Living with severe to profound hearing loss can be a challenging journey. The World Health Organization reports that 430 million people worldwide have “disabling” hearing loss, and the impact of hearing loss is broad and profound, affecting many areas of mental and physical health. Individuals with this level of hearing impairment often require specialized hearing aids that offer powerful amplification, clarity, and versatile features to help them navigate the world of sound.
In most cases, these individuals need prescription-based hearing aids professionally fitted to their specific hearing needs.
Hearing loss presents in different levels, from mild all the way to profound. The severity of hearing loss is measured on a graph called an audiogram. The audiogram classifies the hearing loss based on the lowest intensity that is heard over a frequency spectrum of 125-8,000 Hz, which are typically the frequency range used in speech.
Unique Challenges of Severe to Profound Hearing Loss
As the name suggests, profound hearing loss presents as the most extreme form of hearing loss, where persons have limited access to sound, and their residual hearing abilities are poor. Profound hearing loss is classified as hearing loss where a person cannot hear sounds below 90 dB on the audiogram. Individuals with this condition experience difficulty hearing conversations clearly and miss many environmental sounds.
People can experience profound hearing loss for a variety of reasons. It often occurs as a result of long-term untreated hearing loss that deteriorates over time, but it can also be caused over an acute period, for example, due to the side effects of ototoxic medication, head injuries, or being born with profound hearing loss.
Power BTE with earmold shown
Due to the high level of impairment, profound hearing loss requires specialized hearing care interventions. Fortunately, hearing aid technologies have been developed to address profound hearing loss. They often work by wearing hearing aids that are referred to as power or superpower hearing aids. These hearing aids are larger in size due to the circuitry and power of amplification required in these devices. The hearing aids are also attached to a custom-made acrylic or silicone earmold that fits snugly into the ear canal to ensure that sound is adequately amplified.
In addition to powerful technology, persons with profound hearing loss benefit significantly from audiological rehabilitation facilitated by an audiologist or hearing health care professional. This assistance helps them navigate the difficulties associated with poor speech perception and hearing-related challenges.
Any degree of hearing loss can be challenging, but profound hearing loss can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. Without intervention, profound hearing loss can undermine safety and erode one’s feelings of connection to people and the world around them.
Profound hearing loss requires specialized and personalized treatments that can only be conducted by professional hearing care providers. The new over the counter (OTC) hearing aid platform is not be applicable to persons with profound hearing loss, as OTC hearing aids are not designed to provide sufficient amplification and the additional audiological support that persons with profound hearing loss require.
Top Hearing Aid Picks for Severe to Profound Hearing Loss
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are most commonly recommended for individuals with hearing loss, as they are larger and can be equipped with all the necessary technology for improved hearing with.
Hearing aids for people with profound hearing loss are different from regular hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The main reason for this difference is the need for higher levels of amplification.
It is important to note that while hearing aids can significantly improve speech audibility for individuals with profound hearing loss, they do not cure hearing loss. However, they can provide substantial benefit and significantly improve quality of life for the wearer and may also help with tinnitus symptoms if that is also present.
Let us take a closer look at some of the specific hearing aid models recommended for those with severe to profound hearing loss:
- Phonak Naida Lumity and Sky Lumity
- Oticon Xceed and Xceed Play
- Signia Motion SP X
- Starkey Evolv AI Power Plus BTE 13
- ReSound ENZO Q
- Unitron Stride Blu UP
Phonak Naída Lumity
NAIDA LUMITY HEARING AIDS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE MYPHONAK APP
The Phonak Naída Lumity (Naída L) is the latest addition to the Lumity series, representing the flagship behind-the-ear (BTE) style hearing aids manufactured by Phonak, a subsidiary of Sonova Group. Released in August 2023, Naída Lumity introduces cutting-edge technology, succeeding the Naída Paradise model. Available in two models – Naída Lumity L-PR (rechargeable BTE, up to severe hearing loss) and Naída L-UP (ultra-power device for severe to profound losses) – this advanced hearing aid utilizes artificial intelligence, analyzing the environment 700 times per second, and adapting automatically to the user’s unique listening situations.
