Guide · Performance Levels
Book a consultationChoosing a new hearing aid is an important decision for a better quality of life. As you look into the new Oticon Reveal, you’ll quickly come across the model numbers Reveal 1, 2, 3, and 4. But what do these “performance levels” actually mean? And how do they differ? In this article we shed light on the topic and help you make the right choice.
What are performance levels in hearing aids?
Think of a hearing aid as a small computer in your ear. The performance level determines how “intelligently” this computer works. On the outside, the devices in a model range — like the Oticon Reveal — usually look completely identical. The difference is on the inside: in the software and the processing power available to the device.
Why are there different levels?
Not everyone has the same daily life. Someone who spends a lot of time at home and enjoys reading has different needs for a hearing aid than someone who is often in noisy restaurants, attends concerts, or listens to lectures. The different levels make it possible to choose a device that offers exactly as much technology as you need for your lifestyle — so you only pay for what you actually use.
The Oticon Reveal in everyday life and in its charger. Photos: Oticon
What sets the performance levels apart?
The main differences usually come down to these four points:
- Speech intelligibility: How well is speech brought to the foreground in complex environments?
- Noise reduction: How well does the device filter out noise — such as clattering dishes — while keeping speech clear?
- Spatial hearing: How precisely can you tell which direction a voice is coming from?
- Sound quality in music or complex situations: How natural does the environment sound when things get loud?
The most important quality feature of a hearing aid is clear speech understanding in loud, complex environments — such as a busy restaurant or a lively gathering. This is exactly where the performance levels differ the most. Only premium models like the Oticon Reveal 1 feature the most advanced technology to effectively filter out background noise and make speech understanding as effortless as possible, even in the most demanding situations. If you want uncompromising speech understanding in complex, noisy environments, you benefit most from the superior filtering and processing power of the highest performance level.
The 4 performance levels of the Oticon Reveal
The Oticon Reveal is available in 4 performance levels:
- Oticon Reveal 1 (Premium)The flagship model with the best and latest hearing technologies and the highest degree of personalization.
- Oticon Reveal 2 (High-end)A powerful option with many premium features at a more affordable price.
- Oticon Reveal 3 (Mid-range)Offers a balanced ratio of performance and price and is suited to ordinary, everyday listening situations.
- Oticon Reveal 4 (Entry-level)Entry-level model that handles hearing in simple environments with little background noise.
You can find more information about the technologies of the Oticon Reveal and the differences between the performance levels in the official Oticon Reveal product brochure.
Our recommendation
The choice of performance level depends heavily on your individual needs and your lifestyle. For people who like to take an active part in life, are often around others, and move through complex listening situations, we recommend at least the Oticon Reveal 2. If you want the best possible hearing quality and as few limitations as possible, the Oticon Reveal 1 is the right choice — it offers every technological possibility. If you mainly need the hearing aids at home, to watch TV or have conversations in a quiet room, the Oticon Reveal 3 or 4 can also be the right choice.
Still have questions?
We’re happy to help. Unsure about choosing a hearing aid? Book a free consultation — together we’ll find the right performance level for you.
All performance details and product names are from Oticon. Image material: Oticon. Oticon and Reveal are trademarks of Oticon A/S. This article does not replace a professional hearing consultation.
