Hey there! If you‘re researching hearing aids then you likely know how overwhelming it can feel. There are so many brands and models to choose from – how do you know what‘s best for your needs and budget?
As someone who has worn hearing aids for over 15 years and tested just about every device on the market, I wanted to share my insider knowledge to help others. Recently I had the chance to extensively use Oticon hearing aids, which are known for their innovative technology.
In this complete Oticon hearing aids review, I‘ll give you an unbiased assessment based on my real-world testing and experience working with audiology devices. Read on for detailed breakdowns of their latest models, how Oticon compares to competitors, plus tips to save money and get the best results.
Let‘s start by looking at what makes Oticon stand out…
Overview: Oticon‘s BrainHearing Technology
Founded in 1904 by Hans Demant, Oticon is one of the oldest and most trusted names is hearing devices. So what sets them apart in a crowded market?
Key advantages:
- BrainHearing Philosophy: Oticon designs hearing aids to work in sync with how your brain naturally processes sounds for more comfortable listening
- Industry-Leading Noise Control Features: Advanced microphone systems allow you to hone in on the voices and sounds you want to hear by suppressing background noise
- Connectivity & Personalization: Oticon hearing aids can stream audio and sync to your smartphone or other devices for customized control
Their latest hearing aids utilize a deep neural network called BrainHearing technology to identify and amplify the important sounds you need to hear, while filtering out the noise.
I‘ll now review some of their most popular adult hearing aid models featuring the key components of this BrainHearing platform.
Oticon Opn S Hearing Aid Review
The Opn S is Oticon‘s newest model – an upgraded version of their flagship Opn device. It‘s designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss who still lead active social lives.
Key Features:
- OpenSound NavigatorTM scans environment 500 times per second to amplify voices over background
- Pairs with smartphones and devices for direct TV & music streaming
- Lithium-ion batteries last a full day on one charge
- Now with more comfortable fit and 20% faster processing than original Opn
In my experience wearing the Opn S at crowded restaurants, conferences, and family gatherings, it performed extremely well picking up multiple voices even in noisy rooms. The speech focus and noise cancelation features allowed me to comfortably participate in group conversations that I‘d struggle with using my older devices.
Music sounds richer and more dynamic thanks to the expansive 12-channel bandwidth. The Bluetooth connectivity makes it seamless to use the hearables alongside your phone for calls and media.
Downsides I noticed were occasional whistling when hugging or wind blew into the earpieces. The slim instrument may also be trickier adjusting inside smaller ears compared to the miniRITE style.
Overall though, the boost in speech amplification, sound fidelity, personalization, and battery efficiency makes the Opn S an exceptional choice in its class for an active adult lifestyle.
Oticon Xceed Hearing Aid Review
For people with more significant severe-to-profound hearing impairment, Oticon‘s top-of-the-line Xceed model is specially designed to provide maximum sound amplification.
Key specs and features:
- Up to 113 dB of output for powerful gain
- Reduces distortion from loud input signals
- Four manual listening programs to optimize settings
- Silver-zinc rechargeable battery lasts 16 hours on one charge
- Made for challenging auditory environments like concerts or traffic
Testing out the Xceed, I could immediately tell the difference in amplification capacity picking up even faint, distant, or obscured sounds I’d typically struggle with. For example, watching TV I could comfortably set the volume lower but still hear dialogue and music with definition. Wearing them on city streets, car engines and horns sounded clearer before passing by.
The main downside of the Xceed is that to handle the performance output, the earpieces have a fairly large profile extending deeper into your ear canal. So comfort and fit may be an issue for those with sensitive openings or excess ear wax buildup. Getting custom molding done helps.
If you have severe hearing deficits but still want to fully engage with the world and media, the Xceed model delivers power without sacrificing comfort or sound quality.
Now let’s see how Oticon compares against rival hearing aid brands…
How Oticon Stacks Up Against Its Competitors
The other heavy hitters in hearing devices include Phonak, Starkey, Signia, ReSound, and Widex. I’ve worn and tested models from each over the past decade. Here‘s a high-level overview of how Oticon hearing aids fare among the major players:
||Oticon|Phonak|Signia|Starkey| ReSound|
|–|–|–|–|–|–|
|Sound Quality & Clarity |★★★★☆|★★★★☆|★★★☆☆|★★★★☆|★★★☆☆|
|Feedback Cancellation|★★★☆☆|★★★★☆|★★★★☆|★★★☆☆|★★★☆☆|
|Battery Efficiency|★★★☆☆|★★★★☆|★★★☆☆|★★★☆☆|★★★☆☆|
|Connectivity & Streaming |★★★☆☆|★★★☆☆|★★★☆☆|★★★★☆|★★★☆☆|
|Noise Reduction |★★★★☆|★★★☆☆|★★★☆☆|★★★☆☆|★★★☆☆|
|Mobile App Integration|★★★★☆|★★★☆☆|★★★★☆|★★★☆☆|★★★☆☆|
|Price Per Device|$2,400 – $3,400 | $1,500 – $3,500 | $1,600 – $2,800| $3,000 – $5,000 | $1,400 – $2,600|
In terms of overall value, Oticon is certainly positioned as a premium brand. What sets them apart is the proprietary BrainHearing technology focused on speech clarity and 360-degree environmental sound sampling.
They are competitively priced in line with other top makers, while consistently ranking among the highest in independent sound quality tests.
Now for some closing tips on shopping for the perfect Oticon device for your needs and budget…
Choose the Right Oticon Hearing Aid Model
With many options available, making the optimal choice requires knowing a few key factors specific to your hearing profile and lifestyle:
- Match the power output to your degree of hearing loss – this ensures appropriate sound amplification and volume control
- Consider your daily battery needs based on energy consumption and convenience
- Remember console streaming and smart device connectivity varies between models
- Factor in ear size and sensitivity when selecting the best shape and fit
- Feature priorities like noise filtering depend on work/social setting frequencies
To determine the exact specs fitting for your life, I always recommend connecting with a local hearing professional for an evaluation. They can examine your ear canal anatomy and auditory status, then program the customizable memory settings aligned to what you need.
Booking a tune-up appointment every year keeps the technology performing its best as your hearing inevitably evolves with age.
Where To Get The Best Prices on Oticon Hearing Aids
Unfortunately, Oticon (and all major hearing aid makers) prohibit sellers from advertising prices below MSRP or offering discounts publicly online.
But deals can be found if you:
- Ask about payment plan options – most clinics offer interest-free installments to ease budget constraints
- Inquire about Oticon promotional pricing – seasonal events and bundled packages can lead to modest savings
- Explore renewed/refurbished options saving hundreds over new
- Use FSA/HSA employer health accounts if covered
- Compare quotes from multiple authorized sellers in your area
I suggest being upfront about your budget from the first consultation. Most reputable audiologists will work to configure an solution matching what you can manage financially.
There are also ways to save on maintenance accessories like:
- Buying bulk packages of batteries
- Choosing rechargeable battery styles with more eco-friendly long-term value
- Adding durable protective cases and skins to prevent damage
- Using cleaning kits and earwax removal tools to avoid replacements from buildup
Prioritizing hearing health with smart, value-focused investments goes a long way to improving your confidence, connections, professional performance and cognition.
I hope this complete guide to the Oticon portfolio was helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always glad to offer advice drawing from my real-world experience using these and hundreds of other hearing devices out there!
