Digital Hearing Aids Reviews – What Brands Are Best?
Updated November 1, 2016 – Hearing loss can be the result of many causes. Sometimes physical damage to the ear as the result of an injury or long exposure to loud noises can cause hearing loss. Other forms of hearing loss are caused by tumors or diseases. Meningitis is an example of a disease that is thought to cause hearing loss problems. Hearing loss that occurs after a person is born is called acquired hearing loss. Occasionally, some people suffer from congenital hearing loss, meaning that they are born with hearing problems.
Some types of hearing loss can be congenital or acquired, such as sensory hearing loss. This type of hearing loss occurs when the cochlea in the ear is damaged. If the auditory nerve is damaged as well, this type of hearing loss can be called sensorineural hearing loss. Some genetic diseases can cause this type of hearing loss, but it can also be caused by repeated exposure to noise. If this type of hearing loss is very advanced, hearing aids often do not help.
Fortunately, there are things that you can do if you suffer from hearing loss. First, you can tell people that you are hard of hearing and tell them to speak loudly and clearly when they talk to you. It is also helpful if you face the person speaking to you so that you can see their lips moving. You can also use hearing aids to help you hear what is being said around you. When you choose a hearing aid, you should know that there are two main types: analog and digital hearing aids. They work in different ways, but they both produce the same result, which is to help you hear.
If you think you have problems with hearing loss, you should see your doctor as soon as possible so that he or she can help you determine what you need to do.
Hearing Aid Basics: Different Types
When it comes to buying hearing aids, there are two main types that you can purchase. They are analog hearing aids and digital hearing aids. Both types will improve your ability to hear the sounds around you, but they work in different ways. Both types also come in a number of different styles, including in the ear models and around the ear models.
Analog hearing aids amplify the sounds that enter your ear. They consist of a microphone, which captures the sounds, and an amplifier, which makes the sounds louder. The receiver is like a speaker, playing the sounds close to your ear drum. These hearing aids use something called automatic gain control or AGC to ensure that noises that are already loud are not over amplified. This means that if someone screams, your hearing aids will not blast the sound into your ears. These hearing aids can also be adjusted for different environments like your home or a football game, for example. On average, analog hearing aids cost around a few hundred dollars.
Digital hearing aids are another option, and they are often more expensive than analog hearing aids. They use a computer chip that converts sounds into digital signals, which are converted back to sound closer to your ear drum. This process is called Digital Signal Processing or DSP. These hearing aids can differentiate between noises and voices and can filter out background noise. They will also protect your ears again very loud sounds, and some digital hearing aids will shut off if things get too loud. These hearing aids are often more expensive than analog hearing aids, and they average around one thousand dollars.
Some people prefer digital hearing aids because they use more advanced technology, but they are the more expensive of the two. Speaking with your doctor can help you decide which type is right for you.
Hearing Aid Styles: In the Ear and Behind the Ear
Whatever type of hearing aid you decide to buy, you can choose from a number of different styles. The two main styles are in the ear models and behind the ear models. The first style, in the ear, is generally the smaller of the two, and they fit inside of your outer ear, which is also called the concha. These hearing aids generally have to be custom fitted so that they will fit properly inside of your ear and not fall out. Many in the ear hearing aids are so small that other people cannot easily see them.
Some of the in the ear styles include completely in the canal hearing aids, in the canal hearing aids, and half shell hearing aids. These different styles are different sizes going from smallest to largest. The larger hearing aids can correct more severe hearing loss. The smallest hearing aids are the least visible, and they do not pick up much wind noise. However, they use the smallest batteries, which do not last as long as larger batteries, and they do not have things like volume control on them because of their small size.
The behind the ear model is the largest type of hearing aid. This type goes over the top of the ear, and the hearing aid rests behind the ear. The hearing aid captures sound and transfers it into your ear through a molded piece that goes into the ear canal. This type of hearing aid can be used to help with all types of hearing loss. Even though these hearing aids are large, they provide the most amplification when compared to other types of hearing aids. These models can often be adjusted manually.
