Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. Oticon Zircon

Name: Oticon Zircon
Brand: Oticon
Price: 2798 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 2.5 (9 reviews)

Check out our comparison of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Oticon Zircon. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Score

0.0

Zircon 1 miniRITE-R

$2,798 per pair

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Product Overview

Form Factor

EarbudForm FactorNon-custom earbud style device.

Receiver In The EarForm FactorThis type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. A wire runs along the top of the ear and down to a speaker sitting inside the ear canal. An custom-fitted mold may be required.

Expert Rating

Score

0.0

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User Rating

3.7

3 reviews

3.7

2 reviews

Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.

MildModerateSevereProfound

Product Features

Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP54

Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

AirPods Pro 2

Zircon

AirPods Pro 2

3.9ABOVE AVERAGE

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are wireless earbuds that offer hearing aid functionality. They are suitable for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss and come with features such as Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Transparency, and Conversation Boost, all aimed to improve hearing in various environments.

Read full review

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

3.6AVERAGE

Apple AirPods Pro 2 achieved a SoundScore of 3.56/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #27 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

4.0BELOW AVERAGE

The build quality is solid with a sleek case, but the IP54 rating means they are not as water-resistant as you might expect. People commonly report them lasting 2-3 years, which is conveniently consistent with Apple's product cycles.

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

3.0BELOW AVERAGE

Airpods Pro Gen 2 battery life is disappointingly short at around 6 hours, less based on usage and settings. However, they recharge quickly in the case which works well as they are more intended for situational use.

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

5.0EXCELLENT

I have found Bluetooth to work almost flawlessly on iPhones, offering a solid connection every time. I can't speak for Android devices though Apple reports they are fully compatible with other Bluetooth devices.

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

4.0AVERAGE

AirPods Pro 2 offer impressive and useful features for an advanced earbud. I particularly like the ability to take an app based hearing test, or directly upload hearing thresholds. While the menu system is not user-friendly, you also have other options for personalizing your experience such as active noise cancellation.

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

4.0AVERAGE

I find them generally comfortable but have experienced some ear soreness with long-term use. Some people have also noted struggling with keeping them in place however, this will depend on your ears and uses.

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

5.0EXCELLENT

Like most Apple products, Airpods Pro are iconic. They are very noticeable due to their brilliant white color and shape. While your opinion may differ, most people regard them as stylish and well designed.

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

4.7EXCELLENT

Apple AirPods Pro 2 has a value score of 4.7/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

3.9BELOW AVERAGE

I find Bluetooth pairing and general use exceptionally easy. However, navigating the deeper personalization features, and touch controls, could be more user friendly.

Zircon

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AirPods Pro 2

1.0BELOW AVERAGE

These are advanced earbuds, not hearing aids, so expect only tech support from Apple’s customer service.

Zircon

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Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments

Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments

Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble

HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.

Accessories

Compatible accessories for each hearing aid

Battery Charger

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Oticon charger

Battery Charger

An overnight lithium-ion battery charge provides all-day power, and a 30-minute fast charge provides up to six additional hours of hearing aid use.

SmartCharger

Battery Charger

The new SmartCharger includes a protective lid and built-in battery for charging when away from a power outlet. The drying function automatically removes moisture from your hearing aids.

Bluetooth Streamer

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ConnectClip

Bluetooth Streamer+3

Transmits audio to your hearing aids from a distance, lets you make hands-free phone calls, and adjusts your hearing aid volume and program settings.

CROS System

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CROS PX

CROS System

The new Oticon CROS PX is rechargeable and offers TwinLink™ dual streaming technology, which provides access to more sounds in challenging listening environments and handles wireless streaming at the same time.

Landline to Streaming

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Phone Adapter 2.0

Landline to Streaming

The Oticon Phone Adapter 2.0 enables hearing aid users to connect to their landline phones via the ConnectClip accessory. Wireless, hands-free phone conversations are enabled when the ConnectClip is worn on the body.

Remote Adjustments

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Companion App

Remote Adjustments+2

App that lets you adjust the volume, mute your hearing aids, and change listening programs. Includes streaming EQ and remote care.

Remote Control

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Remote Control 3.0

Remote Control

ConnectClip

Remote Control+3

Transmits audio to your hearing aids from a distance, lets you make hands-free phone calls, and adjusts your hearing aid volume and program settings.

Companion App

Remote Control+2

App that lets you adjust the volume, mute your hearing aids, and change listening programs. Includes streaming EQ and remote care.

Remote Microphone

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ConnectClip

Remote Microphone+3

Transmits audio to your hearing aids from a distance, lets you make hands-free phone calls, and adjusts your hearing aid volume and program settings.

Smartphone App

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On App

Smartphone App

Lets you control your hearing aids from your smartphone and interact with other Internet-connected devices and services.

Companion App

Smartphone App+2

App that lets you adjust the volume, mute your hearing aids, and change listening programs. Includes streaming EQ and remote care.

