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Otofonix Review

Friday, March 24th

2023 Hearing Aid Reviews

Otofonix Review 3.5 Star Rating

Otofonix

3.5 Star Rating
  • Cost: From $355-$955 per pair
  • 6 styles of hearing aids
  • 45-day return policy
  • 1-year warranty
  • Financing plans available
  • Free lifetime customer care via phone
  • Free delivery
  • "A" rated by the BBB

Otofonix was co-created by a retired ENT who wanted to help people who needed hearing aids - but who couldn't afford to spend thousands of dollars to buy them. The company is based in North Carolina and is "A" rated by the Better Business Bureau.

Site is not easy to navigate

At the time of our most recent visit to the Otofonix site, there were six styles of hearing aids to choose from. However, two of them (Apex and Sona) were marked as "closeout sale" , so we've opted not to review those here since they may not be available in the near future. You might need to click around for a while to see exactly what Otofonix has to offer when you shop their site: even using the "Compare Hearing Aids" option in the dropdown menu doesn't display everything they sell. That's a little frustrating, frankly.

Several styles of hearing aids

Let's take a look at two Otofonix hearing aid styles that, theoretically, should be available for purchase:

  • Encore: priced at $495/pair, this over-the-ear hearing aid has three programs plus telecoil capabilities, as well as 10 volume levels. They're ideal for customers with mild to moderate hearing loss, they use dual directional microphones, and they have advanced digital noise cancellation to reduce unwanted background sounds. These hearing aids use disposable batteries. Out of 100+ reviews, over 95% of them gave the Encore a 4- or 5-star rating.
  • Groove: priced at $955/pair, these are the most advanced hearing aids sold by Otofonix. Customizable via smartphone app, this equipment has rechargeable batteries, four pre-configured listening programs and 10 volume levels. These are also intended only for wearers with mild to moderate hearing loss. As the newest hearing aids sold by Otofonix, Groove only had about a dozen customer reviews when we visited the site, but they were all a perfect 5-star rating.
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Customer-friendly policies

Otofonix has some decent customer perks. First, you'll have 45 days to try their hearing aids: if they don't work the way you hoped, you can get your money back. You'll get free delivery on every order, and all hearing aids include lifetime customer support via phone. And, if you qualify, financing is available to help you with your purchase.

Good enough for most shoppers

Could you get lower-priced hearing aids from another store? Yes. More technologically advanced ones elsewhere? That too. But, overall, Otofonix is a reputable company selling decent hearing aids across a range of styles and price points. If you don't find the devices you want at a higher-ranked store, rest assured that this is a solid choice as a backup.

Where Can You Buy the Best Hearing Aids?

If you're asking that question, chances are good that you're noticing that sounds just aren't as clear as they used to be. Maybe you've even been putting it off for a while already, not wanting to admit that conversations in crowded rooms, dialogues on your favorite TV shows, or phone calls have gotten harder to follow.

You're not alone: according to the National Institutes of Health, around 15% of Americans aged 18+ have some trouble hearing - and that skyrockets in the older age brackets (50% of people 75 and older have disabling hearing loss).

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Hearing Aid FAQ

Think about your day-to-day life. Are you or your loved ones noticing that you're having a hard time following the details of conversations, especially in noisy environments? Has the volume on the TV been steadily creeping up? These are just a few signs that it might be time to consider if hearing aids can restore some quality to your everyday moments. There are free hearing tests you can take online that may help you make that determination, if you're not ready to visit an audiologist or there isn't one readily available near you.
Generally speaking, there are three steps to how your hearing aids help you hear better. First, the built-in microphone captures sound in your environment and changes it into a digital signal. Next, the amplifier makes that signal stronger. Finally, the in-ear speaker sends the amplified sound into your ear.
The average lifespan for a hearing aid is 5-6 years. Most come with a warranty of one or two years, so extended protection plans are worth considering. You can also get your hearing aids tuned up or repaired as needed.
That depends on the equipment you choose and whether or not they are rechargeable. You can buy a single hearing aid for under $50, while some of the most expensive devices sell for over $4,000 for the pair! If you use hearing aids with replaceable batteries, expect to change your batteries every 1-3 weeks (depending on how many hours per day you use your hearing aids). Batteries are fairly inexpensive, though: you shouldn't have to spend more than $50/year on them.
You've got lots of options! The main consideration is whether you want one that hangs over the ear (with the main body behind your ear) or one that is completely in-ear. In-ear hearing aids are much easier to conceal, but they're not always comfortable to work with if you have arthritis in your hands or have trouble with small objects in general. Both styles of hearing aids often come with great features like customizable sound settings (e.g. for different environments like crowded rooms vs. watching TV at home), smartphone app controls, and phone/video support from expert technicians.
That depends: every user is unique. Not only will you have to adjust to the physical sensation of having the devices in your ears, but your brain also has to adapt to the new range of sounds (especially if you've been struggling with hearing loss for a long time). It's a good idea to choose a hearing aid brand and retailer that will give you a 30- to 60-day trial period, to give yourself time to get used to your new equipment.
Absolutely! There's no need to spend time waiting for appointments at retailers near you when you can buy the same hearing aids online. If you're concerned about getting the right ones, setting them up properly, or accessing support if there's an issue, don't worry: the best online retailers of hearing aids usually make it hassle-free to get all of the help you need.
Most companies that sell hearing aids know that it might take some trial and error to get the best ones for you: the style, fit, and functionality all impact your experience. Fortunately, they usually give you a period from 30-60 days to get used to them, adjust their settings, and see if they are a good match. If not, you can get a refund. Just be sure to check the return policy of any hearing aid retailer you're considering prior to making your purchase.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Many people avoid looking for hearing aids because of the cost. They see quotes of $1,500 to $3,000 per device and think that there's no way they can afford it. And, for many of us, that's true - but it's not the end of the story. Why? There are numerous over-the-counter (so to speak) options that cost much, much less: even under $200/pair.

Of course, if you're looking for higher-end technology like smartphone-app customization or multiple sound environment settings, you'll probably pay closer to $1,000-$2,000 for the set - but it's still a more budget-friendly option than you might have expected.

Now that you're feeling encouraged about shopping for your hearing aids online, what should you look for? Here are several aspects to keep in mind that can help you figure out where to get your devices:

  • Hearing Aid Style. There are two main designs: over-the-ear (with the curved battery that hangs behind your ear) and in-ear. In-ear designs are very discreet: if you don't want anyone to realize you're using a hearing aid, look for this style. On the other hand, if your manual dexterity isn't what it used to be, the over-the-ear models will probably be easier to manage, especially if the controls are on the device and not a smartphone app or if you need to swap out batteries every few days.
  • Consultations and Support. Many online stores that sell hearing aids go to great lengths to help you get the right equipment for your specific needs. Look for a company that gives you plenty of support: free hearing tests, hearing aids that are customizable to your audiogram, and long-term service after your purchase are all good signs that you'll get the help you need.
  • Return/Refund Policy. The best hearing aid retailers give you a generous amount of time to try out your devices - because there's definitely an adjustment period. 30 days is fairly standard, but a few go above and beyond with risk-free trials of 45 or 60 days.
  • Customer Feedback. What have actual users said about the hearing aids you're considering and the company selling them? Not every model is going to have hundreds of reviews, but even a few customer comments can help you determine how they've worked in real life, not just in theory.
  • Value. What will you get for what you pay? You want hearing aids that are going to last a long time: it's worth it to spend a little more once than to spend a smaller amount several times over, if you have to keep replacing them after the warranty period ends.

TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked today's top online retailers of hearing aids. We're confident that this information will help you find the best equipment for your needs, so that you can enjoy conversations, music, and just day-to-day life without any difficulties.

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