While much research has been undertaken in the last few years, tinnitus is still a little-understood condition. However, we do understand that the impact of tinnitus can range from mildly irritating to devastating. While an effective cure has evaded medical science, we do know that there are several treatments that can work very effectively. One of those treatments is hearing aids, and they can work very well in specific circumstances. Let me explain.
Will Hearing Aids Help My Tinnitus?
I am often asked that question in consultation, the answer at the beginning is they might, but it depends. The first question to be answered is the underlying cause of the tinnitus, our search usually begins with an evaluation of hearing. If I find there is a hearing loss, well then I can usually answer that first question with a relatively assured yes, yes hearing aids may well help with your tinnitus.
How Do Hearing Aids Relieve Tinnitus?
In cases where tinnitus is accompanied by hearing loss, treatment of that hearing loss with hearing aids would normally reduce or eliminate the perception of tinnitus. While the action is not clearly or fully understood, the theory is clear. The tinnitus is a symptom of the underlying hearing loss, and therefore, when the hearing loss is treated, the tinnitus consequently fades.
Tinnitus Caused by Hearing Loss
As I have said elsewhere on this site, tinnitus is always a symptom of some underlying problem. It is not a disease in itself. The belief is that in the case of hearing loss, tinnitus is an action of understimulated neurons in the auditory brain centre.
So the sound is all in your head, but that does not mean you are imagining it
The hearing loss starves the neurons of stimulation, and for some reason, they either become stimulated by something else or become overactive. This manifests itself as a sound that only the person can hear. So the sound is all in your head, but that does not mean you are imagining it.
When hearing aids are worn, those neglected brain centres are stimulated by sound that is amplified by the devices. This ensures that the overactivity or stimulation by something else is eliminated. Therefore the perception of tinnitus is reduced or eliminated.
Does it Always Work?
Generally yes, for most people the perception of tinnitus is reduced or eliminated. For some though, it doesn’t have the required effect. More often than not, the reason for this is that the affected areas causing the perception of tinnitus are at a higher frequency than the hearing aids work at.
All is Not Lost
All is not lost for people like this, the hearing aids combined with sound therapy can often help them to reduce the impact of their tinnitus. Tinnitus can be a curse, but there are effective treatments for the condition. If you have ringing, buzzing or whistling in your ears that you are worried about, attend a hearing healthcare professional near you to find out what treatment may be suitable for you.
If you like what you see, share it so others can benefit
What can you expect for Rechargeable hearing aids in 2017?
Rechargeable hearing aids were most definitely one of the big product hits of 2016. It quickly became obvious that the breakthrough provided by Lithium-ion and Silver Zinc battery technology was probably going to ensure that every hearing aid brand was going to move forward with an offering. I said then that I believed that every manufacturer would be looking at this and that I thought ITEs (in-the-ear custom devices) would be the real battleground. It certainly seems that will be the case, let’s take a look at what is happening in 2017 with rechargeable hearing aids.
The new rechargeable hearing aid movement was begun by hearing instrument models from two of the so-called Big Six manufacturers. Of course, Phonak’s Audéo B-R hearing aids were first to be released quickly to be followed by Sivantos Signia Cellion Primax hearing aids.Each of these hearing aids has an integrated lithium-ion rechargeable battery in the hearing aid’s sealed body, and both are delivered with a simple charging station. There will be pros and cons to this type of offering, but that is something I will talk about later. Let’s take a look at what is available and what is coming down the line.
Phonak has now introduced a rechargeable BTE hearing aid as part of their new Bolero Belong range. The announcement was made yesterday 2017-02-21. They have pipped everyone to the post again being the first to offer a Lithium-ion powered behind the ear device. The press release also talked about a new Virto (their custom aids) which would be made with a titanium shell. So I think rechargeable ITEs are probably a little way off, certainly Lithium-ion powered ones in any way. This page will be constantly updated throughout the year as things change and new products are released.
Widex introduces Rechargeable Beyond Z RIC
Update September 14th: Widex have today announced the launch of a rechargeable version of their popular Beyond Made For iPhone hearing aids. The device will be powered by the now almost ubiquitous Z Power system (should have bought shares!!!). The new rechargeable Beyond is named the Beyond Z and it is expected that it will be released in quarter four in the United States and Quarter 1 of 2018 everywhere else.
Unitron introduces a Rechargeable BTE
Update September 4th: Not to be outdone by their sister company, Unitron have now introduced a brand new rechargeable BTE on the Tempus platform.
Unitron
Stride M R Hearing Aids
A Rechargeable BTE
Unitron has rounded out their rechargeable offerings with a new rechargeable BTE, the Stride M R. It is their first ever rechargeable behind the ear hearing aid. here is what they said.
Wearers simply charge the hearing instrument overnight, for just 5 – 7 hours, and the hearing instrument is ready to perform for a full 24 hours, including 90 minutes of streaming or 16 hours of continuous streaming. Because hearing happens around the clock, Stride M R offers wearers the flexibility to swap rechargeable battery cells with traditional zinc-air batteries at any time, ensuring patients will never run out of charge.
It appears that the new rechargeable runs on Silver-Zinc rechargeable batteries and a similar charger to their Moxi. It also looks like they have made sure there is an auto on feature when you take the hearing aids out of the charger. Something that many users will welcome. The system that Unitron picked is a pretty good all round rechargeable system. It offers some pretty serious running time and also the benefit of being able to shove disposable batteries in when you forget to charge.
It is early yet, but we believe the hearing aids should be available in most of their levels of technology. As we receive more information, we will update you.
Resound Introduces Rechargeable LiNX 3D Made For iPhone Hearing Aid
Update August 24th: Resound has announced the introduction of a new rechargeable model in the LiNX 3D range. They are the latest hearing aid manufacturer to introduce these popular options to their line up. They have also gone down the route of using the Z Power Silver-Zinc battery technology.
Resound
LiNX 3D LT61 DRWZ
The new addition to the LiNX 3D range is a completely new form factor and is similar in size if a little different from their existing LT61. The device is officially designated the LT61-DRWZ and it runs on a 312 rechargeable battery which is supplied by Z Power as is the recharging cradle technology. That means there should be plenty of power for a full day of use even if you are streaming audio and taking phone calls. The device is expected to available on the market in September.We would expect the prices to be similar to the LiNX 3D prices.
LiNX 3D LT61 DRWZ Prices
UK: From £1700.00 to £2200.00
Ireland: From €2400.00 to €3000.00
USA: From $2500.00 to $3200.00
Opn 1 Mini RITE Rechargeable
Oticon Introduces a Rechargeable Opn Model
In an announcement reported here in April, Oticon announced the expansion of the models on the Opn range which included a rechargeable model. They to have gone down the route of the Z Power Silver Zinc technology which makes a lot of sense. The hearing aids will be available in the UK and Ireland in November 2017
Oticon
Opn 1 Mini RITE Rechargeable
this is a wireless slimline Rechargeable ‘Mini-Receiver-In-Ear (miniRITE)’ hearing aid using a rechargeable Silver Zinc 312 battery (can also use disposable hearing aid batteries). All Oticon Opn miniRITE hearing aids sold since the introduction last year and going forward can be retrofitted to be rechargeable. They are so small they are practically invisible and come in a range of shades and bright colours.Four levels of receiver power allowing hearing losses from mild to severe to profound to be fitted with a discreet solution. The internet-enabled Oticon Opn comes with a number of additional features because it can connect to devices via the internet and Bluetooth. The hearing aids will connect directly to your Smartphone so you can make phone calls and listen to music without any intermediate streaming device.
