Dealing with hearing loss at any age can be upsetting and confusing for anyone. But fear not, in this article, we will cover all the bases in choosing the right hearing aid.
We will assess some of the market leaders for fit, style, sound quality, battery life, interference issues, and price.
Here we will review the four flagship Miracle Ear hearing aids for you to see if they really are just as good as advertised.
Quick View: Miracle Hearing Aids Reviews
Miracle Ear Hearing Aid | Price | Connectivity | Sound | Style | Max Number of Hearing Programs |
Miracle Ear MINI | From $2000 | Bluetooth | Lack of directionality can cause issues | ITE and RIC | 6 |
Miracle Ear CONNECT | From $2000 | Bluetooth | Superior sound quality | RIC and BTE | 6 |
Miracle Ear EASY | From $700 | No Bluetooth or app | Good quality but lacks customizable sound profiles | RIC and BTE | 4 |
Miracle Ear ENERGY | From $2,000 | Bluetooth | Superior sound quality | RIC, BTE, and ITE | 6 |
Quick Verdict
Hearing aids from Miracle Ear offer a solution for all types of hearing loss. There are three main styles of hearing aid on the market, and Miracle Ear has a market leader in all three types:
- In-the-ear (ITE).
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC).
- Behind-the-ear (BTE).
The company doesn’t disclose total prices on its website, which is often a red flag for consumers. At up to several thousand dollars, the costs of ME devices can be somewhat prohibitive, so many people look for a different solution, such as MDHearing Aid.
What Is Miracle Ear?
ME started in 1948 with a single behind-the-ear hearing aid created by Dahlberg Electronics. Now owned by the family of companies Amplifon based in Minnesota, Miracle-Ear is a truly global company.
By the 2000s, the brand’s products were all digitally based, and they have continued to innovate, improving hearing aid function.
Miracle Ear’s products now include speech isolation, new digital noise reduction capabilities, and integrated smartphone app functionality.
The company also funds the Miracle-Ear Foundation. The Miracle Ear Foundation provides hearing aids and free hearing tests to children and adults without the financial resources, insurance, or who lack the government support for hearing health checks.
How Does Miracle Ear Work?
Miracle Ear hearing aids have three basic parts: a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker. Sounds are captured, then boosted, and played into the ear.
The hearing aids are available with cutting-edge technology on a variety of platforms configured to suit every user. Different models offer configurations that cover a wide range of hearing loss, ranging from mild to severe.
Miracle Ear’s hearing solutions offer its patented GENIUS™ noise reduction, directional programming, and speech recognition technology.
GENIUS™ recognizes and gives preference to speech sounds and filters the rest for a better understanding of conversations.
Free Miracle Ear Hearing Assessment
As part of Miracle Ear’s service, they offer a free online hearing test and hearing aid assessment to anyone thinking of using a hearing aid or upgrading to Miracle Ear.
It is the quickest and easiest way to check your hearing loss and assess the range of your hearing affected.
You can take an annual hearing test online or in a brick-and-mortar store. Miracle Ear offers one of the best online hearing tests out there.
Visit a Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center
If you want a hearing aid assessment, the best way to do this is to visit a hearing care professional. Each Miracle Ear store has a qualified audiologist, and you can take a free hearing test in-store.
You can find which Miracle Ear location is closest to you by checking on their website.
Ordering Miracle Ear Hearing Aids
Hearing aids at Miracle Ear are available in-store or online once you have had a hearing loss assessment and determined which model best suits you.
Maintenance and Care
ME hearing aids come with lifetime aftercare, regular cleaning, and maintenance services as part of their health package.
Miracle Ear Help and Customer Service
Miracle Ear’s comprehensive aftercare service and customer support are second-to-none. It offers online assistance in addition to the brick and mortar stores.
Miracle Ear Pros and Cons
Below is a quick guide to the good and not-so-good with Miracle Ear hearing aids.
Pros
- Helps people with mild to severe hearing loss.
- Three-year limited warranty.
- 30-day trial.
- Fully digital.
- Easy-to-use Miracle Ear app to change sound profiles.
- Free hearing tests offered.
- Provides feedback reduction and active noise cancellation.
Cons
- Miracle Ear hearing aids are at the upper end of the price range.
- Pricing could be more transparent.
- Full cost may not be covered by all insurance plans.
- Locations aren’t available everywhere. You need to go to a retail shop for a full assessment and prescription.
Miracle Ear Customer Reviews
We have gathered a range of reviews for you so you can see just what it is that people actually think of ME products.
For many users, using Miracle Ear has been a positive lifestyle choice and made a world of difference to their hearing.
However, not all customers are happy with the results from Miracle Ear products.
Miracle Ear Ratings
From the reviews above, you can see that the product and service ratings vary. On Consumer Affairs, the overall satisfaction rating for Miracle Ear is almost five out of five stars, whereas, on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the reviews have an average rating of just two stars.
Miracle Ear Complaints
The main issue with Miracle Ear is the cost relative to other service providers, such as MDHearingAid.
