DISCONTINUED HEARING AID
Update: This hearing aid range has now been discontinued and is classed as old technology. View more recent Widex hearing aids here
The Widex Dream was the 2015 range from Widex, it included the Dream 440, Dream 330, Dream 220 and Dream 110. Later on, they produced some "budget" aids on this platform called the Unique 100 and Unique 50, also sometimes called the Daily 100 and Daily 50. This hearing aid superseded the Widex Dream.
The Widex Unique was one of the least well-received products in memory, most of our audiologists stopped dispensing these aids due to a variety of technical issues, mainly to do with feedback and reliability issues. Please read our audiologist's review on this range below for confirmation.
Thankfully in 2018 Widex turned their fortunes around with the release of the Widex Evoke range which are a popular and reliable hearing aid with a nice sound quality and some really good features.
Styles available in the Widex Unique hearing aid range:
“Hold on, why are these reviews by audiologists rather than customers” I hear you say.
The Widex Unique hearing aids were launched in October 2015. A great many of these aids have now been fitted by our audiologists, so they are in a good position to assess how they are performing so far. As part of our new reviewing strategy, we have polled our entire network of independent audiologists to find out what they thought.
We have collated the opinions of independent audiologists with no affiliation to any particular manufacturer. These audiologists dispense a wide variety of different hearing aids every day so they are in the best position to judge how the Widex Unique performs.
The audiologists were asked to rate on a scale of one to five stars, each of the four Unique models, the 440, 330, 220 and 110. Comparing them not to each other, but to the expectations, one should have about each particular aid when judged against other hearing aids in the market. They were also invited to write their opinions which we have included below.
Where an audiologist has mentioned other hearing aids by another manufacturer, we have blanked out that information. This is simply because we wanted a balanced review discussing the merits of Widex Unique rather than a forum for promoting one product over another.
Conclusion
Overall, to summarise the reviews below, we were disappointed to find that the Widex Unique range did not perform as well as we would have expected. The customer satisfaction ratings provided to the media by Widex do not seem to match the experience of audiologists “on the ground” so to speak. The main issues highlighted seem to be reliability and feedback (hearing aid whistling) problems.
The first client fitted – he struggled to hear in background noise and couldn’t hear TV well. He opted to return them to Widex and purchase different aids. Then we tried another client that was looking to upgrade, tried her with Widex Unique Fusion 440, she also struggled in the background, we then switched her to {different aids} within the 60 days and she seems much happier with the new ones.
We do have clients happily using the Unique, but we find it helps if they have the small remote to change program and volume settings, even on the Unique 440. Whereas with the {different hearing aid} we find there is less need for clients to use a remote as the automatic features are so good. The Widex so-called automatic features in my mind are just not as comprehensive. I also think that it’s about time they improved the look somewhat. Although the passion is a great little RIC, just with limited power levels. Also, we would always avoid Widex custom made, as they are never as neat as other manufacturers. On the plus side, the music program is very good and the accessories are nice and neat, with no need for wires and neck loops.
Overall most clients are happy. Widex do still have that ‘softer gentle’ sound and people love the small remote. When we fit Widex we tend to fit the 440 as there are far better mid-range aids for the price of the 330/220 from other manufacturers.
Source – Audiologist in the South East
Sorry didn’t reply earlier, I’m in Spain. I’ve fitted 5 Unique 440’s with no returns. I’m really impressed with the wireless CIC’s very small and great to be able to use the ComDex. The RC Dex is also small and useful. Plus Zen tones for tinnitus clients are great to have in such a small aid. Although I’m normally a {different manufacturer} fan I’ve since ordered 2 more pairs of Unique 440 CIC’s, the Compass software is easy to use and the programming options are useful. I hope this is helpful.
Source – Audiologist in the North West
From our perspective Widex is over-engineered and expensive to maintain and repair, often breaking down, domes coming off in people’s ears and with stupid kevlar receivers that are very uncomfortable to wear, other receivers that are sold in two parts etc.
Source – Audiologist in Yorkshire
I have had no luck with the Widex aids. The last 2 pairs, top of the range, were returned. I will avoid doing them unless I have to.
Source – Audiologist in East Anglia
My view of Widex aids is great sound but prone to feedback issues.
Source – Audiologist in Derbyshire
Their feedback technology is poor. This prevents me from fitting RICs to ski-slope losses. They are also expensive for what they are. I think other aids provide better value for money.
Source – Audiologist in Leicestershire
Only tried one pair of these and they were returned as the client reported they could hear better with their old hearing aids.
Source – Audiologist on the South coast
I have found the Widex to be an inferior product with the Unique 440 range not hitting the standards of other top of the range hearing instruments. Reliability has been an issue with them with the only pair of Unique 330 I ordered having a broken amplifier on delivery to me. They have also changed their domes without maintaining a stock of the old domes for those existing clients wishing to purchase them. This has led to customer dissatisfaction issues. I was also not afforded the chance to purchase a stock of domes to allow me to service my own customers. The new domes are a latex construction and those who suffer from allergic reactions to latex have not been considered.
Source – Audiologist in Lincolnshire
Unique 440 Passion – good, but expensive for parts ongoing and the Unique 440 ITE was faulty, to begin with (cutting out) but performance seems good upgrade from old Widex.
Source – Audiologist in London
I’ve fitted Unique 110 220 & 440. All clients are very happy and they perform better than Dream as would be expected.
Source – Audiologist in North Wales
I have tried to fit 4 pairs of 440 Widex aids without success. The Widex Unique RICS still have problems with feedback at anything more than a mild loss so the feedback manager cuts off the high-frequency response reducing clarity. The customers I have seen that have tried them have found no significant or any benefit over their old Widex aids. The Widex Unique 440 CICs with a remote control that I tried to fit were much bigger than the old Dream, Clear and Mind range due to the wireless transmitter.
The CIC aids stuck out into the concha. Widex said they couldn’t make them smaller due to the shielding needed for the other components from the larger wireless transmitter. Overall I would not recommend them to anyone. I would only fit them if they insist and they have used Widex before and even then I would not have much hope of a big improvement.
Source – Audiologist in South East
Do not spend hundreds of pounds without getting a second opinion from us.
When we refer to a product as 'Latest Launch', we mean it is the latest to be released on the market.
When we refer to a product as 'New', we mean that the product is the newest hearing aid model on 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.
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.