Encore OTC Hearing Aid with Advanced Background Noise Reduction, Battery Powered, Behind-the-Ear Nearly-Invisible, for Seniors & Adults with Moderate to Severe Hearing Loss, 1 Pair, Beige

The best thing about these is obviously the price. But as someone who has been wearing a pair of Phonak $6000 hearing aids for the past 8 years, I can honestly say these are a terrific alternative. I bought two thinking that even if they were just OK they would be a good backup or good for when I want to go outside and be active and could possibly get the expensive ones wet or damaged. They exceeded all my expectations. BUT... you really need to take the time to customize them to your hearing level and ear size. They give you all the tools to do this, but it will take you a few days or weeks to figure out what works for you. I am a relatively small female, and I ended up finding that the open, small ear domes worked best for me and were most comfortable (they come with the medium, closed domes attached). I saw in a lot of other reviews that people complained about the ear domes getting lost in their ears. THIS HAPPENED WITH MY $6000 HEARING AIDS AS WELL (I had to go to urgent care one time to get one removed). You really need to make sure these things are attached well and if they start to get worn or stretched to replace them. I also found that Setting 2 and mid-volume worked well on one ear but a higher volume was needed on the other ear, which was not surprising because I know that my right ear is worse than my left. One other thing: I open the battery compartment every night after I take them out to save batteries. When you close the battery compartment the next day the aids go back to the default setting, so you have to take about 30 seconds to set them to your preferred settings again. And finally, they send a return shipping label with the aids, so they are serious about their money back guarantee. I won't be returning mine; I love them!

I have had a pair of prescription hearing aids for about 15 years. One of them is either starting to fail or my hearing is getting worse in that ear. Even with some help from medical insurance I cannot afford $1500 or more for a new one. I decided to try some of the hearing amplifiers that are on the market and evaluate them to replace my bad aid.Please note that everyone’s hearing problem and hearing circumstances are different. The hearing amplifier features of one model may be perfect for you, but cause some problems for me. I have purchased and evaluated two different hearing amplifiers over the last month and am still looking. I had hoped that something at $150 or so would be good enough. I paid $400 for this one and am not quite satisfied. I am considering a couple of hearing amplifiers that have a phone app with a short hearing test to adjust them to my hearing problems. If those do not work, I will be trying the Otofonix Elite that is currently $250.Otofonix Encore Pros:+ Instruction manual is very clear and easy to read.+ Adjustable volume – there are 10 volume levels which is more than many hearing amplifiers. The buttons to control this are easy to feel and adjust with a short press on the front button the raise the volume or a short press on the back button to lower the volume. Each press causes a short beep to demonstrate the volume level.+ Changeable programs—Normal listening (everyday listening, low noise reduction), Noisy Setting (Medium noise reduction for wind, running faucet, etc), Extreme Noisy Setting (high noise reduction like in a restaurant), and Telecoil (for use with “hearing loop systems” used in some churches, theaters, and conference centers; only useful when you see the Telecoil logo.) If you do not need or cannot use this feature, consider buying the Otofonix Apex or Elite versions for much less money ($150 or $250, respectively).+ When installing a battery, the hearing amplifier beeps once (for program 1) a few seconds after installing the battery. This is a nice check to make sure the battery is still working and properly installed. (I usually rub my finger on the surface of the hearing aid while wearing them to see if I can hear noise coming from the microphone and make sure it is turned on and working.)+ When the battery needs changing, it gives some warning beeps over about a 10-minute period. Just before it dies completely, it plays a longer musical sound to emphasize the loss of power.+ A battery will last for about a week. This is typical of my prescription hearing aids.+ Handles sharp noises like paper rattling or sudden loud talking better than others. There are still occasions when I need to raise or lower the volume or change the program mode throughout the day.Otofonix Elite Cons:* No on-off button--Having to install a battery every day can be a problem for some seniors. Although I do not have hand tremors or a lack of dexterity, I did drop one battery on the floor where my dog could get it and one in the sink which could cause some water pollution.* Turning off causes a full reset of program number and volume levelThis is much better for me than the Banglijian Hearing Amplifier Rechargeable Ziv-206. However, the Ziv-206 may be just what you need. However, based on features and functions, the Otofonix Elite is not quite what I need.

The delivery was unusually fast. Ordered the device on Sunday afternoon and it was delivered Tuesday morning. This was normal order with a standard delivery.The device came with all items and i was able to use in in less than two minutes. In my opinion this devise is as good as Starky’ Xeno, the device i have been using until now. I had to get an authorization letter from an ENT to obtain a new device and i did not want to wait a month for an my appointment with an ENT. So i ordered this and i can not tell how surprised i was. I did not notice any significant functional difference between this unit and the device i was using previously!. I am pleasantly surpriseed with its quality and performance. My Starky Xeno had to be replaced as it was damaged due to an accidental water exposure. I had moved to California about a year ago so i could not go to the place where i had originally bought the Starky.This unit is $2500 cheaper. It is essentially comparable to what i was using. I actually like this device more because it has 10 levels of volume adjustment of 5 dcb each as opposed to only three in my Starky. This offers a greater flexibility and control.I would strongly recommend that everybody on a tight budget should try this device before going to very expensive brand name hearing aids that are available on the market.If you are not satisfied fully you are entitled to return it in 30 days for a full refund . This is a federal law. The company gives a generous 45 day return policy.

08/05/24 :THey did not work at all!!!: Just glorified earplugs. No instructions, no charging device in pkg. Amazon said they would give me a refund but I haven't seen it yet in my credit card statement. It's been several months now.,