Like Free Willy 2 and Cinderally 2, the BT-Omni 2 is a follow-up on a previously popular version. The BT-Omni hearing aid gave people a chance to stream audio straight to their hearing aids for a price that was unheard of (sorry) by then. Much unlike the two movie sequels, I’m willing to wager that the BT-Omni 2 is an improvement over its predecessor. Technology usually doesn’t get worse with newer versions.
The BT-Omni 2 was chosen as the best budget model for the best smart hearing aids in 2023.
In this review for the BT-Omni 2, I’ll discuss the key features, general performance, downsides, and alternatives for this hearing aid. I’ll also compare it to the original Omni, before you giving a final buying recommendation. If you just can’t wait to find out the verdict, I’ve prepared you a visual 30-second summary at the bottom of this review.
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Key features
The BT-Omni 2 is a hearing aid that looks like a typical pair of earbuds. The rechargeable pair comes in a charging case, and simply sits in your ear canal – although it doesn’t quite disappear. You connect the Omni 2 to your phone, where you can go through an automated setup, and control the hearing settings at any moment.
This Bluetooth connection also allows you to stream audio from your phone to your hearing aids. This means you can listen to music or take phone calls straight into your ear. All those features combined means the Omni 2 is an all-round smart hearing aid for a good price.
Who is this hearing amplifier for?
Although I’m seeing some rapid developments in streaming hearing aids, battery life is an issue across the board. The BT-Omni 2 has a great battery life for streaming, giving you 7 hours of usage. If you’re not streaming, you’ve got 8 hours. That’s not an impressive number, so I’d recommend this hearing aid especially if other streaming hearing aids don’t give you enough streaming time or as a second pair if you normally wear your hearing aids full-time (but they don’t have the audio streaming option).
How well do the BT-Omni 2 work?
Now, the BT-Omni is not the world’s best over the counter hearing aid. But it has the standard features we’ve come to expect. There are four different listening programs to choose from, and it has some user-friendly features, such as a physical button to control the hearing aid and an in-the-ear sensor that eliminates feedback while you’re putting it in.
Other than that, the company offers good support. There’s a 45-day money back guarantee and the standard one year manufacturer’s warranty.
What’s not to like about the BT-Omni 2?
As with every streaming hearing aid, battery life still is an issue. If you’re not streaming, you get 8 hours of usage per hearing aid, which is well below PAR, even if the streaming time of 7 hours is well above average. A full charge takes three hours, which is not terrible, but longer than average and rather long in comparison to the battery usage itself.
Alternatives for the BT-Omni 2
The BT-Omni 2 falls in a category of medium-tier OTC hearing aids with some extra features. This means you’re not expecting top-shelf hearing aids or a deeply discounted model, but a middle-of-the-range price that gives you a good performance with some extra features. Arguably the best model with the same characteristics and key features is the Go Hearing Ultra, but it’s also around $150 more.
In a higher price category, there’s the Olive SmartEar Plus or the Jabra Enhance (with the first one as my recommendation).
If you want more hearing aid functionality for the same price, you’ll have to forego the streaming function. This would give you more alternatives, like the MDHearing AIR, Neosonic B20, and Otofonix Sona. If you’re simply looking for the best OTC hearing aids, count on at least doubling your budget.
Differences between the BT-Omni 1 and BT-Omni 2
Another alternative could be the BT-Omni Pair, the original model. Compared to this newer model, it saves you $50, while it has many of the same features. There are some differences to consider, though. The upgrades in the BT-Omni 2 don’t just give you more battery time, but also improved sound quality with advanced filters.
There are also some small technical upgrades that make the Omni 2 more user-friendly. The in-ear sensor disables the hearing aid until you’ve put it in, so you’re not suffering through whistling in the meantime. It also offers a physical button, which is easier to use for most people. Those are considerable upgrades for just $50.
Should you buy the BT-Omni 2?
It depends. If you’re one of 41 million people that need a hearing aid, I’d personally go for a bona fide hearing aid. In the end, the BT-Omni 2 leans very heavily on the streaming feature, which might mean you’re missing out on the regular benefits of a hearing aid after your 8 hours of battery usage are up. That being said, if you know you’ll use the streaming feature or you’ve got a basic pair of hearing aids as a back-up, the BT-Omni offers good value for money.
Frequently asked questions about the BT-Omni 2
Right now, this hearing aid costs around $350 on the company website. There’s an installment plan for qualified buyers through ShopPay.
Not really. It comes with everything you need to wear it out of the box, and you can order extra domes on the website.
The company offers (and honors) a 45-day money back guarantee. It also has the standard 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
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