Oticon Intent hearing aids review: models and prices

​Oticon Intent hearing aids are available in a range of colors designed to complement various skin tones, hair colors, and personal styles. The color options include:​

• Silver (C044)
• Steel Gray (C092)
• Silver Gray (C091)
• Chroma Beige (C090)
• Terracotta (C094)
• Chestnut Brown (C093)
• Diamond Black (C063)
• Sky Blue (C0115)
• Honey Beige (C0116)​

These options are consistent across the Oticon Intent 1, 2, and 3 miniRITE R models, allowing users to select a color that best matches their preferences and lifestyle. ​The Oticon Intent 1 miniRITE R, in particular, offers advanced features such as 64 processing channels and 24 adjustment bands, providing a high level of sound personalization. Its discreet design and color variety make it a suitable choice for users seeking both functionality and aesthetic appeal.​

For more information on the Oticon Intent hearing aids and to explore the available color options, you can visit the official Oticon website or consult with an authorized hearing care professional.

The Oticon Intent 1 is the flagship model in Oticon’s latest 2024 range and represents one of the most advanced hearing aids currently available. Designed to deliver a truly personalised and natural listening experience, it incorporates some of the most innovative features in modern audiology.

Key Features

• 4D Sensor™ Technology: This groundbreaking system tracks the user’s head and body movements, surrounding acoustic environment, and conversational activity to determine their listening intent. It then adjusts the sound processing in real time for maximum clarity and comfort.
• Deep Neural Network 2.0: Trained on millions of real-world sound scenes, this AI-driven system helps the hearing aid recognise and prioritise meaningful sounds, such as speech, while minimising background noise.
• 64 processing channels and 24 fitting bands: This high level of precision ensures refined sound quality and personalised adjustments.
• Rechargeable miniRITE R design: Offers up to 20 hours of battery life from a single charge. A 30-minute fast charge provides up to 8 hours of use.
• Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast™: Ensures energy-efficient, low-latency streaming from smartphones, TVs, and public systems.
• Water- and dust-resistant (IP68): Built for durability, making it suitable for active lifestyles.

User Experience

• Users consistently praise the Oticon Intent 1 for its ability to deliver crystal-clear sound even in complex environments like busy cafés or group conversations. Many report a noticeable improvement in speech recognition and less listening fatigue throughout the day. The device is also described as lightweight, discreet, and comfortable for all-day wear.

App and Connectivity

• The Oticon Companion app allows users to adjust volume, change programmes, and monitor battery levels straight from their smartphone or Apple Watch. The integration is seamless and particularly useful for those who prefer to manage their hearing aids discreetly.

Pricing in the UK

• The Oticon Intent 1 is priced from £1,790 per ear, depending on the provider and additional services included (e.g. fitting, follow-ups, warranty).

Oticon Intent hearing aids are supported by a range of accessories designed to enhance user experience and ensure optimal device performance.​

Charging Solutions:

• Oticon Intent SmartCharger: This portable charger offers a full day's charge in just 2 hours and provides a quick 15-minute recharge for approximately 4 hours of use. It features magnetic alignment for secure placement and LED indicators to display charging status. The SmartCharger includes an onboard battery, allowing users to charge their hearing aids on the go without needing a power outlet. ​
• Oticon Intent Desktop Charger: Designed for home use, this charger provides a full charge in 2 hours. It includes color-coded markers (blue for left, red for right) and magnetic alignment to ensure correct placement of hearing aids. ​

Additional Accessories:

• MiniFit Domes and ProWax Filters: These components help maintain sound quality and hygiene by protecting the hearing aids from earwax and debris. 
• ConnectClip: This accessory enables hands-free streaming of phone calls and audio from Bluetooth-enabled devices directly to the hearing aids. ​
• TV Adapter 3.0: Allows direct streaming of television audio to the hearing aids, providing a clear and personalized listening experience. ​
• Remote Control 2.0: Offers users the ability to adjust volume and switch between programs discreetly. ​

Oticon Intent hearing aids offer broad compatibility with both Apple and Android devices, enabling users to stream audio and manage settings directly from their smartphones.​

• Apple Devices: Oticon Intent is certified as Made for iPhone®, iPad®, and Mac®, supporting direct two-way hands-free communication. This functionality is available on devices running iOS 15.2 or later, including iPhone 11 and newer models, as well as iPads with iPadOS 15.2 or later. Additionally, Mac computers equipped with M1 or M2 chips and running macOS 14 Sonoma or later are compatible. Users can make and receive calls directly through their hearing aids without needing to hold the phone.
• Android Devices: For Android users, Oticon Intent supports direct audio streaming via the Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) protocol on devices running Android 10 or later with Bluetooth 5.0. However, two-way hands-free communication is only available on select Android phones that support Bluetooth LE Audio. For devices lacking this feature, users can utilize the Oticon ConnectClip accessory to enable hands-free calling. ​
• Oticon Companion App: The Oticon Companion app enhances user experience by allowing remote control of hearing aid settings, battery status monitoring, and locating misplaced devices. It is compatible with iOS 15.0 or later and Android 8.0 or later. ​

For a comprehensive list of compatible devices, users can refer to Oticon's official compatibility guide.

