Hearing aid manufacturers

All hearing aids today use digital signal processing (DSP) technology to amplify desired sounds (such as speech or music) into a person's ear and filter out the undesirable sounds (such as background noise). No hearing aid can do this perfectly. However, hearing aid manufacturers are always refining their technology and trying new strategies. The flagship products from any manufacturer contain the manufacturer's most recent innovations in digital signal processing, including speed of processing, background noise reduction, wireless connectivity with other products and sound quality. The articles below provide an overview of products on the market today from a Rechargeable hearing aids supplier and cochlear implant companies.

Hearing aids made by Oticon

Oticon manufactures a full line of hearing aid models in all sizes and price ranges. Their flagship product is called Open S and it has the fastest processing speed of all their models. The technology is meant to help users hear speech in noisy environments comparable to people with normal hearing ability. This model also has an upgraded rechargeable battery option that charges faster than previous solutions. The table below summarizes their current line-up of hearing aids. Prices can vary widely, though most range in price from $1,000 to $4,000, and that pricing may or may not include ongoing service from an audiologist.

Standard hearing aid features

Like all major manufacturers, Oticon organizes their hearing aid models into levels of technology and features to fit the lifestyle and budget of every patient. This is reflected in the range of relative pricing indicated in the chart.

Certain features are standard on all current Oticon hearing aid models intended for adults:

• Digitally programmable to fit a wide variety of hearing loss configurations
• Available in an array of styles and colors
• Wireless capability to connect with phones and other external devices
• At least one style that can accommodate a telecoil for accessing induction loop amplification in public spaces, like theaters and places of worship

Premium hearing aid features

Premium hearing aid features are those that are generally available at the highest price points or in the most advanced technology.

• Faster sound processing that improves sound quality (reduces background noise better, picks sounds out of noise better, helps the user determine where sounds are coming from)
• Rechargeable batteries available for some styles
• Wireless streaming of iPhone sounds directly to both hearing aids via Made for iPhone technology
• Wireless streaming with other electronic devices through the innovative If This Then That (IFTTT) network; this feature allows wearers the option to integrate hearing aids with applications that can send messages to caregivers or automate functions at home, work or on the go

Oticon’s tinnitus feature

All Open and Siya performance levels and models include a proprietary tinnitus therapy feature. This feature, branded Tinnitus SoundSupport, allows the user to select from broadband sounds or ocean-like sounds that are adjustable for tinnitus relief. Alta2, Nera2, and Ria2 also offer Tinnitus SoundSupport as an optional feature.

Pediatric hearing aids

Oticon has long been regarded as a leader in pediatric amplification with the types of hearing aids and accessories needed by children in the classroom and beyond. The Open Play hearing aids have a fast processing speed, which improves the child's ability to understand speech and reduces unwanted noise better. For children with severe or profound hearing loss, Oticon offers the Xceed Play model. Pediatric hearing aid models are available in RITE and BTE styles, which sit behind the ear. These styles are best for children since they grow and change too quickly to make custom-fit ITE hearing aids practical.

In addition to providing multiple fun color options and stickers for personalization, the following kid-friendly features come standard on the pediatric hearing aids:

• An LED light on the case to indicate the hearing aid is functioning properly
• Hypoallergenic, phthalate-free case construction
• Water and dust resistance
• Shock and drop resistance
• Tamper-resistant battery doors

Super power hearing aids

For adults with severe or profound hearing loss, Oticon offers the Xceed. Xceed is a superpower BTE style with an amplifier that puts out a lot of sound with a size 13 battery, which is a smaller battery than power aids of the past. 

Other hearing aids made by Oticon

For people with single-sided deafness, Oticon also offers a CROS hearing aid. A CROS hearing aid contains a transmitter with a microphone that wirelessly picks up and sends the sound from your poorer ear to the better ear.

In your research on hearing aids, you also may find these previous Oticon hearing aid models: Dynamo, Alta, Nera, Ria, Chili, Safari, Intiga or Agil. Talk to your hearing care professional if you want to compare features between older and current hearing aid models.  

Accessories for Oticon hearing aids

Oticon hearing aids come in all styles.

Oticon offers accessories and assistive technology to help people better connect with the world around them. The newest product from Oticon is the ConnectClip, a multi-functional accessory for Open, Xceed, and Siya that allows hands-free streaming of phone calls and audio. It can also act as a remote microphone in meetings, worship services, cars, and sports venues. On hearing aids also stream directly to remote control, TV adapter and the Oticon ON App.

The Connecting and Streamer Pro are assistive listening devices that wirelessly connect an individual’s hearing aids with other sound sources such as television, mobile phones, computers, MP3 players and personal microphones. The Connecting accessories are compatible with Xceed, Alta2, Nera2, and Ria2 hearing aids.

Oticon also manufactures a personal FM system, the Amigo, which provides direct audio input from a microphone worn by any speaker, such as a teacher, spouse, business colleague or dinner companion. The Amigo FM system is compatible with all Oticon models in the BTE style.