Oticon Hearing Aids: Models, Features, Prices, and Reviews

Oticon is the flagship brand of Demant A/S of Denmark, the world's second-largest hearing aid manufacturer. Founded in 1904 by Hans Demant, whose wife had hearing loss, Oticon has a long history of producing innovative hearing aid technology. For example, Oticon launched DigiFocus, the world's first fully digital behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid in 1996, and in 2016, with the introduction of its first Made-for-iPhone Oticon Opn hearing aids, the company helped usher in wireless "internet-connected hearing aids" along with advances in sound processing for better hearing.

Oticon remains a leader in aid innovation. Released in 2024, Oticon Intent is a significant leap forward and picks up where its predecessors Oticon Real, More, and Opn S left off. Intent advances the company's BrainHearing™ philosophy with 4D Sensor technology and artificial intelligence in a 2nd-gen Deep Neural Network (DNN) model that runs onboard Oticon's new Sirius sound processing platform.

How Oticon's BrainHearing philosophy drives its technology

Oticon has done extensive research at its Centre for Applied Audiology Research and Eriksholm Research Centre in Denmark about how the brain processes sound. The company has introduced numerous proprietary sound processing algorithms designed to deliver BrainHearing™, an engineering philosophy introduced in 2014 that “supports your brain by giving it the conditions it needs to create meaning from sound—instead of overloading it by turning up the volume.”

With so much scientific research pointing out the links between cognition, dementia, and better hearing, this engineering strategy has proven to be a trendsetter for hearing aid manufacturers. One major goal of BrainHearing is to support the way the brain makes sense of sound, allowing you to listen with less effort. The idea is if you can conserve brainpower via easier listening and speech processing, you'll have more available resources for other cognitive activities—like formulating your own thoughts and word choices—while reducing mental fatigue.

In 2019, Oticon launched its Velox S technology platform, which used its OpenSound Optimizer™ to increase speech-in-noise capabilities and sound quality while significantly reducing feedback. This was followed in 2021 with Oticon More and the Polaris™ platform that provided access to a more natural sound experience by utilizing onboard Deep Neural Network (DNN) technology—a kind of artificial intelligence (AI) that Oticon has trained with a remarkable 12 million sound samples. Oticon Real followed in 2023 with several practical improvements, like recognizing and reducing annoying "side effect" sounds like a scarf/hat rubbing against the case of the hearing aid and wind noise.

Oticon Intent is the company's latest flagship hearing aid family introduced in February 2024. Powered by the all-new Sirius chip platform, it's said to be the first hearing aid designed to understand and enhance a person’s unique communication intention. Oticon Intent uses four different types of sensors to understand your listening situation and seamlessly support your listening needs, while giving access to the full sound environment. It also introduces the company's second-generation DNN system and uses Bluetooth LE and is Auracast-ready (more about this below).

“In terms of sound quality and hearing-in-noise capabilities, I believe the Opn and Opn S technology we introduced 4-7 years ago can still go head-to-head with the best hearing aids on the market today,” Oticon US President Gary Rosenblum told HearingTracker. “Every time Oticon launches a new product, we make sure that 8 out of 10 patients believe it’s a marked improvement over our existing technology. So, we’ve added significant benefits with each product launch and we continue to do so with Oticon Real.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) trailblazer in hearing

In November 2020, Oticon changed hearing aid technology when it introduced Oticon More, the first hearing aid that used AI and DNN to improve speech understanding. Previously, hearing aid companies had launched machine learning and AI platforms to provide greater sound quality and listening comfort, but improving speech understanding using these futuristic technologies has been the holy grail for consumers and hearing aid manufacturers alike.

Oticon’s latest AI approach, dubbed RealSound technology, uses an onboard Deep Neural Network (DNN) to process sounds and “create contrast” between speech and other sounds while reducing annoying noises. Oticon claims their unique process makes focusing and following conversations easier, leading to improved speech understanding. This approach has been further enhanced with onboard sensor technology in Oticon Intent, which aims to actually understand what you most want to hear in a full 360° soundscape.

Other hearing aid manufacturers, including Starkey, Phonak, and Signia, are now employing artificial intelligence in hearing aids and their apps, and more will likely follow.