Smartphone Streamer + Hands Free

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ConnectClip

Smartphone Streamer + Hands Free+3

Transmits audio to your hearing aids from a distance, lets you make hands-free phone calls, and adjusts your hearing aid volume and program settings.

TV Streamer

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TV Adapter 3.0

TV Streamer

Streams TV audio directly to your hearing aids at the volume you choose with an effective range of up to 45 feet.

Hardware

AccelerometerAccelerometerThis hearing aid is capable of measuring acceleration through an embedded sensor.

Yes

Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.

Bluetooth® (A2DP)
LC3

Made for iPhone (MFi)
Android (ASHA)

Disposable BatteriesDisposable BatteriesCommon disposable batteries last anywhere from a few days to two weeks or more. For more information Google "how long do hearing aid batteries last" and click on the Hearing Tracker link.

312

GyroscopeGyroscopeThis hearing aid is able to determine orientation using embedded sensors.

Yes

Hands-Free CallingHands-Free CallingIt is possible to have a hands-free phone call with this hearing aid. You are not required to hold the phone up to your mouth.

Bluetooth® (HFP)

Made for iPhone (MFi)
Accessory required (Android)

IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.

IP54

IP68

Push ButtonPush ButtonThe hearing aid features a push button which allows toggling across different sound processing programs

Program control
Volume Control
Mute control

Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.

Lithium-ion

Tap ControlsTap ControlsThe hearing aid may be controlled by physically tapping it with your fingers.

Play/Pause
Audio passthrough on/off
Accept/end calls

TelecoilTelecoilThe hearing aid is able to pick up audio from landline telephones or public audio systems without using its acoustic microphones. This minimizes background noise and improves clarity and understanding, even over great distances. At performing arts venues, events, government meetings, etc., look for assistive listening systems (hearing loop, FM, and infrared systems), which must be provided at no cost under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other international regulations.

Yes

Voice AssistantVoice AssistantCertain devices will allow you to interact with voice assistants using "Hey Siri", "Hey Google", "Hey Alexa", etc commands.

Siri

Volume RockerVolume RockerA volume rocker or wheel to allows the adjustment of volume with a finger.

Yes

Software Features

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)ANC is different than typical hearing aid noise reduction in that it reduces both steady state and dynamic background noise using sound wave inversion.

Yes

Active occlusion cancellation (AOC)Active occlusion cancellation (AOC)A microphone measures the sound of your own voice inside your ear canal and cancels the sound using phase inversion. This reduces the boominess that often occurs with closed-canal hearing aids.

Yes

Adjustment BandsAdjustment BandsThese are frequency-divided sections that can be adjusted in a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds. Although there are rarely more than 10 frequencies measured in a hearing assessment, having more bands that can be adjusted may allow for improved speech understanding and user comfort.

DirectionalityDirectionalityDepending on the types and number of microphones a hearing aid has, the hearing aid may be able to boost sounds from specific directions (by reducing sounds from other directions). This can be helpful to focus on a speaker directly in front of the hearing aid user, as well as to give the user information about where different sounds are coming from.

Yes

Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.

Yes

Frequency LoweringFrequency LoweringUnderstanding certain speech sounds is dependent on the high frequency parts of these sounds. For individuals with high frequency hearing loss, this feature can take high frequency speech information and move it to lower frequencies where it will be audible.

Yes

Noise ReductionNoise ReductionThis feature uses modern hearing aids’ processing power to examine the incoming sound signal, determine if noise is present and reduce the volume of the troublesome sound to increase comfort.

Yes

Processing ChannelsProcessing ChannelsThese are all the frequency-divided sections the hearing aid is able to examine at a single time. The hearing aid uses this information to determine whether the contents of each section are noise, speech, or something else and amplify the sound in each section accordingly.

Resonance NormalizationResonance NormalizationMicrophones measure sound in the ear canal in order to adjust cancel the effects of individual resonance.

Yes

Self-fittingSelf-fittingThis hearing aid allows you to fit yourself without professional assistance. Typically found in OTC products.

Tuned based on hearing test through device
Tuned based on audio preference selections
Tuned by user directly

Spatial AudioSpatial AudioHead tracking is performed so that audio appears to originate from a static location as your head moves.

Yes

Spatial Noise CancellationSpatial Noise CancellationThis feature recognizes where sounds are coming from and can reduce noise coming from behind or to the side of the listener. This helps the listener focus on the speaker, usually in front of them.

OpenSound Navigator™: On

Streaming Bass BoostStreaming Bass BoostBoosts bass when streaming audio

Yes

Sudden Loud Noise ReductionSudden Loud Noise ReductionThis feature detects loud sounds and reduces their volume to a comfortable level. Though not a replacement for hearing protection, this technology can greatly improve listener comfort.

Transient Noise Management: On/Off

Tinnitus ReliefTinnitus ReliefTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.

Yes

Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.

Yes

Wind Noise ReductionWind Noise ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.

Yes

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Product reviews.