Our review team’s February 2022 user survey found that 60 percent of customers with Oticon hearing aids were able to hear better and participate more in conversations with multiple people and in meetings with larger groups of people than they could without their hearing aids; 50 percent of users found Oticon’s devices easy to clean; and more than 50 percent said that changing or recharging batteries was easy. Keep reading to learn more about Oticon hearing devices, the advantages and disadvantages of this well-known brand, and the essential things to look for when buying hearing aids.
2,500 hours of research13 experts consulted30 brands considered96 models considered1 survey of over 600 users
Our experts have spent more than 2,500 hours conducting thorough research on hearing aids. Throughout this process, we did the following:
Deeply researched the hearing device categoryConsulted with audiologists and hearing device expertsMystery shopped 30 brandsSurveyed more than 600 hearing aid usersRead and reviewed the latest related studiesRead thousands of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot
We chose Oticon as one of our top picks for hearing aids because they offer so many advanced features. They provide solutions to help users living with all different levels of hearing loss, including pediatric models for children. We especially like that their products are driven by an approach that focuses on how the brain receives and interprets sound and how better hearing can benefit overall brain health.
Proprietary BrainHearing technology provides 30 percent more sound and helps the brain better recognize sound and speech.Offers a wide range of hearing solutions with models available for all different levels of hearing loss, including Oticon Opn S or Oticon Zircon for mild to severe hearing loss, Oticon Xceed for severe to profound hearing loss, and Oticon CROS for single-sided hearing loss.Includes miniBTE and miniRITE hearing aid styles, which are smaller and less noticeable versions of these designs.Several models utilize rechargeable batteries that can provide up to a full day of use with the easy-to-use desktop charger. Oticon also offers a portable SmartCharger that can give you up to six hours of additional power with a 30-minute quick charge.
Cons
Oticon hearing aids are available only from professionals. You will need to contact your audiologist or hearing care professional to purchase one.Though the devices contain some high-tech features, some people may consider the cost to be comparatively high in the hearing aid market.
“The initial hearing exam and hearing aid fitting (which includes a special real-ear calibration) are done in person,” says Hadassah Kupfer, AuD, a doctor of audiology in Brooklyn, New York. She notes that “Follow-up visits can be done remotely, using a special smartphone app that combines a video chat and real-time computerized adjustments.” Your Oticon hearing aid costs will depend on the specialist you visit, the type of hearing aid you choose, and any added accessories. Oticon hearing aids cost, on average, between $1,099 and $3,500 per device. Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t offer coverage for hearing devices. Medicare Part C may pay for hearing tests that your doctor prescribes if you have hearing loss, but Medicare won’t pay for regular hearing examinations. Some personal Medicare Advantage carriers may pay for hearing aids, but not all do this. It’s best to view the details of your plan to see if you have coverage. Most private health insurance plans also don’t cover hearing aids, though some do. Make sure you check your insurance plan to see if it covers you for hearing aids and exams. A flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement account (HRA) may be a good option for buying hearing aids. US military veterans may also be eligible for free premium hearing aids. This is an “entitlement service” for all veterans who qualify for VA Healthcare. You can visit VA.gov or your local VA clinic or medical center to determine if you are eligible. Oticon does offer a number of customer support articles and troubleshooting guides on their website. These cover topics such as how to connect your hearing aids to smart devices, how to clean your hearing aids, and how to control your hearing aids. There are also articles to help you fix common issues, as well as links to instruction manuals and videos. “I have had my Oticon OPNs for almost three years now. It has made talking in social groups MUCH less stressful — I no longer have to watch people’s lips and concentrate to understand.” — CLARE, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM) “I am profoundly hearing impaired and this is the only brand I know of that can help.… [I have been] wearing them and upgrading every few years for about 20 years. I have shopped with several audiologists and came back to the one I found 15 years ago.” — ELIZABETH, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM) “Sound is great, hearing things I haven’t heard in years! Fit is good once my provider did some adjustments.” — RHONA, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM ZIPHEARING.COM) “For the past month now, I can put them in in the morning and they are working fine but either one will lose the connection to my Bluetooth and only one will let the sound come in from my phone. I can restart the connection but it will not stay connected. Very disappointed right now.” — MICKEY, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM ZIPHEARING.COM)
BrainHearing innovation This is Oticon’s proprietary technology that allows you to hear sounds more accurately so your brain can better decide what to listen to.Bluetooth capability Connect your hearing aids to wireless devices to stream sound from movies and TV shows, enjoy two-way hands-free voice and video calls, and control your hearing aids from your smartphone with the Oticon ON app.
Different styles and models Oticon offers a full range of hearing aid designs, including completely-in-canal (CIC), BTE, ITE, and RITE.Rechargeable models Many Oticon hearing aids use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and Oticon offers a sleek and portable battery-charging accessory called the SmartCharger.Tinnitus SoundSupport Programmable ambient sounds like ocean waves to provide tinnitus relief.ConnectClip A hearing aid accessory to enable hands-free connectivity to smartphones, in-stereo music streaming, and additional hearing support for large crowds or meetings.
After narrowing down our selections, we consulted an audiologist, who medically reviewed each brand and model. We determined our top picks according to the following criteria:
Special featuresUser experienceCostCustomer serviceReputation and credibility
People who use Oticon hearing aids gave them positive marks in our survey for Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone capabilities, and the life of the rechargeable batteries. The main drawback to hearing aids in general, according to survey respondents, is the cost. Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover Oticon hearing aids, and they can be expensive compared with some other brands, including MDHearing ($699 or less) and Jabra Enhance, previously known as Lively ($1,995 or less). You may want to check your private insurance policy for any coverage or ask about FSA and HSA options to help with payment.
