2020 was a fascinating year for many reasons, while we saw the launch of some new hearing aid platforms, I can't help but feel that there were many delayed. We did see a huge expansion of remote care systems in the hearing aid world and a few new products. What can we expect in 2021? We already know that Oticon is introducing a new platform called More. Bernafon will quickly follow suit with their new platform called, wait for it, Alpha! I would also expect to see something new from Signia pretty soon and the expansion of the Paradise and Discover range by the Sonova stablemates Phonak and Unitron respectively. Costco will probably replace their very popular Ks9 hearing aids, it will be interesting to see if they stick with Sonova or go with another manufacturer. Let's talk the latest hearing aids for 2021. I will detail the current situation and as the year progresses, I will of course update the article.
- Oticon More, brand new for 2021 (really outstanding sound, true Made For Android and Made For iPhone, also compatible with the new Bluetooth version)
- Bernafon Alpha, brand new for 2021 (Bernafon bringing its twist to the new Demant hardware, true Made For Android and Made For iPhone, also compatible with the new Bluetooth version)
- ReSound One (really outstanding sound, true Made For Android and Made For iPhone, also compatible with the new Bluetooth version, introduced in 2020)
- Phonak Paradise (hugely successful hearing aid globally introduced in 2020)
- Starkey Edge AI (first ever rechargeable In The Ear hearing aid, introduced in 2020)
- Signia Xperience (older hearing aid platform which I expect to be replaced this year)
- Unitron Discover Next (bringing the Unitron twist to Sonova updated Made For Any Phone system, introduced in 2020)
- Widex Moment (introduced in 2020, amazingly natural sound quality)
The list above details the very latest hearing aids available from the different brands. As I said, I would expect Signia to replace the Xperience as it is getting a little old. Phonak will introduce both Behind The Ear and In The Ear Paradise hearing aids over the next twelve months. I would expect Unitron to do the same.
ReSound can also be expected to broaden the hearing aid models on their One range. It will be interesting to see what they do with their BTEs, will they try to place a microphone in the canal in some of them? Can't really imagine it, but I don't think it would be technically insurmountable, just difficult.
Both Oticon and Bernafon are starting their respective launches with just a single hearing aid type. Over the next twelve months you can expect to see that offering broaden as well. First, the rest of the Receiver In Canals, then the BTEs and finally the customs if the past is anything to go by.
Oticon More
More is the name of the new platform, and it will be powered by a brand new chipset they are calling Polaris. The new platform will initially be available with just the rechargeable miniRITE (mini Receiver In The Ear) device. Oticon has taken the opportunity a new processor offers them to build upon their famous directional technology delivered with the original Opn. The headlines you need to know are as follows:
- 16 times more capacity to execute advanced algorithms
- Intelligent use of industry-leading 64-channel processing
- Twice as much computation capacity and speed
- Deep Neural Network processing
- Double the precision in 1.5-5kHz frequency bands
- Rechargeable miniRITE
- Three different technology levels
- Made For Android
- Made For iPhone
Rechargeable Hearing Aid
The only device they have discussed so far is their rechargeable miniRITE. The miniRITE-R is a lithium-ion powered rechargeable hearing aid. The Oticon system allows the simple change out of the rechargeable cell in the hearing aids in the clinic, something that very few other brands do. It means that when the lithium-ion cell begins to fail in several years. It will be a simple quick fix in your local clinic rather than a factory repair.
Made For iPhone and Made For Android
The More is both a Made For iPhone and a true Made For Android hearing aid, offering direct connectivity including streaming from both iPhones and Android phones. The More uses the Google ASHA standard so it will connect to many Android phones with Android 10 and above.
Bernafon Alpha
At the minute I know very little about this platform. The technology is based upon the new Demant hardware which underpins the More from Oticon. Bernafon says it is the first hybrid technology hearing aid. I am afraid I don't yet know what that means. They say "Bernafon’s Hybrid Technology™ propels four hybrid processing blocks to provide improved speech understanding and listening comfort."
The new platform will initially be available with just the rechargeable miniRITE-T (mini Receiver In The Ear-Telecoil) device in three levels of technology. The headlines I have at the moment are as follows:
- Rechargeable miniRITE-T
- Telecoil onboard
- Three different technology levels
- Made For Android
- Made For iPhone
Made For iPhone and Made For Android
The Alpha is both a Made For iPhone and a true Made For Android hearing aid, offering direct connectivity including streaming from both iPhones and Android phones. The Alpha uses the Google ASHA standard so it will connect to many Android phones with Android 10 and above.
