Hearing Aids
Beltone Hearing Aids: A Complete Guide to Choosing Between Beltone Models
Every ear is different, and every degree of hearing loss calls for a different solution. That's why Beltone doesn't make one "one-size-fits-all" hearing aid, but six distinct product lines, each designed for particular listening needs and lifestyles.
iHear is the authorized Beltone hearing aid distributor in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and across the UAE, offering the following lines:
Beltone Envision: an AI hearing aid in the microRIE style.
Beltone Illuminate: for clearer speech in noise.
Beltone Boost Max S: for severe-to-profound hearing loss.
Beltone Commence: for everyday use, in multiple styles.
Beltone Serene: for custom in-the-ear hearing aids.
Beltone Boost SP: for profound hearing loss, with a replaceable battery.
Who Is Beltone, and Why Is iHear Your Go-To Destination in the UAE?
Beltone is a global hearing aid brand, part of Denmark's GN group (the same group that owns ReSound and Jabra), with a history spanning decades in developing hearing technology.
iHear is a UAE company headquartered in Al Ain and the authorized distributor of Beltone hearing aids in the UAE. It also specializes in medical diagnostic devices for hearing and balance (BioMed Jena) and balance rehabilitation systems (PhysioSensing) for the institutional medical sector. This means the iHear team isn't a general equipment seller, but a full-service hearing care specialist:
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Al Ain branch: Al Humaira district, 136 Khalifa Bin Zayed Street
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Abu Dhabi branch: Sultan Bin Zayed the First Street (Muroor Road), Abu Dhabi
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WhatsApp: +971 50 208 4569
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Audiologists officially trained by Beltone in programming and fitting
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A completely free hearing test (audiogram) before any purchase decision
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Try a demo hearing aid in different sound environments before you buy
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Many follow-up adjustments made remotely, without a clinic visit, on models that support remote care
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Manufacturer's warranty plus after-sales service in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, with service for clients across the rest of the UAE
Quick Comparison of the Six Beltone Hearing Aid Models
| Model | Suitable Degree of Hearing Loss | Style | Battery | Key Feature | Best For |
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| Beltone Envision | Mild to moderate | microRIE / RIE | Lithium-ion, up to 30 hours / zinc-air size 312 or 13 | AI with a dedicated DNN chip | Those who want a small hearing aid with AI technology |
| Beltone Illuminate | Mild to severe (depending on the receiver) | microRIE / RIE / ITC / ITE / CIC, plus CROS | Lithium-ion, up to 30 hours / zinc-air size 312, 13, or 10A | True Directionality (ILU17, microRIE style) + CROS | Those who want clearer speech in noise |
| Beltone Boost Max S | Severe to profound | BTE (behind-the-ear) Super Power | Lithium-ion, up to 28 hours | Up to 140 dB (2cc coupler) + Auracast | Those who need a powerful rechargeable hearing aid |
| Beltone Commence | Mild to moderate | 5 styles: miniRIE, RIE 63, RIE 64, ITC, and CIC | Lithium-ion (miniRIE) or zinc-air (312, 13, or 10A) | A choice of styles + IP68 water and dust resistance | Everyday use and active lifestyles |
| Beltone Serene | Mild to severe (depending on the receiver) | Custom ITE | Lithium-ion, up to 30 hours (about 5 hours to charge) | Rechargeable ITE with a custom charger | Those who want a custom in-the-ear hearing aid |
| Beltone Boost SP | Profound | BTE (behind-the-ear) | Zinc-air size 675 (replaceable) | Up to 141 dB (2cc coupler) + telecoil | Those who prefer a replaceable battery for profound hearing loss |
Important technical note: Beltone hearing aids share a common foundation: IP68 dust and water resistance on the Boost Max S, Boost SP, Serene, and Illuminate, the Beltone HearMax app on the wireless styles, and Tinnitus Breaker Pro to help ease tinnitus on several models. The real differences are in amplification power, style, battery type, and connectivity (for example, Auracast is not available on the Boost SP or on CIC styles), and features vary by technology level.
