Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Reviews
Miracle-Ear offers solutions for mild to profound hearing loss with lifetime support and thousands of nationwide locations.
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Miracle-Ear, a hearing aid company with over 1,500 locations, manufactures high-quality, discreet hearing aids for people with all levels of hearing loss. The brand’s hearing aids are manufactured in conjunction with Signia, a technologically advanced hearing aid brand. That is excellent news for potential users, as these are very well-designed hearing aids with a feature set that has met the needs of most of my patients. Miracle-Ear excels in local service and customer relationships that are crucial to hearing care.
Why would you buy from Miracle-Ear if the hardware is made by Signia? I can think of several reasons. First, there may be a Miracle-Ear location very close to you. For many people with hearing loss, having your provider close by is usually a great comfort. Second, many folks are longtime Miracle-Ear customers. For them, it’s less about the hearing aid itself and more about the service they get and their relationship with their provider. Third, even though the BTE products are made elsewhere, the company and the custom products are American, which is important to several folks. In this review, I’ll explain the Miracle-Ear product line, my experience with the devices, and how they stack up to the best hearing aids on the market.
Did You Know? While Miracle-Ear has some great hearing aids to consider, the brand didn’t make our list of the best hearing aids. Want to find out which providers we included? Check out our list of the best hearing aid brands.
I thought their current product line was made by Signia, based on a careful examination of the pictures on Miracle-Ear’s website. A few emails with corporate staff confirmed this. That is excellent news for potential customers, as these are very well-designed hearing aids with a feature set that has met the needs of most of my patients. Miracle-Ear excels in local service and customer relationships that are crucial to hearing care.
Why would you buy from Miracle-Ear if the hardware is made by Signia? I can think of several reasons. First, there may be a Miracle-Ear location very close to you. After all, there are more than 1,400 franchise locations in the United States (as well as several in Canada). For many people with hearing loss, particularly those with more severe losses, being “off the air” is terrifying. Having your provider close by is usually a great comfort. Second, many folks are long-time Miracle-Ear customers. For them, it’s less about the hearing aid itself and more about the service they get and their relationship with their provider. Third, even though the BTE products are made elsewhere, the company and the custom products are American, which is important to several folks. For this review, I’ll explain the Miracle-Ear product line and my experience with the devices.
Is Miracle-Ear Right for Me?
Miracle-Ear is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a provider with stellar customer service or options for any level of hearing loss. If you’re on a tight budget, however, there are many cheaper options for those who have mild to moderate hearing loss and are willing to forgo “high-touch” hearing care. Check out our favorite budget-friendly providers below to learn more.
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:
Bluetooth Connectivity (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), and to ASHA-compatible (audio streaming for hearing) Android devices. This technology is available in receiver-in-canal (RIC) and behind-the-ear (BTE) styles. Both the BTE and RIC models are water resistant and come in multiple colors. Both styles are also available in either rechargeable or disposable battery options.
People with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe can wear either style successfully. However, those with severe or profound hearing loss may be best served with the BTE form of the Miracle-EarCONNECT. BTE hearing aids are the most powerful type available. They’re larger than RIC hearing aids, which are slimmer and sleeker. But the benefits they provide to hearing quality can’t be beat if you need that extra power. Here are some of our best choices for hearing aids for severe hearing loss. Telecoil is available on some models.
Most Styles (Miracle-EarENERGY)
Miracle-Ear offers the MiracleEarENERGY in BTE, RIC, in-the-canal (ITC) and completely-in-canal (CIC) options. These rechargeable hearing aids are a good choice for people with hand dexterity issues, who may struggle with disposable hearing aids. This group of devices includes the Miracle-EarENERGY GO hearing aid, which has a sleek, wireless earbud design.
Nearly Invisible Solutions (Miracle-EarMINI)
Miracle-Ear offers an invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) model called the Mirage IIC, and a small RIC 10 hearing aid that is compact and very discreet. These models are best for those who want a discreet solution.
The Mirage IIC provides crystal-clear, natural sound and speech understanding in noisy environments. The RIC 10 is customizable and fully programmable. They effectively eliminate background noise and enhance the sound of speech.
Miracle-Ear custom hearing aids are 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 are considering any of Miracle-Ear’s CIC devices, there is one caveat that applies to CIC hearing aids from all manufacturers. Because of their small size, these devices almost always have one microphone, compared 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, especially 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 QuickSIN before finalizing the deal.
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Accessories
Even the best hearing aids cannot completely overcome the negative effects of distance, reverberation, and background noise. Miracle-Ear offers several accessories to assist.
Inductive Charger
Miracle Ear Travel Charger (left) and Inductive Charger (right)
This compact and portable charger offers a quick 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. That is also very helpful for patients in areas like Florida, where hurricane season makes power outages common.
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. That 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 ultrahigh frequency “chirps” to tell the hearing aids what’s 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 must visit a hearing clinic in person to get exact pricing information. Some customer reviews mention that Miracle-Ear devices can be pricey, but the sound quality, high-touch service, and technology makes it 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 have mild to moderate hearing loss and want more pricing information up front, 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.
How Miracle-Ear Stacks Up Against Some Other Leading Brands
| Miracle-Ear | Signia | Phonak | Eargo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated price range per pair (varies by provider and geographic region) | $2,000-$8,000 | $3,500-$7,000 | $2,000-$7,500 | $799-$2,699 |
| Hearing loss levels treated | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to moderate |
| Battery types | Disposable and rechargeable | Disposable and rechargeable | Disposable and rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Bluetooth streaming | No | Yes | Yes | Yes, some styles |
| Styles available | BTE, RIC, ITC, IIC, CIC | BTE, RIC, IIC, CIC | BTE, RIC, ITE, CIC | ITE, Earbud |
| Prescription (audiogram) needed | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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 vital insights and recommendations for their 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.
Our Methodology
To determine the applicability of Miracle-Ear for hearing loss in older adults, we spent over 50 hours testing several of their most popular devices in multiple styles. We also consulted with our resident audiologist Dr. Brad Ingrao about his experience with the brand. We considered these attributes as they apply to the needs of seniors:
- Cost: Miracle-Ear is not a budget-priced brand. However, for older adults with hearing loss, the ability to form and maintain a working relationship with an audiologist is highly beneficial. Since hearing loss can change over time, having someone located nearby is a big plus.
- Style selection: Miracle-Ear’s devices come in the styles most requested by seniors. Their behind-the-ear hearing aids are powerful enough to address more severe forms of hearing loss. They’re also comfortable to wear. Their in-ear hearing aids are discreet and hardly noticeable. This removes a barrier for many older adults who wish to keep their hearing loss private.
- Battery type: We like that most Miracle-Ear hearing aid styles are available in rechargeable and traditional battery options. Many older adults struggle with hand dexterity. For them, as well as for people who prefer the convenience of rechargeable batteries, this option is important.
- Sound quality: The job of hearing aids is to keep people with hearing loss connected to the world. Studies indicate that correcting hearing loss reduces the risk for dementia and isolation. Miracle-Ear’s devices provide clear, comfortable sound with no straining. They reduce external noise while making conversations easier to follow.
Final Thoughts
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 using 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. Miracle-Ear is worth looking into for those looking to hear well and establish a local relationship with their provider. My only reservation is that because of the proprietary nature of the line. If you move, you may find it challenging to find someone to adjust and service instruments purchased at another franchise location.
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Mueller GH. (2005) Probe-mic measures: Hearing aid fitting’s most neglected element.