Full Review
HNew to the world of hearing aids? Or considering a product switch? There’s a lot to consider.
As an audiologist, I’ve seen the positive impact hearing aids have on people. So, I enjoy staying up to date on the latest hearing tech—because investing in the right device can make a world of difference.
But with so many choices, it can seem overwhelming. You don’t have to feel that way, because I research the best hearing aids for my patients. I’ll arm you with the best insights and the latest intel in order to choose the right treatment for your needs.
Keep reading and in the review below, I’ll go in depth on Hear.com and Horizon hearing aids, key features and benefits, and how these hearing aids compare to Signia.
Prefer to watch?
Check out our full unboxing and review of Hear.com's telehealth service here. 👇
Background on Hear.com and Horizon
With beginnings as Audibene in Germany, the hear.com brand has grown considerably since 2012. WS Audiology (one of the 5 largest manufacturers in the industry) owns Hear.com, Audibene and three other major brands: Widex, Signia, and Rexton.
Hear.com serves 11 different countries with a goal of providing the best hearing option based on lifestyle, budget, and location. The flagship product—known as Horizon—is very similar to Signia Charge & Go AX.
Scroll on to check out the similarities and differences between Signia versus Horizon hearing aids.
How The Hear.com Process Works
Let’s get into what you can expect from the process with this model of hearing care.
First, Hear.com uses a questionnaire to assess your communication needs, desired features, and other questions to determine a profile from which they can make recommendations.
But, there are other factors that Hear.com considers for your unique situation:
- Insurance coverage
- Employment status
- Health benefits
- Credit score
Next, you can speak with a consultant to continue the evaluation or to schedule an appointment after taking the questionnaire.
FYI: For those who are new to hearing aids, speaking with a consultant can be very useful in sorting out the best path forward. They can also share more information about insurance, payment, and financing options.
Customers are given two care options:
Get paired with a local clinic for in-person care
For in person care, you’ll be scheduled with a local provider to fit with the hearing devices you’ve selected. Conveniently, Hear.com partners with over 2,000 licensed hearing care professionals and can recommend a local professional in your area. When you go in for your visit, your audiologist will do a hearing test to fit and program your devices appropriately.
Complete the entire process through Telehealth
Hear.com's telehealth process starts with a "clinic in a box" that is shipped to your door. Before your appointment, you’ll receive:
- A tablet
- A video otoscope
- Hearing aids
Additionally, before the appointment a customer support professional will explain the process and answer any questions. Then, you’ll set up your appointment for your remote hearing aid fitting.
While there are pros and cons to both approaches, Hear.com's reviews show that customer experiences are more consistently positive with Telehealth care.
How Horizon Compares to Signia
First, let’s focus on what is similar to the current Signia products.
Visually, these hearing aids look identical to Signia counterparts. Signia’s Charge&Go hearing aid is one of the smallest designs on the market. And, the devices come in three levels of technology, 3, 5, and 7.
Like Signia products, Horizon devices share great rechargeability, smartphone streaming, and strong background noise capability.
So, what, if anything, is different about these devices? The difference is on the inside.
Horizon hearing aids have three unique features:
Speech Focus
Speech Focus is meant for those situations when you need additional speech clarity in the presence of background noise. You’ll hear more high-frequencies to emphasize speech while reducing background noise.
Relax Mode
Are you feeling overwhelmed and need a break? Relax Mode will play relaxing nature sounds like ocean noise to help you relax.
Panorama Effect
The Panorama Effect is just what it sounds like. If you take a panorama photo, you’ll capture your full surroundings. Similarly, this feature is for those who want to hear 360 degrees around them.
Horizon Prices
Hear.com does not publish prices but they do publicly share that they have options starting at as low as $499 for a pair. Hear.com states that most patients spend around $5,000-$7,000 on a pair of premium hearing aids. The national average for a pair of hearing aids is around $5,500.
Ultimately, Hear.com’s average prices are in line with (or a bit higher) than the average private clinic. ZipHearing offers an alternative option with slightly lower prices.
Conclusion
The options at Hear.com have a convenient, flexible offering regarding hearing aid selection and care model. We especially love the option to get a "clinic in a box".
Compared with Signia devices, users can almost expect similar performance from both the Horizon and Signia brands—but potentially get more bang for their buck if they choose Horizon.
If you’re interested in learning more or want to see what Signia offers, check out the Live Listen to sample audio files of different devices to test them out. With plenty of information here and elsewhere online, we hope you now feel equipped with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision when selecting a hearing aid brand and care model.
Soundly conducts in-depth research to guide prospective hearing aid wearers. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
