Month: April 2025

Oticon’s latest update to their Own family of hearing aids has seen a huge AI upgrade, but are they a game-changer or more of the same?

Let’s take a look at what’s new with the Oticon Own SI, what is missing and whether or not this could be the hearing aid that ends your search.

What’s new in the Oticon Own SI?

Oticon’s last custom hearing aid family—the Oticon Own—was released nearly 3 years ago, in August 2022. It included five models, ranging from invisible-in-canal (IIC) to full-shell, all with varying features.

These are custom-made devices, meaning an audiologist takes an impression of your ear so it fits perfectly. However, Oticon has chosen not to replace the entire range this time around. Instead, they’re only updating two models:

1. The Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)
2. The Completely-in-Canal (CIC)

If you’re looking for In-the-Canal (ITC), In-the-Ear (ITE) half-shell, or ITE full-shell, you’ll need to stick with the 2022 versions for now.

So, what makes the Own S different?

It keeps all the size and style benefits of the previous generation, but there are three standout upgrades:

Artificial Intelligence developments

Noise is the enemy for anyone with hearing loss. Oticon claims to lead the pack in improving speech understanding in noise—thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Because there’s not enough room for dual microphones (which help with background noise), Oticon turned to AI as a solution.

Oticon’s new Sirius chip is the heart of this device. It houses a deep neural network, essentially giving your hearing aid its own brain.

This AI has been trained using millions of sound samples, including speech, music, traffic and nature sounds. It learns to distinguish speech (what you want to hear) from noise (what you don’t).

Sudden Sound Stabiliser

But, then what about sudden loud noises which aren’t really noises in the traditional sense but something that my patients often complain about, such as the clattering of emptying the dishwasher or door slamming?

Well, Oticon have developed a feature which consistently monitors the incoming sounds using advanced algorithms, and they’ve named it their Sudden Sound Stabiliser. This is designed to smooth out those sudden loud sounds, so instead of getting a jarring spike in volume, the hearing aid is intelligent enough to adjust the amplification and make it more comfortable before it reaches your ear.

Does it actually work?

Well, in Oticon’s studies they found:

• Up to 5.4 dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement
• 2.7 dB clearer speech vs. the 2022 model

In simple terms: speech should sound more distinct, helping you follow conversations in noisy environments and reducing listening fatigue.

Manufacturer claims should always be taken with a grain of salt. For independent testing, check out HearingTracker.com for unbiased results across multiple brands.

Life inside the ear (IP68 Rating)

Let’s face it: the life of an in-ear hearing aid is… rough. They live in a dark, damp, waxy human orifice. Not ideal for electronics.

Thankfully, the Oticon Own S is rated IP68: Water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, and dust-resistant too.

They’ve achieved this with nano-coating inside and out. Still, I always recommend storing your hearing aids in a drying cup with a drying tablet – no matter the brand.

What’s missing in Oticon Own Sirius?

Now, I don’t just hype the positives—sorry, Oticon—but there are a few downsides you should know:

1. Only for IIC and CIC

The new AI-powered models are only available in the smallest sizes. If you want a larger model, you’re stuck with the older generation—and here’s why that matters…

2. No Bluetooth

No streaming calls, music, TV, or podcasts. If you want Bluetooth, you’ll need to pick an older model.

3. No Telecoil

This would’ve allowed connection to sound sources in theatres, cinemas, and places of worship. It’s not here—likely due to space limitations.

4. No Rechargeable Option

Despite over 90% of my fittings now being rechargeable, Oticon still hasn’t included it in their custom range. You’ll need to change batteries every 3–5 days.

In 2025? That’s a miss. Disposable batteries are just… very 2024.

Oticon OWN Sirius Hearing Aids (2025) – Big AI Upgrade, But THIS is Missing… Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his first look at Oticon Own Sirius video below.

Enjoy this article? You might be interested in some of our others:

• Best hearing aids available in the UK for 2025
• First look at new ReSound Vivia hearing aids
• Widex Allure Hearing Aid Platform: Exclusive Interview

Harley Street Hearing’s Matthew Allsop managed to get an inside look at the groundbreaking Widex Allure platform in this exclusive interview with Widex’s Sonie Harris, at the company’s headquarters in Copenhagen.

Read on as we dive into the five major innovations behind Allure – from enhanced sound quality and real-time AI personalisation to next-gen feedback control.

Kicking things off at Widex HQ

Matthew: Sonie, it’s great to see you. Thank you so much for having me here today in Copenhagen at Widex HQ, talking about all your latest tech. I have to say, I’m exhausted—exhausted from spending the whole day immersed in everything about the new Widex Allure hearing aids.

You’ve got some really exciting stuff, and I think we need to share it with the world over on the Hearing Tracker YouTube channel.

Okay, so—there are some real game-changers here, both for audiologists and for hearing aid users. I’d love for you to talk us through what’s most important.

Helping both the wearer and the provider

Sonie: What’s really important is that we’re bringing solutions that, as you mentioned, not only help the wearer but also support the provider. These solutions are clear, intuitive, and future-ready.