Oticon Opn Prices
UK: From £1700.00 to £2200.00
Ireland: From €2400.00 to €3000.00
USA: From $2500.00 to $3200.00
Features
Speech Understanding
OpenSound Navigator™ Level 1
Balancing power effect 100%
Max. noise removal 9 dB
Speech Guard™ LX Level 1
Spatial Sound™ LX 4 estimators
Soft Speech Booster LX
Sound Quality
Clear Dynamics
Binaural Noise Management
Fitting Bandwidth 10 kHz
Processing Channels 64
Bass Boost (streaming)
Listening Comfort
Transient Noise Management 4 configurations
Feedback shield LX
Wind Noise Management
Binaural Coordination
Personalization & Optimizing Fitting
YouMatic™ LX 3 configurations
Fitting Bands 16
Multiple Directionality Options
Adaptation Management
Oticon Firmware Updater
Acoustic Notifications
Connecting to the World
Stereo streaming (2.4 GHz)
Made for iPhone®
Oticon ON App
ConnectClip (Coming in 2017)
Remote Control 3.0
TV Adapter 3.0
AutoPhone
Phonak
Audeo Belong Rechargeable Hearing Devices
As I said, the Audeo Belong hearing device range was the first of the Lithium-ion devices to be released. It is also the first Phonak hearing device range with a rechargeable option. However, Phonak offered the option as part of their new range of Belong hearing aids which came with an upgraded operating system, the latest version of Phonak’s SoundRecover2 and new microphones and programme buttons. It wasn’t introduced as a stand-alone product like the Cellion with Signia.
The range uses the existing Venture chipset and is available in four technology levels, the 90, the 70, the 50 and the 30. The rechargeable option is not available in the lowest 30 level of technology which means that if you want to get this amazingly popular device you will have to move up to the 50 level at the least. I would expect Phonak to expand the rechargeable hearing aid range to BTE devices this year, the technical challenge involved isn’t huge, however, it may mean a new case.
Audeo Belong Rechargeable Prices
We would expect the Audeo Belong Rechargeable hearing aid range to be sold at prices from £1100.00 to £2200.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1400.00 to €3000.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1500.00 to $3200.00 in the USA.
What are the key features
Rechargeable lithium-ion power cell
24 hours continuous use with up to 5 hours streaming
Hear The Latest Phonak Hearing Aids For Yourself, Visit Your Local Hearing Pro
Arrange a consultation with a trusted Independent hearing healthcare professional in your area
Phonak
Bolero Belong Rechargeable Hearing Devices
Phonak has launched its new Bolero Belong platform of BTE hearing aids, including the anticipated lithium-ion rechargeable Bolero B-PR. It is the first Lithium-ion rechargeable BTE to the market and the first Phonak BTE hearing device range with a rechargeable option. They say that it will deliver 24 hours of hearing with one simple charge (expected results when fully charged, and up to 80 minutes wireless streaming time).
Bolero Belong Rechargeable Prices
We would expect the Bolero Belong Rechargeable hearing aid range to be sold at prices from £1100.00 to £2200.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1400.00 to €3000.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1500.00 to $3200.00 in the USA.
The range will be a full model line up with Bolero B models—including B-M, B-P, B-SP, and the rechargeable B-PR. It will run on the new improved AutoSense OS and will come in the usual four levels of technology. There was no word on the availability of the rechargeable device in the 30 level of technology but we assume that as is the case with the Audeo, it will not be available in the lowest tech level.
What are the key features
Rechargeable lithium-ion power cell
24 hours continuous use with up to 5 hours streaming
Easy charging
Unique OneShell design
Only available in the 90, 70 and 50 level of tech
Signia
Cellion Hearing Aids
Signia quickly followed Phonak with the Cellion™ primax™ hearing aids. Signia have always had a rechargeable option in their hearing aid line-up, but this was the first time they moved to Lithium-ion to power them. The devices have been designed to be smart, they turn off when dropped into the charger and turn on automatically when they are taken out again. Signia say that the rechargeable lithium-ion power cell lasts 24 hours straight without charging with unlimited audio streaming.
Like the Audeo B-R, the Cellion is a Receiver in Canal hearing aid and it can be used with a variety of receivers which will allow them to cover hearing losses from mild to profound. Signia have three levels of technology and the devices are available in all levels of technology. The devices are also rated to ip68 which is for all intent and purpose almost waterproof. Again, I would expect Signia to offer Lithium-ion powered BTE devices this year as well.
Cellion Rechargeable Hearing Aid Prices
We would expect the Cellion hearing aid range to be sold at prices from £1400.00 to £2200.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1800.00 to €3000.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1900.00 to $3200.00 in the USA.
What are the key features
Rechargeable lithium-ion power cell
Auto on function when the aid comes out of the charger
In October last year, I reported that Starkey had released a statement that announced that Starkey would partner with an Israeli start-up company called Humavox to introduce a brand new wireless recharging system for their hearing aids.
I said then that Humavox were known for true wireless charging systems. Humavox has designed a radio frequency system that allows them to charge a device via radio signals. Sounds fanciful but that is exactly what it does.
It does this in the near field, In essence, what it would have meant was that the charging station and the devices to be charged would just have to be in proximity to each other. This would have meant that the devices would just have to be dropped into a case or box for them to be charged, really simple and easy. However, just recently, Starkey has announced a new partnership with Zpower to bring a rechargeable hearing aid option to market this month.
Starkey
Muse™ micro RIC 312t R
The Muse™ micro RIC 312t R is just one of the styles available on Starkey’s® “made for music” hearing aid platform. The rechargeable offering is not a Lithium-ion device and nor is the power pack integrated. The power pack is actually ZPower’s innovative silver-zinc battery technology. Which is used with their charger to give at the very least 24 hours of use. Going with this option will allow Starkey customers to switch to normal disposable batteries if they are caught out. From what we can see the Muse micro RIC 312t R will be available in the full three levels of technology.
What are the key features
Rechargeable silver-zinc power cell
24 hours continuous use, no word on streaming yet
Available in all levels of tech
Easy to replace battery pack
User can use disposable batteries if needed
THere are huge advantages to using this type of system, it does allow the user to switch to disposable batteries when needed. This is almost like an aftermarket add on for Starkey, I think it may be a stopgap offer until their own integrated Lithium-ion offering gets released. Although, even if they do release an integrated offering, it will still be an excellent side offering.
Looking For The Latest Hearing Aids or a Hearing Test?
Arrange a consultation with a trusted Independent hearing healthcare professional in your area
Unitron enters the fray
Unitron Rechargeable Hearing Aids
In early February it seemed that Unitron was about to enter the fray with their very own offering. They tweeted on February 3rd that if people were attending the JDVAC convention that they should stop by and take a look at their new rechargeable Moxi Fit-R. They also mentioned on Linkedin that the Moxi Fit-R would be the smallest rechargeable hearing aid ever.
Going to #JDVAC 2017 Convention? Stop by the Unitron booth, and be among the first to preview Moxi™ Fit R, a revolutionary rechargeable.
