Digital hearing amplifiers have always shared similarities in design. These little hearing aids are made to be as small as possible, and colored to match a (surprisingly small and selective) range of skin tones. The Britzgo 220 breaks with these traditions and comes in the color blue.
That’s right. Blue. I’m pretty sure that matches absolutely no one’s skin color, and it stands out, too. Which should be applauded. Hearing amplifiers are like reading glasses for your ears. Just as your eyesight gets less with age, you will inevitably find your range of hearing decline over time. So why should glasses be a fashion statement and hearing amplifiers be tucked away?
But the Britzgo digital hearing amplifier promises to be more than eye-catching. If we believe the flashy marketing phrases that accompany this hearing amplifier, you get a fully functional and fashionable hearing amplifier for a great price.
In this review, we will take a critical look at those promises. We’ll see how well the Britzgo works, what its downsides are, and who should and should not buy the Britzgo. As always, we have included a visual 30-second review at the bottom of this post.
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Key features of the Britzgo 220
Aside from the color, the Britzgo stands out in two ways. First, it’s ambidextrous, meaning you can use this hearing amplifier in either the right or left ear. By swivelling the hearing tube, you can effortly switch ears.
More impressive than the flexibility, however, is the Britzgo’s battery life. Because of the relatively large battery compartment, you can use the Britzgo up to 500 (!) hours with a single battery – an impressive length of time.
“ ”Who is the Britzgo for?
Another key feature of the Britzgo is its price, which makes it attractive for first-time buyers of a hearing aid or hearing amplifier, or people looking for a steal. The ease of use and straightforward application make the Britzgo 220 a great choice for people who pick wearing a hearing device over turning up the volume of the TV. Being able to wear the amplifier in either ear and the battery life also make this a very economical option.
Additionally, the Britzgo is a fashion statement. Instead of hiding behind your ear, the blue (and sizable) hearing amplifier is on display. If you’re looking to make a statement with your hearing amplifier, the Britzgo 220 is the perfect choice (although other models from Britzgo come in the same color).
How well does the Britzgo 220 work?
As a hearing amplifier, it works well. The 36 dB max gain isn’t impressive, but will go a long way in most situations. There are four different frequencies you can select by pressing a button. Other buttons control volume and tone.
The Britzgo is designed to work with you in everything you do. It can withstand sweat and will continue to work when you’re out and about, partly due to its durable design. The digital circuitry that is advertised by the manufacturer is the minimum standard for any hearing aid these days, and does not add to the functionality of the device.
What’s not to like about the Britzgo 220?
With such an attractive price and full range of features, something’s gotta give. The main downside to the Britzgo 220 is that it’s not a ‘smart’ hearing amplifier. More expensive models will filter loud noises and background sounds, but with this hearing amplifier, every sound is amplified. That really limits the use of a hearing amplifier, as wearing it outside can get frustrating fast.
Another source of frustration is that there is no feedback available for switching between frequency options. You can find yourself adjusting to a situation by trial and error, and constantly adjusting when the situation changes, too.
Hearing amplifiers that are good alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives for the Britzgo, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that smarter hearing amplifiers (with better filtering options) will always cost a bit more than this model. The good news is that you can still get such an amplifier for a decent price (even under $100). The most affordable option is the Banglijian BLJ-109.
For a more complete hearing amplifier, you should consider the LAIWEN LP-01. This little device gives you a great audio quality and advanced features, but comes at a wildly attractive price point.
If you know you’re only going to use a hearing amplifier for watching TV or listening to music in the comfort of your living room, don’t worry about finding an alternative. In these situations, the Britzgo is an excellent device for a great price.
Should you buy the Britzgo 220 Hearing Amplifier?
In all fairness, probably not. The Britzgo can be a great option if you plan to use it in a situation that doesn’t change. Many people suffering from (early) hearing loss want to listen to music or better hear the TV without bothering others. For those purposes, the Britzgo 220 is a steal and works like a charm.
In daily life, the Britzgo will fall short. Simply amplifying all sounds equally doesn’t reflect the complexities of hearing. Healthy ears automatically filter out background noises, and good hearing amplifiers mimic this – the Britzgo 220 does not. Background noise thus becomes louder background noise. The manual settings on the device can help you better adjust to a specific situation, but in a dynamic environment you will find yourself distracted by continually adjusting the settings.
I want to add a little disclaimer to ward off any potential angry letters. The Britzgo 220 is a bestselling hearing amplifier on Amazon and has great reviews. If that seems at odds with the above review, please remember that hearing amplifiers are a terrible product to buy based on reviews – users with hearing loss will review positively because they can hear more, not because they bought the best possible device that fits their needs. You can only spend a dollar once, and there’s a good chance your dollars are better spent elsewhere.
