Usually it seems, for music, hearing aids are rated for the quality of music streaming via Bluetooth.
I am an audiophile, and have invested $K’s in my music system, several times the cost of top of the line hearing aids.
All that sound funneling hearing aids designed to separate speech from noise.
My question is what are the finest hearing aids for listening to music through external speakers. Most have music settings, which eliminates noise cancellation, but things like distortion, extended frequencies are most important to critical music listening.
I know there is no perfect solution, but looking for advice on the best solution. Thanks!
In truth, one’s hearing is so nuanced that it’s a tough call to say what make/model is best for music.
That said, I am also a HUGE audiophile, and enjoy all genres of music: classical (with its enormous dynamic range), jazz (usually the best recording quality out there!), rock (the challenge being that war between lyrics vs instruments), vocals (clarity, “live” quality), etc.,
My current aids are the Phonak Lumity Life in 312-battery version, which were released last spring, and snapped up by me after robbing a bank in June. I absolutely LOVE them for all kinds of music (and speech in loud places). Granted, I have a pair of cinderblock ears (maybe you could post an , too?), but since I’ve worn aids for more than 30 years, I have a very nuanced sense of “normal” when it comes to hearing. I’ll often nail the acoustics on our home hi-fi when listening with my husband and his perfect ears.
What I like about the Phonaks is that they deliver a richer, fuller sound quality PLUS the dedicated Music program eliminates my aids from using any kind of Noise Management when I’m listening to music. If I listen to music in my default program, my aids will tinker and dampen down the dynamics - ruining the whole listening experience.
I’ve tried Oticons, but seem to prefer Phonak’s sound quality overall. I’m sure others will chime in here, cuz there are MANY professional musicians and those in the music industry with keen insights here. You’re probably correct is surmising “there is no perfect solution” but to each his/her own! If you’re in the market for aids, try out more than one make, and see what your own brain prefers!
I know there is no perfect solution, but looking for advice on the best solution.
I think that you can make many of the better sound pretty decent if your audiologist is willing to take the time - or better yet - you are willing to take the time to dive in to program them yourself. Ideally, you need a reference system in front of you during fittings so that you can easily and quickly compare the before/after with each small change. Just like the process you use to tune a music system, you have to experiment with settings to dial in your HAs to suit your personal loss.
As others have said, it depends. Posting your would be useful. (Click on your symbol, then the bell, the My Audiogram). Heck if you’re not constrained by neighbors being annoyed by loud noise, just turn up your music and adjust the equalization to your preference. You might also prefer high quality earbuds to hearing aids.
I currently have Signia Styletto 7’s from about 5 years ago. One was in for service, so my audiologist loaned me a pair of the new Oticons. They are quite nice. Much more dynamic & clear with more extended frequencies… which made me think it was time for new aids, but the absolute best for audio.
I wish there was objective testing for hearing aids like there is for stereo equipment… accuracy, distortion, frequency response, etc.
I will demo the Phonak’s next, My only concern with them is their size & the limited space behind my ears, the reason for the original Styletto’s. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I will look at Audiogon. BTW I am Signaforce on Audiogon. Thanks!
I have the Phillips 9050s from Costco and I have been able to dial them in very nicely. If you like the Oticons, the Phillips are extremely similar to them (the same corporate overlord), so you might be able to save some money . . . which you can spend on more hifi equipment . . .
I tried the ASI Audio 3DME IEM. Very well regarded, but bass response was lacking. Could try others, but IEM’s, based upon my experience with the ASI’s ($1,000 IEM’s), would not be ideal. Like headphones, they recreate the sound, and shut out your ears for less ‘natural’ sound.
I do have excellent headphones (Focal Clear’s). However, I far prefer the sound of my speakers vs them, using my current Signia’s. Also, HF are less comfortable and are prone to worsen tinnitus.
I wish there was, but know there are no audiophile hearing aids (seems like an opportunity, as many of us would pay dearly for them). Until then, I want to buy the best sounding hearing aids available.
I need to dig out the results of my hearing test & will post when I locate.
Thank you for the replies.
I invested in a couple of Sonos Era 300 speakers which are designed for spatial audio (Dolby Atmos for music). This works well with my Phonak provided that the tracks have been produced for spatial. I’m currently trialling Infinio Spheres. My spatial playlist sounded great through these. In general, I find live music sounds really good through HAs but recorded music much less so. Of course, there are drawbacks to spatial, limited choice, poorly arranged recordings and a medium that may not suit some genres. I’d be interested to hear any views on spatial.
If you like the sound of your Signias I’d say stick with Signias. It’s all about preference. Different hearing aid brands tend to have different “flavors” of sound. If you find a flavor you like, stick with it. I’m guessing you have fairly good low frequency hearing and have a fairly . If you had a fairly closed fit, all of your sound would be “recreated.”
Do you think an ‘Audiophile’ objectively hears any better than anyone else?
The fact that you need hearing aids indicates decline of the organ of the corti.
If you’re talking about increasing dynamic range or frequency response, you’ll need multiple receivers/drivers. That costs you more amps. Therefore the aids get bigger and less able to fit in your canal.
Do you think that a $50k hearing aid would be more suitable for an Audiophile like yourself?
