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Rexton Reach versus Philips Hearlink 9050 for voice, TV and movies

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I think I’m going down a rabbit hole. I have mild to moderate hearing loss, 74 years old and ready for hearing aids. Each of these has features and strengths that overlap. Many don’t. I want as close to natural sound as I can get from listening to conversations at work, listening to my wife, who has a soft voice and hearing full rich sound coming from a TV soundbar and when at the movies. Listening to youtube music videos with rich sound would be a plus. I like the Hearlink’s 3-band EQ and dedicated Music program (HIFI), but maybe the Reach can get close. I’d like to hear from anyone with experience with each.

Thank you all, Bob

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This question is like asking: What’s the best car for me.

You may get better answers if you share your and your phone model (to see which models are compatible with the aids).

The truth is, what works for one person might not work for another—just like with car recommendations. We all have different levels of hearing loss, preferences, living situations, and more. A good approach is to head to Costco, try out a few options, walk around the warehouse to test them, and if you love music, take them to your car and play some tunes before deciding. If you change your mind, you have 180 days to return them.

After seeing so many people in the forum praise and recommend the Rextons, I went to Costco determined to get them. But I ended up disliking their sound and really hating the Bluetooth performance. Just goes to show that what works for others may not work for another person.

Adding to what OcramSagev said: Since it sounds like you’re near a Costco, make an appointment to test out a couple of hearing aid brands. (I’m assuming you already have a recent , which they will need in order to program the hearing aids that you want to test out. If you don’t have a recent audiogram, you’ll want to schedule that first. I went to my audiologist for that, but as far as I know, Costco can do it too.)

Before you test their hearing aids, maybe tell to the Costco Hearing Instrument Specialist what features are important to you – I mean, aside from hearing as well as possible – like you posted here. That way, they can suggest the brand(s) that they think might be closest to fulfilling what you are looking for.

I tested all 4 brands, though it took 2 trips to Costco to do that. For each brand, I walked around the store for about 25-30 minutes.

It’s like test driving a car. The car may look great, and have a lot of bells and whistles, and get great mileage. Lots of people like it. But then you try it out, and you find that the driver’s seat is really uncomfortable and the ride is rougher than you expected. It’s a very individual thing.

Yes, I do live near a Costo. I haven’t ordered them yet but plan do do so on Friday. When I went in for the test, I was leaning toward the Rexton, but the fitter said his go-to brand was the Hearlinks. I am under the impression that I would have to order each brand in order to test them. But yes to you all, if I can real-world test them, that would be the best option. I’ll attach my hearing test.

Thanks for all the help.

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If your hearing aid fitter is recommending the Phillips, then I would go with the Phillips since your fitter more familiar with them.

The only disadvantage might be in hearing-in-noise situations. But try the Phillips and see what you think.

I couldn’t agree with 990 more. As an audiologist said (in his review of a particular hearing aid): If you go to a Sushi, you shouldn’t order Mexican food. His message was (and this applies to Costco), they are all good hearing aids. The key to being able to hear with any of them is more the quality of the fitting than the brand of hearing aid. Good luck.

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