It made perfect sense for Unitron to do so, like Phonak it is part of the Sonova group so the technology available could transfer. However, Unitron is now famous for doing their own thing, they decided that Silver-Zinc and a ZPower collaboration was the way forward for them. As with the Phonak Audeo, their first foray into this field will be with their RIC offering, it will be interesting to see if they extend it to their Stride BTE devices. We will let you know more as we find out.
Unitron
Moxi Fit R Hearing Aids
Smallest Rechargeable Hearing Aids Ever
Unitron has introduced a new rechargeable hearing aid option with the new Tempus platform. In typical Unitron style though, they have done it their own way, not just is it not an integrated option, but it is also backwards compatible! The New Moxi Fit R is the smallest rechargeable hearing aid ever, the rechargeable kit can also be bought separately and be fitted to existing Moxi Fits.
What are the key features
30 hours of use on one charge (24 hours with streaming)
The most stable battery tech
Smallest ever rechargeable hearing aid
Easy to change to a disposable if you forget to charge
Backward compatible to older models
Offered in all levels of tech, Pro, 800, 700, 600 and 500
With the introduction of the Moxi Fit R, Unitron now has both the smallest ever RIC hearing aid, the recently introduced Moxi Now, and the smallest ever Rechargeable hearing aid in their line-up. Using the silver-zinc technology gives them real advantages that are similar to the Starkey option. They have also made the tech backwards compatible which is an outstanding idea. The tech is very stable and very safe, lastly, it has a much smaller footprint than Lithium-ion which means much smaller hearing aids. Not just that, the system is also more forgiving for users, forget to charge your hearing aids and you can just slot in a disposable battery, no harm, no foul. On top of that, the rechargeable option will be available in every technology level.
What about GN Resound?
GN Resound Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Will Resound go rechargeable in 2017? I think the answer here will be yes, right now you can actually buy a rechargeable conversion kit from ZPower for Resound hearing aids. So for Resound to take it one step forward and integrate the tech will not be a difficult R&D task. It seems to me that Resound have been delaying a new release since last year, I think that there may be several reasons for that.
An integrated health monitoring hearing aid?
I believe that Resound is going to do something radical with their new hearing aid range. I think that it may be the very first integrated health platform. That is just my belief, but I base it on some deductive reasoning. No matter, I think we can expect a rechargeable option from Resound soon enough. Again, it might make sense for them to use a ZPower partnership solution for their needs.
Widex Rechargeable Hearing Aids
I wrote an article a while ago about a new Widex fuel cell powered hearing aid technology that Widex hope to bring to market. I think that if Widex can get it to work, they will offer it rather than a Lithium-ion option. Although Widex tends to do things their own way so they might offer both.
The fuel cell tech really excites me and Widex gave us the sense late last year that it might be close. I would be really happy to see it happen because it has the potential to change hearing aids forever. Here is hoping.
An update here from August 2017, Widex will deliver a Z Power based rechargeable hearing aid system in September or October 2017. It will be based on the Silver-Zinc battery technology which is a good choice. They haven’t given up on fuel cells though and they still hope to launch in 2018.
Pros and Cons of Rechargeable Hearing Aids
The rechargeable option does have pros and cons. I mean it is an excellent solution, charge them and you get 24 hours of power with no damn fiddly batteries. However, the question should be, how long will the Lithium-ion power pack last? Will it be four or five years? If it needs replacing it could be difficult. I mean it is a factory job because the power packs are generally integrated.
I don’t know how long the power packs will last, but if they need to be replaced you will have to send them away. I would hazard a guess and say that Lithium-ion power packs will probably last about five years, give or take. The secondary option from ZPower is a little different, while it is an excellent rechargeable solution, it isn’t integrated. Which will mean that it can be changed out really easily if it is needed.
The ZPower option will also mean that if you are stuck, caught out by forgetting to charge your aids, you can easily stick a disposable battery in and keep going. I think it is all round a good solution. The silver-zinc solution is also a safer solution, it is more stable and because it is, you can produce smaller power packs, which can mean smaller hearing aids. None of the Lithium-ion hearing aids is the most svelte.
Don’t get me wrong, they are by no means huge hearing aids, but there are smaller devices. However, the limitations of Lithium-ion mean that they can’t at present be made very small. The silver-zinc option needs to be changed once a year though more or less. The cost of the silver-zinc rechargeable batteries is not prohibitive though.
In finishing, right now most of the options are RIC devices, however, Phonak have been quick to introduce a Lithium-Ion powered rechargeable BTE hearing aid in their new Bolero line up. I would expect rechargeable BTE hearing aids from many of the hearing aid brands to start appearing this year. As I have said before, ITEs will be the real challenge. Fitting the power pack in something that small will be a challenge for every R&D team, however, it is a challenge I think they will all take up. Rechargeable hearing aids are too popular not to.
Let’s talk rechargeable hearing aids, what are the types and their pros and cons?
Rechargeable hearing aids have surged in popularity in the last six months. The introduction of the latest wave of the devices ensured that Professionals were more confident in providing them and consumers were more confident about buying them. Some people have warned people off rechargeable hearing aids for different reasons, I think they are exceptionally beneficial, but there are pros and cons, let’s talk about the types and what they have to offer.
Rechargeable hearing aids have been around for a long time, however, there were never very popular because of power output. ZPower has coined the phrase one-charge-per-day standard, and it is a pretty good phrase (I wish I came up with it). In essence, the traditional rechargeable hearing aids did not meet the one-charge-per-day-standard. That only got worse when hearing aids became wireless and more users were streaming audio.
A New Generation of Rechargeable!
A new generation of rechargeable battery technologies has arrived and it promises to make life easier for consumers. In point of fact, two new rechargeable hearing aid technologies arrived on the market in 2016, Lithium-ion and Silver-Zinc both of these technologies offer something different with different pros and cons, but the one thing they both offer is, the one-charge-per-day-standard.
Lithium-ion Rechargeable hearing aids
As of updating this piece four hearing aid brands offer Lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids. Phonak offers the biggest range of rechargeable hearing aids including a new Kids rechargeable hearing aid, the new Naida Belong rechargeable hearing aids, the Receiver in Canal hearing aid (Audeo B-R) and a Behind The Ear hearing aid (Bolero B PR). Signia offer a Receiver in Canal option and a BTE option. Starkey introduced their own Lithium-ion powered rechargeable hearing aid in February 2018. Resound introduced the LiNX Quattro which is powered by a Lithium-ion cell in late 2018. The rest of the brands are expected to follow in 2019.
The Lithium-ion devices from the different hearing aid brands have one thing in common. They are sealed integrated power pack systems. These offer pros for safety and cons for the use case. Let me explain, Lithium-ion can be a fire risk if the battery is damaged, sealing the battery in the body of the hearing aid means that it is protected from mishandling.
However, sealing it in the case also means that it can not be replaced by the user. Lithium-ion can be expected to deliver for between four and five years, so that means the battery pack will have to be replaced after four or five years because it will not be delivering what it should. To do this, the hearing aids will have to be sent back to the factory and it will also have a cost attached. One addendum here, Signia’s power pack can, in fact, be replaced by your hearing aid provider in their office. From what I know, Phonak at least has said that they will replace battery packs in the future as a normal repair, which means it won’t be a ridiculous cost.
Update 20/06/2018: Phonak has undertaken accelerated testing with the Lithium-ion solutions. It appears that even after six years of use and recharging, there will still be enough power capacity to ensure a full day’s use of the hearing aid. Their findings have given more confidence to professionals when recommending these solutions. It means that you will get six or more years of use without having to change the battery pack.