Phonak’s Naída Lumity incorporates AutoSense OS 5.0, an AI-driven operating system prioritizing speech understanding. Offering four technology levels (L30, L50, L70, L90), it delivers various advanced features like Dynamic Noise Cancellation, SpeechSensor, StereoZoom 2.0, EchoBlock, and Speech Enhancer (L90).
These aids come equipped with push-buttons, tap control (L-PR), and connectivity to the myPhonak app, enabling adjustments, volume control, and Bluetooth connections to both Apple and Android devices. Naída Lumity aims to provide a personalized and technologically advanced solution for hearing loss across different levels of severity.
Phonak Sky Lumity
Phonak’s Sky L hearing aids specifically target children, bringing the latest Lumity platform to the company’s pediatric line up. Focusing on speech comprehension in noisy environments, enhancing their engagement and connectivity.
With Sky L’s connectivity options and compatibility with the myPhonak Junior app, children gain better access to digital experiences and significantly improved speech understanding when paired with Roger technology.
Oticon Xceed
Oticon Xceed was originally launched in 2019 as “the world’s most powerful hearing aid” tailored for adults dealing with severe-to-profound hearing loss. This innovative device provides unprecedented access to speech, backed by BrainHearing™ technology that enhances speech clarity and recall while reducing listening effort.
It incorporates OpenSound Navigator™ and OpenSound Optimizer™, facilitating enhanced speech access and reduced listening strain in complex listening environments. The company also unveiled the Oticon Xceed Play, specifically designed for children with severe-to-profound hearing loss, delivering more stable gain and a consistent, comfortable access to speech throughout the day.
The Xceed series, developed on the Oticon Velox S platform, introduces pioneering features such as the ultra-fast OpenSound Navigator™ technology. This innovation significantly diminishes background noise while preserving speech, reportedly resulting in a 10% improvement in speech clarity and reduced listening effort, particularly beneficial for individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Moreover, the Xceed models, available in super power (BTE SP, 110) with a 13 battery and ultra power (BTE UP, 120) using a 675 battery, facilitate seamless wireless connectivity. They directly connect to iPhones and other smartphones through ConnectClip, enabling discreet control of the hearing aids via the Oticon ON App.
Oticon Xceed Play
The Oticon Xceed Play is a pediatric power hearing aid designed for children dealing with severe-to-profound hearing loss. It offers stable gain and consistent access to speech throughout the day, ensuring optimal sound quality. With enhanced BrainHearing™ technology and OpenSound Navigator™, this innovative device provides better speech clarity, reduces listening effort, and maintains a comfortable listening experience for children, even in complex environments.
The Xceed Play features various child-friendly attributes, including an LED indicator, tamper-resistant battery drawer, and is available in 12 vibrant colors, ensuring an optimal and appealing hearing experience for children with diverse preferences.
Signia Motion Charge&Go SP X
The Motion Charge&Go SP X is the first-ever rechargeable super power hearing aid offering up to 61 hours of run-time per charge. Completing Signia’s lineup of Motion Charge&Go behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing solutions for various hearing loss levels, these devices cater specifically to individuals with with severe to profound hearing loss.
The Motion Charge&Go SP X stands out with its unmatched 61 hours of run-time per charge, making it the most powerful rechargeable hearing aid globally. Featuring acoustic-motion sensors, Own Voice Processing (OVP™), and the Signia App powered by the Signia Xperience platform, these devices offer personalized and precise hearing experiences, enhancing voice clarity for wearers across various situations.
Notable features of the Motion Charge&Go X series include:
- Unprecedented rechargeable super power hearing aid with up to 61 hours of run-time
- Own Voice Processing (OVP™)
- Made for iPhone direct streaming capable
- Signia App for controls, streaming, tinnitus therapy, and remote care support
- Li-ion charging, Bluetooth® connectivity, and telecoil
- Available across wide rage of performance levels, with an upgrade option including a UV Dry&Clean charger
Starkey Evolv AI Power Plus BTE 13
The Starkey Evolv AI Power Plus BTE offers various advanced features aimed at revolutionizing the user’s hearing aid experience. Equipped with Evolv AI Technology, which incorporates embedded sensors and artificial intelligence, these devices highlight the impact of hearing on overall health and wellness while ensuring a seamless user interface.
