Oticon Own 4 hearing aids overview
Launching in October, Oticon Own is the world’s first custom aid that includes onboard Deep Neural Network AI technology (DNN) and is powered by the Polaris platform (first seen in Oticon More). This means it is really good at recognising and understanding everyday sounds, not just speech. This is because it is a network built on 12 million sounds that Oticon has recorded globally.
Why is this a good thing? Well, we simply hear with our brains and not with our ears. Oticon Own hearing aids are designed to give you the most realistic listening experience that supports how your brain naturally works (Oticon calls this BrainHearing technology). It also offers more of the meaningful sounds around you, more balance and clarity of all the little details in life. What is clever is that the MoreSound Amplifier ensures that your soundscape is balanced and amplifies it in such a way that it keeps the important details and contrast of sound. This is a different compression and amplification approach and quite unlike the conventional way of compression.
Back in 2021, Oticon launched the More hearing aid range, which boasted BTE models with a new operating system. But, this release did not appeal to ITE hearing aid wearers, and this new technology wasn’t accessible in this type of style. That is, until now. The Oticon Own 4 hearing aids are one of the entry performance levels, and even though they still include BrainHearing Technology, you will lose some of the core features offered by this hearing aid range. It is important to know which features you won’t get with this level and speak to an audiologist about whether they would benefit your hearing needs.
Who would suit this performance level, and what is the difference between Oticon Own 4 hearing aids and Own 1? If you spend large amounts of time in smaller social activities and at home or have a quiet lifestyle, this product level could work well. When comparing Oticon Own 4 hearing aids with Own 1, there are fewer processing channels, fitting bands and a lower percentage in the Spatial Balancer feature.
Main features
MoreSound Intelligence: This captures, optimises and enhances sounds to provide hearing aid wearers with access to complete sound, offering individual sounds more clarity with other singular sounds.
Spatial Sound: This feature supports your awareness of your surrounding sounds, so you can choose what to focus on. This aid has built upon such a directional strategy we saw way back with Opn – instead of the beamforming strategy of other hearing aids. Basically, the Own is accessing a bigger scope of surrounding sounds, but keeping speech clear, and you can definitely tell the difference. Nuanced sound without being overwhelming.
MoreSound Amplifier: This balances amplification quickly and precisely so that the all-important details and dynamics are audible and accessible to those with hearing loss.
Bluetooth
As stated above, this connectivity is only available in the ITC and both ITE models, as the IIC and CIC styles are non-wireless. The Oticon Own 4 hearing aids provide direct streaming to both iPhone and Android devices. You can also access hands-free calls from iPhones and iPads – using your hearing aids as personal headphones. None of the Oticon Own 4 hearing aids is rechargeable, though and because there are only two styles that have Bluetooth connectivity, you’ll have to choose between features and size. It is also worth mentioning that these two Bluetooth options can have an added telecoil feature, but not both. So again, you’ll have to choose between connectivity and this feature.
The fit
As consumers are drawn more towards the discreet hearing aid models, Oticon has made miniaturisation one of its focus points since the Oticon Opn ITE options. The result? Smaller, more discreet ITE hearing aids that meet the needs of the patients. This is especially true for the Oticon Own 4 IIC hearing aids, which are said to be invisible in 9 out of 10 ears, as supported by Oticon’s White Papers. This is made possible by developing smaller components, better software and process methods.
Colours and performance levels
Models and styles
- Invisible in the Canal (IIC) – A truly invisible non-wireless hearing aid that uses a size 10 battery, is water and dust resistant and is suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.
- Completely in the Canal (CIC) – A non-wireless hearing aid that is slightly larger than the IIC, uses a size 10 battery, has an optional push button, is water and dust resistant, includes the binaural connection between hearing aids to improve directionality and is suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.
- In the Canal (ITC) – A Bluetooth hearing aid that uses a 312-size battery, telecoil, water and dust resistant, includes Telehealth, an optional push button and a binaural connection between hearing aids to improve directionality.
- In the Ear Full Shell (ITE FS) – A hearing aid that is better for those with dexterity issues, that uses a size 312 battery, is water and dust resistant, Bluetooth, Telecoil, Telehealth, suitable for mild to severe hearing loss, an optional push button and includes a binaural connection between hearing aids to improve directionality.
- In the Ear Half Shell (ITE HS) – A hearing aid that is better for those with dexterity issues, that uses a size 312 battery, is water and dust resistant, Bluetooth, Telecoil, Telehealth, and is suitable for mild to severe hearing loss, with an optional push button and includes a binaural connection between hearing aids to improve directionality.
Need more support with Oticon Own 4 hearing aids?
Choosing a hearing aid is a big decision, and you shouldn’t have to make it alone. Our independent audiologists are here to help you find the right solution for your hearing, your lifestyle, and your budget. Book your free appointment today and get:
- A full hearing test carried out by a registered audiologist
- Personalised fitting and programming tailored to your hearing profile
- Unlimited fine-tuning and aftercare, for life
- A 60-day money-back guarantee if it’s not right for you
- Access to free home visits and clinic appointments across the UK
With over 30,000 satisfied customers and 200+ audiologists nationwide in 90+ clinics, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Call us free on 0808 208 5156, or fill out our questionnaire at the bottom of this page, or click below to fill out a contact form here