• Oticon Intent features a Deep Neural Network 2.0 and 4D sensors that adapt sound in real time, significantly improving speech understanding in both quiet and noisy environments. Laboratory tests show its performance exceeds average standards across varied listening scenarios.
• Phonak Lumity uses AutoSense OS™ 5.0 with StereoZoom 2.0, which automatically adjusts settings to enhance speech clarity and reduce background noise—especially effective in social settings.

• Oticon Intent supports Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast™, offering efficient, low-energy connectivity. Its Oticon Companion app is user-friendly, though slightly less customisable than Phonak’s.
• Phonak Lumity uses Bluetooth Classic, ensuring broad device compatibility. The MyPhonak app offers detailed adjustments, including an equaliser, noise reduction, and speech focus features.

• Oticon Intent delivers up to 20 hours on a full charge with a sleek, compact design.
• Phonak Lumity (especially the Life variant) is water- and sweat-resistant, offering up to 27 hours of use without streaming—suiting more active users.

• Phonak leads in accessories with its Roger microphone range, ideal for challenging listening environments. Oticon, meanwhile, offers a useful “Find My Hearing Aid” feature through its app, helping users locate misplaced devices.

• In Oticon Intent hearing aid reviews, users appreciate the sound clarity and noise reduction, though a few have noted intermittent Bluetooth connectivity issues.
• Phonak Lumity users commend its sound quality and extended battery life, although some report that streamed audio could be improved.

• Phonak Sphere Infinio is powered by the DEEPSONIC chip, trained on over 22 million sound samples. It enhances the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by up to 10 dB, particularly through its "Spheric Speech in Loud Noise" programme—offering excellent speech clarity in noisy environments.
• Oticon Intent, on the other hand, uses a Deep Neural Network trained on 12 million real-world sounds, combined with 4D sensors to dynamically adjust audio in real time. It achieves up to 9 dB SNR improvement, optimising speech understanding across various acoustic settings.

• Phonak Sphere Infinio features Bluetooth Classic 5.3, supporting simultaneous pairing with two devices and connectivity to up to eight. While it doesn’t yet support LE Audio, a firmware update is expected.
• Oticon Intent supports Bluetooth LE Audio, Bluetooth Low Energy, and ASHA, delivering advanced, low-power connectivity. The Oticon Companion app enables users to manage settings and monitor battery status effortlessly.

• Phonak Sphere Infinio offers up to 16 hours on a full charge, though this drops to around 7 hours when using advanced noise-reduction features. It’s slightly bulkier but provides enhanced water resistance.
• Oticon Intent lasts up to 20 hours on a full charge and features a more compact design, which is particularly comfortable for glasses wearers.

• Phonak Sphere Infinio exceeds the IP68 rating, offering exceptional protection against moisture—ideal for active users or humid environments.
• Oticon Intent meets the IP68 standard, ensuring solid resistance to dust and water.

• Phonak Sphere Infinio includes up to 20 adjustment bands and supports a wide range of accessories, including the highly rated Roger microphones for enhanced group listening.
• Oticon Intent offers up to 24 fitting bands in higher-end models, but has a more limited range of compatible accessories by comparison.

• Choose Phonak Sphere Infinio if you prioritise noise reduction in busy environments, want extensive accessory support, and value robust waterproofing. Opt for Oticon Intent if you prefer a sleeker design, longer battery life, and cutting-edge AI and connectivity features.
• Ultimately, the best choice depends on your hearing goals, lifestyle, and daily environments.

• Oticon Intent: Equipped with Deep Neural Network 2.0 (DNN 2.0) and 4D sensors, this device adjusts sound in real time based on head movement, environment, and conversation. Lab tests show it offers above-average performance in both quiet and noisy settings.
• Bernafon Encanta: The Encanta 300 and 400 models feature Smart Sensor technology, which detects head and body movement to automatically adjust directionality and noise reduction. Smart Noise Management and Smart Directionality help improve speech clarity in complex environments.

• Oticon Intent: Supports Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast™ for energy-efficient, advanced connectivity. The Oticon Companion app lets users adjust settings and monitor hearing aid performance.
• Bernafon Encanta: Also supports Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast™. The Bernafon App provides detailed personalisation, including programmes for noisy environments and tinnitus management.

• Oticon Intent: Offers up to 20 hours of battery life on a full charge with a compact and discreet design.
• Bernafon Encanta: Provides up to 30 hours of battery life, offering longer usage time between charges.

• Oticon Intent is ideal for users seeking real-time sound personalisation and intelligent adaptive features in a sleek, comfortable design.
• Bernafon Encanta is better suited to those who prioritise longer battery life, advanced connectivity, and highly customisable settings.