The 3 Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss (Audiologist Reviewed)

Overview

Cost: $3,000 to $6,000 for a pair

Phonak has been a leader in power hearing aids for many years. It’s often a choice for pediatric patients with profound hearing loss. Even more impressive is its array of accessories that are compatible with hearing aids for people with severe to profound hearing loss.

Phonak’s Naída Paradise delivers rich sound to people with moderate to profound hearing loss. With the myPhonak app, you can control your hearing aids from your smartphone and even stream audio from your phone to your hearing aids.

Naída Marvel hearing aids are compatible with Roger accessories. Roger products are accessories that allow you to participate more easily in multiple-talker conversations. There are three styles of Roger. The Roger Pen can be held by the listener and be discreetly pointed at whichever person is speaking, allowing you to control and quickly switch focus among speakers. The Roger Select and Roger Table Mic II are disc-shaped mics designed to sit in the middle of a table and facilitate participation in group conversations. The mic itself chooses which speaker to focus on and automatically switches the direction of focus when the speaker changes, which means you can get the benefit of a multi-talker conversation hands-free.

Phonak hearing aids must be purchased from a hearing care specialist, so the price will vary depending on which one you visit. Naída Paradise devices, however, will likely run you about $3,000 per pair for entry-level technology and $6,000 for high-end technology. Phonak also offers a one- to three-year limited warranty on all its devices. Most retailers also offer a 45-day trial period. It’s best to confirm the exact warranty and trial period prior to purchase.

Overview

Cost: $3,000 to $6,000 for a pair

Oticon offers a variety of hearing aid models suited for people of all ages and all types of hearing loss, from mild to severe. What impressed us most about Oticon, however, was the great sound quality and feedback (whistling) management in its power hearing aids.

Oticon bills its Xceed device as the world’s most powerful hearing aid, and it’s plain to see why. The Xceed sound processing focuses on allowing you to hear all the noises around you for a true-to-life hearing experience. With its proprietary OpenSound Optimizer, the Xceed also prevents whistling and static. That allows you to focus on the sounds that matter most to you, whether it’s a conversation with loved ones or a song on the radio.

The cost for Oticon’s Xceed will vary based upon the retailer, but a pair will likely cost you somewhere between $3,000 and $6,000. With any of its devices, most providers offer a 30- to 45-day risk-free trial, during which you can return your device for a full refund. There are also various yearlong warranties available, depending upon which device you choose and the retailer from which you purchase it.

The Oticon Xceed is great for anyone with severe to profound hearing loss. For more plugged-in users, the Xceed can be paired with iPhones without any additional accessories, and it can be paired to any smartphone for hands-free streaming and talking.

Overview

Cost: $3,000 to $5,000 for a pair

ReSound hearing aids are centered around the idea of replicating natural sounds for their users. For people with mild to profound hearing loss, the company offers expertly designed behind-the-ear models that amplify into whatever audible range you need. ReSound was the first company to offer direct-from-iPhone streaming in its hearing aids, and it excels at it.

ReSound’s most advanced model, the Enzo Q, is made specifically for people with severe to profound hearing loss. The hearing aid provides direct-from-iPhone streaming, which can be a lifesaver for patients struggling with hearing on the phone. The Enzo 3D also has great background-noise reduction so you can focus on what matters most.

There are three technology levels with ReSound’s Enzo Q, all of which come at different price points. Expect to pay a minimum of $3,000 for a pair of the hearing aids. Warranties and returns will vary depending on the retailer, but most ReSound products include a trial period after purchase. All ReSound hearing aids also will be covered under a warranty of one to four years, depending on the model.

>>>Read more: The Best iPhones for Seniors

ReSound hearing aids are ideal for iPhone users, individuals who already have or may get a Med-El cochlear implant, and people who have tried other solutions for severe to profound hearing loss and have been dissatisfied by the audio quality. ReSound hearing aids offer great streaming connectivity and natural sound quality.