ME has a dedicated complaints department. You can find their contact details online or in any hearing aid center. You can visit any store, and a salesperson or hearing care professional can help initially deal with your complaint and assist you in finding further satisfaction.
Miracle-Ear Models
Here is a quick breakdown of the most popular models in the Miracle Ear Hearing Aid range.
Miracle Ear MINI
Feature | Description | Star Rating |
Price | From $2,000 | 2/5 |
Battery | Rechargeable Li-ion battery | 4/5 |
Sound Quality | Lack of directional microphones. Digital feedback suppression | 4/5 |
Connectivity | No Bluetooth or app available | 2.5/5 |
Style | ITE and RIC | 4/5 |
Pros
- Discreet.
- Water-resistant.
- Custom fitted to your ear canal.
- Customized sound profiles for different environments.
Cons
- Cost is higher than other hearing aids.
- Needs an in-person fitting.
- No behind-the-ear option.
If you are searching for an in-the-ear option, Miracle Ear has two options with the MINI: The invisible-in-the-canal Mirage IIC and the completely-in-the-canal Mirage CIC.
These devices have one microphone compared to the two on the behind-the-ear models due to their minimal size. Sound quality, therefore, may not be as optimal as the larger BTE devices, but they are nice and discreet.
The deep in-ear placement provides some natural directionality, but some people find the inability to separate speech from background noise less than ideal.
Custom hearing aids like the Miracle EarMINI need to be made to order. The shells are 3D printed from a casting of your ear canal and may take several days to a couple of weeks to fabricate.
If you want a canal CIC but don’t have time to wait, Miracle Ear’s “Ready Fit” version is available. It uses a silicone sleeve to obtain a seal inside the ear. This is a good option if you have an “average” ear canal in terms of size and shape.
Bottom Line:
For the high cost of the Miracle EarMINI model, the less-than-ideal sound capture and quality mean that the MDHearing Aid VOLT+ is a viable and cost-effective alternative.
Miracle Ear CONNECT
Feature | Description | Star Rating |
Price | From $2,000 | 2/5 |
Battery | Rechargeable Li-ion battery | 4/5 |
Sound Quality | Superior sound quality, personalized settings | 5/5 |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, app, and full streaming features available | 2.5/5 |
Style | BTE and RIC | 4/5 |
Pros
- Smartphone app.
- Bluetooth connectivity.
- Tinnitus control.
- Personalized listening experience
- Connect directly to music/TV via Bluetooth.
- Behind-the-ear and receiver-in-canal options.
Cons
- Higher cost than comparable models.
- Not available in all three configurations.
Bluetooth and connectivity is the name of the game here. Miracle Ear’s aim with the CONNECT is to give you the best listening experience possible through personalized digital sound profiles.
With the Miracle EarCONNECT, you can choose and configure several personalized sound profiles for different scenarios. Furthermore, you can switch between or alter these easily on your phone.
With Bluetooth connectivity, you can listen to music or films directly with the hearing aid, ensuring a perfect listening experience every time.
Bottom Line:
This hearing device is full of features, from adaptive directionality and smart connectivity to robustness and water resistance. As an alternative, the MDHearing Aid Core offers all the tech advances of the Miracle EarCONNECT but with less of an impact on the bank account.
Miracle Ear EASY
Feature | Description | Star Rating |
Price | From $700 | 4/5 |
Battery | Rechargeable Li-ion battery | 3/5 |
Sound Quality | Directional microphones and feedback suppression | 3/5 |
Connectivity | No Bluetooth or app available | 2.5/5 |
Style | BTE and RIC | 4/5 |
Pros
- Lowest price model offered by Miracle Ear.
- Very robust.
- Easy to fit, not so fiddly
- Good speaker directionality and noise handling.
Cons
- No Bluetooth or mobile app.
- Not water-resistant.
- Basic features.
The EASY is Miracle Ear’s budget model. It does an awful lot of things well, not least keeping the price lower. The technology in the hearing aid is similar to the others but just with fewer bells and whistles.
The product doesn’t feature Bluetooth connectivity, so there is no personalized listening experience. In terms of sound quality, though, the EASY is still an excellent choice, whether you choose receiver-in-canal or behind-the-ear.
With the Miracle EarEASY, there is no rechargeable battery. You will have to buy standard hearing aid batteries and have one or two spares.
Bottom Line:
Although the Miracle EarEASY is high quality, it’s still quite pricey for a basic model. The best-selling hearing aid choice in America is the MDHearing Aid AIR. It has all the functionality you need but offers a very different pricing option at under $400 a pair.
Miracle Ear ENERGY
Feature | Description | Star Rating |
Price | From $2,000 | 2/5 |
Battery | Fully rechargeable, with no need to replace its batteries | 5/5 |
Sound Quality | Directional microphones and better feedback suppression | 4/5 |
Connectivity | Bluetooth and app | 3/5 |
Style | BTE, RIC, and ITE | 5/5 |
Pros
- All three configurations available: RIC, BTE, and ITE.
- A green option, no battery disposal.
- Rechargeable batteries with long runtime.
- Bluetooth and app available.
- Recharge overnight when not in use.