When we talk about that, we mean a hearing device that balances crystal-clear speech with accurate awareness of surroundings—so wearers can feel fully immersed in their environment the way they want to be.

That’s the Widex philosophy. It’s the Widex sound philosophy.

Matthew: I’ve definitely had that drilled into me all day! You’ve got some impressive new features too, right?

Sonie: Yes! Widex Allure is the name of our new platform, and what makes it special is the W1 chip that powers it. It’s incredibly fast and has the memory to support a whole new range of features.

So, it’s not just one standout—we’ve introduced five key features that really meet the needs of the wearer.

Five new features of Widex Allure

Matthew: Let’s hear them all—sorry to put you on the spot!

1. PureSound — Now even More powerful

Sonie: Allure PureSound combines advanced tech like a broadband beamformer for directionality, noise reduction, and feedback management—all while keeping our signature zero-delay processing.

Matthew: PureSound was already great on the Moment platform. But the limitation was that you couldn’t overlay other features on top of it.

Sonie: Exactly! Now you can. Research shows a 4.3 dB improvement in speech-in-noise performance with the Allure PureSound program compared to the previous version.

Matthew: Would you say it’s your “hero feature”?

Sonie: One of them! But it’s really about how all five features work together. It’s not just one star—it’s a full ensemble.

2. Speech Enhancer Pro — Mastering Noise

Sonie: Next up: Speech Enhancer Pro. It builds on our previous tech that kept noise comfortable. Now, we’re adding fast and slow-acting components to better extract speech in noisy environments.

Matthew: That’s why people come in—because they can’t hear well in noise.

Sonie: And it’s compatible with PureSound too, so users don’t have to choose between features anymore.

Matthew: Nice. Another feature you told me about—and I hope I get the name right—is the… Dynamic Feedback Cancellation Controller?

3. Dynamic Feedback Controller

Sonie: Close! It’s called the Dynamic Feedback Controller. It uses adaptive frequency shifting that’s targeted and minimal, which helps reduce whistling without harming sound quality.

Matthew: That’s exciting. Feedback control isn’t something you notice… until it’s not working.

Sonie: Exactly. We call it a “hygiene factor.” A hearing aid shouldn’t whistle. But doing that without hurting sound quality? That’s a big deal.

Matthew: The universal program really stands out too – super adaptive.

4. Smarter Sound Classification

Sonie: Yes! With Allure, we’ve enhanced the sound classification system. It now includes a beat detector to reduce errors—like misclassifying background music and disabling key features.

Now, we still classify across 11 industry-leading sound classes, but with more accuracy—so wearers can just put them in and forget about adjustments.

Matthew: Does that reduce the need for lots of fine-tuning appointments?

Sonie: That’s the goal. We’ve used anonymised cloud data from previous fittings to see which adjustments providers most often make. With that, our new fitting algorithm starts users off closer to their ideal sound—making fittings more seamless.

This can evolve over time, and we’re adding another layer on top: AI.

4. AI for real-time personalisation

Sonie: We’re focused on using AI for real patient benefit.

In the Allure app, we’ve implemented AI that helps wearers fine-tune their hearing aids in real time. It uses global user data to make intelligent suggestions based on what’s worked for others in similar situations.

Matthew: Your AI learns from real-world use, not just presets?

Sonie: Yes! And it runs on the smartphone—not the hearing aid—so we avoid battery drain and keep devices small.

5. Dedicated Streaming Compressor

Sonie: Here’s one more: We’ve separated the streaming compressor from the environmental sound processor. So now, loud surroundings won’t mess with your streaming audio quality.

Matthew: Amazing. So… the big question: When can everyone get this?

Sonie: The global launch was March 19th. Availability depends on the region.

The Widex Allure platform is now available at Harley Street Hearing. If you’re interested in a trial, get in touch with us to book a consultation.

Widex Allure: The BIGGEST Hearing Aid Upgrade of 2025? Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his first look at ReSound Vivia video below.

Enjoy this article? You might be interested in some of our others:

• Best hearing aids available in the UK for 2025
• Full review: Phonak Audéo Infinio Sphere hearing aids with patient feedback
• First look at new ReSound Vivia hearing aids

Hearing aids are the most effective treatment option for hearing loss but they can take some time to get used to, especially if you’ve never worn them before.

From the physical aspect to the way your brain processes sounds, there are a lot of different factors that come with adjusting to hearing aids.

Whether you’re wearing a hearing aid for the first time or you’ve just upgraded to a new device, this step-by-step guide should help you adjust to it and improve your confidence in wearing it in all listening situations.

1. Understand the adjustment period

With any new hearing aid, there will usually be an adjustment period. Getting used to hearing aids is a journey, not an overnight change and you need to give yourself time to adjust to them.

Not only are you tasked with getting to grips with how they work, but your brain will also need to relearn how to process sounds it might not have heard in a long time. Some sounds might sound strange at first – even the sound of your own footsteps or a loved one’s voice – but that’s completely normal!

The hearing aid adjustment period can sometimes take up to four months until you’re completely used to them, but it may even take longer than this. Everyone is different, and there’s no need to worry if you’re taking a little longer than expected.