In most cases, many people would be changing their hearing aids on a five to six-year cycle. However, even if there is some reason that a user can’t change their devices, it means that having to consider paying for the swapping out of the battery pack is only something that will happen after six or seven years.
The Cons of Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Safety: Lithium-ion is a poison, and hearing aids are small enough to swallow, presenting a hazard to children and pets. Lithium-ion has the potential to go on fire if damaged badly enough.
Sealed Case: The fire hazard of the tech dictates that the lithium-ion battery is integrated into a sealed case. If it runs out of power while still in use, the hearing aid cannot run on a normal disposable battery but must be taken out of commission while it recharges. And when a lithium-ion battery reaches the end of its life, it can’t be replaced by the user but must be swapped out by the manufacturer.
Power Limitations: If you stream a lot of audio (from an MP3 player or mobile phone, etc.), there’s a possibility that the batteries may not last the full 24-hour day. In fact, Phonak seem to think that if you stream up to about five hours, the aids will last 14 to 16 hours. This shouldn’t affect most people though since 12-16 hours would be a typical day of hearing aid use.
Larger Footprint: The footprint of Lithium-Ion is bigger than the other option which means bigger hearing aids.
The Pros of Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Hearing Aids
No more fiddly battery changes: The technology ensures that you no longer have to worry about the expense of disposable hearing aid batteries, nor do you have to worry about changing them.
24 hours of continuous use: The technology has finally reached the one-charge-per-day standard. You should be able to get up to 24 hours use with up to 5 hours of streaming.
Easy charging: Simply drop it in your charger, no hassle.
Silver-Zinc Systems
The primary producer of Silver-Zinc rechargeable hearing aid systems is ZPower. Originally ZPower offered a retrofit system which consisted of individually designed battery compartments and chargers for many popular hearing aid models. This allowed hearing aid users to change their current products to rechargeable hearing aids. However, in partnership with several hearing aid brands, there are now several Silver-Zinc powered rechargeable hearing aid options. Like the lithium-ion systems, they provide power for a day of use.
As of writing this piece, the two hearing aid brands offering Silver-Zinc rechargeable hearing aids are Unitron with their Moxi Fit R and Starkey with their Muse Micro RIC 312t R. Unitron has done something interesting though, they have made their rechargeable hearing aid system backwards compatible. If you currently own a Moxi Fit, you can buy the kit and make it rechargeable.
Update 20/06/2018: Many more hearing aid brands have introduced rechargeables with the ZPower system, including Widex, Bernafon and Oticon.
These systems are not integrated and sealed into the product, in fact, these systems are a little more forgiving than the Lithium-ion systems. If for some reason you don’t get to charge your hearing aid, you can simply slip in a disposable battery. Silver-Zinc is also more stable than Lithium-ion, it won’t explode into flame when damaged.
The Cons of Silver-Zinc Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Once a Year Replacement: Silver-Zinc batteries need to be replaced once a year. This represents a cost to you, however, they are cheap enough so the cost over four or five years probably balances out with the repair cost of changing a Lithium-Ion power pack.
Power Limitations: This is less of a problem with Silver-Zinc technology, because they are much more power dense. However, if you stream a lot of audio (from an MP3 player or mobile phone, etc.), there’s a possibility that the batteries may not last the full 24-hour day.
The Pros of Silver-Zinc Rechargeable Hearing Aids
No more fiddly battery changes: The technology ensures that you no longer have to worry about the expense of disposable hearing aid batteries, nor do you have to worry about changing them except for once a year.
24 hours continuous use: This technology is also one-charge-per-day standard. You should be able to get up to 24 hours use with up to 5 hours streaming.
Flexibility: Because they are removable, the rechargeable batteries can be easily replaced by standard disposable hearing aid batteries in the event of an emergency. The hearing aids can run on the disposables until they can be recharged at night. It also means that when it comes time to replace them, you can do it at home.
Safety: Silver-zinc is non-flammable, non-toxic and 100% recyclable.
Smaller footprint: Higher energy density means a silver zinc battery can come in a smaller package than comparable lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. This simply means smaller hearing aids.
Backwards Compatible: The technology is backwards compatible in at least one case and it can be added as an aftermarket system.
Update January 2019: I think the general feeling within the industry is that Lithium-ion cells are more reliable than the ZPower option. It is unfortunate but many of the Z-Power systems have developed problems and it has been both frustrating for the users and professionals alike. In truth, I like the Z-Power system a lot, but the problems seem to have over-ruled what is excellent tech.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to rechargeable hearing aids, not least what type is right for you. Each system has its pros and cons, and I don’t think you should be afraid of them. As always, we just think you should have all the knowledge you need to make an educated decision.
If you like what you see, share it so others can benefit
Find An Independent Hearing Aid Centre in Your Area
Arrange a consultation with a trusted Independent hearing healthcare professional in your area
After losing the hearing in my left ear due to sudden sensorineural hearing loss I decided to try a CROS hearing aid. Receiving my CROS hearing aid was a positive experience. I was hoping it would give me some hearing ability on my left side. I was hoping it was going to give me a chance of hearing some elements of speech on my left side; to help me gain some confidence in communicating with others. I was hoping the hearing aid would provide me with some support with hearing in situations with background noise.
Contra Lateral Routing of Signal (CROS) is a hearing aid technology for people with unilateral hearing. The CROS system is for people who have relatively normal hearing in one ear and hearing that can’t be aided in the other. The receiving behind-the-ear device on the deaf side transmits the sound to a device on the good side. The user hears the amplified sound from the deaf side in their good ear. The person hears the sound from the good side naturally in their good ear, without any amplification.
I would be trialling the device for three months to see if it would be useful for me. If I decided that it wasn’t helpful, then I would be entitled to a full refund. The CROS hearing aid technology is relatively new, and I’d read that some people really benefit from their CROS hearing aids. I even read someone’s account saying that, with the aid they were able to hear in background noise, and it was like they didn’t have a deaf side anymore.
I was very happy with the way my hearing aid looked. The aid components were a similar colour to my hair and if I chose to wear my hair down, they were almost invisible. However, I actually liked other people to see them. When traveling on the Metro for example, I would tuck my hair behind my ears so that they were visible. I liked that my disability could now be seen. Before I received my hearing aids, I had felt some frustration at the fact that people had no visible clue of any difficulties I might be having with communication. But with the hearing aid, if I failed to react to someone on my deaf side, or didn’t move out of the way for someone, I had a visible reason for my lack of response. This made me feel more relaxed on public transport, and in the city. I didn’t feel like I was constantly looking to my left to check if there was someone there, or if the lips of the person next to me were moving.
The main positive outcome of my CROS hearing aid was that it was really wonderful to have some sense of hearing again in my deaf ear. If someone was speaking to me on my deaf side, the aid would make a high-pitched distorted sound, similar to a ‘beep’, for each syllable spoken. These beeps would alert me to turn and focus my attention to my deaf side. Without the aid I would be clueless to the presence of anyone next to me on this side. It was comforting to know that if there was a sound on my deaf side, such as someone speaking, or a car approaching from the left whilst I was crossing a road, then I would be alerted.