The Polaris and Sirius chip platforms

Oticon’s latest sound processing platforms are designed to deliver an improved version of BrainHearing™ with more powerful chipsets and sound processing algorithms. The Polaris semiconductor chip brought “16x more capacity to execute advanced algorithms,” “twice the computation capacity and speed,” and an onboard DNN processor, as well as a number of substantial improvements over Oticon's previous Velox S chip. Based on EEG brain measurements, Oticon has shown that Polaris delivered “30% more sound to the brain” and made “the full sound scene 60% clearer.”

Oticon built onto the Polaris chip and provided practical refinements in the Oticon Real hearing aid by introducing the Polaris R platform in February 2023. Implementing RealSound™ technology, Polaris R gives users a full spectrum of sounds in different environments by using DNN with over 12 million real-life sound scenes.

A major shift in Oticon's technology occurred in February 2024 with the brand-new Sirius™ chip platform, that enables the company to take BrainHearing, sensor technology, and artificial intelligence in hearing aids to a new level.

Oticon hearing aid models

Oticon makes premium hearing aids programmed by an audiologist or other hearing care professional based on your hearing test results. Oticon's Intent, Real, More, Zircon, Own, and Xceed lead a comprehensive family with a broad range of hearing aid features and choices for people of all ages.

Oticon hearing aids serve the entire spectrum of hearing loss, ranging from mild to profound. They come in all form factors—from the tiniest invisible-in-canal (IIC) to super-power behind-the-ear (BTE) styles—with tailored solutions for first-time users and children, for older adults, and for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Solutions also include Made-for-iPhone and Android ASHA-compatible hearing aids, Bluetooth LE and Auracast (Intent), Bluetooth streaming accessories, smartphone-controlled apps, and rechargeable solutions offering a full day of battery life on a single charge.

Oticon Intent

Designed to understand your communication needs

Oticon Intent is the company’s latest flagship hearing aid released in February 2024. Employing the company’s new Sirius chip platform, Intent uses 4D Sensor technology to understand each user’s listening intentions, moment by moment. This advancement, along with a second-generation Deep Neural Network (DNN 2.0) system and new features like the Smart Speaker, Bluetooth^® LE, and Auracast™-ready technology, marks a significant leap forward in personalized hearing support.

Oticon Intent’s 4D Sensor Technology monitors acoustic environments, head and body movements, and conversation activity to adjust sound processing accordingly, ensuring seamless adaptation to user requirements. It reportedly enhances speech understanding by 15%, enabling users to focus their attention on desired sound sources effectively.

Further enhancing Intent's capabilities, MoreSound Intelligence 3.0 offers improved clarity and balance, with up to 12 dB noise suppression, resulting in 35% more access to speech cues compared to previous models. Additionally, a larger and more diverse set of sound samples makes up the second-generation Deep Neural Network (DNN 2.0), a form of artificial intelligence that mimics the brain's learning process and facilitates accurate representation of sounds in different situations.

Intent introduces a fully-redesigned exterior in a rechargeable miniRITE (receiver in the ear) hearing aid style. Even with its small size, it reportedly provides 20 hours of battery life even when streaming on a full 2-hour charge. Intent also features faster recharging with a quick 15-minute charge giving you 4 hours of use and a 30-minute charge giving you 8 hours.

Users of Intent can enjoy direct Bluetooth streaming and hands-free communication via iOS devices (iPhone 11 or later) and compatible Android™ phones and tablets (Android 10 or later), and Windows PCs. Featuring Bluetooth LE and “Auracast-ready” technology for future-proof connectivity, Intent should overcome the recent connectivity challenges experienced in some of the company's devices by using the new Oticon Companion app. (See the Oticon compatibility page for more details.)

Albeit with a slightly bulkier design and the removal of the rocker switch, Oticon Intent prioritizes comfort and simplicity with its single-button design and compact minRITE form. Intent comes in 9 color options and is available in 4 technology levels (levels 1 to 4, with 4 offering the most advanced features).