Selection Guide: Which Beltone Hearing Aid Is Right for You?
Step 1: Determine Your Degree of Hearing Loss
| Degree of Hearing Loss | Level (dB HL) | What You May Not Hear | Hearing Aids to Consider |
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| Mild | 20–40 dB | Whispers and soft, low-pitched sounds | Envision, Illuminate, or Commence |
| Moderate | 41–60 dB | Normal conversation at a distance | Envision, Illuminate, Commence, or Serene |
| Severe | 61–80 dB | A large part of speech; the TV may not be loud enough even at full volume | Boost Max S or Boost SP, or Illuminate or Serene with the UP receiver |
| Profound | 81 dB and above | Most speech; many people rely on lip-reading | Boost Max S or Boost SP, with an assessment by your audiologist (and a cochlear implant evaluation where needed) |
Step 2: Identify Your Personal Priority
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→ I want a small behind-the-ear hearing aid with AI technologyBeltone Envision
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→ I want clearer speech in noise, in a choice of stylesBeltone Illuminate
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→ I have single-sided deafness, with little or no hearing in one ear (CROS solution)Beltone Illuminate CROS
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→ I want a custom in-the-ear hearing aid with nothing behind the earBeltone Serene
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→ I want a choice of styles (behind-the-ear or in-the-ear) that holds up to everyday use, sweat, and dustBeltone Commence
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→ I need a powerful hearing aid for severe-to-profound hearing lossBeltone Boost Max S
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→ My hearing loss has been described as profound, and I prefer a replaceable batteryBeltone Boost SP
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→ I have tinnitus along with hearing lossIncluding Serene, Illuminate, and the Boost models (with Tinnitus Breaker Pro)
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→ I'm looking for an older family member who finds small batteries hard to handleEnvision, Illuminate, Serene, or Boost Max S (rechargeable options)
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→ I want a simple start for my first hearing aidEntry levels: Envision 4 · Illuminate ILU4 · Serene 4 · Commence COM2
Beltone Envision Hearing Aid: Small, AI-Powered Hearing
The Beltone Envision is a compact behind-the-ear hearing aid in the microRIE style, equipped with a dedicated AI chip (DNN) that classifies the sounds around you in a fraction of a second to bring speech forward and reduce noise.
Best for:
People with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who want a small, discreet AI hearing aid, and who regularly attend meetings, gatherings, and noisy places.
Key Specifications:
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Technology levels (17 / 9 / 6 / 4), with up to 17 channels at the top level
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Rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasting up to 30 hours maximum, or zinc-air batteries (size 312, or size 13 with telecoil)
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CrossLink Directionality 4 and True Focus at the top level, for focus on speech in noise
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Auracast Bluetooth, plus direct streaming of calls and music from iPhone and compatible Android devices
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IP68 dust and water resistance, with protection suited to the UAE's hot, humid climate
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Tinnitus Breaker Pro to help ease tinnitus
Beltone Boost Max S Hearing Aid: High Power for Severe-to-Profound Hearing Loss
The Beltone Boost Max S is a Super Power BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aid designed for people for whom standard hearing aids are no longer enough, whether they’ve tried other hearing aids before or are discovering the need for the first time.
Best for:
Severe-to-profound hearing loss, people who need more power than standard hearing aids offer, and people who struggle to hear the TV even at full volume.
Key Specifications:
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Maximum output of up to 140 dB SPL (2cc coupler)
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5 technology levels, with up to 17 channels at the top level
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Lithium-ion battery lasting up to 28 hours maximum (24 typical), with a large desktop charger (CFF 90)
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Feedback Eraser 2 helps control feedback whistling
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Low Frequency Boost to help compensate for the low-frequency hearing loss common in severe cases
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CrossLink Directionality up to version 4, plus Speech Spotter Pro, for speech clarity in noise
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MultiConnect: connect to two devices at once
Beltone Commence Hearing Aid: Style Choice and Durability for Everyday Use
The Beltone Commence is available in five styles that all run on the same core sound-processing platform, giving you the freedom to choose the style that suits you.
