Which Hearing Aid is Best? Hearing Aid Technology Levels Explained

In our previous article in the Which Hearing Aid is Best? series, we explored how to choose the most suitable hearing aid style for your needs. In this instalment, we’ll be looking at another key consideration: the technology level of the hearing aid.

These days, virtually all hearing aids are digital, equipped with sophisticated computer chips that analyse and process the sounds around you using advanced signal processing algorithms. For example, when you move from a quiet home into a bustling street, and then into a noisy café, your hearing aids can automatically detect these environmental changes and adapt how sound is processed—making it easier for you to hear what's important.

The higher the technology level, the more effectively the hearing aid can manage these transitions and background noise. Your audiologist will also have more tools to fine-tune the hearing aids for optimal performance. The aim is to improve your ability to hear and understand speech, while still allowing you to enjoy the full range of environmental sounds—whether it’s birdsong or the horn of a passing car.

It’s important to understand that hearing aids don’t block out background noise entirely. A completely noise-free experience wouldn’t provide a natural sensation of hearing. Instead, the goal is to strike a delicate balance: ensuring you can access as much sound as possible, while also allowing you to communicate with others with minimal effort and strain. This balance tends to be easier to achieve with more advanced technology levels.

What Exactly Is a Hearing Aid Technology Level?

Every couple of years, hearing aid manufacturers launch a new platform or generation of technology. These platforms typically debut in their receiver-in-canal (RIC) models, then gradually roll out to other styles such as in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids.

A platform usually introduces a new chip or processing algorithm, offering better performance in challenging environments. Within each platform, the manufacturer typically releases the devices in three to five different technology levels—ranging from basic or essential, to advanced or premium.

Although these models may look physically identical, it’s the features and processing power built into the devices that differ.

Let’s Break It Down with an Example

To make this easier to understand, let’s imagine a fictional hearing aid company called Cheer Ear.

Cheer Ear recently launched a new platform called Sweet Sounds, which features a ground breaking processor that significantly improves speech understanding in noisy environments—especially compared to their previous generation, Love 2 Listen. Currently, Sweet Sounds is available in their RIC range, and will soon expand to their ITE models.

Each Sweet Sounds hearing aid is available in three technology levels:

• Sweet Sounds A (SSA) – the highest level, with full access to all features.

• Sweet Sounds B (SSB) – a mid-range version, offering many features but slightly limited.

• Sweet Sounds C (SSC) – the most basic version, with a scaled-down feature set.

While all three models use the same new algorithm, SSA provides the greatest benefit, particularly in more complex listening situations.

How Do I Know Which Technology Level Is Right for Me?

It might seem obvious that the highest technology level is always best—but that’s not always the most practical or necessary option. Higher technology levels come with a higher price tag, and not everyone needs the top tier to experience a meaningful improvement in hearing.

To help illustrate how lifestyle plays a role in choosing the right level, let’s meet three fictional individuals: Richard, Margaret, and Brian.

Meet Richard

Richard lives with his wife, Susan, and works as the head of finance at a busy office. His week is filled with meetings, phone calls, and after-work visits to noisy pubs. He also enjoys theatre outings and dinners at restaurants on weekends, and often hosts family visits from his son and young granddaughter.

Given Richard’s highly varied and socially active lifestyle, he would benefit from the highest level of hearing aid technology. This would help him hear better in complex environments like meetings, restaurants, and family gatherings.

Meet Margaret

Margaret is Richard’s retired neighbour. She lives a quieter life, mostly at home with her husband and their cat. She occasionally meets friends at a local café, but otherwise enjoys television and the occasional visit from her children and grandchildren, who live abroad.

Margaret’s daily routine is moderately varied. While she does face some challenging environments, a mid-level hearing aid might provide sufficient support—offering good performance at a more accessible price point.

Meet Brian

Brian lives across the street. He’s elderly, lives alone, and has a carer who helps him daily. He doesn’t get out much and spends most of his time at home, watching TV or speaking with his daughter and carer.

Since Brian is typically in quiet, one-on-one situations, a basic level of technology is likely to be enough for his needs.

A Few More Things to Consider...

We hope these examples help you understand how different lifestyles can influence the best choice of hearing aid technology level. When you attend a hearing consultation, your audiologist will consider the environments you spend time in and recommend accordingly.

That said, there are a few important points to keep in mind:

• Even the most advanced hearing aids cannot restore normal hearing. They’re designed to help—not cure—hearing loss.

• Be honest about the situations you're regularly in, but also consider the environments you want to be in. If you’re avoiding certain places due to hearing challenges, investing in higher-level technology may help you re-engage with those situations.

• Discuss your options not just with your audiologist, but also with your loved ones, especially if your hearing loss is affecting your daily life or relationships.

Want to Learn More?

If you’d like to learn more about how we help our patients at Finchley Hearing, we invite you to browse our website or reach out with any questions. We’re a private, independent audiology practice in North London, dedicated to ethical, evidence-based care. We’d be delighted to support you on your journey to better hearing.

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