As an audiologist, I know that fitting the right hearing aid to each individual's needs and lifestyle is crucial. After all, treating hearing loss is about more than just hearing loss. Each patient has their own unique lifestyle, technology preferences, and other needs to consider when selecting the right hearing technology.
I recently had the opportunity to trial Oticon RIC Hearing Aids, which gave me a deeper insight into this product. For years, I've fit my patients with the top hearing manufacturers, including Oticon products. I'm happy to share my insights with my combined clinical and personal experiences from trying these hearing aids. In this review, I will break down some of the more notable features of Oticon hearing aids and discuss my personal experience with them.
About the Brand
Oticon was founded in 1904 by Hans Demant, whose wife had hearing loss. Today, Demant is one of the leaders in hearing technology and innovation. With headquarters in Denmark, Demant is the second-largest hearing aid manufacturer in the world. In addition to Oticon, the company also makes Bernafon, Sonic, and Philips devices. While some of these hearing aids are available in Costco locations, Oticon is Demant's premium hearing aid brand.
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In 2021, Oticon hearing aid technology was the first hearing aid to incorporate AI technology through a deep neural network and 12 million sound samples. According to the company, the deep neural network learns through examples, like the brain does, to categorize sounds based on experience. For instance, through multiple different examples of noise, the hearing aids can better recognize unwanted background noise and adjust accordingly to help reduce it. Oticon’s latest hearing aids, called Oticon Real are known for their BrainHearing technology.
The Checklist
Care 👩⚕️
- Type: Local provider or hybrid Telehealth care
Sound Quality Notes 🎵
- Overall: Oticon hearing aids have a smooth, mellow sound quality
- Music: excellent music fidelity
Aesthetics ✨
- Size: small RIC hearing aid with slightly rounded edges (not as boxy as Widex, less rounded than Phonak)
- Colors: chroma beige, silver grey, silver, terracotta, chestnut brown, steel grey, diamond black, olive green, and hear pink.
Battery 🔋
- Type: Rechargeable or disposable
- Length: 16 to 22 hours on a 3-hour charge. The 30-minute quick charge provides 6 hours.
- Charger type: inductive charging with magnetic connection. SmartCharger is fully charged in 4 hours and holds up to 3 full charges.
Connection
- Bluetooth: Made for iPhone, compatible Android models
- Hands-free: for iPhone 11 and higher
- Multiple devices: N
- Tap control: N
- Telecoil: Y - with disposable battery option
Dexterity 🤏
- Small parts: medium (charger is suitable for those with low dexterity)
- Push buttons available: double push-button
Waterproof level 💦
- IP rating: IP68
- What that means: This hearing aid can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
App features 📲
- Remote care: included in the new Oticon Companion app
- Customization: volume, program change, streaming sound quality (treble/bass), SpeechBooster
- Tinnitus masking: your hearing care provider can create a tinnitus masking program
- Find my hearing aid: available in the app
- Health tracking: not available
Accessories 🎚️
- Remote control: Y
- Wearable mic: Y
- TV streamer: Y
Final Thoughts
Overall Oticon delivers good sound quality, convenience, and simplicity. It is a great choice for anyone looking for an easy-to-use device to help them manage their hearing needs. The Oticon companion app also allows you to customize the sound quality and access Remote Care or locate a lost hearing aid. Oticon offers hearing solutions for a range of hearing loss, including unilateral or asymmetric hearing loss. If you're looking for more resources to help you decide which hearing aid is best for your needs, explore the other Soundly resources, including our Live Listen sound samples.