Available Styles:
miniRIE 62
The smallest rechargeable style in the Commence lineup (lithium-ion, 12 hours or more)
RIE 63
Size 312 zinc-air battery, a popular and convenient choice
RIE 64
Size 13 battery plus a built-in telecoil for venues with induction loops
ITC
Custom in-the-canal style with Auracast, discreet and wirelessly connected
CIC-NW
The smallest fully custom in-the-canal style, with no wireless connectivity
Key Shared Specifications:
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3 technology levels (COM4 / COM3 / COM2), with up to 12 WDRC bands
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IP68 dust and water resistance, built for sweat and the UAE climate
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Wireless styles support direct streaming from compatible iPhone and Android devices (not available on the CIC)
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Demo hearing aids are available at iHear so you can hear the technology before you decide
Best for:
People with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who want a hearing aid for everyday use with an active lifestyle, who are often exposed to sweat, water, and dust, and who want a choice of styles.
Beltone Serene Hearing Aid: Discreet and Rechargeable
The Beltone Serene is a rechargeable ITE (in-the-ear) hearing aid made from a custom mold of your ear. It brings advanced sound technology to a discreet in-the-ear style, so you don’t have to choose between technology and discretion.
Best for:
People who want a discreet custom in-the-ear hearing aid, across a range of hearing losses depending on the receiver chosen, and who hesitate to wear a visible hearing aid for social or professional reasons.
Key Specifications:
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Custom ITE style, made specifically to the shape of your ear
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4 technology levels (17 / 9 / 6 / 4), with up to 17 channels at the top level
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Rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasting up to 30 hours maximum (24 typical), with a full charge taking about 5 hours
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MP, HP, and UP receiver power options, chosen based on your audiogram
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CrossLink Directionality 4 and Personal Sound ID at the top levels
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Tinnitus Breaker Pro and Auracast Bluetooth in all four levels
Beltone Boost SP Hearing Aid: A Powerful Hearing Aid for Profound Hearing Loss
The Beltone Boost SP is a power BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aid for people with profound hearing loss. It is also sometimes used together with a cochlear implant in the other ear (bimodal hearing), as decided by your audiologist and medical team.
Best for:
Profound hearing loss, people who prefer a replaceable battery and a built-in telecoil, and adults, and children under pediatric audiologist guidance, who need a high-power hearing aid.
Key Specifications:
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Maximum output of up to 141 dB SPL (2cc coupler)
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Size 675 zinc-air battery, the largest-capacity zinc-air size, replaceable by you
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3 technology levels (BSP495 / BSP395 / BSP295)
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Built-in telecoil in all levels, for venues equipped with induction loops
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Feedback Eraser 2 in all levels, and CrossLink Directionality 2 at the top level
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IP68 dust and water resistance
Beltone Illuminate Hearing Aids: AI Hearing Aids for Clearer Speech in Noise
Beltone Illuminate is a new family of AI-powered hearing aids designed to help you follow conversation in noisy places such as restaurants, family gatherings, and meetings. It relies on three technologies working together: AcoustIQ, which senses the sound environment instantly; 4-microphone beamforming; and deep neural network (DNN) noise reduction. Together they make up True Directionality, available at the ILU17 level of the rechargeable microRIE style.
Right for you if:
You struggle to follow speech in noise and want modern technology and direct audio streaming. Your hearing test determines the right style, technology level, and receiver power for you.
What It Offers:
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True Directionality: an automatic feature combining the three technologies, available at the top ILU17 level in the rechargeable microRIE style. The other levels use CrossLink Directionality.
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Auracast: direct wireless audio streaming on all styles except the CIC.
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IP68 resistance with a protective nanocoating, and a rechargeable battery lasting up to 24 hours on the rechargeable styles, according to Beltone.
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Four technology levels: ILU17, ILU9, ILU6, and ILU4.
