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Connect Hearing is a United States-based company with various hearing center locations across the country. These outlets sell hearing products and conduct hearing tests.
This article explores the Connect Hearing company, the products it offers, some advantages and drawbacks of the brand, and any alternatives.
Connect Hearing started its business in Canada in 1978, with various locations spread across the U.S and Canada. Its parent organization is Switzerland-based Sonova, one of the world’s largest hearing care companies.
The company has an accredited page with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with an average customer rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars and an overall A+ rating.
Positive reviews state that Connect Hearing’s customer service is friendly, with one customer saying the company rushed their order after their mother’s hearing aids became damaged. However, negative reviews mention issues with delayed appointments and a lack of hearing aid aftercare.
Connect Hearing has closed nine complaints in the last 3 years.
Please note, the writer has not tested these products. All information is research-based.
Connect Hearing does not sell its own brand of hearing aids — it offers Phonak and AudioNova hearing aids as well as batteries and accessories.
The company also provides a free online hearing test. This test takes approximately 3 minutes to complete, which may indicate a person has hearing loss. However, Connect Hearing recommends people contact a hearing healthcare professional for further tests and advice.
Phonak
Connect Hearing stocks several Phonak hearing aids.
Audéo Paradise
This receiver-in-canal hearing aid features universal connectivity, enabling people to connect and stream to smartphones, TVs, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Additional features include:
- speech enhancer
- dynamic noise cancellations
- motion sensor hearing
The Phonak Audéo Paradise is available in four models and a range of colors.
Virto Marvel
This in-the-ear hearing aid is suitable for those with mild-to-severe hearing loss. People can connect this device to Bluetooth-enabled devices and any compatible iOS and Android devices.
Additional features include:
- binaural voice-stream technology
- speech into noise technology
- noise blocker
- tinnitus balance
The Phonal Virto Marvel is custom-fitted to a person’s ear and available in various colors and models.
Naida Marvel
This behind-the-ear hearing aid features Bluetooth connectivity, enabling individuals to stream and connect to compatible devices. Hearing Connect states this model is suitable for those with moderate-to-severe hearing loss.
Additional features include:
- tinnitus balance
- binaural voice-stream technology
- speech into noise technology
- noise blocker
This product is available in two different models.
Bolero Marvel
The Bolero Marvel hearing aid is a behind-the-ear style suitable for those with mild-to-severe hearing loss.
This device has the following features:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- artificial intelligence technology
- tinnitus balance
- noise block technology
- speech in noise technology
- comfort in noise technology
- rechargeable batteries
The Phonak Bolero Marvel is available in two different models.
CROS B & B-R
This wireless and rechargeable hearing aid is suitable for those with hearing loss in one ear.
Additional features include:
- StereoZoom
- CROS volume control
- automatic adaptation to listening environments
- binaural voice-stream technology
The CROS B model has a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Connect Hearing states that the battery will last up to one day if a person charges the device overnight.
Phonak Lyric
This invisible model is suitable for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
Individuals can wear the Phonak Lyric during daily activities such as showering, exercising, and sleeping. The batteries can last for several weeks.
Connect Hearing states that Phonak uses microengineering for a better fit within a person’s unique ear shape.
The Phonak Lyric3 features improved feedback cancellation.
AudioNova
Connect Hearing sells three models from AudioNova.
AudioNova DX
The AudioNova DX model is available in either a behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, or receiver-in-canal style.
People also have the option of choosing rechargeable or nonrechargeable batteries. This hearing aid features Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with various streaming devices.
Additional features include:
- handsfree calling
- stereo media streaming
- compatibility with most hearing accessories
AudioNova T
The AudioNova T model is an in-the-ear hearing aid with either rechargeable or nonrechargeable batteries.
Additional features include:
- handsfree calling
- stereo media streaming
- Bluetooth connectivity
- compatibility with several hearing accessories, including the uMic
Basic+
The AudiNova Basic+ model has some of the processing power of AudioNova’s other hearing devices and is its most affordable hearing aid.
This hearing aid has the following features:
- auto mic
- sound director
- feedback manager
- binaural synchronization
Connect Hearing does not sell hearing aids online. Instead, a person needs to visit a local store with a current prescription. They can find their local Connect Hearing location using the company’s store locator.
The brand also offers an online booking service for people who wish to contact a hearing healthcare professional. Connect Hearing also provides a phone number for those who want to book over the phone.
The company states that insurance coverage varies from location to location. With this in mind, it recommends contacting a local Connect Hearing location to ask if their insurance plan covers hearing aid costs.
Hearing Connect also offers a free 2-week hearing aid trial, while their hearing devices come with a 3-year manufacture repair and loss and damage warranty.
However, the company’s return policy is not clear on the website. Therefore, a person should ask their local store about this policy before purchase.
Before using Connect Hearing, people should carefully consider the advantages and drawbacks of the company’s services.
Advantages
- Free hearing test.
- Free hearing aid batteries.
- Various styles of hearing aids are available.
Drawbacks
- People need a prescription to buy a hearing aid.
- Hearing aids may be more expensive than over-the-counter devices.
- People cannot order hearing aids online.
There are several alternatives to Connect Hearing available, including:
- Costco: Has hearing centers across the U.S. A person can receive a hearing test and purchase hearing aids from the same store.
- Signia: This hearing aid manufacturer does not offer its products for sale online. However, people can search for local stockists of Signia hearing aids through its website.
- Nano: People can purchase hearing aid devices directly from the Nano website.
There are several other devices that people may find suitable.
Personal sound amplification devices are devices suitable for people who do not have hearing loss. These devices are for use while doing activities requiring reduced background noise, such as hunting or bird watching. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate these products.
For those with profound or severe hearing loss, a cochlear implant may be an alternative. These implantable devices directly stimulate the auditory nerve rather than amplifying sound.
Find out more about the difference between cochlear implants and hearing aids.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) states that by 2050,
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The CDC notes that continuous noise exposure can lead to several health problems, including:
People are more at risk of noise-induced hearing loss if they work in noisy environments, are male, and are above the age of 40 years.
Individuals should take the following precautions to help protect their ear health:
- avoiding noisy locations where possible
- using ear protection such as earplugs
- decreasing the volume of music devices and TVs
- asking a doctor for a hearing check-up regularly
Connect Hearing offers hearing aids and hearing aid fittings in-store. It carries Phonak and AudioNova hearing aids but does not allow people to purchases these devices online. The company also recommends people check their insurance covers Connect Hearing’s services before making an appointment.
The company has various locations across the U.S. People can book a face-to-face appointment online or over the phone.