GN Resound Omnia BTE – Hearing Aid Review

ReSound Omnia is the newest hearing aid from GN ReSound. It is designed to improve speech understanding in noisy environments, such as restaurants, parties, or stadiums. It uses a four-microphone beamformer technology that can focus on the speaker in front of you and reduce the background noise around you. It also has a unique BTE receiver that is placed inside your ear canal and captures the natural sound of your surroundings. ReSound claims that Omnia can provide a significant improvement in speech intelligibility in noise compared to previous models.

Rechargeable and Bluetooth-Compatible

ReSound Omnia is also a rechargeable and Bluetooth-compatible hearing aid that can stream audio and phone calls from your smartphone or tablet. You can also use the ReSound Smart 3D app to control your hearing aid settings, switch between programs, find your hearing aids, and access remote care options. The app also has a Check My Fit feature that helps you insert your hearing aids correctly for optimal performance. The hearing aid battery can last for 24 hours on a full charge, which takes about three hours.

Key Features

ReSound Omnia is available in three technology levels: level 9, level 7, and level 5. The higher the level, the more features and customization options you get. ReSound Omnia is suitable for people with mild to profound hearing loss and can be fitted with custom ear molds for better comfort and fit.

ReSound Omnia is a modern and innovative hearing aid that offers a great solution for people who struggle to hear in noisy situations. It has a sleek design, a long battery life, and a user-friendly app. It also delivers natural and clear sound quality with its advanced microphone and receiver technology. If you are looking for a hearing aid that can help you hear better in noise without feeling isolated, ReSound Omnia might be a good option for you.

Pros and Cons of ReSound Omnia

Here are some pros and cons of ReSound Omnia based on web search results:

Pros:

• Enhanced speech recognition in noisy situations with advanced four-microphone beamformer technology
• Natural sound perception with BTE receiver that incorporates a third microphone inside the ear canal
• Rechargeable and Bluetooth-compatible hearing aid that enables audio and phone call streaming from various devices
• User-friendly app that facilitates remote control, customization, and remote care options
• Sleek design, long battery life, and high water/dust/dirt protection

Cons:

• May not support hands-free calling for some Android devices
• May necessitate custom ear molds for severe to profound hearing loss
• May lack sufficient feedback cancellation for some users.

ReSound Omnia Wireless Accessories

ReSound omnia is compatible with a range of wireless accessories that can enhance your hearing experience and help you connect to other devices. Some of the accessories are:

• ReSound TV Streamer 2: This device allows you to stream stereo sound from your TV, computer, or music system directly to your hearing aids. You can adjust the volume and balance of the sound using the ReSound Smart 3D app or a remote control.

• ReSound Remote Control 2: This device gives you discreet and easy control over your hearing aid settings. You can change programs, volume, mute your hearing aids, and see all settings on the backlit display.

• ReSound Micro Mic and Multi Mic: These devices are wireless microphones that can help you hear speech more clearly in noisy or distant situations. You can clip them on the speaker’s clothing, place them on a table, or use them as a telecoil loop or FM receiver.

• ReSound Phone Clip+: This device allows you to stream phone calls and music from your Bluetooth-enabled phone to your hearing aids. You can also use it as a remote control for your hearing aids.

Verdict

These accessories are usually at an additional cost to the hearing aids. You can find out more about them by asking your hearing care professional for details.

Phonak Naída™ Paradise BTE Hearing Aids review

Phonak Naída™ Paradise Hearing aids leading the innovation change in the hearing aid technologies. The overwhelming success of Marvel was a tough act to follow for Phonak, but early feedback indicates that Paradise is pleasing Australian hearing aid users even more.

These multifunctional hearing aids deliver excellent sound quality, are easy to use and provide a true sense of well-being. Between the sound quality, enhanced Bluetooth connectivity (allowing two simultaneous active connections) and new features such as tap control and motion sensor hearing, Paradise is setting a new benchmark in hearing aid technology in Australia.

Phonak Naída™ Paradise is a multifunctional hearing aid that delivers an excellent hearing experience with industry-leading wireless connectivity. Unlike any other hearing aid, they connect directly to either your iOS, Android smartphone or other Bluetooth enabled devices to stream any kind of audio. Users can have hands-free conversations and connect with popular voice assistants like Siri, by double tapping their ear. With Naída™ Paradise, the microphones on the hearing aids can be used to send the user’s voice to the caller. This means the user can walk away from the phone and still have a clear conversation. The user can even answer, hang-up, or reject a phone call with the hearing aids themselves.