Technologies Shared Across Beltone Hearing Aids at iHear
Whichever model you choose, these technologies are found across the Beltone lineup:
Auracast Bluetooth: Connect to Venues That Offer Broadcasts
Auracast is a Bluetooth LE Audio standard that lets compatible hearing aids receive public audio broadcasts (such as at airports, mosques, or shopping centers that offer them) without manual pairing, using the Auracast Assistant in the Beltone HearMax app: open the app, go to the Auracast Assistant, choose a broadcast available around you, and your hearing aids connect.
Tinnitus Breaker Pro: Tinnitus Relief
A built-in technology on several Beltone models that generates therapeutic sounds to help the brain tune out the tinnitus that often accompanies hearing loss and to ease the distress associated with it.
IP68 Water and Dust Resistance
IP68 is a high level of protection against dust and water, suited to sweat and everyday moisture in the UAE's hot, humid climate. The hearing aids can be worn in the rain and during sweating, but prolonged full submersion should be avoided.
Compatibility With Android and iPhone
- iPhone: iPhone 11 and later (iOS 15.3+), with direct audio streaming and hands-free calls
- Android: compatible devices, with direct audio streaming; hands-free calling depends on the device and hearing aid model, so ask iHear to check your phone's compatibility
Remote Adjustment and Follow-Up
An iHear audiologist can adjust your hearing aid's settings online without you leaving home, in addition to live video sessions (Beltone Remote Care Live) for follow-up and adjustments.
Demo Hearing Aids Available at iHear
If your hearing aid needs servicing, iHear will do its best to arrange a temporary replacement where one is available. Ask our team before you send yours in.
Beltone Hearing Aids vs. Competitors in the UAE Market
| Criterion | Beltone Hearing Aids (iHear) | Starkey (Star Key Hearing) | Widex (Emirates Hearing Care) | Amazon.ae / Noon.com |
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| Auracast Bluetooth | ✅ In all five Beltone models | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available | Depends on the model listed |
| Variety of styles in one lineup | ✅ 5 models for every degree of hearing loss | Multiple models as well | One brand only | A mix of brands with no consultation |
| Free hearing test before purchase | ✅ In Al Ain and Abu Dhabi | ✅ Multiple branches | Limited | ❌ Not available |
| Customized medical programming | ✅ Beltone-trained audiologist | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ No audiologists |
| Built-in tinnitus treatment | ✅ Tinnitus Breaker Pro (all models) | ✅ Available | Available | Not guaranteed, depends on the model |
| Presence in Al Ain | ✅ Headquarters | ✅ Branch in Al Ain and Khalifa City | Not specified | No physical presence |
| After-sales service and warranty | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ | Limited | Very limited |
Important
The Key Difference:
Platforms such as Amazon.ae and Noon.com sell the device only, without a medical hearing test, personalized programming, or follow-up, and that can strip a hearing aid of most of its real benefit. A hearing aid isn't an ordinary consumer product; it needs a diagnosis and personal programming based on your hearing test.
Beltone Hearing Aids and Health Insurance in the UAE
Does Insurance Cover Beltone Hearing Aids?
Some insurers may offer partial coverage, depending on your policy
| What Determines Your Coverage | What It Means |
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| Your insurer | Each insurance provider sets its own rules |
| Your policy | Coverage varies from plan to plan |
| Your emirate's health authority | DHA, DOH, or MOHAP regulate insurers but do not provide coverage themselves |
| Your situation | Contact your insurer before buying to confirm |
Support and Follow-Up Services
We're with you at every step as you check your coverage
How does the iHear team help?
- Helping you check your coverage before you buy
- Providing the medical documentation your insurer may request
- Answering your questions about the process
Beltone Hearing Aids for Children: When to Start and How to Choose
Hearing Loss in Children Needs Specialist Care, and Early Support Matters
A child's brain develops speech and language through hearing, and earlier support is linked to better speech and language development. If you suspect hearing loss in your child, book a hearing assessment as soon as you can.
How Is the Right Hearing Aid Chosen for a Child?
A full hearing assessment first:
A child's hearing is tested by methods suited to their age, and the results guide every decision.