Oticon Real

Practical improvements for easier listening

Oticon Real was launched in February 2023 and uses Polaris R chip set. Building on Oticon More's advanced AI and DNN features, Oticon Real identifies which sounds are important, like speech, without relying on traditional hearing aid algorithms for defining listening environments.

Additionally, Oticon Real includes new detectors for better sound processing when confronted with sudden noises, wind, or when you jostle the hearing aids—minimizing distracting sounds and increasing speech clarity. True to its BrainHearing engineering, these features are designed to significantly reduce listening effort, giving users confidence in their ability to engage and focus.

Real offers Bluetooth 5.0 streaming for Apple and Android devices, using the Made-for-iPhone (MFI) Bluetooth LE and ASHA streaming protocols, meaning you can stream audio directly into both your hearing aids. It also offers 2-way audio for hands-free calling with iPhones and Apple-compatible devices (v15.2 and higher). Android phone users can stream audio directly into both ears but will need to talk into the phone receiver (if the hands-free feature is important to you, see the Oticon Connect Clip accessory below).

All models have telecoils for streaming audio from the more widely installed loop systems, as well as landline telephones. However, because they do not use Bluetooth LE 5.2, they won't be forward-compatible with the upcoming Auracast streaming system; however, as noted above, Oticon Intent does have Auracast compatibility.

Like Oticon Intent, Real can be controlled using onboard push-buttons and the Oticon Companion app.

The Oticon Real line currently consists of four models—the MiniRITE R, MiniRITE T, MiniBTE R, and MiniBTE T—offered in the Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE) and Behind-the-Ear (BTE) styles in 9 different colors. The R denotes rechargeable batteries while the T denotes the use of disposable size 312 batteries. Available In 3 technology levels, all Real hearing aids are IP68 rated for moisture and debris protection which is the highest level available for hearing aids.

Real's rechargeable models come with two options for recharging: the SmartCharger lets you recharge your hearing aids on-the-go with a built-in power bank, while the Desktop charger is a more standard plug-in charger. Both give you a full day of battery life (16-22 hours) on a full charge, and 6 hours of battery life with a quick 30-minute charge.

Many accessories are available for Oticon Real, including ConnectClip, TV Adapter, Edumic, and more. Scroll down for more information about compatible accessories.

Oticon Own

Latest generation custom technology

Launched in August 2022 and powered by Oticon's Polaris chip platform, Oticon Own is a discreet custom in-ear line of hearing aids that feature the company’s powerful BrainHearing technology—providing pure, clear sound signals that reduce listening effort. The new custom devices are applicable for a wide range of hearing losses, from mild to severe, with the three largest styles capable of providing Bluetooth connectivity.

Oticon Own is available in five different styles, five different technology levels, and five different colors. Own borrows its technology from the Oticon More product line, offering BrainHearing for easier listening as well as on-board Deep Neural Network machine-learning technology (available in the top-3 technology tiers) which recognizes and adjusts to literally millions of sounds and listening environments.

Several Oticon Own styles are Made for iPhone^® and compatible Android™ devices, offering direct, high-quality streaming, so users can enjoy their favorite music, as well as take calls through their hearing aids. However, there is no rechargeable option for Oticon Own; the IIC and CIC styles take a size 10, while the ITC and half- and full-shell ITEs take a size 312 battery.

Oticon Zircon

Latest generation on a budget

Zircon is the latest “essential” product family from Oticon. True to the name, Oticon’s essential products deliver all of the most critical hearing aid features without the most bleeding edge performance-enhancement technologies. Zircon is powered by the same Polaris platform inside Oticon’s flagship More products, and the products are physically identical to the miniBTE and miniRITE form factors in the More family.

Like More, Zircon is available in a rechargeable miniBTE or miniRITE, and a non-rechargeable miniBTE and miniRITE—with similar audio streaming, charging, and connectivity capabilities. On the hardware side, the primary difference seems to be color options—Zircon offers 5 color options versus More’s 8 options.

In terms of technology, Zircon lacks More’s “Neural Noise Suppression”, which Oticon claims improves speech clarity in background noise more than Zircon’s OpenSound Navigator (available only in Zircon 1). If OpenSound Navigator sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve probably heard it before—Oticon’s previous-generation Opn S relied on the same technology to handle difficult listening environments.