I also had some frustrating experiences with my CROS hearing aid. The component in my deaf ear kept popping out. I would fit the mold correctly inside my ear, and within minutes, the aid would have squeezed its way out, so that it was no longer fitted snugly. This meant that throughout the day, I would keep having to push the mold back into my ear. Also, although I was happy that I would be made aware if someone was speaking on my deaf side, the hearing aid didn’t help me understand speech. The high pitched beeping that occurred in time with spoken syllables became an uncomfortable sensation. After my hearing loss, I had developed a sensitivity to noise, and the aids job was to amplify sound; this obviously did not help my sensitivity situation. I became frustrated because I couldn’t make sense of the beeps. I knew they represented words, but however hard I tried I couldn’t hear any difference in the tones to identify letter sounds or words. My good ear was also hindered. My brain seemed to be paying so much attention to the strange sensations and uncomfortable noises brought on by the introduction of my hearing aid, that it struggled to concentrate and understand speech. So in effect, the aid actually hindered my ability to follow conversation.
One of my hopes had been for the aid to help me hear better in background noise. This was not the case. The mix of music and chatter experienced in a restaurant was overwhelming for my CROS hearing aid. It would produce screeching sounds and amplify all the noise I didn’t want to focus on. Going out for a meal for a friend’s birthday with a group of people, was a confidence draining experience. I was only able to focus on one person talking, if I could get close enough to them with my good ear to hear them. This meant that I wasn’t involved in the dynamics of the group chatter. I felt isolated and I resorted to smiling and nodding at people to fake my following of any group discussion or jokes. This is a similar overview of my restaurant experiences with more than one person, when I am not wearing an aid. With the aid, the screeching noises also made it difficult for my good ear to focus on conversation.
The amplification of sound from my CROS hearing aid of everyday city noise such as motor cycle exhausts, building works and sirens, was at times very uncomfortable. Therefore a walk around the city would result in me opening up my aids or covering them to stop them working when confronted with one of these overly intense sounds. My life in a busy city didn’t seem to be a suitable place for my hearing aid. The city noises when amplified were just too uncomfortable, and weren’t helpful in aiding me to decode speech or make sense of the noises around me. The only place where the amplification of noise didn’t cause too much noise discomfort was at home…but home was the one place I felt like I didn’t really need to wear my hearing aid. At home I could generally hear OK when speaking with my boyfriend in the relatively quiet environment of our apartment.
There were also some strange experiences. One day, I had fitted the right component of the aid into my ear, when I started to hear what sounded like a radio. I had no idea where the noise was coming from. I thought that it was maybe something to do with the Bluetooth connectivity of the aid. Later I thought that it could have been noise being picked up from the television that was playing some distance away in the living room. Another time, I fitted the aids into my ears, and I realized that they felt much better; the sounds being produced seemed more natural and I wasn’t receiving the uncomfortable screeching noises. Then I realized the reason they were feeling more natural, was because the battery had died – The aids weren’t turned on! I was hearing normally in my good ear, but without the interference of the beeping from the device into my deaf ear!
I had willed my CROS hearing aid to work for me, but it hadn’t provided me the support I had hoped for. After three months of wearing it, I decided to return it. The audiologist told me that at present, there was no other option available that could possibly provide me with any help. I know however, there is an implant called a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) that could be of some help. This would obviously involve an operation, and I plan to do some research into availability and cost. But for the time being I will continue to live with my unilateral hearing; learning new strategies to help me communicate in everyday situations.
Here’s a few pictures of the CROS.
Find An Independent Hearing Aid Centre in Your Area
Arrange a consultation with a trusted Independent hearing healthcare professional in your area
I had an interesting experience yesterday that brought home the reason why we always ask for a family member to attend a hearing test. The Patient scored themselves very lowly on their hearing handicap form, while the family member scored them rather highly according to their perception of what was going on. When I began to discuss this with them, it was obvious that there was a large disparity between how good the Patient thought their hearing was and what everyone else thought. The reason why is relatively simple and it isn’t the most obvious one of pure denial, there is a bit more going on than that. Let’s talk about why.
Hearing Loss is a Family Sport
Hearing loss affects every member of the family, not just the person who suffers from it. Communication is a problem, often frustrations creep in. Family members may feel that the person with hearing loss is in denial or just ignoring the impact of the hearing loss. If the person with hearing loss has withdrawn from their social circle, family members may be concerned about their well-being. Hearing loss tends to have an effect on the entire family.
Denial is Not Just A River in Egypt
A great old Dublin saying, “De Nile is not just a river in Egypt”, usually uttered as someone shakes their head and throws their eyes to heaven. There is a lot of talk about denial in hearing loss and there is certainly an element of denial involved in many cases. However, denial is fed by a misunderstanding of how hearing loss works.
Cultural Understanding of Hearing Loss
Firstly, most people really don’t understand how acquired hearing loss works or how it will affect someone’s ability to hear. Most of our understanding of hearing loss is formed by TV, Radio and Theatre. In that world hearing loss is not just something to laugh at, it appears to be all about raising the volume. “Speak Up, Speak UP, What Did You Say?” It is all very Monty Pythonesque.
Hearing Loss is Rarely About Pure Volume
Run of the mill acquired hearing loss is very rarely about volume, it is nearly always about balance in sound. In fact, hearing loss that is about pure brute force volume is quite rare and it is usually something that is present from, or related to something, from birth. In normal, run of the mill acquired hearing loss, there is an imbalance in the ability to hear sounds. Some sounds can be heard quite well or even normally, while other sounds may not be heard at all. Ruth Kirkham, one of our contributors here on Know, talks about her own realisation about hearing loss here.
I Can Hear The Voice!
Quite often, someone with hearing loss can hear someone’s voice very clearly, they just can’t really understand what some of the words are. If you think about that for a minute, you can see why it is easy to think that the problem is, in fact, the speaker, not the listener, if they can hear the voice, surely the problem is that the speaker isn’t speaking clearly enough?
The actual problem is that more often than not, someone with hearing loss can’t hear consonants in speech. So basically words sound indistinct and mumbled. The person isn’t mumbling, you just can’t hear them properly. However, you can see why it is easy to think that the problem is the speaker rather than your own. That is in fact why people take so long to realise they are having problems. It is also why they are loathe to release the idea that it isn’t them, it’s everyone else.
Helping You Make a Realisation
When family members attend a hearing test, they will often help their loved one towards a realisation in relation to their hearing ability. It is the family who really understands the effect of hearing loss on the person who has it. They see and understand when there are problems, even clearer than the person who is suffering them. Don’t forget, as a person with hearing loss, you don’t miss what you have missed. Or to put it another way, you don’t know what you don’t hear.
People around you do. While you may be unsure about the depth of the problems you are having, the people around you tend to see them clearly. I have often witnessed a Patient come to a clear realization of their problems simply through the testament of a family member. Quite often, it is the first time that the discussion about their hearing loss is undertaken in a clear and focused manner.
More often than not, it also leads to the sharing of worries that have been unsaid. Concern that has often been unvoiced.
Keeping You Honest
The other thing that a family member will often do, is to keep you honest. I have spoken elsewhere on the site about not fooling yourself. As I said, family members tend to see what is really happening and generally aren’t afraid to give you the unvarnished truth. Nor are they afraid to speak up when you are lying to yourself.They have a way of telling you how it is. I find the reaction to hearing loss a very strange thing, it seems to be one of the few health issues that are surrounded by personal stigma.
