With the introduction of over the counter hearing aids, models are improving rapidly. Smart features are slowly becoming standard options in most of the higher-end models under $1,000. There are a lot of different ways to classify smart hearing aids, but in this article, I’ll compare five models that have the three ‘standard’ smart features.
Each model allows you to control your hearing aids from your smartphone, they have an automated set up that customizes sound to your needs, and they allow you to stream phone calls and other audio from your phone to your hearing aids. One model has even more features, but you’ll have to wait until the last one to find out what that is.
As I like to do in my overview of best hearing aids, I’ve assigned different subcategories. Think of it as the Oscars. In total, there are five categories:
- Best overall smart hearing aid
- Best value for money
- Best option for music
- Best budget smart hearing aid
- Best CIC smart hearing aid
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Best overall smart hearing aid: Lexie B2 Bose
This might not be surprising: the best hearing aid for 2023 is also the best smart hearing aid. It’s a simple conclusion, really. It has the three features it needs to have, and is an amazing hearing aid with great support. The only drawback is that as of now, streaming works on iPhones only – not on Android phones.
Read the entire Lexie B2 review here.
Best value for money: Go Ultra
The Go Ultra comes from the same mother company as the Lexie, but it’s half the price. There are reasons for that: the support isn’t as great, and overall, the hearing aid doesn’t have the same appeal as the Lexie. Nevertheless, it offers excellent value for money, and the three distinctive characteristics of a smart hearing aid.
Read the entire Go Ultra hearing aid review here.
Best option for music: SmartEar Plus
The SmartEar Plus is the first in this list that doesn’t look like a conventional hearing aid. Instead, it looks like a normal personal pair of fancy headphones. That’s not a coincidence, because the SmartEar Plus targets people who want a smart hearing aid that excels in streaming music. It’s why the SmartEar Plus is the best hearing aid for listening to music.
Read the entire SmartEar Plus review here.
Best budget smart hearing aid: Omni-BT 2
The Omni-BT 2 is the newer model of one of the first streaming models that I knew of. This newer model has some upgrades, all the same features as the other models on this list, and still costs about 40% less than the Go Hearing Ultra. It doesn’t rival the others when it comes to pure hearing aid performance, but it’s a good budget option.
Read the entire BT-Omni 2 review here.
Best CIC smart hearing aid: Sony CRE-C10
Just as the SmartEar Plus and Omni-BT 2 don’t look like conventional hearing aids, the Sony CRE-C10 is a third kind of model (read about the different types in my hearing aid buyer’s guide).
This nifty devices disappear in your ear canal. It has the same three features as the other best smart hearing aids in this list, but also automatically changes the sound settings based on your environment.
Read the entire Sony CRE-C10 review here.
Best Smart Hearing Aid: Conclusion
Which smart hearing aid is best for you, depends on what you’re looking for. Each of these five models is the best in its own category, and worth getting. Read the whole review for each model to learn more about the different best smart hearing aids.
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