Best Hearing Aids to Buy in 2022

The life of a person suffering from hearing loss can be more challenging than a person having normal hearing power. Making sure you're on top of conversations, following the sound of a movie or sports game, hearing the phone call, or simply listening to the natural sounds seem daunting when you're experiencing hearing loss. 

The type of hearing aid you pick can make a massive difference in how you live your life. It shouldn't be a struggle to be heard when you're on the phone, in noisy restaurants, at family gatherings, or in concert venues. 

Finding the perfect hearing aid on the market today can be a challenge. With the number of hearing aid providers out there promoting all kinds of gadgets, it could seem challenging to choose one. 

We'll describe what you should look for in your next pair of hearing aids and review the best available options to assist you in making an informed choice. 

What to look for when purchasing hearing aids?

There's a lot more to consider when buying hearing aids. Thanks to technological advancements, you can now find an array of features that can meet a broad spectrum of listening requirements. With all the latest and better options available currently, it's hard to come up with the best choice, so here are some tips to remember while searching: 

Programmability

It's not necessary to have the latest hearing aids to accomplish the task; however, it is essential to have one that is programmable. In the end, this is the main distinction between a personal amplifier and hearing aids. 

Your hearing aid must be programmed according to your hearing level to boost the sounds specific to your loss of hearing. Otherwise, all sounds will get amplified in an identical way, which will not help you at all. 

Your lifestyle

From behind-the-ear to in-ear, wireless hearing aids are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The degree of your hearing loss could limit the type you choose from. Naturally, you'll require something functional in design and performance that can work with your everyday activities. Your lifestyle plays crucially in determining whether you'll benefit more from a hearing aid over your ear or in your ear. For example, a frequent rider could benefit from an in-ear device that doesn't interfere with sunglasses and helmets. At the same time, a person who has an active lifestyle and receives many calls in a day may prefer a receiver-in-canal equipped with the latest Bluetooth connectivity so they can stream phone calls and use their voice assistant with their hearing aids. 

Directional microphones

The primary reason people purchase hearing aids is to hear and comprehend others' voices, particularly in noisy surroundings. That's where directional microphones could aid. Hearing aids that are directional consist of multiple microphones placed at certain distances from one another. This allows a difference in the timing of the arrival of the sound at each microphone, which determines the response to the sound. This way, your hearing aids will focus on the sound source close to your ears. 

Hearing aids typically use directional microphones to aid people in hearing the background. However, the latest technology is reversing this concept and allowing users to experience the complete sound spectrum (i.e. sounds coming from the front, back and sides) to increase hearing and better audio signals into the brain. 

Reduction of background noise

Feedback suppression and background noise are typically included in all digital hearing aids. However, it's something to be checked twice before making a final choice, as hearing aid models come with different levels of technology. One of the major differences in the various technological levels is the degree to which the hearing aid can reduce background noise. In general, the more sophisticated or costly the hearing aid, the better the noise reduction capabilities it will have. 

Wireless connectivity

Today, we live in a technological world where we're always connected. If you have an iPhone, you'll need to ensure that your wireless hearing aids are compatible with it. So, you can stream music or voice calls directly into your hearing aids to improve audio quality. 

Additionally, you can use your phone as a remote control for hearing aids to adjust the volume and other settings as per the need. 

Battery options: Rechargeable or Disposable

Hearing aids are powered by batteries, so choosing the best option is very important. Hearing aid batteries are either replaceable (replaced each 4-14 days according to the size of the battery) or rechargeable (charged each day with a charger). It's often an individual choice as to which battery you decide to use. While rechargeable batteries are efficient and simple to handle, they cost more initially, which is something one should think about. In terms of environmental impact, rechargeable batteries are a more beneficial option. Batteries that can be recharged take about three hours to fully charge, so the charging process can be completed overnight. If you choose rechargeable batteries, make sure they are made of lithium-ion. 

The top Hearing Aids in the market

The technology behind hearing aids is constantly developing, and many hearing aid providers launch new models of hearing aids every 12-18 months. 

Here is a listing of the top wireless hearing aids that are available.in the market:

Oticon More

The idea behind the latest "Oticon More" is that your brain requires input from the sounds within the vicinity of the person wearing it, along with background noise, to understand sound properly. This is a step to move ahead from the traditional hearing aids that are "directional", as they concentrate on sounds emanating from the front only. The brand new "Oticon More" is a product that has been trained using 12 million real-world sounds that aid the brain in recognising the different sounds naturally and clearly, allowing the wearer to be more attentive in any listening circumstance. Oticon More comes with hassle-free rechargeable batteries that are easy to use and in various colours. Oticon More works well with iOS and certain Android models and Oticon On App. 

Phonak Paradise

The latest Phonak Paradise continues to deliver crisp and clear audio across a variety of listening environments, even noisy ones. One new feature available on Phonak Paradise is the 'Tap Control' that allows wearers to answer calls, listen to music and activate voice assistants like Siri and Google with a double-tap on their ears. Phonak Paradise is available with both rechargeable and disposable batteries. Phonak Paradise can be used on iOS & Android, along with the Phonak App.

 

Unitron Moxi Blu

Unitron's most recent technology includes Moxi Blu, which was introduced in 2021. Moxi Blu hearing aids were developed to automatically adapt to the user's listening environment while enhancing speech and reducing noise. Moxi Blu also allows for Tap Control features in their rechargeable hearing aids, allowing wearers to answer calls and turn on their voice assistant with a double-tap on their ears. Moxi Blu is compatible with iOS and Android and Unitron Remote Plus app.

 

Widex Moment

The latest offering from Widex is its Widex Moment, which is believed to be a "game-changer" by providing the purest and most natural sound. Normally, the sound of hearing aids reaches the eardrum a bit later than the sounds that are directly perceived through the ear. When both sound sources are not in time, the signals are mixed to create an artificial sound. It is said that the Widex Moment is said to have solved this issue, ensuring that the wearer hears sounds just as they did prior to hearing loss. The charger for Widex (for their rechargeable hearing aids) also functions as a cleaner that uses ultraviolet light to cleanse and disinfect the hearing aids while charging them. 

Signia AX

Signia's most recent product is referred to as "Augmented Xperience", also called AX or PureAX. This product utilises proprietary technology known as 'Augmented Focus' and has two processors which work in parallel, one processor for processing speech and the other for processing background noise. Clear contrast between speech and background noise is created when this process is completed. The noise and speech are then re-combined and returned to the wearer. The speech is presented to the user in high clarity, and the noise is then returned to the user in a meaningful fashion to ensure that background noise is there but not overpowering. Signia products also incorporate "Own voice processing" technology which allows the normalisation of the wearer's voice. Signia invisible hearing aids are compatible with iOS products and are controlled via Signia App. 

Starkey

Starkey's latest offering is known by the name "Livio Edge AI". It's among the very first hearing aids available that make use of artificial intelligence to offer an excellent hearing to the user. Livio AI can track both brain and body functions. It gives a 'body score' that is a blend of body movements and steps, along with a 'brain score' that measures social engagement and hours of listening. The Livio AI is also equipped with a 'falls detector' function that alerts loved ones when it detects a fall by the wearer. Livio Edge AI works with iOS, Android, and the Thrive App. 

Your Life and Your Ears

It is important to select the right hearing aids for your preferences, and for that, it is best to consult with an expert who can help you pick the ideal hearing aids for your needs. 

At Hearing Aid Specialists Sa, we don't want you to live in a world devoid of hearing. Our highly knowledgeable hearing experts will assist you and assist you with this crucial choice.