Styles and Technologies

Miracle-Ear offers many different styles of hearing aids, each with its own technology. Some of Miracle-Ear’s most popular models include:

Direct to iPhone Devices (Miracle-EarCONNECT)

Miracle-EarCONNECT Devices – Receiver In Canal (left), Behind The Ear (middle), and Telecoil (right)

Thanks to Bluetooth technology, these devices can connect and stream audio directly to iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod), making them best for those who want to connect their hearing aids to an iPhone.

This technology is available in both a Receiver In Canal (RIC) and Behind The Ear (BTE) form factor. The BTE and RIC models both use disposable batteries.

Both provide coverage for a wide range of hearing loss configurations, from mild to severe. Telecoil is available on some models.

While they all provide some degree of automatic processing and directional microphones, there are differences across the price range of the number of adjustment channels and how the hearing aids process background noise.

Rechargeable Devices (Miracle-EarENERGY)

Miracle-Ear offers the same styles and technology with rechargeable batteries. These rechargeable devices are best for those who have difficulty changing out small disposable batteries, or those who just don’t want to hassle with changing power cells every week.

Signia provides the tech under the hood for Miracle-Ear hearing aids. The company is a leader in rechargeable technology, so Miracle Ear’s partnership provides extra benefits for customers who want to “plug and play” their hearing aids.

Miracle-EarENERGY iRIC R

This group of devices includes the “iRIC R” hearing aid, which has a unique size and shape. It’s identical to the Signia Styletto which I compared to early body-worn hearing aids that were cleverly disguised as jewelry. The ENERGY iRIC links more like a True Wireless headset than a hearing aid which I believe will appeal to younger users who want not only high tech connectivity but also a device that doesn’t look like their grandfather’s hearing aid.

Custom Products (Miracle-EarMINI)

MEMINI IIC (left) and MEMINI CIC (right) Devices

Miracle-Ear offers an invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) model called the Mirage IIC, and a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) model called the Mirage CIC, both of which use a #10 Zinc Air battery. These models are best for those who want a more discreet, in-ear solution, thanks to the in-canal design. The devices have the same amplification technology as the above products across the price range. For those needing a lower price point, the MeMINI Audiotone Pro CIC provides a more entry-level feature set that still should cover folks with mild to moderate losses. As the name implies, the circuit was made for Miracle-Ear by Audiotone and assembled by Miracle-Ear in Minnesota.

AudioTone Pro CIC (left) and MEMINI Ready Fit (right) Devices

Custom hearing aids need to be made to order. The shells are 3D printed from a casting of your ear (called an ear impression) and take several days to a couple of weeks to fabricate. If you want a CIC but don’t have time to wait, Miracle-Ear offers a “Ready-Fit” version of the ME MINI. The electronics are the same as the MEMINI CIC but it uses a series of silicone sleeves to obtain a seal to your ear. If you have an “average” ear canal in terms of size and shape, this may be a good option.

One caveat on CIC hearing aids from all manufacturers. Because of the small size, these devices almost always have one microphone as opposed to two on the BTE and RIC models. Even though the placement deep in the ear provides some natural directionality, the ability to separate speech from background noise, particularly when the speech is in front, is limited. Because of this, I recommend that all patients considering a CIC ask for a speech-in-noise test like the Quick SIN before finalizing the deal. If you have a mild “SNR Loss” on that test the CIC will likely be a great solution. If, however, your difficulty with noise is moderate to severe, you’ll do much better with a discreet RIC like the CONNECT 312 or ENERGY iRIC.

Accessories

Even the best hearing aids cannot completely overcome the negative effects of distance, reverberation, and background noise. To assist with these, Miracle-Ear offers several accessories.

Inductive Charger

Miracle Ear Travel Charger (left) and Inductive Charger (right)

This compact and portable charger offers a quick charge or full charge for rechargeable hearing aids. For these on the go, they also offer a travel charger that can store several charges worth of power for unplugged charging. This is also very helpful for patients who live in areas like Florida where hurricane season makes power outages a common occurrence.

Audio Clip

Miracle Ear Audio Clip

This device, about the size of a Zippo lighter, is a combination remote microphone and Bluetooth rebroadcaster. The remote microphone captures a speaker’s voice (ideally used clipped on their shirt or lapel) and wirelessly sends the signal to your hearing aids. It allows your hearing aids to stream audio and phone calls from Android devices like cell phones and tablets in Bluetooth mode.

TV Streamer

Miracle Ear TV Streamer

When connected to the audio output (analog or digital) of your TV or cable box, this streams the sound directly to your hearing aids allowing others to adjust the TV volume to their comfort. This also allows for silent (mute) listening if you and your partner have different TV tastes.

Smartphone App

Miracle Ear Smartphone App

The app allows patients to adjust volume, set programs, and even request appointments with their provider. iOS users will pair their hearing aids using the Apple “MFI Hearing Devices” accessibility feature. Android users will use a set of ultra-high frequency “chirps” to tell the hearing aids what is being adjusted on the app.

Miracle-Ear Pricing

While Miracle-Ear does not list prices online, hearing aids can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000. You will need to visit a hearing clinic in person to get exact pricing information. Some customer reviews mention that Miracle-Ear devices can be pricey, but the quality is worth the cost. The lack of pricing transparency is typical among leading brands I’ve reviewed and dispensed, such as Phonak hearing aids. If you want more pricing information upfront, you may want to consider over-the-counter hearing aids, such as Eargo and Jabra Enhance. Visit our Jabra Enhance review and Eargo review to learn more.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Miracle-Ear customers often give the company five-star ratings and speak positively about their listening experience since purchasing the hearing aids. Many reviewers say that the company’s hearing specialists offer excellent care, providing useful insights and recommendations catered to their specific needs. Another common theme among customer reviews is that customers never felt pressure to purchase the most expensive styles, and the staff went above and beyond to help them pick the best hearing aids for their hearing loss.

Summary

As one of the most well-recognized brands of hearing aids, Miracle-Ear has a long history of providing quality products to folks with hearing loss. One of their most famous customers was Ronald Reagan, one of the first celebrities to go public about his use of hearing aids. They offer a wide range of very high-quality hearing aids and accessories. They have established themselves as an American company with longevity and a commitment to being part of the communities they serve. Their current tech is all made by Signia and Audiotone, but the service is all Miracle-Ear. For those looking to hear well and establish a local relationship with their provider, Miracle-Ear is certainly worth a look. My only reservation is that because of the proprietary nature of the line. If you move, you may have a bit of a challenge finding someone to adjust and service instruments purchased at another franchise location.