Bose Hearing Aid? – NEW Bose SoundControl Hearing Aids
Bose Hearing Aid? – NEW Bose SoundControl Hearing Aids
A new Bose hearing aid is now available – the Bose SoundControl hearing aid. It’s a self-fitting device that is adjusted with an app on your smartphone. In this post, I’ll discuss all the features of this new product. Coming up!
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Hi, I’m Dr. Derek – audiologist, audio engineer, and musician with ProFitHearing.com bringing you the best insight in today’s latest hearing aids, headphones, and audio technology to improve your life. If you have concerns about your hearing, always consult with your local physician or audiologist.
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Bose Hearing Aid
The Bose SoundControl hearing aids are now available and are for mild to moderate hearing loss. Bose reports that these are direct-to-consumer hearing aids and FDA cleared Class II medical devices. They are self-fitting hearing aids that are adjusted with the Bose Hear app on a smartphone. Bose states that the Bose Hear app is “the first self-tuning mobile app that’s clinically proven to provide audiologist-quality customization for individuals 18 or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.”
Hearing Screener
Bose provides a hearing screener on their website. This hearing screener has you answer a few questions and adjust your headphone volume before starting the screening which is comprised of 23 tests. For each test, you will hear three numbers spoken in the presence of background noise. You are asked to enter the numbers you hear. The hearing screener rates you as either having no hearing difficulty or mild, moderate, or severe hearing difficulty. Hearing Screener: https://www.bose.com/en_us/landing_pages/hearing-screener.html
While a hearing test is not required to use this hearing aid, Bose still recommends that a person with hearing loss see a physician (or ear specialist) for a medical evaluation. They also cite the following conditions as reasons to see a hearing healthcare professional:
See a licensed physician if you experience:
- “visible deformity of the ear”
- “current ear infection or a history of active discharge from one or both ears within the past 90 days”
- “sudden or rapid progression of hearing loss within the past 90 days in one or both ears”
- “acute or chronic dizziness, poor dexterity, poor vision, or significant dementia”
- suspected “significant ear wax accumulation or a foreign object in the ear canal”
- “pain or discomfort in the ear”
- “noticeable difference in hearing between ears”
- “sudden onset or rapid worsening of tinnitus (ringing in the ear) in one or both ears within the past 90 days
source (Indications for use): https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/headphones/earbuds/soundcontrol-hearing-aids-bose-0.html
The FDA also recommends consultation with a licensed physician for most of the conditions listed above before dispensing a hearing aid.
FDA documentation: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=801.420
I always recommend that anyone who has concerns about their hearing be evaluated by a local physician or audiologist.
In The Box
Now, let’s look at what’s included with the Bose SoundControl hearing aids. There are three different size ear tips in a closed or open style. The closed ear tips provide more bass response, and the open tips are commonly used to provide for a more natural sounding voice quality. You also get a cable sizing tool so that the wire is the correct fit for your ear. A case, cleaning brush, and pack of 312 zinc-air batteries are included. Bose reports up to 56 hours of runtime per battery. A quick start guide and instructions are also included.
Bose Hearing Aid – PROS
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this device. First for the pros.
Affordable
The Bose SoundControl hearing aids are more affordable. Currently, they are priced at $849 for a pair of hearing aids, and they’re eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement.
Trial Period
There is also a 90 day risk free trial period, so you can try them out in different listening situations and make sure they work well for you.
App Control
The Bose Hear app allows you to adjust the “World Volume” or environmental sounds, soft sounds, treble, bass, left and right balance, and microphone sensitivity from directly in front to surround sound (everywhere). There are also different sound environment presets within the app that you can choose from. You may also adjust your volume by using the volume switch on the back of the hearing aid.
Support
If you are having difficulty with the Bose hearing aids, Bose offers “Hear Product Experts” for virtual setup sessions, user guides in the app, online videos, and support via video chat and phone.
Bose Hearing Aid – CONS
What are the cons of the Bose SoundControl hearing aids?
Not Fit By A Professional
These devices are self-fitting, so you won’t be working with a licensed audiologist or hearing aid dispenser who can give you personalized care.
No Audio Streaming
The Bose hearing aids do not stream music or phone calls as you commonly see with today’s Bluetooth hearing aids. This is important so that you can hear more clearly from all of your devices whether it’s talking on the phone or listening to your favorite media.
Not Rechargeable
There is no rechargeable battery option. The Bose hearing aids use disposable, 312 batteries only.
No Accessories
There are currently no accessories available to use with the Bose hearing aids. Other hearing aids often include accessories like a separate remote, wireless microphone, and direct to tv connection.
Not For Severe To Profound Hearing Loss
Bose reports that the Bose hearing aid may not be right for someone with severe or profound hearing loss. People with more hearing loss may experience excessive feedback or find that the hearing aid is not providing enough volume even at the highest volume setting. Remember this device is indicated for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. People with more hearing loss would likely need a custom fitting ear mold and a hearing aid that can provide more volume.
Bose Hearing Aid – Final Thoughts
It will be interesting to see how this new technology impacts traditional hearing aid fittings. I still believe that seeing a licensed hearing healthcare professional for an evaluation is essential and that this device will not work for everyone. However, people with mild to moderate hearing loss may find that the Bose hearing aids provide them with enough benefit at an affordable price.
Check out the link below for more information and to see when they’re available in your area.
https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/headphones/earbuds/soundcontrol-hearing-aids-bose-0.html
Let me know in the comments below what you think of the Bose SoundControl self-fitting hearing aids. If you received value from this post, go to https://www.youtube.com/profithearing and check out all the videos on our YouTube channel.
-Dr. Derek