See more differences here: More vs Zircon

Oticon More

A game-changer for AI & DNN hearing technology

More is the successor to the popular Oticon Opn product family and is the predecessor of Real. More picked up where Opn S left off, advancing Oticon's BrainHearing™ philosophy with the industry's first onboard Deep Neural Network (DNN) that runs on Oticon's Polaris sound processing platform, as discussed above. Oticon claims More provides a 15% improvement in speech understanding when compared to Opn S.

The Oticon More line consists of two receiver-in-canal (RIC) models (miniRITE-R and miniRITE-T) and two corresponding behind-the-ear (BTE) models (miniBTE-R and miniBTE-T). The -R is rechargeable while the -T is powered by disposable size-312 batteries. The hearing aids have a telecoil and offer iPhone and Android audio streaming and hands-free calling over Bluetooth. The miniRITEs have a push-button rocker switch while the miniBTEs have a single push-button switch. More comes in a variety of colors to match your skin or hair, and includes a new pink color option.

In terms of accessories, Oticon More is compatible with ConnectClip, On App, Phone Adapter 2.0, Remote Control 3.0, and TV Adapter 3.0. miniRITE-R is also compatible with the Oticon Charger and new portable SmartCharger. Scroll down for more information about compatible accessories.

Oticon says its “open sound experience” is designed to put "speech understanding on par with normal hearing." Speech Rescue LX, which shifts frequencies to levels where the individual has less hearing loss, is available in every Oticon Opn and Opn S model. The OpenSound Optimizer provides optimal gain all day be analyzing various listening environments and automatically adjusting amplification levels. It also eliminates feedback by anticipating and preventing annoying whistling before it even happens.

Opn hearing aids can also stream music directly from iPhones or iPads, from Android smartphones, and from other Bluetooth-enabled devices via Oticon's ConnectClip accessory. And Opn S hearing aids come with a rechargeable MiniRITE R option.

Oticon Xceed

Super-power hearing aids

In 2019, Oticon introduced the Xceed family of hearing aids for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Oticon says Xceed is the world’s most powerful hearing aid, with 146 dB SPL and 87 dB full-on-gain. Powered by the Velox S platform, and featuring BrainHearing technology, it also provides the same extensive connectivity options provided by the Opn S family. Xceed is available in two styles (Super Power and Ultra) and seven different colors to match your skin tone or hair color.

Xceed hearing aids deliver many of the same high-performance benefits found in the Opn S hearing aids. OpenSound Navigator provides 360° access to speech. Oticon’s BrainHearing technology provides better speech clarity and less listening effort. OpenSound Optimizer handles whistling and static in a whole new way, preventing it from even happening.

A full range of connectivity options includes direct Made-for-iPhone wireless streaming as well as 2.4 GHz streaming from Oticon’s ConnectClip remote mic and TV Adapter. And the Oticon ON App provides smartphone control.

Finally, Xceed Play is a model that provides super power for pediatric patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

Opn Play and Xceed Play for children

Oticon's Opn Play hearing aids are the latest confirmation of the company's long-standing commitment to pediatric hearing care solutions. Four different styles can each be fitted for hearing losses in children ranging from mild to severe-to-profound.

Opn Play hearing aids are also fully compatible with the Amigo FM classroom microphone and transmitter for children in schools, and with the ConnectClip microphone that makes communication with caregivers and teachers easier for children.

Available styles include one traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) Power Plus model (size 13 battery) and three receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) models: miniRITE T (size 312 battery); the miniRITE R (rechargeable lithium-ion battery), and the smaller Opn miniRITE (size 312 battery) with the latter being the only model not to include a telecoil.

They also come in a super-power version for children. Xceed Play hearing aids deliver Oticon’s latest sound processing and connectivity technology platform to children with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

Oticon CROS solutions

Oticon has integrated its top technologies into a CROS (contralateral routing of signal) solution for people with single-sided deafness. A transmitter on the deaf side sends sound to a hearing aid on the side with better hearing. That way, users get 360-degree sound and overcome the “head shadow” effect that blocks sound from the side of the head with the deaf ear.

