Oticon Intent vs. Oticon Real: A Comprehensive Comparison
Oticon, a leading name in audiology, launched the 'Oticon Intent' in February 2024, just one year after introducing the 'Oticon Real'. Both hearing aids come in the popular miniRITE style, but they cater to different needs and offer distinct technological advancements. Below, we explore what sets them apart and what remains consistent, helping you determine which hearing aid may be the best fit for your hearing needs.
Intent
Real
Advanced Sensor and Directionality Features
The most significant innovation in the Oticon Intent is the introduction of 4D sensor technology. This cutting-edge feature allows the hearing aids to not only process sound but also factor in head and body movements to adapt the soundscape dynamically. This enables better speech understanding in noisy environments by personalising the listening experience according to your movement and attention. Oticon claims that Intent’s ability to detect your 'listening intention' offers a more personalised hearing experience, addressing the unique needs of each wearer.
In contrast, 'Oticon Real' focuses on mitigating disruptive and uncomfortable sounds, such as sudden loud noises, which are common pain points for hearing aid users. While 'Real' excels at 'noise suppression' and 'feedback control', it does not offer the same advanced directionality as 'Intent'. This places 'Intent' ahead in terms of **adapting to complex environments**.
Technological Upgrades
Oticon Intent features several major upgrades over the Real, including the new 'Sirius processing chip' and the 'Deep Neural Network (DNN) 2.0'. These enhancements result in improved 'sound quality, speech clarity, and noise suppression'. Intent also extends the 'frequency response range' from '80 Hz to 10 kHz', delivering a richer, more nuanced sound experience compared to the Real.
With the 'MoreSound Intelligence' and the next-gen 'MoreSound Amplifier 3.0', Intent further optimises 'dynamic range' and 'high-frequency response', making it highly competitive with other leading hearing aids such as the 'Signia Pure IX' or 'Starkey Genesis AI'.
Though 'Oticon Real' introduced a strong 'feedback suppression algorithm', Intent’s update to this system provides even more 'precise feedback management', all while maintaining high 'speech intelligibility'.
Improved Sound-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
One of the key areas where 'Oticon Intent' shines is in its 'sound-to-noise ratio (SNR)', offering up to '5 dB better speech understanding' compared to the Real. In practice, this means Intent provides:
- 10% better listening comfort
- 10% improvement in sound quality
- 13% greater nuance in your sound environment
- 15% enhanced speech understanding
- 35% better access to speech cues in challenging situations
These numbers highlight Intent’s edge in complex auditory environments like crowded places or busy streets.
Additional Benefits of Oticon Intent
While both hearing aids feature 'Bluetooth technology' and are compatible with popular hearing aid apps, Oticon Intent includes a few extra perks:
- Longer battery life: Intent’s size 13 battery offers 33% more charge compared to Real, making it ideal for those who are constantly on the go.
- Compact design: The miniRITE size of Intent is smaller than Real’s, providing a more discreet look.
- Future-proof Bluetooth: Intent supports Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast, ensuring compatibility with future devices and streaming technologies.
Should You Upgrade?
If you already own Oticon Real, it may not make sense to upgrade right away, given that 'Real' still provides excellent features like 'wind noise suppression' and 'sudden sound control', which remain some of the best on the market.
However, if you’re due for an upgrade or are purchasing new hearing aids, Oticon Intent offers a significant leap forward in terms of personalised hearing, adaptive sound technology, and improved speech understanding. With features like 4D sensor technology and a superior sound-to-noise ratio, it’s a strong contender for anyone looking to enhance their hearing experience in complex environments.
Performance Levels to Consider
It’s important to note that not all Intent models are created equal:
- 4D speech enhancer is only available at performance levels 1 and 2.
- Spatial balance, which is crucial for managing challenging listening environments, is exclusive to level 1.
- Neural noise suppression decreases as you move down the performance tiers, with level 1 offering 12 dB of noise reduction, making it ideal for users in noisy settings.
For those who prioritise speech understanding and spend a lot of time in noisy environments, opting for a higher performance level is recommended.
Final Thoughts
Both Oticon Real and Oticon Intent are advanced hearing aids that cater to different needs. Real is an excellent choice for addressing everyday hearing challenges, while Intent offers a more personalised, adaptive experience, especially in complex auditory environments. With upgrades in technology, battery life, and directionality, Intent is a worthy consideration for those looking to invest in cutting-edge hearing aids.