Best Hearing Aids, Top Hearing Aids, Best Digital Hearing Aids

The following are my opinions based on the hundreds of digital hearing aids I have dispensed every year. It is my opinion only, so I suggest you take this information, along with your own research and discussions with your local doctor and audiologist and/or hearing aid dispenser.

Today's digital hearing aids have come a long way in the last 8-10 years, but particularly in the last 2 years. We now have the ability to reduce background noises, hear conversations in front of us and knock out the background noise from behind, use the telphone more effectively, reduce the squealing or feedback from hearing aids and a host of other advantages. Yet, we are also bonbarded by the marketing of hearing aids, with terms such as adaptive directionality, artificial intelligence, noise reduction, feedback cancellation, just to name a few.

Best Premium Digital Hearing Aid:

Oticon Epoq

Pros: Wireless broadband communication betwen aids, bluetooth connectivity, mode/volume changes on one aid will also tranfer to the other side.

Reduces background noise well, helps people hear very well, very automatic.

Cons: Little more complex for older patients. Higher costs than entry level or mid level hearing aids & larger size.

Best Entry Level Digital Hearing Aid under $1,000:

HearPod III, 32 XD, by HearPod Inc.

Pros: Direct to consumer delivery, unparalled quality in the price range, new open fit design, custom programmed to user's hearing loss, automatic directional microphones.

Cons: Not as automatic as some higher priced instruments.

Best Mid Level Digital Hearing Aid under $2,000:

Extra, by Phonak

Pros: Very easy to use, automatically switches programs in noisy places, automatic telephone switching available

Cons: Does not allow the use of a remote control to activate user settings