Oticon Zircon Review

Prices, Sound Recordings, Models
Amy Sarow, AuD, CCC-A
Amy Sarow, AuD, CCC-A

Dr. Amy Sarow is a practicing clinical audiologist and serves as Audiology Lead for Soundly. Her expertise and experience span topics including tinnitus, cochlear implants, hearing aid technology, and hearing testing. She holds a doctoral degree in audiology from the University of Iowa. During her residency at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Sarow was inspired by the three-tiered, patient-centered approach, incorporating clinical work, teaching and research.

Updated
January 24, 2024
Methodology
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Soundly is an independently owned hearing health research tool. Our reviews are conducted by hearing aid wearers and audiologists. We physically review the leading hearing aids on the market for sound quality, comfort, durability, and more. Our review process starts with hands-on unboxing and days, weeks, or months of wear. We also record live sound demos using a calibrated binaural microphone (read more here). We experiment with backend fitting software for prescription products and use test box measures to measure prescriptive accuracy and flexibility. Our work is funded through reader support. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Read more about our story here.

Watch a video about this product.
Behind the Ear
Bluetooth
PROFESSIONAL FITTING
Rechargeable
Affordable

Background

As the second most popular hearing aid brand in the world, Oticon has captured the hearts of hearing aid consumers with its revolutionary "open" sound philosophy that sets it apart. The Zircon is Oticon's most budget-friendly option. While it doesn't offer all of the same features as Oticon's flagship product, the Oticon Real, the Zircon is a respectable hearing aid for anyone on a budget.

What Makes Oticon Special

Oticon Zircon embraces a full soundscape, allowing you to hear speech while preserving an open soundscape around you. Imagine hearing the gentle rustling of leaves, the distant chirp of birds, and the soothing babble of a nearby stream. Zircon's OpenSound Navigator prevents a closed off feeling, allowing you to enjoy the world around you. At the core of this incredible technology is Oticon's innovative BrainHearing. This intelligent technology not only lets you hear your environment but also preserves spatial cues, giving you a natural and immersive listening experience. 

Oticon understands the importance of convenience and connectivity in today's fast-paced world. That's why the Zircon offers customization and remote control adjustments via the Oticon ON app. Users appreciate how easy the app is to use, easily adjusting volume, change programs, or locate a lost hearing aid.

Our Take

Oticon technology is popular for its mellow, smooth sound quality. Premium products, such as the Oticon Real, are especially popular among musicians and audio enthusiasts. The Oticon Zircon is a solid choice for anyone who needs a budget-friendly hearing aid with Oticon's underlying technology.

Zircon comes in two technologys (Zircon 1 and Zircon 2). Zircon 1 offers more support in background noise. 

You may be wondering what the tradeoffs are when you opt for Zircon Vs. Oticon Real. Here are a few considerations:

  • Zircon does not use Oticon's AI-powered neural network
  • Zircon does not include Sudden Sound Stabalizer (makes loud sounds more comfortable)
  • Zircon does not include enhance wind-noise prevention algorithms
  • Zircon does include rechargeable batteries, bluetooth streaming and an identical external design

The bottom line: Zircon is an entirely respectable hearing aid that would have been considered state-of-the-art just a few years ago.

