Hearing aids get better and better. A few years ago, personal amplifiers were a shadow of the prescription hearing aids they tried to impress, but that gap has quickly shrunk. One of the fancy features you find across the board is the ability to control your hearing amplifier with your smartphone: so-called Bluetooth hearing amplifiers or hearing aids.
These Bluetooth hearing aids allow you to not only change your listening experience once they’re set up, but they also help you adjust your amplifiers in the first place. Especially advanced models such as the Eargo, Neosonic, and Otofonix all have self-fitting properties, which means you adjust your hearing amplifier to your listening needs.
If that sounds great, it is. Self-fitting hearing aids with Bluetooth are a step closer to prescription hearing aids, but don’t require a visit to the audiologist every time you’d like an adjustment (they’re not a replacement for prescription hearing aids). This saves you money, time, and the hassle of working around someone else’s schedule.
Below, we will go through the best hearing amplifiers with bluetooth currently available. I’ll discuss each model briefly (there are full reviews available for each model) and give you the pros and cons of each hearing aid.
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ZVOX VB20
The ZVOX VB20 was the first hearing amplifier I know of that offered Bluetooth functionality. Amazingly enough, it offers a lot more, too. In fact, it’s still one of my favorite amplifiers: with dual microphones, a great sound quality, and made in America. Even still, it’s the most affordable classic amplifier in this list. That price also comes at a ‘cost’, because the ZVOX VB20 is the only Bluetooth-controlled hearing amplifier that doesn’t have self-fitting characteristics (that let you adjust your listening experience.to fit your needs).
Read the entire review for the ZVOX VB20 here, or check out the device on Amazon.
Neosonic MX
The Neosonic is a newer generation hearing amplifier. Together with its twin, the Otofonix Sona, it features great sound technology on every level, dual microphones, a rechargeable battery and an app on your smartphone that allows you to first set your device and then adjust it when you want. You can only buy the Neosonic MX as a pair, which sleeps in a sleek charging station.
For more information, read the complete review for the Neosonic MX or visit the Neosonic website.
Otofonix Sona
Did I mention the Otofonix Sona is the Neosonic’s twin? Because it is. Guess what: it comes in a pair, has a sleek charging base that charges the batteries. Each device has a dual microphone, and great sound technology. You can also use Bluetooth with this hearing aid to adjust the Otofonix to your needs and switch listening programs once it is set up.
Want more information? You can find the review for the Otofonix Sona here, or visit the website.
Eargo NEO
Speaking of next generation hearing aids: the Eargo NEO was one of the first kids of the blocks with all the fancy features mentioned above. In the full review for the Eargo NEO, I say that this is the first hearing amplifier that fills the gap between over-the-counter hearing aids and prescription ones. It features Bluetooth with self-fitting technology, but also gives you great support and a tiny device that disappears in your ear.
If you’d like to learn more about the Eargo NEO, click here to find the review. You can buy the Eargo on Amazon.
Neosonic NW10
The Neosonic NW10 doesn’t really belong here. It technically does, because yes, it is a Bluetooth hearing amplifier. But it’s a bit different. It doesn’t wrap around your ear or disappear inside it. It’s essentially a techy necklace. And the Bluetooth doesn’t connect to your phone, but to the remote microphone. This allows you to place the microphone anywhere around, and receive the sound straight into your ear. Sounds fancy? It is, but it’s also a bit different.
To find out every detail, read the review of the Neosonic NW10 or get it on Amazon.
Conclusion – What is the best Bluetooth hearing amplifier?
The best Bluetooth hearing amplifier is the Neosonic MX. Yes, the Eargo NEO might technically be better, but their warranty conditions really spoil the fun (read more in the Eargo NEO review). And yes, the Otofonix Sona is exactly the same, but it will cost you $50 more than the Neosonic MX – and I’m all about keeping money in your pocket. So, there it is: the best Bluetooth hearing amplifier is the Neosonic MX. Get it here.