there is a wide range of features which is why most customers named it “Most Versatile”. It lacks the more advanced features of more expensive iHEAR TRēO models, such as dual directional microphones (that help filter out unwanted noise), rechargeable batteries, and Bluetooth capability.
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Britzgo BHA-220.
The Britzgo BHA-220. line of hearing aids includes three models: the Naída (behind-the-ear), Audeo (receiver-in-canal), and Virto (in-the-ear). Their high-performance hearing technology, exceptional quality, rechargeable battery life, Bluetooth connectivity, and affordable pricing make these hearing aids a popular choice for both customers and hearing care professionals.
With AutoSense technology, the Britzgo BHA-220 automatically senses your sound environment and adjusts as needed. If you’re in an empty restaurant that suddenly gets busy and the noise around you increases, your hearing aids will sense the new noise level and make the necessary adjustments with little to no interruption to your hearing ability. You don’t have to press any buttoor pull out your phone.
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Digital Hearing Amplifier
The Digital Hearing Amplifier looks identical to the previous generation of products but comes with a few notable improvements. The first is a more powerful Ultra Focus mode. Users can switch their hearing aids to Ultra Focus to listen directly to the person in front of them at a restaurant or meeting.
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MDHearingAid AIR Hearing Aid
The MDHearingAid AIR Hearing Aid model is still a “modular CIC”, meaning a completely in-the-canal hearing aid, very hard to see on most people, and includes the new Xperience platform. It does not need to be custom-made to the shape of the ear and does not block the ear canal in the same way either.
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Hearing Amplifier for Seniors
The Hearing Amplifier for Seniors is a great hearing aid that replaces the popular mRIC R D or Fusion2 model of the original Moment range.
The only current form factor, the sRIC R D model, has all of the new features that trump the Moment 440 “Fusion2” model. Such as better Bluetooth and rechargeability, a more advanced machine learning process, and a new SoundRelax feature.
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iBstone K18
These tech-forward hearing aids have Bluetooth connectivity, plus lots of other special features. They’re available in multiple styles, including behind the ear, in the ear, in the canal, and receiver in the canal.
According to Starkey, the company uses artificial intelligence (AI) to adapt to your environment and hearing needs through automatic adjustments that don’t require manual input.
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Eargo Neo HiFi
The company doesn’t require a prescription from an audiologist.
The Neo HiFi is Eargo’s most recently developed hearing aid. They’re designed for people with mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss. They can help make sounds like human speech easier to hear.
Eargo hearing aids use a design they call Flexi Tetrapalms that lets them float in the ear canal and is part of what makes this hearing aids discreet.
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Digital Hearing Amplifiers
Digital hearing aids come to you directly from the manufacturer. By cutting out the middleman, Nano is able to keep the cost of its hearing aids low. These hearing aids don’t require an audiologist visit or prescription. They may be a good choice for you if you have mild hearing loss.
They come with four earbud domes in different sizes. You’ll need to choose the dome that best fits your ear canal. These hearing aids should enhance your ability to follow one-on-one and group conversatioand enjoy television and talking on the phone without straining.
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Lucid Hearing Engage
This hearing aid features streaming capabilities and a music mode, which can help improve the sound of live music.
Lucid does offer a 100-day trial period, a 3-year warranty, and free shipping and returns. If you’re unhappy with your experience, you can return it within the trial period for a full refund.
This model is available in eight different colors, and it’s available to ship directly to consumers with personalized audiologist support.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the hearing aids listed above are some of the best out there. They all have impressive features. As you pick one, be sure to choose the hearing aid with the features that suites you best.