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@Ross61: Thanks, however I am convinced that there are many here who are more qualified than I am!
What struck me was that my hearing aid specialist was absolutely right when she recommended that I try out (as many) different devices (as possible). From my own experience, I can only emphatically endorse this recommendation! I ultimately limited myself to the two brands that she sells (Oticon and Widex), and I can only repeat myself: the differences were significant!
With its “Brain Hearing Technology,” Oticon seems to be pursuing a fundamentally different approach than other manufacturers. I can't say exactly how it works. But as I understand it, the other manufacturers boost all frequencies more or less linearly, while Oticon lets the brain of the hearing aid wearer decide what it wants to hear (better?). Incidentally, this has the added benefit of challenging the brain more, which at least is supposed to counteract any dementia (?).
Whatever the case, it works! In any case, the sound quality of the Oticon devices was not only better (i.e., more intelligible), but *for me* (!) more “natural,” however, as I said, everyone may judge this differently subjectively. In addition, the Widex devices caused a painful pressure point on my left ear due to their shape. So it's not just the function that matters, but also the shape.
Which brings me back to my key message above: test, test, and test again! And once you've decided on a device: optimize it until it's exactly how you want it!
The results are absolutely worth it!
What struck me was that my hearing aid specialist was absolutely right when she recommended that I try out (as many) different devices (as possible). From my own experience, I can only emphatically endorse this recommendation! I ultimately limited myself to the two brands that she sells (Oticon and Widex), and I can only repeat myself: the differences were significant!
With its “Brain Hearing Technology,” Oticon seems to be pursuing a fundamentally different approach than other manufacturers. I can't say exactly how it works. But as I understand it, the other manufacturers boost all frequencies more or less linearly, while Oticon lets the brain of the hearing aid wearer decide what it wants to hear (better?). Incidentally, this has the added benefit of challenging the brain more, which at least is supposed to counteract any dementia (?).
Whatever the case, it works! In any case, the sound quality of the Oticon devices was not only better (i.e., more intelligible), but *for me* (!) more “natural,” however, as I said, everyone may judge this differently subjectively. In addition, the Widex devices caused a painful pressure point on my left ear due to their shape. So it's not just the function that matters, but also the shape.
Which brings me back to my key message above: test, test, and test again! And once you've decided on a device: optimize it until it's exactly how you want it!
The results are absolutely worth it!
