Oticon Hearing Aid Review: 2024 Cost and Pricing

Pros and Cons of Oticon Hearing Aids

Oticon Hearing Aid Models

I’ve listed a few of my favorite Oticon hearing aid models below for your perusal. Their latest hearing aid model is the Oticon Intent.

Oticon Intent 2

Oticon Intent is Oticon’s newest, most technologically advanced model, and it works for hearing impairment of all levels. Oticon Intent 2 is a Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aid, which means it has a small portion of the aid that sits behind the ear and an almost invisible wire that goes down into the ear canal. With Bluetooth connectivity to a wide range of devices, the Oticon Intent uses rechargeable batteries and is compatible with Oticon’s mobile app, Oticon ON, for an array of programming functions.

This model is the only one from Oticon equipped with Deep Neural Network technology. It also features tinnitus masking. The caveat with this device is that it is a bit larger than the previous model. I noticed that it was uncomfortable to wear with glasses. Additionally, this hearing aid is not compatible with Android phones.

Real

Featuring Oticon’s “BrainHearing” technology, the Real hearing aids aim to reproduce the entire soundscape of a person’s surroundings. Oticon Real is also a RIC hearing aid. The biggest difference between the Intent and the Real is that the Real doesn’t have all the features for reducing background noise that the Intent 2 does, and it is available with disposable or rechargeable batteries. No matter which model you choose, all Real hearing aids can stream audio directly from Apple and Android devices.

Oticon Zircon

The Oticon Zircon is advertised as made to move, because it improves speech understanding and helps you enjoy every moment with freedom. For those experiencing mild to severe hearing loss, the Zircon boasts rechargeable batteries and easy connectivity with a long-lasting battery life. This model is Bluetooth capable and is compatible with Oticon’s mobile app, as well. Currently, Oticon Zircon comes in your choice of five behind-the-ear styles and colors.

Oticon Xceed

Advertised on Oticon’s website as the world’s most powerful hearing aid, Oticon’s Xceed models work for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. Like the Zircon series, the Xceed comes with OpenSound Optimizer and is Bluetooth capable.

Oticon Zircon

The Oticon Zircon is advertised as made to move, because it improves speech understanding and helps you enjoy every moment with freedom. For those experiencing mild to severe hearing loss, the Zircon boasts rechargeable batteries and easy connectivity with a long-lasting battery life. This model is Bluetooth capable and is compatible with Oticon’s mobile app, as well. Currently, Oticon Zircon comes in your choice of five behind-the-ear styles and colors. 

Oticon CROS

Currently, single-sided hearing loss affects between 12-27 individuals out of every 100,000 people, according to recent studies. Oticon CROS is a transmitter and hearing aid combo that helps individuals with single-sided hearing loss. Using technology to balance out sound and make hearing easier, the CROS is Bluetooth-capable. It also includes the OpenSound Optimizer and comes with Oticon’s TwinLink dual-streaming technology. You can choose from either the Oticon CROS PX model or the original Oticon CROS. 

Oticon Own

If you’re looking for a discreet pair of hearing aids, then the Oticon Own would be an ideal model. This hearing aid is custom-made for each person, and fits completely in the user’s ears, making them virtually invisible when worn. Despite this small size, these hearing aids feature advanced sound performance, app connectivity, and streaming from smartphones.

The Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

Because custom hearing aids are made from a mold of your ear canal, each person’s custom hearing aid will be unique. Some people have big enough ear canals to fit Bluetooth connectivity in the aid. Unfortunately, many people’s ear canals are just not big enough to make a Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) aid that also has Bluetooth streaming. If invisibility and Bluetooth are both a priority for you, make sure to discuss this with your provider!

How to Purchase Oticon Hearing Aids

As Oticon does not offer direct-to-consumer sales, the only way to purchase their hearing aids is to see a health care provider. If you do not have an audiologist, the Oticon website has some helpful features that can point you to a hearing healthcare provider in your area. Once you have met with one of these specialists, they can walk you through the process of purchasing Oticon hearing aids from their office.

Oticon Hearing Aid Accessories

• ConnectClip: This accessory clips to your clothing to turn your hearing aids into a wireless headset. With ConnectClip you can make Bluetooth phone calls, stream music, chat with someone online, and listen to someone speaking from a distance with the special microphone. ConnectClip also allows you to access and program features on your hearing aids such as volume.
• Tinnitus SoundSupport: Some models of Oticon hearing aids are compatible with Tinnitus SoundSupport, a feature that plays a wide range of sounds to relieve the problems associated with tinnitus. For compatible models, this feature is accessible through the Oticon ON app.

• If This Then That Network: Available on select models through the Oticon ON app, the If This Then That network (IFTTT) allows you to control certain aspects of your surroundings in relation to whether your hearing aids are turned on or off. This includes turning on lights when your hearing aids are switched on, or setting a security alarm when the hearing aids are switched off.
• Phone Adapter 2.0: This is Oticon’s latest phone adapter version, which now pairs with the ConnectClip accessory. Using your home landline phone, your hearing aids will essentially become a wireless headset and be able to act as a microphone. This device can support both incoming and outgoing phone calls.

The Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

If you are super tech-savvy, integrating your hearing aids into your whole life can be a really fun hobby! I had a patient who set his coffee pot to brew when his hearing aids turned on, so it was ready by the time he reached it. If you enjoy using and setting up technology, the right device can be integrated into your life beyond hearing.

Oticon App

Oticon’s app for mobile phones is called Oticon ON, and is available from the App Store for iPhone or from Google Play for Android. With Oticon ON, you can adjust the volume and programming of your hearing aids, as well as stream from your phone to your hearing aids. Oticon ON also has an added “find my hearing aids” feature that allows you to locate your hearing aids from your phone if you misplace them.

Do note, however, that Oticon More is not compatible with Android phones.

Oticon vs. Phonak

Oticon and Phonak are two of the most popular prescription hearing aid brands. Both companies offer a wide range of hearing aids that can suit numerous types of hearing loss.

In our experience, however, Phonak performs slightly better in just about every capacity. In terms of Bluetooth connection, Phonak’s is stronger, allowing you to more clearly stream music and phone calls directly to their hearing aids. Additionally, while both companies offer a variety of models, Phonak has an invisible hearing aid, the Lyric model, that is ideal for users who want a discreet hearing aid.

The only area in which Oticon bests Phonak would have to be sound quality. While there is no objective way to evaluate hearing aid sound quality, in our tests, we found the sound to be a bit clearer with their models.To learn more about these providers, read our full comparison of Phonak and Oticon.

Oticon Returns and Warranties

Since Oticon does not deal directly with consumers, they do not deal with individual returns or warranty issues. Requirements and warranty coverage will vary depending on the provider you choose to use when purchasing your Oticon hearing aids.