With more than 60% of smartphone users in Australia owning Android devices, those using Paradise love that it can connect to all Bluetooth devices, iOS and Android alike – even their TV and laptop. You can enjoy true hands-free phone calls and stereo sound quality streaming for your music, videos, e-books, podcasts and so much more!

The integrated motion sensor detects when the wearer is moving and having a conversation and can automatically steer the hearing aid microphones for better speech understanding. Developments in the sound processing chip also allow the hearing aid to enhance soft sounds in quiet situations; and engage personalised noise cancellation in more noisy environments. Rechargeable and non-rechargeable options are available, with the rechargeable variant offering the most features.

With a simple plug and play solution, called Phonak TV Connector, you can also enjoy your favourite TV programs and movies. It’s just like using wireless headphones – except maybe even better.

What makes Naída™ Paradise hearing aids outstanding?

• Crisp, natural sound, brilliant speech understanding and personalised noise cancelling.
• Exceptional sound quality from first fit
• Simplified Universal connectivity, which has been enhanced by new features such as Tap Control and multiple Bluetooth® connections.
• Tap control enabled voice assistant
• Ease of conversation when walking due to motion sensor hearing
• Combining all of these features with powerful Lithium Ion rechargeable technology and empowering smart apps!

The New Phonak Naída™ Paradise has an impressive range which includes Lithium Rechargeable, Lithium Rechargeable with Telecoil, size 13 battery with Telecoil, and size 312 battery model.

My favourite feature in Paradise is AutosenseOS 4.0. which is an automatic program that adjusts the hearing aid programming depending on the environment that the user is in. This feature makes Phonak hearing aids a good option for people who may have difficulties manually selecting programs for different environments. However, the key factor for this feature to work is a thorough fine tuning of all these programs by the audiologist using Real ear Measurements at the fitting appointment. Unfortunately not many audiologists perform these measurements for all programs as it may be considered time consuming!

Binaural VoiceStream Technology in Naída™ Paradise allows for features like StereoZoom within the Speech in Loud Noise program which can improve speech understanding in background noise significantly.

Rechargeability is a great feature ofNaída™ Paradise – The Naída™ Paradise provides 24 hrs of battery life. This may drop to 16 hours of if you are doing 4 hours of Bluetooth classic streaming per day. What makes the new Naída™ Paradise rechargeables easier to use is that they turn on immediately after removing them from the charger case which removes the need for the user to switch the aids on or off.

Naída™ Paradise has access to the myPhonak App which can control Program and volume changes, allow users to adjust the environmental balance when streaming, and provide battery readout for rechargeable models. The Phonak eSolutions portal within the app also contains a hearing diary, and access to Remote Support with the audiologist. The Tinnitus app – This allows the user to control tinnitus – masking sounds if needed. The Call to Text feature can turn a user’s smartphone into a captioned telephone so the user can read the conversations as s/he hears them.

One limitation of the Naída™ Paradise range is that they are not CROS compatible and, therefore, may not be a good option for people who have Single-Sided Deafness who may benefit from CROS or BICROS fittings.

Click here to learn more about Naída™ Paradise features.

Review by Dr Moh Dadafarin, Audiologist, Hearing Rehabilitation Specialist, Melbourne Australia, October 2021

Oticon Real – Hearing Aid Review

Oticon Real, the successor to Oticon More, has arrived in the market with major improvements in speech clarity in background noise, wind suppression and comfort. Oticon Real is designed to provide clean, natural sound allowing for easy effortless conversations even in the most complex of listening situations.

Key Features

Clear Natural Sound

Speech clarity is an area where Oticon Real excels. The hearing aids use a new speech processing algorithm that enhances speech clarity and reduces background noise, making it easier for users to understand conversations in noisy environments.

Sudden Noise Reducer

Have you ever been in the kitchen or a restaurant and someone has dropped a plate or slammed a door? I sure know I have. With most hearing aids that I have tried, these sounds are so intrusive and even painful at times that I am forced to reduce the volume. Oticon Real has pushed one step closer to providing clear and loud amplification whilst keeping sudden sounds at bay. Their Sudden Sound Stabiliser is a game changer and has transformed an already fantastic hearing aid (Oticon More – Predecessor) into a tool I can’t live without.