2. Wear them at home first

You really can’t beat the comfort of your own home, and this is the best place to try out your new hearing aids. Your home is the perfect low-stress environment as it’s familiar and quiet, and you’ll be able to focus on individual sounds you recognise a lot easier.

Using your hearing aids at home will give you the best opportunity to adjust the different layers of sound around you without feeling overwhelmed. For example, you can experiment with adjusting the volume on the TV and honing in on quiet sounds such as the clock ticking or the tap running. This is also a good chance to get used to adjusting the settings on your hearing aids to adapt to the sounds around you.

3. Start slowly, gradually increasing usage

If you’re a new hearing aid user and you’re really struggling to adjust to your new listening capabilities, it’s a good idea to build up your tolerance slowly.

You don’t need to wear your hearing aids from morning until night right away if that’s not comfortable. Starting with just a few hours a day in calm settings whilst gradually increasing the duration can make all the difference.

If you’re starting to feel fatigued, take short breaks and try again later. Over time, your ears and brain will adjust, making it easier to wear them for longer periods without any discomfort.

4. Listen to everyday sounds

When wearing hearing aids for the first time, you might just be surprised by how much sound you’ve been missing! Simple sounds like the rustling of leaves or the kettle boiling might stand out to you more than before.

It’s normal for this to feel overwhelming at first but it’s a good sign as it shows your new hearing aids are working for you! Try to re-familiarise yourself with these kinds of sounds by taking the time to focus on them – that way, your brain will start to recognise and filter them naturally.

5. Practice in different environments

Once you’ve gained your confidence at home and your hearing aids are starting to feel more comfortable, it’s a good idea to challenge yourself in different environments. Simply taking a trip to your local shop, cafe or park can be the switch-up you need to start adapting to different sounds and spaces.

Placing yourself in these environments can help you practice picking out voices from background noise and getting used to identifying directional sounds. If it feels like too much at first, take it one step at a time and start with quieter locations before moving to busier ones.

6. Take time to educate yourself

Your audiologist will help you select the hearing aid that best suits your needs and ensure it’s set up correctly to help you get the most out of it, but taking the time to educate yourself can make a huge difference in speeding up the adjustment process.

The more you understand about how your hearing aids work, the better your experience will be. Learn how to adjust settings, clean them, and troubleshoot minor issues. Many modern hearing aids now also come with smartphone apps that allow you to personalise your listening experience.

We have a useful selection of hearing aid how-to videos here that guide you through pairing different devices with your phone and TV.

7. Participate in different conversations

It’s natural for conversations to feel a bit different when wearing new hearing aids for the first time, especially in group settings.

A great way to help you get over this hurdle is starting with one-on-one discussions in quiet places to allow you to focus on a single voice and adjust to how speech sounds. Then as you get more comfortable, introduce yourself to group discussions and then move on to busier environments like small gatherings.

If background noise makes it difficult to follow a conversation, here are a few helpful strategies:

• Face the speaker – Watching lip movements and facial expressions can help you understand speech more easily
• Position yourself carefully – Sit with your back to a wall or in a quieter part of the room to minimise background noise
• Let others know you’re adjusting – Friends and family can help by speaking clearly, facing you directly, or reducing background noise where possible

8. Be patient

Along with the tips above, the key to adjusting to new hearing aids is really being patient with yourself. In many cases, you are likely to see a noticeable improvement immediately after getting your new hearing aids fitted but it isn’t always plain sailing – and that’s okay!

Retraining your brain to process sound in a new way can take some time, so it’s completely normal to experience some moments of frustration along the way.

Set realistic expectations and focus on small victories like being able to hear sounds you haven’t heard for a while, and being able to participate better in conversations. Consistency is key and there’s no need to try and rush the process.

9. Get support from your audiologist

Remember, you’re not on this journey alone – your audiologist is there to support you and ensure you have the smoothest transition with your new hearing aids. If something doesn’t sound right, or if you’re struggling with discomfort, always reach out to your audiologist as they can help to make adjustments, provide tips, and ensure you’re getting the best possible experience from your hearing aids.

This is why choosing the right audiologist is crucial, as finding someone you can trust to help you get the most from your hearing aids has a huge impact on your journey. At Harley Street Hearing, all of our hearing aid patients receive lifetime aftercare with regular follow-up appointments to ensure their hearing aids are still working optimally for them.

These follow-up appointments are hugely important to your journey as they give you the opportunity to discuss how you’ve been getting on and if you’ve been having any problems. Similarly, our audiologists can also identify if there are any settings that need to be adjusted or changes that need to be made.

At Harley Street Hearing, you’re always in safe hands. We pride ourselves on our passion to always find the right treatment for our patients and offer them unrivalled aftercare.

Our clinics are based in London, and we offer a range of different hearing care services to help you reach your full hearing potential. To book an appointment, call us on 020 7486 1053 or contact us online.

Enjoy this article? You might be interested in some of our others:

• Best hearing aids available in the UK for 2025
• NHS vs private hearing aids: What’s the difference?
• The importance of getting hearing aids fitted by a professional