The Power Plus BTE 13 (which utilizes a disposable size 13 battery) line of hearing aids builds on Starkey Sound™, a pioneering technology rooted in years of research and science-based algorithms, mirroring the human auditory system’s functionality. Utilizing machine learning, it automatically suppresses background noise, enhances speech audibility, and increases speech intelligibility.
Starkey’s commitment to innovation extends to the Evolv AI product family’s additional features, including a 40% reduction in noise energy compared to previous technology, Edge Mode refinement, Fall Alert, Voice Reminders across all technology tiers, Thrive usability enhancements, and TeleHear™ first and follow-up fit additions.
ReSound ENZO Q
The ReSound ENZO Q offers a solution designed for individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss, providing not only substantial amplification but also a wide array of connectivity options and personalized support for an optimal hearing experience. Its innovative technology helps ensure clear and comfortable sound, customizable to individual preferences without whistling or squealing even at higher volume levels.
A key feature of the ReSound ENZO Q is its ability to adapt to different environments, automatically adjusting volume and noise settings to provide a balanced auditory experience. It efficiently reduces distracting background noises, making them comfortable yet audible. Enhanced connectivity is another highlight, enabling direct streaming from both iOS and compatible Android devices. The hearing aids’ telecoil feature facilitates connectivity to loop sound systems in public spaces, ensuring amplified sound delivery directly to the hearing aids.
For those who use a cochlear implant on one side, ReSound and Cochlear technology enables simultaneous streaming to both a Cochlear implant and a ReSound hearing aid from compatible iOS or Android devices or accessories. This offers superior sound quality across both ears, enhancing phone calls, music, and conversations in noisy settings.
Unitron Stride Blu UP
The Unitron Ultra Power BTE on the Blu platform is a revolutionary hearing solution designed for individuals with severe-to-profound cochlear hearing loss, addressing their unique challenges with a comprehensive suite of features. The award-winning device introduces Ultra Power Pre-Sets, offering specific configurations based on real-world patient data, aimed at meeting diverse patient needs. These presets guarantee improved fitting options, contributing to an enhanced overall user experience and satisfaction.
Key Features:
- Ultra Power Pre-Sets: Tailored configurations within TrueFit software, offering improved fitting options based on real-world patient data.
- Connectivity and Personalization: Stride Blu UP enables seamless Bluetooth connectivity to two active devices and empowers users with real-time adjustments through the Remote Plus app for a personalized hearing experience.
- Dual Receiver Amplification: Equipped with powerful dual receivers, the device reduces feedback and delivers an ultimate gain and output improvement of up to +2 dB SPL over the previous generation for a comfortable hearing experience.
- Award-Winning Design: Stride B-UP, featuring the Blu platform, received the Red Dot Award for its sleek design, enhanced functionality, and powerful sound performance, making it smaller, lighter, and more user-friendly than its predecessor.
Summary
Advancements in hearing aid technology continue to adapt to modern users’ needs, introducing new models regularly. Staying updated on these developments and consulting with a hearing care professional is crucial to find the ideal solution for individual hearing and lifestyle requirements. Hearing care practitioners play a pivotal role, meticulously assessing factors such as hearing loss, age, and lifestyle, guiding users toward the most appropriate hearing aid choice. This approach ensures a personalized technological solution, accompanied by professional support and rehabilitation, delivering an optimal user experience.
Whether seeking a rechargeable option like the Signia Motion SP X line, compatibility with cochlear implants like the ENZO Q, or the latest tech upgrade for a child, such as the Sky Lumity, there’s a diverse range of choices available.
Hearing Aid Resources:
- Oticon hearing aids
- Unitron hearing aids
- Starkey hearing aids
- Phonak hearing aids
- ReSound hearing aids
About the author
Nausheen Dawood is an experienced Audiologist and Project Manager with a professional background including primary health care, corporate social investment, and business development. Proficient in the development of academic courses, training, and lecturing, with a focus on clinical student training and supervision. Adept in freelance copywriting, particularly in audiology and health-related topics. Holds a Masters degree in Audiology (Cum Laude), with a strong foundation in clinical research, project development, and strategic planning, complemented by technical training. Specializes in content development and training tailored to diverse audiences. Demonstrates a long-term commitment to research and development, including the implementation of randomized controlled trials, projects, and clinical examinations. Known for establishing robust networks and cultivating valuable stakeholder relationships.
