Hearing aid is an electronic equipment powered by a battery designed to enhance the hearing. They are small devices to fit inside or behind the ear.
There are three main components of hearing devices a microphone to collect the sound, an amplifier or chip to process the sound and a receiver that collects the amplified sound and transmit it to the ear. Hearing aids are best suited for people with damaged inner ear or the nerve that connects the brain and ear together. This damage can be result of increasing age, certain medicines, some diseases, and loud sounds. Hearing aids are grouped into two types:
- In the ear: these fit into the ear canal and are potentially invisible
- Behind the ear: they sit over or behind the ear and are visible.
Hearing aid manufacturers[i] and brands
There are a number of brands that manufacture hearing aid for different type of hearing problems.
Top six brands of Hearing aids
Top six brands own the ninety eight percent of the market share of hearing aid manufacturing, according to an analysis conducted by hearing health matters. According to percentage of share, they are:
- Sonova or Phonak,
- Oticon,
- Siemens or Signia,
- ReSound,
- Starkey, and
- Widex
Factors taken into account while assessing the product quality of these brands include fidelity, certainty and product expensiveness. But usually, these brands are much more expensive with respect to other less common brands.
Hearing aid brands[ii]
- Phonak Hearing Aids
Phonak is an earlier large-scale manufacturer of the hearing aids. Being operational since 1947, it merged with multiple brands and was renamed phonak holding AG. It emerged with new name, the Sonova group, in 2007.
Phonak is famous or its digital and innovating hearing aid designs. First ingrained chargeable lithium-ion battery and first Bluetooth connected device were introduced by phonak in 2018. Their recent innovation is Pradise, with an added function of motion sensing.
Cost of phonak products range in between $1,300-$3,600 per device according to the model chosen. Lyric 3 (fitted inside the ear), Marvel (bluetooth connectivity), Audio and Naida Paradise (comes with motion sensing) are some of the most famous products of Sonova.
- Oticon Hearing Aids
Oticon is the second most famous hearing aid brand of Demant established in 1904. Oticon has also came up with many unconventional hearing devices. In 2016, with the introduction of its first Made-for-iPhone hearing aids—Oticon Opn was a breakthrough in the history of Oticon brand as it was made for iPhone users with internet connectivity and advanced sound processing. Now, Oticon More has been brought to innovation with additional features like advanced brain hearing technology (access of sound to the brain) and deep neural network for mechanical learning.
Price of Oticon hearing products lies in between $1,200-$3,700 per device. Some famous products are the Siya, Xceed, Opn S, More and Ruby.
- Signia Hearing Aids
WS Audiology manufacture the hearing products of the next largest brand, Signia. After merging with WS Audiology, Signia changed its name to the Siemens in 2019.
Prices vary from $1,095 to $3,684 of their hearing aids. Popular models include the Styletto X with an app and bluetooth compatibility for hearing and Motion Charge and Go Nx that process the user own voice.
- ReSound Hearing Aids
Next largest brand in the list of hearing aid manufacturers is resound with sound range $1,700-$3,900 per hearing aid device. It is most budget friendly brand in the categories of big six. Its products are limited in features, additional features increase the cost of the hearing aids. Popular models are enzo, the linx, key and one.
- Starkey Hearing Aids
Starkey is the principle, largest producer of hearing aids that comes under the Starkey Technologies. Effective sound processing, miniature sizes, wireless system, different channels and frequencies suitable for various environments, mobile connectivity, two-week battery life are key features provided by starkey brand. Its product range is $1,300 to $4,300 for single product. Avolve, livio, Picasso and halo are some of their hearing aids.
- Widex Hearing Aids
Widex is recognized for introducing innovative ideas in hearing aids. Their products deliver the best sound quality and with minimum price within range ($1400 to $3500). EVOKE, is first smart hearing aid (make automatic adjustment of sound to enhance hearing) launched by widex. Top products are moment, custom, beyond and unique.
Hearing aid prices
There are different prices offered by various brands, according to a rough calculation the hearing aids cost between $1,399 to $6,000, excluding the costs of tests, fittings of hearing aids, and their insurance.
A survey conducted by hearing tracker provides an average price of one pair of hearing aid as $2,400 of the most popular brands as Sonova, Phonak, Widex, ReSound, Oticon, and Starkey.
Where to buy
When buying a hearing aid, consumer should make it evident that the product he is purchasing is verified and designed to suit his level of hearing loss.
- Through an Audiologist
A specialist (audiologist) that diagnose and treat hearing problems should be contacted first. He will help you determine which hearing aid will suit your needs based on the level of severity and type of hearing loss occurred. An audiologist can be found in hospitals, private clinics and stores of hearing aid manufacturers.
- By a Hearing Aid Dispenser
A dispenser is not licensed to diagnose hearing problems, he is well trained for fitting and programming the hearing aids to amplify the sound and reduction of background sounds.
- Online
During online purchasing, firstly check if the brand is reliable or not. Also, make sure to have knowledge of periods of trial, return and exchange policy. Online professional will determine the type and intensity of the hearing problem through an audiogram, then suggest some of the hearing aids that will suit your needs i.e., features, budget, etc. online reviews make it easier for the customer to buy products.
[i] https://www.hearingtracker.com/hearing-aids#a-hearing-aid-prices
[ii] https://zvox.com/blogs/news/hearing-aid-manufacturers-the-2020-review
