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What Is the Best Hearing Aid for Background Noise? A Manufacturer Comparison
Background noise is the most common complaint among those with hearing loss, especially when using hearing aids. Every new hearing aid release is accompanied by claims of improved speech understanding in noisy environments. So, how do you know which hearing aid actually performs best? In this article, I’ll share my top manufacturer picks based on over a decade of clinical experience. I also explain how directional microphones, deep neural networks, and sound processing philosophies influence hearing aid performance in noise.
Top Hearing Aid Brands Ranked for Background Noise Reduction
- Phonak
- Oticon
- GN Resound
- Widex
- Signia
- Starkey
Each of these six major manufacturers has a distinct approach to managing background noise. While all offer valid engineering philosophies, your individual experience may vary depending on your hearing profile, listening environments, and preferences. Note: Noise reduction improves as you increase technology levels, regardless of brand.
Understanding Directional Microphones
Modern hearing aids use two primary strategies to manage background noise: directional microphones and digital noise reduction. Directional microphones identify the direction of incoming sounds and reduce amplification of sounds from less important angles. This tech has existed for decades but is constantly evolving thanks to advancements in chip speed and machine learning. For a deeper dive, read our article on how hearing aids handle background noise.
Phonak: The Leader in Beamforming Directionality
Phonak has long been my preferred brand for managing background noise. Their beamforming directional microphone system—StereoZoom—works by coordinating both hearing aids to focus on the direction you’re facing. This suppresses unwanted sound from the sides and rear, offering excellent speech clarity in noisy settings such as restaurants or meetings.
This system works best when the person you want to hear is close to you, ideally within 3-6 feet. However, be aware that environments with echo and wall reflections can still introduce background sounds. Still, in my clinical experience, Phonak offers the best all-around performance in noise.
Read Phonak’s technical paper on SmartSpeech Technology for a deeper look into how their chip architecture supports speech understanding.
Looking for a local provider or prices? Check Phonak options at ZipHearing.
Oticon: Full-Sound Access via Deep Neural Networks
Oticon disrupted the traditional model with the release of Oticon Opn. Their philosophy argues that the brain does better when it hears everything and chooses what to focus on. Their latest models like the Oticon More and Oticon Real use a deep neural network (DNN) trained on millions of real-world sounds. The result? Your hearing aid prioritizes speech in any direction without artificially suppressing the environment.
While this approach may not be ideal for severe hearing loss, it works well for mild to moderate losses. Read Oticon’s white paper here to explore the science behind their DNN technology.
Explore Oticon pricing or try them out with a local provider via ZipHearing.
Resound: Mimicking Vision Correction with Asymmetric Directionality
Resound uses a unique model inspired by optometry. Just as bifocal users focus with one eye near and the other far, Resound uses asymmetric microphone modes: one hearing aid is directional, while the other is omnidirectional. This allows your brain to choose what to focus on.
Personally, I’m skeptical of this approach. Hearing and vision are fundamentally different senses. Most hearing loss involves inner ear damage, and asymmetric amplification often causes auditory confusion. However, Resound’s newer devices (e.g., Resound One) include manual beamforming options when adjusted via their excellent smartphone app.
Learn more about Resound models and pricing at ZipHearing.
Signia, Widex, and Starkey
Signia shares Phonak’s directional strategy and offers competitive processing power. However, in my clinical experience, Phonak edges out Signia in background noise scenarios.
Starkey and Widex make good hearing aids but haven’t yet surpassed competitors in handling complex noisy environments. Starkey’s edge lies in their custom rechargeable aids, while Widex stands out in sound quality and music fidelity.
Final Verdict
My personal ranking is based on clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and technological sophistication. However, your best hearing aid depends on your needs, hearing loss configuration, budget, and lifestyle. Always consult with an experienced audiologist to guide your selection.