Hearing loss is not a statement on you, it just is!
People will outright lie to themselves about their ability to hear in order to protect themselves from the thoughts in their heads! It never fails to surprise me, I have said it before, and I have no doubt I will say it again, hearing loss is not a statement on you, it just is.
Helping Them Understand
Your family doesn’t really understand hearing loss any more than you do. Attending the appointment will also allow them to understand the issues. It will also allow them to become familiar with your hearing loss and the effects it has on your ability to communicate. The hearing test will make it very clear to them exactly what the issues are and why you have the problems you do.
Moving Forward
If you move forward with hearing aids, the involvement of your family with your ongoing rehabilitation plan is important. They need to understand the advantages and limitations of the hearing aids you have chosen. They also need to understand how they can help you, especially during the early stages of rehabilitation.
A Better Understanding of Progress
As you move forward with hearing aids, family members can also help to assess your progress. They can also help identify areas where you are still having issues with your hearing. I love when family members are involved in the process, they are a secondary source of information which allows a full picture of what is going on. They are also a validation of the problems. Let me explain that.
When someone has an issue hearing they automatically think it is their hearing loss and the fault of the hearing aids. Sometimes, it isn’t. There have been times where a Patient has spoken about problems with a particular situation or a particular person. The family member has chimed in and said, I hadn’t a clue what they were saying either! Or I couldn’t really make it out with all the noise going on either. In essence, if they can’t hear, neither should the Patient be able to.
In contrast to that, some Patients may think they are doing pretty well in some situations and the family member may be able to point out where there are some deficiencies. All in all, the inclusion of the family in the process has to be seen as a good thing for both the Patient and for them.
If you like what you see, share it so others can benefit
An Innovative, Integrated Wireless Hearing Aid Accessory
Oticon is releasing the ConnectClip to most markets soon, it’s a big event because it is an amazing little product. In a first, Oticon has introduced an integrated wireless accessory. It will turn your Oticon Opn™ hearing aids into a wireless stereo headset with ConnectClip, so you can make hands-free phone calls and stream music from your smartphone. Or listen to someone speaking from a distance using its remote microphone functionality. You can even use ConnectClip as a discreet remote control for your hearing aids. There is no other wireless accessory like this.
Streaming Audio
The ConnectClip will allow you to stream the sound from any modern smartphone, tablet or computer directly into your hearing aids. Low energy use and a microphone for capturing your speech make your hearing aids into a wireless headset with all the benefits that come with the hands-free experience.
High-quality audio capability lets you stream stereo music from any of your devices straight into your ears. A richer sound with more details delivers a quality experience that is less strenuous to listen to.
Remote Microphone
Not satisfied with delivering an outstanding streaming audio experience, Oticon went a step further. The ConnectClip also functions as a remote microphone, which means you can give it to someone who is speaking and then hear their voice clearly and directly in your hearing aids. Ideal to help you hear better in more complex situations.
Remote Control
Yep, streaming audio and remote microphone just wasn’t enough, so they added a remote control functionality as well. You can use your ConnectClip as a remote control. That means that you can control the volume of your Opn hearing aids, switch programmes, and turn them on and off remotely.
One Integrated Device, Great Value
Oticon has delivered one integrated device that offers fantastic value. An audio streamer, a remote mic and a remote control in one. I really think this device builds on the innovation shown with the Opn devices. I am looking forward to the next step, I am fascinated to see what Opn custom hearing aids offer us.
If you have an Oticon Opn device, I think you will not regret investing in the new ConnectClip. I for one can’t wait to try it out.
If you like what you see, share it so others can benefit
Ear syringing doesn’t work and could even permanently damage your ears
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has released new guidance on the ear wax removal method of ear syringing. They have advised that traditional ear syringing, (using a large syringe to pump water into the ear), is potentially harmful and should no longer be used. NICE recommends that all medical practitioners should instead use ear irrigation which uses an irrigation machine that introduces water under controlled pressure. You can see one of the machines below.
Discredited Method of Ear Cleaning
It has been known for many years that ear syringing was a discredited method of ear cleaning so it is good that NICE has produced guidance on it. I remember many years ago reading about a paper that was published in the British Medical Journal in relation to ear syringing.
The paper detailed that there were significant problems associated with ear syringing on a regular basis. The problems were detailed as;
failure of wax removal 29%
otitis media (mid-ear infection) 17%
perforation of the eardrum 15%
and trauma to the external auditory meatus (ear canal) 11%
The study was undertaken using a postal survey of 312 practising G.P.s in the Edinburgh area who were serving 650,000 Patients. These figures and the complications mentioned are why NICE has released its guidance. It is also why most Audiologists who offer ear wax removal offer micro-suction earwax removal or irrigation as their ear cleaning methods.
If you like what you see, share it so others can benefit
Those ebay retailers I spoke about earlier have in fact launched an e-commerce website selling hearing aids online at what they term wholesale prices. In fact, they are selling non custom hearing aids from all of the big hearing aid brands at probably the lowest price in the UK. The question is, should you buy them?
Online Hearing Aid Sales UK
For the first time there is now an online hearing aid sales website that sells devices from the big hearing aid brands in a true e-commerce way. Apparently, the original ebay sales were a market research exercise to test the Public’s appetite for this type of purchase. The second phase is to offer the products direct on their own website to the public at the same knock down prices.
A New Hearing Aid Business Model
In essence, the company is trying to introduce a new hearing aid business model where hearing aids as a product are sold separately from service. Some hearing aid advocates have lobbied for just this type of business model, but generally they wanted their local professional to provide it to them. Their question has always been why should I pay for service that I don’t want or need? Wholesale Hearing Aids is using this same sentiment as a unique selling point. It will be interesting to see if the buying public accept it. It will be more interesting to see if the hearing healthcare professionals accept it.
At the time of publishing this article they are offering top of the range hearing aids from Phonak, GN Resound, Widex and Starkey for under a thousand pounds sterling each. The owners of the site advise you that they can pre-programme your hearing aids from an audiogram before they are shipped. They say that they prefer an audiogram that is under three months old. In fact it is illegal in the UK to sell hearing aids from an audiogram that is six months or older.
They also advise you that it is a good idea to actually visit a hearing professional before you purchase in order that you can get a full hearing test and recommendations on which hearing aids are most suitable for you. They further advise that –
We believe that the best success comes from getting the best devices and working well with a professional who is competent and that you trust. So many times we have been told that patients stopped going to their existing audiologists because of poor service or feeling that they were just a number. We are building a global network of trusted audiologists that you can be linked up with who will charge you per visit often saving you thousands of pounds in aftercare costs. It’s like a pay as you go mobile phone!
A Global Network of Trusted Audiologists
It is obvious from looking through the site that the owners have big ambitions. They hope to sell their hearing aids beyond the UK and Ireland going global with their offering. Although they speak about a Global network, there is no mention of who or where these professionals are other than vague references. I honestly think that is because there probably isn’t many of them and they probably are not as widespread as the owners hope.
In our last article ebay sales which you can read here. We said that our worry about this business model was that people may buy the hearing aids online and then find it difficult to get a professional to help them. We are unsure about how the bulk of hearing aid professionals are going to feel about this. So there are several things you really need to consider so you can make an educated choice here.
Here are the things you need to consider.
Will someone fit them for you?
How much will the hearing test and fitting cost?