Some behind the ear hearing aids are actually quite small. For example, one type of small behind the ear hearing aid is called open fit. These hearing aids do not block the ear canal because sounds it transferred into the ear through a small wire instead of a larger molded piece. Finding the right style for you depends on your type and severity of hearing loss, as well as your budget.
How Hearing Aid Technology Works
If you or a loved one wears hearing aids, then you know just how helpful they can be. When a person can hear and understand what is going on, he or she feels more included and generally feels happier. So you know what a hearing aid does—it makes it easier to hear things, but do you know how it works?
All hearing aids, whether they are analog or digital, have the same basic parts. First, they all have a microphone that gathers sounds. Second, they all have a device that amplifies that sound, and third, they all have a receiver that sends the amplified sound to the inner ear where it can be heard. So, in the simplest terms, hearing aids make sounds louder. All hearing aids are powered by batteries. 
Analog hearing aids convert sound into electronic signals, and they will often need to be manually programmed or adjusted for specific environments. Digital hearing aids convert sound into digital signals, and they can generally adjust themselves automatically to changes in noise level. Because these hearing aids use digital signals, they can also tell the difference between speech and noise. This helps people hear someone who is speaking even if there is a lot of background noise.
If you need a hearing aid, you will often have a mold of your ear made. The doctor will put a silicon material in the ear, which is removed once it has hardened, and this mold is used to make a custom hearing aid. Because hearing aids amplify sound and reproduce it right next to the ear drum, a hearing aid will not work if your auditory nerve has been severely damaged. Also, if the hair cells in your ear, which convert sound into nerve signals, have been damaged, hearing aids will not be able to help you.
Often the largest hearing aids are the best amplifiers because all of the parts, the microphone, the amplifier, and the receiver, are larger. However, you will need to see an audiologist in order to determine the severity of your hearing loss and to determine what type of hearing aid you need.
The Cost of Hearing Aids
So you and your doctor have decided that you need hearing aids, and now you have to buy them, but does your insurance even cover hearing aids? Unfortunately, some insurance providers do not cover hearing aids, which can be a major problem for some people because hearing aids can be very expensive. On average, the least expensive hearing aids can cost a few hundred dollars each, but the most expensive one can easily cost over a thousand dollars.
Most insurance providers will not cover the cost of hearing aids, but some will pay for the medical exams that are necessary to determine if you need hearing aids. Medicare, for example, will pay for those exams, but it does not cover the cost of hearing aids. Some private insurance providers in certain states are required to provide a benefit of a certain amount of money to help a person buy and maintain their hearing aids. States such as New Mexico, Connecticut, and Delaware require that private insurance companies help pay for hearing aids for children. Only a few states require that both children and adults are covered, and they include Rhode Island, Arkansas, and New Hampshire.
If you need a cochlear implant, you will have better luck finding insurance coverage because many companies consider these implants to be a prosthetic device. If you do need hearing aids, but your insurance provider does not cover them, there are a few things you can do. First, many sellers will sell used or refurbished hearing aids, and these tend to be less expensive than brand new ones. Some non-profit organizations will help people buy hearing aids, but they tend to focus on children or the elderly. Financing your hearing aids or using flexible spending accounts that are set up by your insurance provider, can also help you afford to buy hearing aids.
Common Hearing Aid Questions
How does a hearing aid work?
All hearing aids are made of three basic parts: the microphone, the amplifier, and the receiver. The microphone gathers sounds and sends them to the amplifier. The amplifier converts the sounds into either electronic or digital signals, which are then sent to the receiver. The receiver is generally located right next to the ear drum, and it takes the signals and converts them back into sounds so that you can hear them. Larger hearing aids often have larger amplifiers, and they are generally used for more severe hearing loss.
Wearing a hearing aid embarrasses me, are there any discreet options?
