Top 5 Hearing Aids of 2020 / 2021
So, what did 2020 bring to the hearing aid industry? What should we expect in 2021?
| Published on 07/01/2020 | Updated on 30/12/2020
In this article, we discuss our top hearing aid picks for 2020 / 2021, with the hope that it may help those who are researching hearing aids or looking to upgrade.
2019 Hearing Aids - Got us all excited about hearing aid technology innovation again
Hearing aid technology started to get very interesting towards the end of 2019. One reason being the increased acknowledgement of the profoundly deaf within the industry itself. With offerings of super and ultra-power hearing aids from various manufacturers. Bernafon introduced their Leox range and Oticon launched their Xceed family. It promoted a positive message - that power aid users are also wanting to benefit from great features and technology. It also introduced power aid users to 360-degree sound, OpenSound Navigator and True Environment Processing.
In 2019, Oticon was praised for their OPN S model – offering an even better alternative to their already successful Opn. We were also quite impressed with the arrival of Signia’s Styletto Connect, which targeted the eradication of stigma and attitudes towards hearing aids with its super stylish design and jamming it with great technology.
2019 seemed to rise to demands and got us all excited about the future of hearing solutions again. It truly felt the year that made the industry evolve into one that is more inclusive and, more importantly, one that listened and responded to the consumer’s wants and needs.
Looking back at 2020 Hearing Aids
2019 showed promise and the kind of innovation that will not only enhance hearing now - but also shape the future of audiology technology. But let's take a quick look back at the hearing aids of 2020. It brought us a whole year of innovative hearing aid technology and many ‘world first’s’ to the industry, but what else did 2020 bring to the hearing aid industry? Let's find out what impressed us the most...
2020 Hearing Aids - Introduced Healthable Hearing
In 2020, Starkey launched their Livio Edge AI, adding to their advanced ‘healthable’ hearing aid range, built with artificial intelligence. At launch, the Edge offered the only rechargeable custom made hearing aid on the market and combined both artificial intelligence with 3D integrated sensors for an optimum hearing experience and unique health and body tracking.
2020 Hearing Aids - New hearing aid platforms, natural sound and new microphone placement
Along with other exciting new launches of 2020, both the Starkey AI and Signia Connect were then again revamped to introduce innovative models and platforms with the Livio Edge AI and Signia X being an upgrade for most of the older Nx models with the Xperience technology.
Widex brought the Moment hearing aid that changed the game of our sound experience by giving us the purest natural sound ever. Then there was Resound ONE with its unique microphone placement and Microphone & Receiver-in-Ear device design offering a real sense of space, sound and location.
There was also Phonak's Paradise hearing aid range, towards the end of 2020, with improved sound quality, increased functionality, universal connectivity and the ability to manage and personalise your hearing experience wherever you are - even on the go.
What to expect from 2021 hearing aids
So, what should we be expecting from 2021? We've seen a few new launches now, which have raised the bar in many categories over the last twelve months. It will interesting to see what else is in the bag for 2021.
There was talk in 2020 of a more successful Bluetooth technology, which was the advance needed to deal with some of the complaints surrounding Bluetooth within hearing aids. This wasn't just hearsay and it has shown to provide the digital answer to telecoils and loop systems - connecting hearing and Bluetooth devices to PA systems instantly and seamlessly. We believe this will only get more advanced, faster and streamlined in 2021.
2021 hearing aid news
We endeavour to write about the most recent hearing aid launches in the industry and all manufacturers we stock, as soon as the information is available to us. Watch this space for updates of new hearing aids for 2021 and beyond!
#1 
The Oticon More Hearing Aid Range - 13th January 2021
This range the first to launch in 2021 as an innovative digital hearing aid that has been created to support how your brain works naturally, advancing on their already successful BrainHearing technology philosophy, combining the Deep Neural Network and the new Polaris platform. Connect to your smartphone via seamless Bluetooth technology and recharge while you sleep - you also get the full soundscape with Oticon More.
Oticon More Hearing Aids >> View Now
#2 
The Bernafon Alpha Hearing Aid Range - 27th January 2021
Coming soon! In the meantime, take a look at the pre-launch article here
Quick reference to new hearing aid launches 2020/ 2021
- Phonak Audeo Paradise >> View Range
- Resound ONE >> View Range
- Signia X Platform now available in Silk, Styletto, Styletto Connect, Pure etc >> View Range
- Auioservice G6 Platform >> View Range
- Widex Moment >> View Range
- Unitron Discover Next >> View Range
- Starkey Livio Edge AI >> View Range
- Oticon More >> View Range
Watch this space for new hearing aid launches of 2021
2020 / 2021 Best Hearing Aid Reviews
Our Top 5 Hearing Aids for 2020 / 2021
You might be thinking if it is worth upgrading your hearing aids yet, but it all depends on what you buy. 2020 brought some significant advances in hearing aid technology, other hearing aid makes have barely improved in years. Here is a breakdown so we can help you know which is which and what we think are the top five best digital hearing aids of 2020 / 2021.
Customer Note
This article was written in early 2020 and there have been a variety of new aids released since. We are currently evaluating the new arrivals and we will produce an updated top five once the hearing aids have been out longer and fully evaluated.
Winner - Oticon Opn S1
For 2017 and 2018, the predecessor of this aid, the Oticon Opn1 was considered by many to be the best hearing aid on the market. In March 2019 they brought out the next generation, the Oticon Opn S1. It's even better.
