Q&A

Subject: Digitally programmed CIC vs Digital Signal Processing CIC

To: LD

Is it worth the cost to spend an extra $2,000 (for two units) to purchase a Widex Senso CIC rather than a Starkey CIC? Some audiologists say the Starkey CIC "sounds much better than fully digital CICs", and that the latter produce poorer sound quality. If difficult environments with background noise is not a primary concern, then one would question whether the extra cost is worth it. Is it true that the Starkey produces better sound quality than the Widex, given, say a quiet listening environment where accurate sound reproduction is desired? I would like to have sounds actually sound as natural as possible, as if they weren't electronically processed.

Dear LD,

You really should listen to those aids and then make up your mind. Some of our patients listen to the digital aids and are totally blown away while others don't see much difference between the digital and their old analog aids. Many hearing aid dispensers have behind the ear hearing aids to use for demonstration purposes. While the size and mike locations are quite different from the CICs, the computing chip is the same and you can get a really good idea if the expense is worth considering.

Some people do not like the fact that you can hear changes in the environment as the Widex continuously adjusts to try to enhance clarity. Under reasonably quiet listening conditions, both aids give high quality sound. Both are excellent at maintaining low distortion. The Widex, however, strives to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio for better understanding in noise.

For you current readers of this question, both Widex and Starkey have much newer aids than those mentioned above. In fact it is hard to find analog aids for sale now, as nearly all manufacturers have switched their entire lines to digital. However, the question now becomes easier as most modern digital aids can be programed to sound any way you want. Be sure to tell your audiologist if you don't like the way the hearing aids sound.

Solveig