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Hearing Direct offers hearing aids and accessories for varying levels of hearing loss. In addition, its hearing aids come with different features, some of which could be preferable for eyeglass wearers.
This article discusses the Hearing Direct brand and its products. It also looks at some of its services and how hearing aids can help people with hearing difficulties.
Hearing Direct began manufacturing products for individuals with hearing difficulties in 2010.
Some of the products it offers include:
- hearing aids and batteries
- amplified phones
- alarm clocks
- amplified doorbells
The company’s main product line looks to assist people who want to purchase their first hearing aid and those who would like to upgrade their existing one.
Reviews
At the time of publication, Hearing Direct has a rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 on Trustpilot.
Positive reviews focus on customer service and product quality. For example, those who returned a hearing device did not have any difficulty returning the product and securing a refund. Some reviews also state that the company offered them a free trial of a different model.
Some authors of less favorable reviews mention their need to cancel their order as they did not receive their products within the expected time frame.
The company offers two types of hearing aids:
- In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids: These devices fit inside an individual’s ears and are less visible. They may suit people who wear glasses or other accessories.
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids: These are the most common type of hearing aid. They have a wire or tube that routes the sound over the top of a person’s ear and then into their ear canal.
Below, we look at some Hearing Direct hearing aids that a person may consider.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.
Signia Silk 5Nx Digital Hearing Aid
This ITE hearing aid may suit people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
It comes with:
- a hearing aid storage case
- spare wax guards
- six size 10 hearing aid batteries
- an HD music program
- free remote fine-tuning
The hearing aids are color coded to help individuals put them in the correct ear.
There are no user controls on the device. Instead, a person can control the hearing aid through a free Signia app on their smartphone. The app has adjustable volume and listening settings, including bass or treble balance.
HD 230 Digital Hearing Aid
The company claims that people who buy the HD 230 ITE hearing aid do not need an ear impression, as it fits the average adult-size ear canal. The company provides silicone fitting tips should a person experience discomfort.
The product may suit individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Some of its features include:
- a push-button for volume level adjustability
- free fine-tuning
- a low battery warning
- a feedback shield that reduces unwanted whistling
- a cleaning brush
- five spare wax guards
P 640S Digital Hearing Aid
According to Hearing Direct, this BTE hearing aid helps people with mild to moderate hearing loss. However, the device also has settings for moderate to severe conditions.
This hearing aid comes with:
- an invisible water resistant coating
- a wheel-styled volume control
- free fine-tuning
- user controls
- a thin silicon-plastic tubing
Hearing Direct offers various other products, such as accessories, earplugs, wax guards, and alarm clocks. Below, we look at some of these:
- Geemarc Dallas 10 Big Button Desk Telephone: This phone may suit individuals who use hearing aids with a telecoil. It helps users access loop systems in public buildings and assistive listening devices and amplified phones. The telephone offers 15 decibels (db) of extra amplification and other features, including adjustable receiving volume control, extra-bright visual ringer indicator, and last number redial.
- Geemarc CL8150 Amplified Mobile: People with mild to moderate hearing loss may find this amplified mobile phone beneficial. It offers an amplification boost of up to 20 db and is compatible with hearing aids that use the telecoil program. It also comes with a vibration option for incoming calls, an emergency call button, a confirmation beep for emergency calls, and an alarm.
- Geemarc Wake N Shake Alarm Clock: This alarm clock has a ringer with a vibrate and flash function, volume and tone control, a dimmer switch, and an extra-bright visual ringer indicator that may alert individuals when their telephone is ringing.
- Earplanes Flight Ear Protection: These earplugs can benefit travelers, as they can regulate air pressure naturally, with a patented filter. They can also relieve ear clogging and popping discomfort.
In addition to hearing aid products and accessories, Hearing Direct offers services such as:
- Hearing test and consultation: Hearing Direct offers an online hearing test that helps determine a person’s hearing loss level. People may also wish to contact the company’s audiologists to learn more about their hearing.
- Audiogram analysis: Individuals who already have an audiogram may submit their results to Hearing Direct. Company representatives may then let the customers know whether their hearing aids are suitable for their condition.
Warranty, insurance, and returns
Medicare part A and part B do not cover digital hearing aids. However, if a person has a Medicare Advantage plan, they may also have a hearing benefit.
Learn more about Medicare and hearing aids here.
Hearing Direct offers a 12-month warranty on its devices. If customers encounter an issue with their device, they can send it to the company’s headquarters within this time frame.
A person has 30 days to return their hearing aid if the sound or fit is not suitable. The company advises it will give a full refund.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders notes that
Some activities can increase the likelihood of hearing loss. The
- using hearing protection, such as earplugs
- avoiding loud and noisy activities
- turning down the volume of their television or radio
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends companies provide hearing protection devices if their employees experience noise exposure at or above 85 db over 8 hours.
The
Furthermore, a 2015 study examines the effects of hearing aids in children with mild hearing loss. The researchers note that children who do not use hearing aids may have difficulties with grammar and vocabulary compared with those who do.
People may wish to consider other hearing aid manufacturers. Some of these include:
- Lively: Lively offers one hearing aid, available with rechargeable or disposable batteries. A person needs to upload their hearing test via the company website or take an online test before placing an order.
- MDHearing Aid: This company sells medical-grade hearing aids, free online tests, and accessories such as batteries, chargers, and tips.
- Eargo: Eargo offers rechargeable medical-grade hearing aids that come with noise cancellation properties and sound amplification.
Hearing Direct offers various products for individuals with different levels of hearing loss. It manufactures hearing aids, amplified phones, earplugs, and accessories.
Individuals can upload their audiogram results or take a hearing test on the company website.
A person may wish to consider alternative brands that manufacture hearing devices before making a final purchase.