I didn’t know Atmos recordings were available. My HT is 7.2.2 with an Atmos decoder in my AVR for Atmos movies. My audiophile needs are for 2 channel listening.
Yes, my hearing loss is a ski slope with very good bass hearing. And yes, my sleeves are vented. My Signia’s were significantly bested by the loaner Oticons. So would buy them, but before I spend almost $6K, I want to make sure they are the best for my needs.
Not sure I would pay $50k, but certainly would pay $10-$20k for audiophile hearing aids. If I were to design them, there would be a vented receiver in your ears, high quality microphones, 10-15 frequency equalization and a separate amplifier. Very similar to the 3DME‘s, except better mics, more equalization & vented. Used exclusively for home listening.
Widex, hands down…more Grammy Artists swear by Widex than any other brand.
Easy to program in office, if you have a set of BOSE desk speakers…fidelity can be adjusted via the app.
I’ve been an obsessive audiophile for decades and, like the OP, have spent multiple thousands of dollars on audio equipment. Their question about audiophile is legitimate. I waited years before getting HAs because I’d read (and heard) all of the horror stories about how terrible music sounded through HAs. I finally took the plunge about 6 months ago and I went to 2 different vendors and 2 different audiologists before I found one who could talk to me about hearing and music in an informed way.
I can still hear up to 10k Hz (just barely) and I wanted HAs that could amplify sounds to 10k. It was only the fourth place I visited that told me, yes, that was possible. (One place told me that 6K was as high as any HA could go).
I ended up buying Phonak Lumity 90s and worked with the audiologist who sold them to me to get them to extend to 10k Hz (actually, 9.6k Hz, which is as high as they go) in the “music” program.
I’m thrilled with the results. I’m hearing things in music I haven’t heard in years.
A few notes on my situation: I was unable to try any HAs before I bought the pair I got; apparently, that’s how it works in my part of the U.S. None of the places I consulted had HAs to lend. It was pay first, then have the right to exchange for another HA if I was unhappy.
Also, I’m the kind of audiophile who still prefers listening to analog (LPs). So buying some good sounding Bluetooth headphones and using digital EQ wouldn’t work for me. I listen to my stereo with my HAs in my ears. Same thing with headphones. So far it works.
My experience suggests that people who sell HAs (whether they’re vendors or audiologists) assume everybody has gone digital and want their electronic devices streamed to their HAs with Bluetooth. Not me. When I got home from the audiologist’s office with my new HAs, the first thing I did was undo the Bluetooth connection to my HAs. (Perhaps my willingness and ability to do so is a reflection that my hearing is still “good enough” to do without; I cast no aspersions upon people who do.)
Thank you all for the thoughtful responses. I am also a vinyl lover. Phonak & Widex seem to be the top recommendations. Hopefully I can demo them both. If they can best these Oticons, I will be amazed and delighted. Thanks again!
I just stubbled on this thread and am very happy I did. I am a music junkie, live and recorded and am just coming to grips with the idea that I need ’s. (years of shooting shows took its toll) I don’t want to loose the dynamics and richness of the music which I am ALWAYS listening too. I do have custom multidriver IEM’s but prefer to listen on speakers. I do not even know where to start, but all this info is helpful.
Phonak & Widex seem to be the top recommendations. Hopefully I can demo them both. If they can best these Oticons, I will be amazed and delighted.
FYI, I wear the Oticon Intent, and my aids, so take this fwiw.
Yes Widex has been the musician’s choice for years due to their low latency, and natural sound.
Oticon has always been close behind, and I’ve been using them for 12 years.
The Intent is the most accurate, but the caveat is you have to have a custom music program, because the Oticon MyMusic program is based on the Harman Curve, so, well you know…
A couple of other members on this forum have also perused the goal of obtaining a satisfactory music experience, and using the search tool at the top right of the page, will lead you to plenty of information.
The Intent features a new amplification tech which they claim expands the frequency response from 80Hz to 10KHz. Of course, those numbers are dependent on ideal conditions, and probably a user with mild loss. Oticon also features 113dB input headroom, which they market as Clear Dynamics in tier 1 & 2.
Just be aware, there is no such device as audiophile , and as the esteemed @Um_bongo pointed out, these are “Aids” only, and you aren’t going to get back to 20Hz - 20KHz audiophile sound with already limited hearing.
By all means, check Phonak & Widex, and make your best decision.
Heck if you’re not constrained by neighbors being annoyed by loud noise, just turn up your music and adjust the equalization to your preference. You might also prefer high quality earbuds to hearing aids.
You know that is not a bad idea!
Like others in this thread I am also a vinyl lover and have decent “HiFi” system. We can wind up the volume and not disturb neighbors (although the same may not apply to my wife and cat).
My so far limited experience with hearing aids (Eargo 7’s and Airpods Pro2 's) definitely confirms for music through speakers (either at home or live) they don’t work great!
I am considering either the Oticon Intent 1 or Costco Philips 9050 (which appear to be the same hardware) and given the cost difference will likely try the Costco Philips 9050. I will make sure the Costco hearing fitter knows live music is important.
Now for streaming (including FLAC) the Airpods Pro 2’s (with hearing assistance) sound great - and yes I am hearing things I haven’t heard for years - but I would still prefer listening through speakers for best experience.
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