Cons
- Cost is higher than some comparable models.
The ENERGY is a huge boost to those who have trouble changing small, fiddly batteries. No more shipping and receiving batteries or waiting/searching for spares.
The Miracle EarENERGY can easily cope with hours of wireless streaming from your phone, TV, or other devices. Constant streaming and Bluetooth use seriously eat into battery life, which isn’t a problem with rechargeable batteries.
Put the device to charge overnight, and it should last up to 24 hours. The sleek charger also means you can conveniently charge them on the go. Water resistance and noise optimization are just a couple of the extra features the ENERGY offers.
Bottom Line:
Rechargeable hearing aids really cut down on battery waste and recycling. The Miracle EarENERGY has a long battery life to ensure you are never in a sticky situation without your hearing aids.
If these are the features that you need, there are other makes and models out there. The MD Hearing Aid VOLT+ offers rechargeable tech at a pocket-friendly price.
How to Choose a Hearing Aid
Here is a quick rundown on the key features of hearing aids that you will need to consider.
Hearing Aid Types
There are three main hearing aid types. Most ME hearing aids are available in a combination of these three types:
- In-the-ear (ITE): The choice if you want a near-invisible hearing aid. They are custom-molded to sit inside the ear.
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC): RIC hearing aids have a speaker inside the ear canal. They are a little bit larger than the ITE models but still pretty discrete.
- Behind-the-ear (BTE): A BTE hearing aid offers the best amplification but is somewhat more noticeable.
Analog vs Digital Hearing Aids
Both types of hearing aids are made in the same way, having the same basic components. They have a receiver, amplifier, and speaker.
The main difference is that analog hearing aids amplify sound waves in a continuous manner. Digital hearing aids convert the sound waves into a digital signal and selectively amplify portions of the signal [1].
The second difference is in the price. Digital hearing aids have a greater range of advanced features. They are technologically superior, and as such, cost more. Speak to your audiologist to discuss which is the best solution for you.
Consult a Professional
You must ensure you have a hearing test. Not all hearing impairment is the same, and likewise, not all hearing aids are the same. Your health care professional will help you tailor your new hearing aid to your specific needs.
Consider What’s Covered
When choosing a hearing aid, it is important not to look at just the device. The price of Miracle-Ear hearing aids includes a wide range of additional services, such as:
- Custom fitting.
- Free quarterly check-ups.
- Lifetime aftercare.
- Free quarterly cleaning.
- Repairs.
- Free hearing test annually.
There is a three-year limited warranty with most models, and they have a return policy of 30 days if you are not totally satisfied with your hearing aid.
How Much Does Miracle Ear Cost?
You can expect to pay between $1,000 to $4,000 per Miracle Ear hearing aid.
Where Can I Buy Miracle Ear Hearing Aids?
You can buy directly from the website or any of their hundreds of stores located throughout the US.
Miracle Ear Prices: Are They Fair?
ME hearing aids are a little more expensive than most over-the-counter hearing aids. However, a hearing aid from Miracle Ear will last years, and looking at the lifetime of the product, they are the equivalent of a few dollars a day.
If you shop smart, you can look at the MDHearing Aid VOLT+ or the MDHearing Aid CORE as excellent high-tech alternatives. The price per pair can be under $600 for the VOLT+ and $1,200 for the CORE.
Does Miracle-Ear Take Insurance?
Yes. Most models are covered under major insurance plans. You should seek clarification from either your insurance provider or from one of the in-store experts to see if your plan will cover the cost of hearing aids.
Original Medicare (parts A and B) doesn’t cover hearing aids. Some Medicare Part C plans may include the cost of hearing aids. Check in-store with your healthcare professional.
Does Miracle Ear Give Refunds?
Yes, you can return your hearing aid within 30 days if you’re not happy with it. Most models also come with a three-year limited warranty.
FAQ
In this section, we will cover some of the most commonly asked questions about ME hearing aids.
Does the Miracle Ear Work?
Yes, absolutely. Miracle Ear is one of the market leaders in the field of hearing aids.
Is there a Miracle Ear App?
Yes. All but one Miracle Ear hearing aids are fully integrated with the mobile app. It offers a range of profiles to suit any situation.
Is Miracle Ear a Good Hearing Aid?
Whatever the range and degree of your hearing loss, ME has a solution to your problems. Their range of hearing aids are designed to suit each pocket and each individual situation.
While Miracle-Ear offers a great solution, there are others on the market. A price-aware shopper can certainly find great deals at MDHearingAid, with the MD AIR retailing at less than $400.
Where Can I Find Miracle Ear Near Me?
Miracle Ear offers a great network of stores all across the United States. You can find the Miracle Ear location options on their website or phone the helpline for the closest one to you.
Conclusion
Hearing loss at any age can be a devastating blow. It can knock your confidence and affect your quality of life dramatically.
There are a number of great solutions to the problem of hearing health that are discrete, high tech, and personalized so you can find the answer you are looking for.
Miracle Ear offers great solutions, but also check out this MDHearing Aid Review to compare and contrast what else is on the market.
References:
- “Hearing Aids.” National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids.