Otofonix Elite

Otofonix Hearing Aids Review

Editor's Rating:

4.5 / 5
Otofonix Elite
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Pros & Cons Purchasing In Box Testing Otofonix Models Recap

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Developed by a board-certified ear, nose, and throat doctor who was tired of not having an affordable solution to offer hearing loss patients, Otofonix offers customers over-the-counter, medical-grade hearing aids at a reasonable cost.

In this review, I’ll share my experience with buying and testing Otofonix hearing aids, along with everything else, to determine whether Otofonix is the right choice for you or your loved one.

Pros and Cons of Otofonix Hearing Aids

Here are my key takeaways regarding Otofonix hearing aids.

Hearing Aid Discount: Otofonix hearing aids are still an option through their certified refurbished program. Hearing aids cost between $84 and $350 a pair, and you still receive the same 45-day risk-free trial and award-winning lifetime customer service that every Otofonix customer does.

Buying Otofonix Hearing Aids

While I’d heard positive feedback about the Otofonix brand prior to my own purchase, I was also committed to not making a complete judgment about their quality until I tried them for myself. I started my journey with Otofonix by visiting the company’s home page. Although the website was fairly easy to navigate, it didn’t provide much information on buying hearing aids.

Fortunately, Otofonix has a customer service team that knows their stuff. After speaking with a hearing consultant for 15 to 20 minutes, I felt better informed and was ready to purchase the company’s newest hearing aid, the Groove model. I added my shipping and payment information, selected two-day free shipping, and that was that. Overall, it was a simple and seamless process.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking to purchase hearing aids, be sure to check out my list of the best hearing aid providers.

What’s in the Box?

Here’s what I found when I opened my box from Otofonix:

  • 2 assembled Bluetooth hearing aids
  • 1 shockproof travel case
  • 1 app guide
  • 1 cleaning wire
  • 1 cleaning brush
  • 6 open domes of assorted sizes
  • 6 closed domes of assorted sizes
  • 2 large & 2 medium magic domes
  • 2 of each #1 and #2 sound tubes

Testing Otofonix Groove

My new Groove model hearing aids arrived quickly and were even easier to use than I expected. I worried it might be complicated with all its high-tech features, so I was relieved to learn that charging my hearing aids simply required me to take them off and place them on a charger, not much different from charging a smartphone or laptop.

I was also slightly skeptical of the ease of smartphone customization. To my delight, I found the smartphone customization was not at all complex. I simply downloaded the app on my phone, paired my hearing aids, took the initial hearing test built-in to the app, and had my hearing aids on and working in minutes.

My next step was to test my new hearing aids in a variety of environments. I wanted to see how the adaptive noise technology held up and if the aids’ smartphone personalization was just as easy on the go. I spent an afternoon with my friend and her niece and had no trouble picking up all their words. Another day, I attended a tango class at a noisy bar. I quickly adjusted the settings for my hearing aids beforehand, and I had very little trouble hearing the instructor or the other couple my husband and I went with, despite the crowd.

I completed my final test on the way to a meeting downtown during morning rush hour. I heard my friend clearly as well as my daughter, who I spoke to on my car’s Bluetooth when she called with a question. I was impressed with the ability of my Groove hearing aids to adjust to any situation.

I was surprised that its advertised Bluetooth compatibility only meant that a smartphone could control the hearing aids. I’d hope to connect them directly to the TV or other media sources like Embrace and Eargo hearing aids. Hopefully, Otofonix will add this feature to its products in the future. Regardless, it wasn’t a deal-breaker for me.

Hearing Younger Voices: Want a hearing aid that can help you hear the children in your life more clearly? Invest in those relationships by choosing the Otofonix Helix. Its additional high-frequency amplification makes hearing children’s voices a breeze.

Otofonix Hearing Aid Models (POV-1)

Otofonix offers six behind-the-ear hearing aid models which feature between three and four unique sound environments presets each. The brand is also well known for its adaptive noise technology, which prevents background sounds from interfering with your conversations.

The Groove

Otofonix’s newest product, the Groove, is smartphone-customizable with rechargeable batteries. It is self-fitting with a discreet behind-the-ear style for mild to moderate hearing loss.

The Sona

The Sona is a self-fitting, smartphone-app controlled hearing aid with advanced digital media noise cancellation. This hearing aid is made for mild to moderate hearing loss and is fully customizable to your hearing needs. Sona’s preprogrammed memory settings address 95 percent of the most common listening challenges, including ambient conversational, restaurant, traffic, and outdoor noises.

The Helix

With its new super lightweight design, the Helix features rechargeable batteries, an adaptive directional microphone, superior noise cancellation, and additional high-frequency amplification. This hearing aid is made for mild to moderate hearing loss.

The Encore

The Encore is Otofonix’s most powerful hearing aid, capable of adding 53 decibels in sound gain with the Encore EarHook Kit. It’s an ideal fit for individuals who have a hard time hearing one-on-one conversations or over distance. It also helps with background noise and word clarity. Equipped with a telecoil, this hearing aid can help enhance and refine speech coming through an audio system, such as a phone or microphone.

The Elite

Designed for people who struggle with understanding soft speech (women and kids) and hearing conversations over distances, the Elite is a practically invisible behind-the-ear hearing aid with background noise cancellation. The Elite also includes memory recall, so your settings are never lost as a result of changing batteries or power status. This hearing aid is made for mild to moderate hearing loss.

The Apex

Otofonix’s most affordable hearing aid, the Apex, is a discreet behind-the-ear hearing aid with background noise cancellation, memory recall for easy setup, and directional microphones that help you focus on the conversation right in front of you.

Otofonix Hearing Aids Comparison

Groove Sona Helix Encore Elite Apex
Price Per Ear $1.47 $1,112 $1,171 $700 $395 $190
Rechargeable Batteries Yes No Yes No No No
Smartphone App- Controlled Yes Yes No No No No
“Programs/Levels” “4 programs/10 levels” “4 programs/10 levels” “4 programs/10 levels” “3 programs/10 levels” “4 programs/10 levels” “3 programs/8 levels”
Warranty 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year

Otofonix Hearing Accessories

Mercury-Free Zinc-Air Batteries

Apex, Elite, and Encore models require size 312, which last seven to 10 days and cost about $6 for a six-pack. The Sona, however, uses size 13 high-performance, mercury-free zinc-air hearing batteries, which last three to six days and are available for about $6 for a six-pack. Mercury-free zinc-air batteries are more environmentally friendly, and they use air as an energy source.

Savings Tip: Improve the life of your hearing aid batteries by keeping them in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them. If you don’t intend to use them for an extended period, remove the batteries and store them in a moisture-free environment that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures.

Ear Domes

Otofonix sells three different ear domes in small, medium, and large. Domes cost $2.50 each and should be replaced every three months. Here are the different types:

  • Open Air Domes for mild to moderate hearing loss.
  • Closed Air Domes for moderate to severe hearing loss. These domes are especially helpful for increasing sound in the lower speech frequencies.
  • Magic Domes for moderate hearing loss. These hybrid domes have features of both open and closed domes. As a result of their tiny vents, it can provide greater gain but less feedback.

Sound Tubes and ZipTips

Sound tubes made of medical-grade material are available for both ears and in varying lengths and sizes for all Otofonix hearing aids at $12.95 each. Sound tubes with ZipTips are available for $16.95 each.

Encore Ear Hook Power Kit

The Ear Hook Power Kit is for customers using the Encore model who need a bit of extra amplification. For $15.95, this easy fit kit comes complete with a thicker tube with a larger internal diameter, ear hook adapter, and new ear domes in assorted sizes.

Warranties, Shipping, and Returns

Shipping

Otofonix provides free two-day shipping for its hearing aids. I ordered mine on Monday, and my package arrived Wednesday afternoon.

Returns

Otofonix policy allows you to return your hearing aids for a full refund within 45 days from your date of purchase. To receive your money back, you must include all of the hearing aid’s original packaging, your hearing aid(s), the manufacturer’s box, manual, and all accessories.
It must also include a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number, which you will receive after you fill out a very brief form on the Otofonix website informing them of your intent to return the product.

Warranties

Your Otofonix hearing aids have a one-year factory warranty from the date your order arrives. This warranty protects against defects in parts, materials, and workmanship.

Otofonix Protection Plan

My Otofonix hearing aids were so comfortable that I’ve come quite close to accidentally leaving them on during my showers or while I do laps at the pool. Fortunately, my purchase came with a free ($99 value) one-year protection plan to cover any accidental or unexpected damage to my hearing aids, which you can be sure I’ll be renewing next year. Less than $10 a month for peace of mind is certainly worth it to me. The Sona, Helix, and Encore also come with a free one-year protection plan. The Elite, however, is available for one year at $79.99 or two years for $139. Keep in mind that these protection plans cover theft or loss; your damaged Otofonix device must be returned in order to make a claim.

Final Thoughts

All things considered, I enjoyed my experience with Otofonix hearing aids, specifically their options for customization via my smartphone and adaptive noise technology. I found the company’s accidental damage protection plan impressively thorough and prices extremely affordable. While Otofonix may not be the best choice for individuals who are most comfortable with face-to-face testing and service, the company’s six models offer discreet, easy-to-use options from which customers can choose hearing aids that suit their unique needs.