Some hearing aids are actually very small. The completely in the canal versions fit inside the ear canal and can only barely be seen. However, most forms of severe hearing loss will need a slightly larger hearing aid. You should talk to your doctor to find out which style is right for you.
How much does the average hearing aid cost?
Hearing aids do tend to be expensive. On average, they can cost anywhere from $500 to over $2000. The prices depend on the brand and the model of hearing aid that you choose. Refurbished or used hearing aids are often less expensive than new ones. Some companies offer disposable hearing aids, and these can be less than $100.
Will private insurance cover my hearing aids?
Most insurance providers do not cover the cost of hearing aids. However, a few states require that insurers must cover the cost, like Rhode Island and Arkansas. These states require that both adults and children are covered. A few more states require that insurance companies cover the cost of hearing aids for children but not for adults.
How often do the batteries in my hearing aid need to be replaced?
Hearing aid batteries are very small, and, as a result, they do not last for a very long time. The smaller your hearing aid is, the shorter the battery life will be (because the battery is smaller). Also, digital hearing aids will consume batteries more quickly than analog hearing aids. In general, hearing aid batteries last about a week. Some will only last four or five days, and some will go as long as two weeks. So it is a good idea to have a lot of hearing aid batteries on hand, and you should store them in a cool, dry place.
The Top Hearing Aid Brands Available
If you are looking for the right hearing aids for you, you probably want to know which brands are the most popular. When you buy brand name hearing aids, you know that you will be getting a quality product. Some popular hearing aid brands can be expensive, but you are paying for good quality. How are you to know what hearing aid device to buy? This was my first question when I started looking at getting a hearing device. There are so many brands of out there is a bit overwhelming and each company has numerous models. The process can be very daunting but if you are armed with the right information that the decision can be that much easier. Your best resource is going to be your hearing specialist, however the more you know about the different brands and models the better off you are going to be.
As you can see all these companies mentioned above have great long standing reputations with a wide range of digital hearing aids to meet almost any budget. There are many other brands out there as well and I will do my best to review these when I get more time. If you could not find the information on the company you were looking for then check back soon as I update this site fairly often. Check out our other Hearing Aid Reviews below.
We have many reviews on other hearing aids brands, see our easy guide to see which is best for your needs.
Audibel Hearing Aids
- Feedback Cancellation
- Noise Control
- Speech Locator
- Telephone Response
- Multimedia Processing
- Remote Adjustments
- Water Resistance
NuEar Hearing Aids
Oticon Hearing Aids
- Streaming
- TV Adapter
- Microphone
- Phone Adapter
ReSound Hearing Aids
Songbird Hearing Aids
Starkey Hearing Aids
- Noise Reduction
- Feedback Eliminator
- Directionality
- Telephone Solutions
- Multimedia Processing
- Remote Adjustments
- Water Resistance
Unitron Hearing Aids
- Automatic Focus
- Speech Directionality
- Binaural Phone
- Sound Balance
- Directional Microphones
- Shock Absorption
- Wind Manager
- Music Enhancement
Vivatone Hearing Aids
- An enhanced fitting range and long battery life.
- Fewer channels than the higher models.
- Automatic directional microphone with six programming bands for remembering your settings.
- Baseline option with fewer channels but still great battery life (160 hours).
- Enhanced anti-feedback technology clears up the sound.
Widex Hearing Aids
- Sound Diary
- Speech Intensifier
- Range Compression
Zounds Hearing Aids
- Accurate Programming
- Remote Controllable
- Amazing Clarity
- Noise Cancellation
- Feedback Cancellation
- Sound Suppression
- Phone Feedback Cancellation
I have a Sonus Digital BTE. where does it stand on the list of best and worst?
I lost my hearing in my right ear after having an acoustic neuroma removed five years ago, back to work and would like to find out what is the best noise cancellation hearing aid.