NEW Wind Noise Canceller.

Oticon’s NEW wind and handling noise reduction is another major improvement in the Oticon Real hearing aids. Research has shown that the new system provides up to 23dB greater speech understanding in windy conditions without introducing discomfort. If you are an active nature lover, golf fanatic or the like, there has never been anything better.

Numerous Colour Options to Suit Your Style

As seen above, the Oticon Real hearing aids come in a range of colours from Hear Pink to Diamond Black built to look great no matter how you like to accessorise!

iPhone and Android Connectivity

The Oticon More hearing aids, like many other modern hearing aids, are Made For iPhone (MFi) meaning they directly connect to and stream from almost any iPhone or iOS device (iPhone 6s and newer). With the latest software updates, you’re able to have completely hands-free calling with two way streaming. For users with iPhone 10 and newer, this means your hearing aids act just like earbuds streaming phone calls to your ears and delivering your own voice to your phone.

Although Oticon More hearing aids are able to stream from the latest Android phones (Samsung Galaxy S20/S21), I have found connectivity with older devices hit or miss. Unfortunately, due to the current limitations of Bluetooth Low Energy, More can’t directly connect to all Bluetooth devices. So if connectivity and streaming are a priority for you, consider picking up a ConnectClip or looking into the Phonak Lumity or Paradise Range.

For Android users and older iPhone users, always remember to keep your phone (iPhone or Android) close, as it uses the microphone in the phone to pick up your voice during phone calls.

For instructions on how to pair your Phone with your compatible OWN ITC or ITE hearing aids click here: iPhone or Android

Reliable App – Oticon ON App – Hearing aid controls

From my experience, the Oticon ON app has been the most reliable and responsive app on the market. They connect immediately on almost any phone and gives you the ability to control numerous settings. From volume controls to program switching, from battery percentages to equaliser settings, each adjustment is snappy and accurate.

To find out if your Phone is compatible with the Oticon ON app, click HERE

For a full tutorial on how to use the Oticon ON app, click HERE

Accessories

For streaming to any other Bluetooth connected device (eg. older iPhone/Android or laptop), you can use the ConnectClip. The ConnectClip also allows for truly hands-free calling, using its built-in microphone for phone calls. Making taking phone calls much more convenient and carefree.

Design and Comfort

Look and Feel

The Oticon More hearing aid’s small and discrete nature along with their myriad of colour options make them a fantastic accessory whether you’re looking to match it with your hair or outfit. Each hearing aid is equipped with two buttons for volume and/or program controls which are tactile and easy to press. In my experience, the More’s fit comfortably behind the ear and both their domes (eartips) and earmoulds fit well. The thin and small design also fit nicely behind the ear, even with glasses.

Onboard Controls

One feature I miss switching from the Phonak Paradise hearing aids to the Oticon More hearing aids were their onboard media controls. With the Paradise aids, you are able to answer and end calls with the click of a button and raise or lower volume without ever picking up your phone. I wish more manufacturers would provide media controls directly on their hearing aids.

Speaker Dome Options (Eartips)

Oticon has a wide variety of dome and earmould options ranging from open to occluding. With an experienced audiologist, they can select the right option to match your ear shape, hearing loss and cosmetic and dexterity needs.

Find out how to change domes HERE! 

Battery Life and Battery Types

The Oticon More hearing aids now come in rechargeable and battery operated models. The rechargeable option is set to last around 20-24 hours without streaming and 16-20 hours with streaming set to last you all day. You can choose from either a standard wall charger or a Smart-Charger depending on your lifestyle. The standard wall charger is reliable, easy to insert and great for the night stand. The Smart-Charger is great for those with more active, travel-ready lifestyles who want an on the go option with a battery inside. It’s set to give you an extra 3-4 full charges.

For those of you who still prefer battery operated hearing aids, you can pick up a Oticon More miniRITE T (Telecoil) which comes with a standard 312 battery.

For those of you who want this fantastic technology in an In-the-Ear form factor, consider Oticon’s NEW OWN line of custom hearing aids. Read more HERE.

Verdict

Overall, the Oticon Real is a significant improvement over the Oticon More. Its advanced features for better speech clarity, wind and handling noise reduction, and loud sound reduction, make it an excellent choice for those with demanding lives who simply want to have their hearing back. Its comfortable design, long battery life and flexible charging options make it a practical and convenient option for any lifestyle.