Oticon’s CROS solutions also feature TwinLink technology, which connects the hearing aids to external audio sources via 2.4 GHz Bluetooth low energy, while simultaneously receiving sound transmission via Near-Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) from the poorer to the better ear. This enables patients to watch television or listen to music while carrying on a conversation with someone positioned on their poorer ear side.

Oticon offers a CROS and rechargeable CROS PX. Both options can be used for CROS or BiCROS setups, where CROS is used when your better ear has normal hearing and BiCROS is used when your better ear needs amplification. Oticon’s CROS products are compatible with Real, More, Opn S, Opn Play, Xceed, Xceed Play, and Ruby, with the exception of Opn S 3 and Opn Play 2.

Oticon wireless hearing-aid apps and accessories

Oticon hearing aid accessories transmit audio from your phone and TV directly to your hearing aids. And Oticon smartphone apps let you control your hearing aid programs and Bluetooth settings. Following are accessories for popular Oticon hearing aid models. Make sure to check with your provider to see which accessories work with which models.

Connect Clip microphone

A microphone small enough to clip to your collar, Connect Clip can turn your hearing aids into a wireless stereo headset. It transmits audio to your hearing aids, allowing you to listen to someone speaking from a distance. It also lets you make hands-free phone calls from your iPhone or Android smartphone. And it enables you to adjust your hearing aids using a remote control function.

TV Adapter 3.0

Oticon’s TV Adapter works with More, Opn and Opn S hearing aids and connects to almost any audio device using standard cables provided. It streams audio directly to your hearing aids at the volume you choose and has an effective range of up to 45 feet.

Oticon Companion App

The new Oticon Companion app and its predecessor, the Oticon ON app, let you adjust volume, mute, and change the programs on your hearing aids with the touch of a button.

The new Oticon Companion app replaces the Oticon ON app and Remote Care app, combining the two and providing users with an easier and faster navigation experience. It allows you to monitor battery levels for each hearing aid, find your devices should you misplace them, and meet virtually with your hearing care provider (if they offer that option). The professional can also make some remote adjustments to your hearing aids, potentially reducing trips to their office. The app also adds connectivity troubleshooting; however, it does not carry over the HearingFitness and Advanced Tinnitus Equalizer (although it does retain the basic Tinnitus functions) from the Oticon ON app.

Oticon On App

The Oticon ON app allows control of your hearing aids from your smartphone and uses the “if this then that” (IFTTT) internet-of-things protocol. For instance, the Oticon ON app lets you set your More and Opn hearing aids to trigger your lights, home alarm or smart thermostat. Otherwise, it essentially has the same functionality as the newer Oticon Companion app, except as noted it doesn't offer Connectivity troubleshooting, and if you want virtual online assistance from your provider, you'll need to download and use the RemoteCare app.

See the Oticon compatibility page to learn more about both apps and their requirements.

Oticon Chargers

Oticon Real and More rechargeable hearing aids take 3 hours to fully charge, and if necessary, a 30-minute charge will provide up to 6 hours of use. Oticon says its lithium-ion battery technology provides enjoy a full day of hearing, including streaming from smartphones and other Bluetooth devices.

ConnectLine Streamer Pro

Oticon also has a range of ConnectLine accessories for hearing aid models that came before Opn and Opn S. A wireless streamer with built-in microphone, ConnectLine Streamer Pro is worn around the neck. It can be used to make hands free phone calls. It also receives audio signals from the Connect Clip microphone or from the ConnectLine TV adapter and retransmits them to your hearing aids.

And ConnectLine App is an iPhone and Android smartphone app available from the app store that works with ConnectLine StreamerPro. It allows you to remotely control the settings and switch programs on your hearing aids, to check your battery level, and to manage wireless, hands-free phone calls.

Oticon tinnitus solutions

Oticon hearing aids with Tinnitus SoundSupport play a wide range of tinnitus relief sounds, such as white noise and soothing ocean waves to mask the ringing, humming and buzzing of tinnitus sounds in your head. You can discreetly control the sounds in your hearing aids using the Oticon ON App for iPhone and Android. Users can also wirelessly stream alternative tinnitus relief options from your phone.