Improvements over the original Opn1
- Better hearing in background noise.
- More natural sound, easier to pick up speech.
- Feedback canceller is amazing, completely stops feedback.
- Decent integrated rechargeable battery
Any reasons not to buy?
- No custom in-ear options (however, the original Opn1 does have).
- Rechargeable option is expensive.
In our opinion, Oticon's Opn S1 gives you one of the most powerful platforms on the market. With an upgrade OpenSound Navigator and its impressive processing speed – we predict this hearing aid will be hard to beat.
Second Place - Starkey Livio Edge i2400 AI
Starkey Livio Edge 2400 AI wins second place for pure innovation and for providing great product support and improvements since the Livio launched. The 2020 Livio Edge model is the only hearing aid to feature the only rechargeable custom made hearing aid - the ITE/ITC and a variety of other sensors and functions from foreign language translators to heart rate monitors.
As of November 2019, they have added more Bluetooth options for all smartphone users, especially Android. Plus new for 2020, both the AI and latest Edge AI models are available in all technical specifications.
So, what's good?
- Big improvement over the previous Starkey IQ range.
- As with the winner, the OpnS1 the sound quality and background noise reduction are excellent, if not quite as good as the Oticon.
- Good customer care, repairs to hearing aids are normally turned around very quickly.
- New ITE model that is both stylish and rechargeable.
Why not to buy? The AI model is a lot more expensive, make sure you will get good use out of the extra features.
Third Place - Signia Silk 7X
The new Signia Silk 7X model is still a "modular CIC", meaning a completely in the canal hearing aid, very hard to see on most people and includes the new Xperience platform. It does not need to be custom made to the shape of the ear and does not block the ear canal in the same way either.
The beauty of this hearing aid is really down to the great design which allows those who require an open fitting to still wear a CIC. You might have been told that you can't wear an in-ear hearing aid. The good news here is that you might be able to wear this one.
So, what's good?
- Same great quality processing as you get in the behind the ear Signia 7X hearing aids.
- They have a CROS system in both BTE and now ITE, with the new Silk X model. People with this type of hearing loss cannot usually get discreet in-ear aids.
- Comfortable and open fitting CIC.
Why not to buy? This hearing aid isn't suitable for everybody, please contact us as we would need to check your ear canal shape.
Notable Runner Up - Widex Evoke 440 Passion
Nobody wants style over substance, but style over features that you don't need? That seems like a fair trade. The Widex Evoke is a great aid and the main form factor, the "Fusion2" has all of the features of Evoke 440 - Bluetooth, machine learning, rechargeable option. However, if you don't need these then the much smaller "Passion" shape is a good pick.
So, what's good?
- Smallest RIC and most realistic hearing experience on the market.
- Arguably the most attractive RIC on the market.
- Has most of the features of the Moment range including a very natural sound quality.
Why not to buy? Widex have upgraded their Bluetooth in Moment, but if you want Bluetooth and don't like changing the battery every four days (on average).
Notable Runner Up - Phonak Marvel M90 2.0
The Phonak Marvel M90 has been a popular aid since they first launched in 2018, however, there have always been missing features that have caused consternation. Now they have essentially re-launched the Marvel as Marvel 2.0 and added these missing features in.
So, what's good?
- All original Marvel aids can be upgraded for free, simply take it to your audiologist and they will do a "firmware upgrade" which will change it to the Marvel 2.0.
- They can now be paired to two Bluetooth devices which fixes the problem of having to re-pair the aids every time you wanted to use a second device.
- They now have Roger compatibility - Roger is a system of accessories mainly aimed at those with severe losses.
Why not to buy?
Core processing has still not been improved. Same processing and noise reduction systems that they have been using since 2015 mean that for people with high requirements Phonak have been eclipsed by better aids with more current technology.
Affordable Hearing Aids 2020 / 2021
We also thought it might be beneficial to list a few hearing aid devices that we consider to be good value for money. Here is our top pick for the most recent affordable hearing aid of 2020 / 2021 and below the best hearing aids under 1.2K (for a pair).
Winner - Oticon Ruby 1
Oticon extended its 'essential' range with the launch of Ruby. A Behind-the-Ear hearing aid that raised the standards of the essential hearing aid category in the industry. Oticon Ruby provides great sound quality that's historically not seen in essential hearing aids of the past. Along with Oticon's Siya In-the-Ear styles - there is a wide product range that is both reliable and affordable.
Affordable Hearing Aids of 2020/2021
3 Best Hearing Aids Under 1.2K (for a pair)
This hearing aid has a Channelfree system, which means it is the best core technology for this price point.
This hearing aid is old technology now, but still good value for basic aid.
Another hearing aid with old technology and therefore set at a reduced price, but far better than the older North 500. The main difference between this and the new Discover range is only the rechargeable battery.
Read Next
2021 hearing aids and technology >> Read Now
Bluetooth hearing aids >> Read Now
Rechargeable hearing aids >> Read Now
Hearing aid brands >> Read Now
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New
When we refer to a product as 'New', we mean that the product is new to the market.
When we refer to a product as 'Superseded', we mean that there is a newer range available which replaces and improves on this product.
Older Model
When we refer to a product as an 'Older Model', we mean that it is has been superseded by at least two more recent hearing aid ranges.