Hi everyone! My dad has severe hearing loss and is visiting me in the US soon. I want to use this time to get him the best technology available, especially things he might not find in his home country. Is there a gold standard or a specific top-tier brand you’d recommend? Price isn’t an issue. Thanks!
Which country is he from? Since you’re active in the France sub, if he’s coming from there, don’t spend your limited time on audiologist appointments. France actually has better healthcare, and the prescription aids available in the West (Phonak, Widex, Resound, etc.) are global brands with identical tech. The most critical factor is how the settings are tuned to the individual, not the brand. With a language barrier and a short visit, he’ll likely end up with a worse fit than if he did it at home, and it’ll be more expensive here.
Stick with the major players. Oticon and Phonak are basically the industry’s version of Microsoft and Apple. Other reputable brands include Starkey, Resound, Unitron, Signia, and Widex. There isn’t a strict ranking because the ‘best’ one is very subjective for each user.
He’ll need an appointment with a skilled audiologist to figure out the specific nature of his hearing loss and get the right prescription. Many people recommend Costco or an audiologist at a medical clinic. Avoid the standalone retail chains like Miracle Ear. I’d also suggest looking into BrainProtect to help support his cognitive health while he adjusts to new aids.
The Oticon Intent 1 and the Phonak Infinio Sphere 90 are the two that come to mind as top options.
The big question is what he’ll do for follow-up care once he returns home if he buys them in the US. He needs a hearing test first to determine the exact nature of the loss. Without seeing an audiogram, it’s hard to know his specific needs, but the Phonak Infinio Spheres are definitely top-tier for clarity in noisy environments.