Legacy hearing aid models

Oticon continues to support a broad range of legacy hearing-aid models based on previous generations of its sound-processing technology. Because these models still provide high-performance sound processing and functionality, some audiologist may still sell them at lower price points than the latest models.

Oticon Opn S

Oticon introduced its popular Opn hearing instruments in 2016. And in 2019, it followed up with a significant upgrade, Opn S. Oticon says their BrainHearing sound processing technology results in less listening effort, better speech understanding, and capacity to remember more of what one has heard.

Based on the upgraded Velox S sound processing platform, the hearing aids reduce the mental processing power required to understand speech in noise, giving the brain more capacity to process speech and to understand and remember what's being said.

Oticon Siya

Oticon Siya hearing aids include a broad range of models and technology levels, and are a more affordable product family running on the Velox platform. Behind-the-ear models include the Siya miniRITE, the Siya BTE13 PP, and the Siya miniRITE-T. And there are a range of in-the-ear models ranging from tiny invisible-in-the-ear (IIE) custom hearing aids that sit deep within the ear canal to slightly larger and more powerful models.

Alta and Alta2

Oticon Alta hearing aids include at least nine unique models and two unique technology levels. Models include the Alta miniRITE, the Alta RITE, the Alta miniBTE, the Alta CIC, the Alta BTE, the Alta ITC, the Alta HS, the Alta FS, and the Alta designRITE. Technology levels include the Alta Pro and the Alta. Oticon Alta2 is a family of hearing aids that includes at least three unique models, including the Alta2 miniRITE, the Alta2 IIC, and the Alta2 BTE13 100.

Nera and Nera 2

The Oticon Nera hearing-aid family includes at least nine unique models and two technology levels . Models include the Nera miniRITE, the Nera RITE, the Nera miniBTE, the Nera CIC, the Nera BTE, the Nera ITC, the Nera HS, the Nera FS, and the Nera designRITE. Technology levels include the Nera Pro and the Nera.

The Oticon Nera2 RITE is a receiver in the ear hearing aid that has a telecoil, a dedicated volume control, a push button, an ingress protection rating of IP57, and uses size 312 hearing aid batteries and has directionality and adjustment synchronization.

Ria2

The Oticon Ria2 miniRite is a receiver-in-the-ear hearing aid that has a push button and uses size 312 hearing aid batteries. It has directional microphones, adjustment synchronization, and tinnitus relief.

Agil

The Oticon Agil family of hearing aids includes at least eight unique models and two technology levels. Models include the Agil miniRITE, the Agil RITE, the Agil miniBTE, the Agil BTE, the Agil CIC/MIC, the Agil ITC, the Agil HS, and the Agil LP/FS. Technology levels include the Agil Pro and the Agil .

Acto

The Oticon Acto hearing aid family includes at least eight unique models and two technology levels. Models include the Acto miniRITE, the Acto RITE, the Acto miniBTE, the Acto BTE, the Acto CIC/MIC, the Acto ITC, the Acto HS, and the Acto LP/FS. Technology levels include the Acto Pro and the Acto .

Ino

Oticon Ino hearing aids include at least eight unique models and two unique technology levels. Models include the Ino miniRITE, the Ino RITE, the Ino miniBTE, the Ino BTE, the Ino CIC/MIC, the Ino ITC, the Ino HS, and the Ino LP/FS. Technology levels include the Ino Pro and the Ino .

Chili

The Oticon Chili is a behind-the-ear super-power hearing aid that has a telecoil, a dedicated volume control, a push button, an ingress protection rating of IP57, and uses size 13 hearing aid batteries. Technology levels include the Chili SP9, the Chili SP7, and the Chili SP5.

Dynamo super-power hearing aids

Oticon’s Dynamo super-power hearing aids were the first to bring the benefits of Oticon’s BrainHearing technologies to people with severe-to-profound hearing loss." In addition to super-power amplification without feedback, Dynamo hearing aids include Oticon's Speech Rescue feature which preserves the high frequency speech information by shifting it to the wearer's better-functioning mid frequencies.