Hearing amplifiers come in different styles, types and configurations. One of the distinguishing features of hearing amplifiers is their power, or their decibel (dB) peak gain. Different amplifiers help in different stages of hearing loss, and advanced stages of hearing loss often require more power. In this article, we’ll list the most powerful hearing amplifiers. These amplifiers are specifically made for people with severe hearing loss.
Before we get to the actual list of most powerful hearing amplifiers, I want to give two notes on power and volume in hearing amplifiers. First, most hearing amplifiers work best when their volume isn’t used at the maximum level. For some reason, manufacturers like to stretch the capacity of their devices. Putting your amplifier on full volume increases the chance of whistling and sometimes decreases sound quality. This is especially common in lower-priced models, but in general, most amplifiers do better at a volume level below the maximum.
Secondly, power isn’t everything. How well you can hear depends just as much on the quality of the sound and the degree of background noise filtering. Compare it with using headphones on a plane. I buy my kids the cheapest possible headphones, because they will inevitably lose them within a week. With these cheap headphones, they need a higher volume to drown out the noise of the plane than if they’d be using noise-cancelling headphones.
With those things taken into consideration, let’s take a look at four of the most powerful hearing amplifiers on the market right now. I’ll keep expanding this list as I find more fitting amplifiers or over-the-counter hearing aids.
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Otofonix Encore
The Otofonix Encore is still one of the most complete and powerful hearing amplifiers available. It features all the bells and whistles you could find in a hearing amplifier: advanced noise reduction, dual microphones, and a telecoil function.
A year or two ago, the Otofonix Encore was king of the hearing amplifier hill. While this is no longer true, it’s still a great choice with great extras. Aside from the sound quality, there are two different configurations with the Encore: the standard configuration and using an ear hook. The latter one gives you a peak gain of 53 dB, while the standard configuration offers 42 dB.
Last I checked, the Otofonix Encore was also reduced in price to reflect the increasing competition.
Read the complete review for the Otofonix Encore
View the Encore on the Otofonix website
TKING with tinnitus masker
With a name like that, the TKING with tinnitus masker leaves very little to say about it. This CIC model features a tinnitus masker aside from the promised 85 dB peak gain – a suspiciously high number. The tinnitus masker helps combat the ringing sound in your ear that often accompanies hearing loss. It also offers three other hearing programs and volume control.
Read the complete review for the TKING with tinnitus masker
View this TKING model on Amazon
Banglijian Ziv 206 or Ziv-201P
The Banglijian Ziv-206 and Ziv-201P are technically different hearing amplifiers, but in practice the difference isn’t that great. The Banglijian Ziv-206 is newer, features different volume buttons, and usually costs around $20 more.
Both amplifiers offer a good 53 dB peak gain, a good sound quality, and a rechargeable battery. On top of that, Banglijian customer service is quick to help and responsive.
Read the complete review for the Banglijian Ziv-206
Read the complete review for the Banglijian Ziv-201P
View on Amazon: Banglijian Ziv-206 or Banglijian Ziv-201P
Neosonic MX
The Neosonic MX marks a new generation of BTE hearing amplifiers. This pair comes with a sleek charging base, offers a sound quality that competes with higher-priced models, and has no real downsides. More impressively, the 50 dB peak gain stands out among similarly-priced models and makes the Neosonic MX one of the most powerful hearing amplifiers available on the market.
Read the complete review for the Neosonic MX
View the Neosonic MX on the company website