Pros πŸ‘
  • Smooth and mellow sound quality
  • Quality budget prescription hearing aid
  • Find My Hearing Aid feature
  • Simple, streamlined app controls
  • Rechargeable and disposable battery options
  • Dexterity-friendly charger 
  • CROS compatible
  • Accessory options (e.g., TV streamer, remote mic, etc.) are easy to use
Cons πŸ‘Ž
  • Not the latest technology (i.e., deep neural network)
  • Requires separate app for remote care
  • Fewer color options available than premium technology
  • App has fewer customization options than other brands
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Soundly Scorecard
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Hearing Loss Level πŸ”Š
Mild - Severe
  • Oticon Zircon is a customizable, prescription hearing aid appropriate for mild-severe hearing loss
  • If you have severe hearing loss, your care provider will fit you with a custom earmold to reduce feedback
  • If you have profound hearing loss, Oticon Xceed is a better option
Care Type πŸ₯
Prescription
  • Oticon Zircon is a prescription device fit and programmed by a professional
  • After an initial fitting, you can connect with your care provider remotely through the Oticon ON app
Sound Quality πŸ”Š
Average in Background Noise
  • Oticon Zircon 1 uses the OpenSound Navigator, like the Oticon More, which also operates on the Polarisβ„’ platform. However, it does not have the deep neural network technology available in the premium Oticon Real hearing aid.
  • Zircon 2 does not have OpenSound Navigator but does have some noise reduction capability.
  • Many users describe Oticon's sound quality as "relaxed", "natural" and "comfortable."
Comfort 🦻
Very Comfortable For All-Day Wear
  • Oticon Zircon is a very comfortable product with a wide-variety of possible earmolds, domes and fits. Oticon Zircon sits behind your ear with a receiver (speaker) inside the ear

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Style  πŸ’«
Behind The Ear
  • Oticon Zircon hearing aids sit behind the ear
  • Small RIC hearing aid with slightly rounded edges (not as boxy as Widex, less rounded than Phonak)
  • Oticon Zircon comes in 5 colors including chroma beige, silver grey, steel grey, diamond black, and chestnut brown
Battery πŸ”‹
Rechargeable Or Disposable
  • Zircon comes with rechargeable or disposable battery options
  • The rechargeable version of Oticon Zircon gets 24 hours of power on a single charge
  • The disposable version of Oticon Zircon uses a 312 battery which lasts 7-10 days
Connection πŸ“‘
Bluetooth Available
  • Oticon Zircon allows Bluetooth streaming, music listening, and phone calls across all models. iPhone users can take calls hands-free, while Android users must keep their phones close to pick up outbound audio.
  • Oticon Zircon uses Apple's MFI connection and Android's ASHA connection to stream content through Bluetooth
Dexterity Level 🀏
Average
  • Oticon Zircon is reasonably easy to handle but does require the wearer to place the hearing aid behind their ear and insert the receiver into the ear (consistent across all behind-the-ear styles)
  • Push buttons available: double push-button
Waterproof Level πŸ’¦
IP68
  • Oticon Zircon is water resistant with an IP rating of 68
  • This hearing aid can withstand dust and water submersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes
App features πŸ“±
Has An App, Telehealth Capable, Find My Hearing Aids
  • Remote care: included in the new Oticon ON 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
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Pricing

The national average for a pair of Oticon Zircon is $4,200, and may vary depending on technology level.

Our research indicates that the best pricing and care packages are currently available through ZipHearing. ZipHearing offers a pair of Oticon Zircon 1 hearing aids with one year of unlimited care for $2,798 per pair.

Process

ZipHearing will match you with a local clinic near your zip code and pre-negotiate a lower price (typically 25% less than the national average).

Fill out the form on this page to get matched with a local clinic.

Our readers are consistently happy with ZipHearing's offering and give the company 97% 5-star ratings on Trustpilot.

The hearing aids can be fit with an earmold or dome tip. Depending on your hearing loss and ear canal geometry, your hearing care provider will make the best recommendation about which is best for you. If needed, an earmold will require an impression of your ear and takes several weeks to come back from the manufacturer before your hearing aid fitting. After establishing care with your provider, you may do follow-up visits via telehealth.

Choosing a Technology Level 
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There are two technology levels available for Oticon Zircon. It’s highly recommended to get the Oticon Zircon 1, as this technology level has more background noise support, transient noise management, and fitting bands for customization. 

Oticon Zircon 1

  • OpenSound Navigator (balances sound and removes noise) 
  • Speech Guard helps speech understanding in complex settings
  • Transient noise management
  • 14 fitting bands
  • 48 sound processing channels

Oticon Zircon 2

  • Noise reduction only (no OpenSound Navigator or Speech Guard)
  • 12 fitting bands
  • 48 sound processing channels

See Oticon Zircon's full product matrix here

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