We’re doing hearing aid reviews: http://www.youtube.com/hearingaiddocs
don
I have purchased a Phonak hearing aid and it is the worst I have had for the past 25 years. They are unreliable, unpredictable, and for me a constant source of frustration. Less than 2 years old they are now cutting in and out with the tilt of a head. Not recommended.
I currently have 2 in the ear Oticon Tego Pro hearing aids which are due for replacement. I am looking for a product that will give me louder/clearer reception in meetings. With my current aids I still cannot always hear people in meetings. Do other people have this issue? What hearing aids are best for people in management roles that attend a lot of meetings with soft spoken people in large rooms?
have oticon. make my ear itch terribly. gets clogged easily and uses batteries…maybe two to three a week.
I have the one behind the ear but I keep losing them. Maybe I need glue.
Never really had good clarity. Trying another brand.
I am looking for hearing aids, having been tested. Hard to discover which type is best and most affordable. Prices seem to vary greatly and one assumes so do the different types of aid. Your guide seems most helpful.
Try looking at hearing tracker website. If you want to buy the top brand online try buy hear website
I have extreme hearing loss, with tinnitus. While I can sleep like a baby, I need help to hear conversation clearly. I am extremely happy with my Beltone Optima hearing aids. I have had them over 2 years with very good hearing response. Also, the service and commitment I receive from my local Beltone vendor could not be any better. These are my third hearing aids and second Beltone brand set.
Have had the Oticon Delta for four years and they have never bee accurately programmed for a high frequency loss. Even if that were remedied, the dome that caps the ear piece has come off twice, embedded itself in my ear and causing several visits to a doctor to find the right tool to remove it from my ear.
Even if they worked I would worry about the safety aspect of the design.
I need hearing aids and found a US manufacturer called Azuleri.
Anyway, I ordered their Cello 12, it came preprogrammed and I think it works great. The best part is that it was inexpensive. My doctor wanted $3,000 dollars for a hearing aid and when I send I would buy it on line he wanted to charge me $1,000 for the testing.
Well that’s my story and I’m glad I got a hearing aid that was only $1,000 dollars and works just like the most expensive hearing aids.
I own 2 Hearing Aids from Miracle Ear. My first pair was an improvement, but my 2nd pair was a big improvement, especially in meetings and trying to understand those with low voices or accents. This new model is comfortable and sits behind the ear with the small tube inserted into your ear canal that delivers the amplification. It comes with a Blue tooth Transceiver that allows you to sync with your Cell phone and TV. But that is not required. They cost around 2000 dollars per aid and cleaning is easy and power consumption is little, I change the batteries about once a week. The Model is: ME 830 RIC w/Blue Tooth connect capability. Insurance is the kicker, it seems unfair that a major sense like hearing is not insurable by many health insurance companies, although BCBS does insure for half of the cost. For Miracle Ear: There phone number is: (703) 591-6409. Ask for Marc. I hope this helps, I was one that went through the embarrassment and missed opportunities because of my hearing impairment. Good luck!
beltone really sucks….they ripped me off. cheap hearing aids and costed me over 3000 bucks.
This Information is grossly out of date
I had sonic innovations CIC for both ears. I have orosclerosis, and the aids worked grear for the first year – very expensive though. After that they broke and was able to have a stapendoctemy suergery to fix my right ear, but lost he doctor due to an insurance change. I am now in the market looking for a hearing aid for my left ear. I hate all the sites that target older people. I am in my early 30s and have needed hearnig aids since my early 20s.
You really can’t go wrong with the mid to top of the line units from the big four. Starkey, Phonak, Oticon and Widex.
