The Otofonix Groove is Otofonix' latest hearing aid model, combining their two other new models: the Otofonix Helix and the Otofonix Sona. With those combinations, the Otofonix Groove offers a rechargeable pair of hearing aids that you control from your smartphone. This means you … [Read more...] about Otofonix Groove Hearing Aids Review
dual microphones
Dual Microphones in Hearing Aids
Dual microphones in hearing aids (also called directional microphones) are getting more and more common. With technological developments and the quality increase behind non-prescription hearing aids, most good over the counter hearing aids also feature dual microphones. These microphones are the parts of the hearing aid that capture the sound, the same way your ears are naturally made to capture sound.
Advantages of dual microphones
Maybe it seems like an arbitrary feature, but a hearing aid with two microphones offers several benefits. Adding an extra microphone offers more depth to the sound. Because the two different microphones also face different directions, it helps to focus the location of the sound.
This means when you’re having a conversation, the hearing aid can focus on the person in front of you, while using the other incoming sound to know what to filter out. In short, this translates to three main different benefits of dual microphones in hearing aids:
- Improved speech clarity: as I mentioned, filtering out background noise helps to enhance the speech you want to hear. Good hearing aids don’t just amplify sound, but they mimic the way your brain processes sound, eliminating unwanted noise, and focusing on what you want to hear. This advantage is clearest in noisier environments like a restaurant.
- Better noise reduction: closely related to the last point, but the enhanced noise reduction from dual microphones helps from getting overwhelmed in general. Especially when you’re getting used to wearing a hearing aid, all the ‘new’ sounds can feel overwhelming. Good noise reduction helps you adjust to your new hearing.
- Directional hearing: hearing aids that would simply amplify sounds (and some do), can be disorienting. Knowing where a sound comes from, helps you be more aware of your environment. This is also how your brain was made to process sound, and how it naturally filters out background noise when you’re having a conversation.
Hearing Aid Models with Dual Microphones
Newer over the counter hearing aids have no reason to offer a single microphone. The technology isn’t crazy expensive anymore, and offers a lot of benefits. Below, I list three different hearing aids that offer dual microphones.
The Lexie B2 Bose is the new industry standard. It offers most hearing aid features in one package, including directional microphones. The B2 Bose is the best hearing aid in 2023, and offers a great hearing aid coupled with exceptional service.
Like the Lexie, the MDHearing VOLT MAX is a great allround hearing aid. Its slightly lower price made it the best value for money hearing aid in 2023. With a travel case, dual microphones, and several smart options, the MDHearing VOLT MAX combines most important features in hearing aids for less than $800.
The Neosonic B10 is a rechargeable hearing aid with a travel case. It has a 50 dB max gain and is a good choice for people looking for a little extra power. The sound quality is excellent with 6 channels and 12 frequency bands. It has three listening modes and volume control. The B10 won the "Best Budget Model" award in the best hearing aids for 2022.
Otofonix Helix Hearing Aid Review
To people regularly browsing the internet for hearing a often aids (that’d be me), the Otofonix Helix looks quite familiar. The setup of a pair of BTE hearing aids with a sleek charging base had a brief popularity, before the rechargeable travel case because the norm. Although … [Read more...] about Otofonix Helix Hearing Aid Review
MDHearing VOLT MAX Hearing Aid Review
The MDHearing VOLT MAX is a promising hearing aid. Let me explain. In the last few years, hearing aid companies have introduced different technologies. There are smart hearing aids that allow you to control your hearing aids with a smartphone app. Then you’ve got self-fitting … [Read more...] about MDHearing VOLT MAX Hearing Aid Review
Lexie Lumen Hearing Aid Review
Few hearing aids look more promising than the Lexie Lumen hearing aids. Its long list of features seems to stuff everything in these small hearing aids - and it comes in a range of colors, too. Naturally, we need to review the Lexie Lumen to see how these promises hold up. Below, … [Read more...] about Lexie Lumen Hearing Aid Review
Fisdemosonic Fort Pro Hearing Aid Review
The name for the Fisdemosonic Fort Pro hearing aid is quite the mouthful. It’s not the first hearing aid with a funny name - as ZVOX and Banglijian will tell you. The Fort Pro is this company’s most important model, and the premium version of the normal Fort. In this … [Read more...] about Fisdemosonic Fort Pro Hearing Aid Review