SoundWear - Forte Hearing Amplifier - Beige

This device is a hearing aid, although, legally it can't be sold or marketed using that description. In January 2020 that rule changes and the FDA will allow the term hearing aid versus the current Personal Sound Amplifier. The Soundwear Forte MA has one of the best set of features available in its price range. I'm 66 years old and have moderate to severe hearing loss as the result of 12 years exposure to jet aircraft while in the military. I did a lot of research before purchasing mine. What attracted me was the ability to control the hearing aids via bluetooth via an app available from Soundwear for the iPhone or Android. You self-administer a rudimentary hearing test using the app and the results are used to program the aids. There are also 4 available pre-sets and the app allows you to manually adjust the volume of the aids as a pair or individually. The aid fits either ear and a right & left sound tube is provided for whichever ear you desire to use it on. Three different domes are provided, Closed, Open and Magic in various sizes to fit your ear canal. I tried all three and the Magic works best for me. Batter life has been much better than I'd anticipated with each battery lasting over a week. Make no mistake, you can't restore your hearing to normal, but you can hear better again. Hearing aids take some getting used to, but if you're patient, your brain will adapt and you'll be amazed at the sounds you've been missing.

I looked at many other, much more expensive options before I decided to give these a try. I was really attracted to the ability to control the aids via Bluetooth app on my phone. The app has worked flawlessly. I have adjusted the different frequency bands to help clarify my hearing, but the app has a built in hearing test that will auto adjust the aids. It was pretty close on the initial setup. For less than $200 an ear, I have dialed in my moderate hearing loss where I am able to hear the TV or have conversations again! The battery life has been very good. Going on a week now, and the app says the batteries still have over 50% life. (Purchase batteries when you buy these, it didn't come with any. Uses size 13 battery).