Guide
Hearing aids explained
The complete guide to hearing better
Basics
What is a hearing aid?
A modern hearing aid is far more than a speaker in your ear.
It analyses your listening environment several hundred times per second and decides automatically:
- Is this speech or background noise?
- Are you in a restaurant?
- In the car?
- At home?
- Watching television?
It then adapts the sound automatically so speech becomes easier to follow. Modern hearing systems can reduce distracting noise and bring speech to the foreground.
Styles
Which styles are available?
The style determines how a hearing aid sits and how much power it delivers. Which one suits you depends mostly on your hearing loss.
| Style | Who is it for? | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| RIC (receiver-in-canal) | Almost all types of hearing loss | small, light, very natural sound |
| BTE | Moderate to severe hearing loss | particularly powerful |
| ITE | Mild to moderate hearing loss | sits entirely inside the ear |
| Instant fit | A quick start without custom moulding | wearable immediately |
Technology
Rechargeable or battery?
Both have their strengths: it mostly comes down to your daily routine.
Rechargeable
- charge daily
- no battery changes
- environmentally friendly
- ideal for smartphone users
Battery
- swap any time
- ideal when travelling
- several battery types available
Choosing
Which performance class suits me?
The performance class determines how well your hearing aid copes with difficult listening situations. The more demanding your daily life, the more a higher class pays off.
Basis+
ab 34 € pro Stück / Monat
For quiet listening in familiar surroundings.
Who is it for?
- • quiet environments
- • at home
- • television
- • short conversations
Supports
- speech
- television
- phone calls
Economy Class
ab 49 € pro Stück / Monat
For everyday life with several people in the conversation.
Ideal for
- • shopping
- • family
- • smaller groups
Additionally
- better noise suppression
- automatic programmes
High Class
ab 64 € pro Stück / Monat
For people who are out and about and around others.
Ideal for people in
- • restaurants
- • clubs and societies
- • work
- • driving
Additionally
- better speech clarity
- wind noise reduction
- Bluetooth
- streaming
Premium Class
ab 79 € pro Stück / Monat
For people with an active daily life.
Suitable for
- • meetings
- • restaurants
- • theatre
- • holidays
- • concerts
Additionally
- artificial intelligence
- 360° speech focus
- automatic situation detection
- smartphone control
- Auracast
First Class
ab 94 € pro Stück / Monat
Our most capable technology.
For people
- • with the highest expectations
- • in frequently changing listening situations
- • at work
- • travelling
- • socialising
- • listening to music
Additionally
- maximum speech clarity
- best noise suppression
- the latest AI
- fully automatic adjustment
- future-ready technology
Features
What can modern hearing aids do?
Not every feature is included in every performance class. We are happy to show you what your preferred device can do.
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Calls and music straight into the hearing aid |
| TV streaming | Television sound directly in your ear |
| Auracast | Public broadcasts (e.g. airports, cinemas) |
| Tinnitus function | Support for ringing in the ears |
| AI technology | Detects listening situations automatically |
| App control | Adjust the volume from your smartphone |
Manufacturers
Which manufacturers are there?
We work independently of any manufacturer. Each one has its own focus. We will find out together which suits you.
| Manufacturer | Known for |
|---|---|
| Oticon | BrainHearing technology |
| Bernafon | Natural sound |
| Signia | Conversations in groups |
| Audio Service | Simple operation |
| Phonak | Universal Bluetooth connectivity |
| Unitron | Flexible technology levels |
| Starkey | AI and health features |
| ReSound | Natural directional hearing |
Common questions
What our customers ask us most often.
How long does it take to get used to a hearing aid?
Most people adapt within two to four weeks. The brain has to relearn how to handle the full range of sound. We support you through that period with follow-up adjustments until the sound is right for you.
Can I try hearing aids first?
Yes. You can trial hearing aids in everyday life with no obligation: at home, at work, and in the situations where you actually want to hear better. You decide afterwards.
What does health insurance cover?
Statutory health insurers pay a fixed amount per ear. Servicing and repairs are covered by the insurance allowance and cost you nothing extra. Anything beyond that depends on the performance class you choose. We go through the numbers with you in advance.
Do I need two hearing aids or is one enough?
If both ears are affected, fitting both is almost always the better choice. Only with both ears can the brain locate direction and separate speech from background noise.
How often should my hearing aid be serviced?
We recommend a professional clean and function check roughly every six months. Both are free with us. Simply drop by one of our stores.
How long does a hearing aid last?
Five to six years is typical. After that a change usually pays off, because the technology moves on considerably in that time, especially for speech clarity and connectivity.
Our advice
No single hearing aid is the best one for everybody. What matters is:
- your hearing loss
- your daily life
- what you want from it
- your hobbies
- your working situation
Together we will find the hearing system that suits you best.
Talk it through with us
A free hearing test tells us how you hear and which technology fits. No obligation, at all five stores.