How much will it cost for aftercare visits? (you are going to need them)
How much will it cost for repairs to be handled?
Will the extra costs mean a net saving or loss for you?
Simply Independent Hearing Aid Advice
Again, we aren’t telling you this isn’t a good deal and we most definitely aren’t telling you not to do it. What we are telling you is that you need to carefully consider everything here. I really would urge you to discuss it with a health professional before you do it. You need to know that someone will actually take care of you, otherwise you will be left with some very expensive ornaments.
Right this minute, this concept of hearing aid sales is not getting a great reception within the hearing healthcare profession. That may change however. We will keep you updated on the reaction to all of this and we would welcome your comments at info@hearingaidknow.
Late update here, BSHAA (The British Society Of Hearing Aid Audiologists) has released a statement, it reads
BSHAA Chief Executive Prof David Welbourn said: “We are concerned at hearing aids being sold without the qualified care and advice of a professional audiologist. We need to look at any effect this may have on the trust between the public and those clinicians who do provide high quality hearing care. We are also considering whether this practice is consistent with the conduct we expect of clinical professionals who are members of our organisation. “We are in dialogue with the regulator to review whether the practice is contrary to the legally protected function of a hearing aid dispenser.”
Late Update 2. In a statement from Neill Pottinger (Starkey Management UK) made on Linkedin, Starkey Hearing Technologies have instructed the owners of this website to remove their brand from this site. It allows consumers to purchase hearing instruments without the intervention of a qualified hearing professional and is in contravention of our stated internet sales policy.
Invisible hearing aids are always popular, there are absolutely tiny hearing aids and many consumers love them. We did a post last year outlining what was available in the market at that time and updated as we learnt of new products. The article was always a firm favourite, so we decided to write one in the same vein for 2017. Again, we don’t really understand what the obsession is with the smallest hearing aids available, but there you go. At this stage, really the only new thing to report is the introduction of the new Phonak Virto B-Titanium and possibly the Signia Silk. So let’s talk about what’s available in so-called hidden hearing aids. Again, as things change we will continue to update this post during the year.
Discreet Hearing Aids
Invisible hearing aids or IIC hearing aids are the most discreet hearing aids available. However, that discretion often comes with trade-offs. They are placed deep in the ear canal which leaves all of the components open to moisture and wax ingression. So it is important that they are well taken care of. Because if you don’t follow a daily clean and care routine, they will fail. It is also important that you ensure you follow a drying routine with these devices. Moisture will kill your hearing aids, so make sure you don’t allow it to build up inside the case.
Invisible Hearing Aid Prices
In general, invisible hearing aid prices are similar if not the same as other devices within the level of technology chosen. Where once custom hearing aids were more expensive than BTEs, that has generally changed and they are usually the same price. Just to be clear, we don’t set prices here and they differ from Practice to Practice across the World so our expectations aren’t binding, they are just a guess and some research. Always remember, we all like to shop around, but always be clear about what is being delivered. You will need care and support, make sure you will get it. You will also need your hearing aid validated or verified to get the best experience, paying a little more to ensure your experience is good, is not wasted money. That’s our price rant for the day over, let’s talk about the devices.
Phonak
Virto B Invisible Hearing Aids
Meet The New Phonak Virto B Range
Phonak have now introduced the full range of their new Virto B in the ear products. They say that they are custom-made to perfectly fit in your ear, Phonak Virto B is the world’s first hearing aids with Biometric Calibration, which take your individual ear anatomy and hearing needs into account. That’s an interesting description.
They say that they will identify over 1600 biometric data points in and on your ear, and the unique calibration settings are calculated for each Virto B hearing aid. In this way, Virto B is able to more reliably sense where sound is coming from, thereby giving you access to better hearing performance.
What does that all mean? Well, we think that Phonak is the first ever hearing aid manufacturer to carefully map the outer ear to take advantage of its natural abilities. They say that the new process will deliver a 2dB signal to noise ratio improvement. Basically, it means it will make the signal (what you want to listen to) 2dB higher than the noise.
2dB doesn’t sound like much but combined with all the other strategies that Phonak use it will be a marked improvement. Phonak Virto B is available in six models to match your hearing needs. It is also available in the usual four levels of technology, the 90, 70, 50 and 30.
Virto B-10 NW O
Custom Product
Mild to severe hearing loss
Battery: 10 zinc air
Truly invisible
Non Wireless
Omni-Directional
Resound
Resound LiNX 3D LTIIC (Invisible In Canal Hearing Aid)
Linx 3D IIC Prices
We would expect the range depending on technology level, to be sold at prices from £1200.00 to £2200.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1200.00 to €3000.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1200.00 to $3200.00 in the USA.
Resound have just introduced a brand new platform called the LiNX 3D. It is an upgrade to their exceptionally popular LiNX 2 Made For iPhone hearing aids.
The platform is a full range of hearing aid styles with one being an invisible hearing aid. The LTIIC is the smallest of the LiNX 3D custom hearing aids. Because it is so small you will lose some of the benefits of the technology.
However, that is always the trade-off for discretion. The device is available with only one level of receiver power, the LP. It will only cover hearing losses to a max 70 dB in the low frequencies and 85 dB in the high frequencies.
Suitability
The suitability of this device is also based on the size of your ear canal. If your canal is too small, you won’t be able to avail of it. If your hearing loss is close to 70 in the lows and 85 in the highs, you won’t be able to avail of it.
It can not have a push button or volume control, but the devices all have smart start which gives you a couple of seconds to get it in your ear before it comes on. But you lose out on the direct audio streaming, no ear to ear communication, and no wireless accessories. The battery size on this aid is size 10.
By choosing discretion you do lose out on a lot of features and benefit. Firstly, there is no telecoil, something that many like. You also miss out on the new Resound smart 3D app and the remote assistance. You lose all the directionality functions because you only have one mic, no Wind Guard and you lose all the wireless functions. That is a lot of benefits gone because you wanted it small, really think about this, because honestly, no one cares that you are wearing a hearing aid.
Feature Set
The feature set of the device is as follows.
Up to 17 channels of compression depending on tech level
Environmental Classifier
Environmental Optimizer II
Noise Tracker II
Expansion
Sound Shaper
DFS Ultra III with Music Mode
Auto DFS
Acceptance Manager
Tinnitus Sound Generator
Tired of Listening to Bla? We Got You Covered
Our buying guide, no Bla, just clear easy to understand info, we guarantee it will help you pick the right hearing aid for you.
Phonak
Virto B-Titanium Invisible Hearing Aids
Virto B Titanium Prices
We would expect the range depending on technology level, to be sold at prices from £1500.00 to £2200.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1800.00 to €3000.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1900.00 to $3200.00 in the USA.
Phonak have just introduced this device across the world. As part of a raft of introductions, Phonak announced that they were introducing a new Virto hearing aid type as part of their Virto Belong range. The Belong range is Phonak’s latest platform.
A Titanium Shell
They named the hearing aid as the Virto B-Titanium and said it will be the most discreet in-ear device they have ever made. It is a fascinating device that uses titanium for the shell instead of the usual hard acrylic. This is the first time that titanium has been used in the manufacture of a custom hearing aid.
Will Fit More People Than Ever
The material is exceptionally strong, which allows Phonak to make the shell much thinner than ever before with even more strength. This combined with new component design allows them to deliver an invisible hearing device that they say will fit 68% more ears.