I think Starkey (and its’ family of companies- Audibel, NuEar, MicroTech and Starkey) have the most innovative stuff right now. They, like every other company, have several grades of product, Just because a hearing aid has a certain label on it, does not make it a good unit or one that is top of the line. The average hearing aid in the USA sold for about $2000 each by the time everything was totalled up. If you are paying within 10% of that figure, total, and you trust the professional- you are going to do ok. Go to Starkey.com and look at the features in the SiQ and X series. Use that as your guide to comparing aids. Be careful that you don’t get hung up with subtle verbiage differences. Feedback elimination is not the same as feedback control. Ask your professional why he recommends one unit over the other. If he “dogs” a certain company, then you have to ask yourself why his opinion is so radically different than the rest of the industry. If he says something along the lines of- I like to work with them or I am familier with them- GREAT. If he says they are a piece of ^%#*!. then you gotta wonder a bit about his financial motives. Many of these companies make it more profitable for the professional to fit their aid, over someone else’s. That is okay, as long as everybody is on the up and up as to why they are fitting that product. But if some guy buys a bunch of old technology and defends it with a song and a dance- then maybe you should be careful. Also look at what kind of service you can get on the aid when you go visit your Uncle 2000 miles away for Easter. If the professional is not part of a network of people who can take care of you, be careful. Most of the manufacturers will have a spot on their website that will direct you to a professional in a certain zip code. Put in yours and your uncles and see if there is a professional in both places. If there is, then you are pretty safe. The mid line instruments from all the major guys are much the same. The top of the line stuff, varies and costs accordingly. If you don’t need the feature- don’t buy it. It is just as bad to over buy as it is to under buy. Both are dangers, but underbuying is worse.
Thanks for the Info.
Dan
is a hearing aid with more than one program as good or better
I am 57 years old and have had hearing aids for over 50 years. My last two sets have been Starkey Destiny Series and have been absolutely the best I have ever had for fit, clarity, dependability, and feedback, & I have had just about every brand available. I think I have some experience in this. A lot of people who have not worn hearing aids until later in life just don’t know how to care for or adapt to this new experience, have no patience for finding out if their dispenser really fitted them properly & programmed them properly, or got the molds fitted, etc. There are a lot of variables to a successful mating of the hearing aid to the consumer.
I am a 78 year old audiophile. I listen to music. I was told that senior citizens lose the highist notes in music and found I was no ecception. Also voices were muffled in conversations in crowded rooms and on TV.
So, I went to Miracle Ear and got one of their hearing aids last week. In first using it I found the rustling of paper, and squeeking of floor boards very pronounced. In listening to music and TV, the extream high notes seemed to be coming from inside my ear like earphones, while the main and lower body of music and sound was coming from the speakers, which sounded rather strange.
After about two days and using two sets of batteries the whole system has gone dead. They now seem like earplugs. I hear more by just leaving them off. So, I am just going to have to go back to their store and see what’s the matter. I will say one thing though, they feel very comfortable inside the ear. To be continued:
yesterday I went to Accu quests to check out my hearing. I know I have hearing problems, but I do not believe it is as bad as was suggested. I used TV ears to listen to the TV, I also use a earpiece to listen to things on the computer, both does very well. Accu quests price $5000, I believe this is overrated. So my question is, where should I get started?.
Dan
What is the best hearing aid for the money…………………….I have worn Oticon for over 5-6 yrs. and need new ones as mine are not satisfactory now……………..missing conversations………….
they are one of the best
Does anyone able to give a review on “seimens Pur level 7 BINAX with rechargeable batteries.? And cost range? Thank u much.
I am am considering hearing aids from Audibel. Does anyone have any comments on this brand?
have a pair of agx 9 hearing aids about a year old cannot enjoy music or conversations with certain people because the sound is very distorted as if the speakers are overdriven has anyone else experienced this problem? I can actually have clearer sound without wearing them cost was close to $7000 for the pair.
have a pair of agx 9 hearing aids about a year old cannot enjoy music or conversations with certain people because the sound is very distorted as if the speakers are overdriven has anyone else experienced this problem? I can actually have clearer sound without wearing them cost was close to $7000 for the pair.
Audible is the worst they took advantage of an 87 year old woman she paid 8,000 dollars , that were on sale normally 15,000 was told these would help her hear the best! They lied ,she’s of a fixed income my father died from military related injuries . My mom was total taken advantage of