Is the hearing aid industry slowing down?

As I understand, they are not closing, but integrating into Demant. Perhaps this is due to the decline of the pan-European economy.

The advertising that you’re listening to something by wearing headphones or earbuds is a good point. I find that like that also.

As far as Bluetooth for me, I use it mostly for app control only on my Resound Nexia 9’s. For any streaming, phone calls, etc, I turned it off for my HA, mainly because I can’t stand the very low quality sound compared to my Apple AirPod Pro 2’s. I can still take a call or stream to my HA, but only if I choose to for whatever reason, the default is sound to my phone. My AirPods are also tuned to my audiogram which makes them even better. Apple is releasing more updates very soon with more audiogram enhancements which may make them even better. I doubt I will use their new hearing aid feature, but it might be helpful for those times when I’m using the AirPods for streaming and active noise cancelation.

My hearing loss is in moderate to severe in high frequency, but pretty good in low and I also have severe 24/7/365 tinnitus. I also greatly prefer open domes which is the worst streaming sound, but even when I tried closed, tulip, or power domes, it sounds very bad to me compared to my AirPods or headphones.

Using Smart Fit and all the great info I’ve found here in this group, I have what I think is just about a perfect setup for the most natural sound, while also being the most comfortable. I went against the trend and standard recommendations and use M&RIE receivers with open domes. That gives me great directionality, very natural sound with the frequencies I can’t hear boosted, much better speech recognition, and I’ve had virtually zero feedback. For phone calls, I just use the phone as if I didn’t have hearing aids. If I want music or streaming for any length of time, I use my AirPod Pro 2’s which are tuned to my audiogram. I also use the Aipods with good tips and active noise canceling as hearing protection for things like mowing while listening to music or podcasts and its great. Not only do I have fantastic sound, the tractor or snowblower is just a nice low hum.

Wow, do I agree with you Dallyroo about music fidelity! It’s still the poor relation among all the ingenious speech-in-noise developments. And some of those slaughter music unless they can be almost or entirely switched off for the concert. I would like HA developers to get alongside music engineers, loudspeaker developers and indeed musicians for a hands-on. You can count musically savvy HA makers on half the fingers of one hand. It’s barely mentioned in promo material and of course rarely assessed fully in clinic, though from cash-compromised UK we can look enviously at those American audiologists
who install grand pianos!

I don’t have a music ear, and nevet had one, but i do enjoy all types of music, from classical, country western, rock and roll, to religious. But for decades I couldn’t enjoy it because of my hearing loss and the lack of frequency response of hearing aids, but with my Oticon INTENT1 aids I am enjoying music again, both streaming and live music. I am even enjoying concerts. But for me going to concerts I have to be more in the back of the concert hall and not up close to the stage.
With my INTENT1 aids the sound is better for me with my general program than with the MyMusic program. I don’t understand why. My guess it is due to my hearing loss. I have never liked loud sounds and differently never liked loud music. I find I likebit at a more relaxing level, and not in my face loud.

@anon33641277 said:

As we can see, the production of hearing aids and accessories has been slowing down in recent years.

I think it depends on how you define “hearing aid” anymore! There are the kingpins, now resting on their current laurels (Oticon Intent, Phonak Sphere), but there’s Apple in the picture and a range of previously MP3-music ear bud makers re-defining their products for those with hearing loss. Over-the-counter aids are now as common as ear pods and prescription aids.

So I welcome all the variety we’re seeing on the market now. For the truly profoundly deaf, we may need to go the clinical route with an audiologist. But if there are hearing boosters/clarifiers to help ANYONE who feels they’d benefit from that, it’s a trend moving in the right direction.

Now there are options for budget-minded, shy folks who prefer to keep their hearing issues to themselves, folks who need the aids for career and quality of life, and then those who flaunt their aids with bright colors and playfulness!

My only HUGE grouse at this point is the very unwelcome trend to rechargeable EVERYTHING. I have zero margin for hearing without aids in my ears. If I want to camp, go overseas, get lost in a jungle, whatever, how am I supposed to plug in my charger for the aids? DOH! Battery-operated aids are going the way of the dodo, and I fear I’ve bought the last of the previous top-line aids from Phonak: their 312-battery Lumity Life. I absolutely DREAD being forced into the rechargeable world again, and have dragged my feet on the Sphere for that reason - even as speech in LOUD places is still my Holy Grail.

I totally agree. At least my dedicated “Music” program turns off ALL autosense and things to give me the best dynamic range I can have - given the compression I still have with my Phonak Lumity Life aids.

And then you add crappy MP3-quality downloads and “newly remastered” (and ridiculously COMPRESSED) albums online that seem to dull the dynamic range even more. I suppose hearing aid makers consider the enjoyment of music as a much lower priority than the HOLY GRAIL of speech in loud noise, but to your point, does the market research prove that? And are we asking too much if we want both?

Charging is not the only problem - there is also the problem of battery degradation. After some time, all electronics start working less and less - and you either need to throw out the old and buy a new one, or somehow change the battery.

Oh no, we’re going into the endless loop of batteries vs rechargeables!!!</Humorous comment>
Note for UK readers: According to the OED, “humorous” is an acceptable spelling of this adjective for countries formerly in the British Empire

@Dallyroo22 said:

Maybe musicians need to form a support panel snd all write to the big names manufacturers.
The same could be said about those, like me, that just love music and want access to it as a listener.

We have posted many many helpful OPs on the subject of Music on this forum, with links to professional HOH Musician websites, such as https://musicandhearingaids.org/9 among others.
There’s a wealth of info out there for audiophiles, and musicians.
Just do a search on Music on our forum, and you’ll see plenty of info.
Your best bet, imho, is to go DIY, and program your own music program in your listening environment.
You’ll be amazed at how much you can enjoy music again!!

Maybe for a bone in your arm .

When people feel the need to produce a YouTube video rather than putting their thoughts in writing their message is usually tailored to analphabetes.