The deep position in the ear canal of the device will allow the hearing aid to use the natural shape of the ear to funnel sound to the microphone. This strategy has always proved to deliver excellent directional hearing.
Who will the Virto Belong-Titanium be suitable for?
While invisible hearing aids can be a bit hit and miss for suitability, Phonak says that their new designs and materials will, in fact, make the hearing aids suitable for more people than ever. While that will most definitely be the case, there will still be some limitations on the ability to fit. I would imagine if the bends in the ear canal are too tight, it will preclude this device from being suitable.
Other contraindications are the same as every other invisible hearing aid such as excessive waxy ear canals, history of mid-ear infections or perforated eardrums. If you face these issues, this will not be the product for you. In these cases, other discreet hearing aids may be more advisable to consider.
The device will offer three receiver levels which means that it will cover more hearing losses than ever before. The device will only be available in the V90 and V70 technology level.
Looking For an Invisible Hearing Aid? Visit Your Local Hearing Pro
Arrange a consultation with a trusted Independent hearing healthcare professional in your area
Phonak
Virto Venture Nano Invisible Hearing Aids
We spoke about the Venture Nano last year, it is the invisible hearing aid option available on the Venture platform from Phonak. It will remain available this year for some time so we have included it here. The Phonak Venture Nano was and I suppose still is the latest Nano invisible hearing aid from Phonak until the device is replaced by the Belong range. It is a typical invisible hearing aid which sits deep in the ear canal.
As I said before, the deep position in the ear canal allows the Phonak Nano to use the natural shape of the ear to funnel sound to the microphone which delivers excellent directional hearing, as well as virtual invisibility.
The Nano sits very deep in the ear canal, they manufacture it in order that the front of the hearing device is in permanent shadow because of the depth it sits at.
Who is the device suitable for?
The Nano Venture is typical of hidden hearing type devices, it is not suitable for everyone for two reasons. Firstly, the device will only fit certain shapes and dimensions of the ear canal, if your ear canal is too narrow or has too tight a bend it might not be suitable. The other contraindications are things such as excessive waxy ear canals, a history of ear infections or perforated eardrums.
Outstanding features of the Phonak Nano include:
Perfect fit: each IIC hearing aid is custom made to ensure a perfect fit
Better localisation: tight fit means users can better determine where sounds are coming from
All-purpose use: can be worn in all listening situations
Durability: all components are contained in one unit making it extremely durable
More comfort: no joined parts mean there are no hard edges
Oticon
Oticon Invisible Hearing Aids
Oticon introduced a new type of invisible hearing aid that had wireless communication. We spoke about them last year and we expect them to update them this year. They have introduced a new range of hearing aids called the Opn. At present, the devices are only behind the ear hearing aids at present, however, they have already indicated that they will introduce a range of in the ear hearing aids this year.
The introduction of Oticon’s IIC instruments with wireless technology meant that for the first time choosing discretion did not mean you would lose out on the benefits of wireless technology. It meant that for the first time it was possible to combine the discretion of hidden hearing aids, with wireless access to communication and entertainment and an optional remote control.
The device is shaped to fit so snugly deep inside your ear that no one will see it, or even realise you are wearing it. The placement also means that the hearing aid will not affect your use of headsets or telephones, nor how you wear your glasses. As it is placed deep inside the ear, Oticon IIC captures sound in the same way that your ears were designed to do. The devices available currently, are based on Oticon’s Inium Sense technology and are available at three technology levels to suit all budgets.
Looking For The Latest Invisible Hearing Aids? Visit Your Local Hearing Pro
Arrange a consultation with a trusted Independent hearing healthcare professional in your area
Starkey
Starkey SoundLens Synergy
Starkey SoundLens IIC Prices
We would expect the range depending on technology level, to be sold at prices from £1200.00 to £2200.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1200.00 to €3000.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1200.00 to $3200.00 in the USA.
Starkey introduced the original SoundLens several years ago and updated it last year making the device even smaller and they added a second wireless invisible hearing aid to the lineup.
Wireless Invisible Hearing Aid
The wireless version of the SoundLens is no bigger than the older SoundLens type, so it will be a discreet deep-fitting hearing aid.
Technology Levels
The Soundlens is available in three levels of technology
The Premium i2400
The Advanced i2000
The Standard i1600
Let’s Talk Styles
The Starkey SoundLens Synergy comes in two styles
Starkey SoundLens Wireless
Wireless (invisible-in-canal) device, only available in the premium range i2400
Starkey SoundLens Non-Wireless
non-wireless (completely-in-canal) available in all tech levels
Signia
Insio Primax IIC
Signia Insio IIC Prices
We would expect the range depending on technology level, to be sold at prices from £1200.00 to £2200.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1200.00 to €3000.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1200.00 to $3200.00 in the USA.
The Insio has bragging rights for the being the most powerful invisible hearing aid. Siemens / Signia introduced the Insio Primax IIC last year as part of the Primax introduction. As I said, it is, in fact, the most powerful invisible hearing aid available covering hearing losses well into the severe range which is quite unusual for an invisible hearing aid. It is available in three levels of technology the 7px, the 5px and the 3px.
Wireless Invisible Hearing Aid
The Insio Primax is also a wireless invisible hearing aid.
The invisible hearing aids are pretty decent hearing aids, but they have their pros and cons. We have general details about hearing aid types including the hidden hearing aids and other types of devices in our consumer hearing aid buying guide. It also details technology levels and features of hearing instruments in clear and easy to understand language.
Signia
Insio Primax Silk
Signia Insio Primax Silk Prices
We would expect the range depending on technology level, to be sold at prices from £1200.00 to £2200.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1200.00 to €3000.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1200.00 to $3200.00 in the USA.
Signia says that Silk is the first completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid that’s both almost invisible and ready to wear. The devices are powered by Signia’s latest primax chipset and are designed to fit up to 80% of all ear canals. While the device is labelled a CIC, for some people it is actually an invisible hearing aid.
The device is a modular type hearing aid that uses a flexible Click Sleeve to provide an immediate and comfortable fit. In essence, Silk allows the possibility that you can walk into the Audiology office and walk out the same day with a new hearing aid without having to wait for a custom-built device.
Instant Fit Invisible Hearing Aid (almost)
The Click Sleeves are made of soft silicone and are available in six different types which allow the device to fit in the majority of ear canals and to fit the majority of hearing losses. With the right Click Sleeve in place, the hearing aid sits quite deep in the canal making the device either invisible or almost invisible.
Because Silk is powered by Signia’s primax platform, users of the device can benefit from all of the outstanding features of that platform including their binaural OneMic directionality system and all of the other features that the Primax chipset offers. The device is also wireless so you can use your smartphone to adjust your hearing aids via the Signia touchControl™ app, and wirelessly stream virtually any audio device with the optional easyTek™ accessory.
The devices are built on fantastic foundations, the Primax and Binax chipset before it has been responsible for a turn around in the fortunes of Signia/Siemens. The concept behind the device is also good and it aligns with a lot of the conceptual ideas that Signia are bringing to the table right now like the remote fine tuning capability. It will be interesting to see if this idea has finally come of age and what the uptake of the devices will be both professionally and more importantly by Users. Knowing what I know about Signia devices I think these wil be pretty good devices, if you give them a try, let us know what you think.
If you like what you see, share it so others can benefit
Itshearingaidknow 