A pediatric audiologist chooses and programs the device:
The right style, power, and battery design depend on the child's age and degree of hearing loss.
Profound or congenital hearing loss:
A cochlear implant assessment is often considered right away, alongside hearing aids, by a medical team.
How Can iHear Help?
- A free hearing test, and a referral to a pediatric specialist where needed
- Explaining the Beltone options and battery safety features suited to young children, once confirmed for each model
- Follow-up as your child grows, with adjustments to settings and earmolds
Frequently Asked Questions About Beltone Hearing Aids
What's the Difference Between the Six Beltone Hearing Aid Lines, and Which Is Right for Me?
The main differences are the degree of hearing loss, the style, and the battery type: Envision (mild to moderate, AI-powered, in the microRIE and RIE styles); Illuminate (Beltone's new AI family, in multiple styles with a CROS solution); Commence (mild to moderate, in multiple styles and built to be durable); Serene (custom in-the-ear, rechargeable); Boost Max S (severe to profound, rechargeable); and Boost SP (profound, with a replaceable battery). A free hearing test at iHear helps identify the right fit for you.
How Much Do Beltone Hearing Aids Cost in the UAE?
There isn't a single fixed price, because the price depends on the model, the technology level (17/9/6/4 or equivalent), and the battery type. Contact the iHear team on WhatsApp for a personalized quote. The hearing test and a demo-device trial are both free of charge.
Do Beltone Hearing Aids Work With Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi Phones?
Beltone's wireless hearing aids support direct audio streaming from iPhone and compatible Android devices. Hands-free calling depends on the hearing aid model and the phone, and the iHear team can check your phone's compatibility before you buy.
Can I Wear Beltone Hearing Aids in the Shower or While Swimming?
The six Beltone lines shown here carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, so they can be worn in the rain and during sweating. They are not swimming hearing aids, though, and we recommend taking them off when showering or swimming and avoiding prolonged submersion.
Do Beltone Hearing Aids Treat Tinnitus?
Several Beltone hearing aids (including the Envision, Illuminate, Serene, Boost Max S, and Boost SP) include the built-in Tinnitus Breaker Pro technology, which generates therapeutic sounds that help the brain pay less attention to the tinnitus sound and ease the distress that comes with it. It helps ease tinnitus but does not treat its cause.
Can I Borrow a Replacement Hearing Aid While Mine Is Being Serviced?
iHear has demo hearing aids that may be used as a temporary replacement, subject to availability. Ask the iHear team before you send yours in for servicing.
How Long Does It Take to Get Used to a New Hearing Aid?
It varies from person to person, but many people adjust within two to four weeks, and it can take longer with powerful hearing aids. We recommend wearing them during all your waking hours at first, and the iHear team follows up with you throughout this period.
Does Health Insurance Cover Hearing Aids in the UAE?
Some health insurance providers in the UAE offer partial coverage, depending on your policy and insurer. Contact iHear and we'll help you check your coverage before you buy.
I Have an Older Beltone Hearing Aid (Essential). Should I Upgrade, and What's the Difference?
Whether to upgrade depends on your needs and your hearing test. An iHear audiologist compares your current hearing aid with the newer lines (such as Commence, Envision, and Illuminate) in terms of style, wireless connectivity, and speech-clarity technologies. If you feel your old hearing aid is no longer enough, it's a good time to have your hearing reassessed.
Can I Buy a Hearing Aid Without a Hearing Test?
We don't recommend it. A hearing aid is programmed from the results of your personal hearing test (audiogram), and buying one without proper programming strips it of much of its benefit. The hearing test at iHear is completely free.
What's the Difference Between BTE, RIC/RIE, and ITE Hearing Aids?
BTE (behind-the-ear) is the largest style and includes high-power hearing aids, which suit severe-to-profound hearing loss (such as the Boost Max S and Boost SP). RIC/RIE is a small behind-the-ear hearing aid with a thin wire to a receiver in the ear canal, and is one of the most common styles (such as the Envision, Illuminate, and Commence). ITE, ITC, and CIC are styles made from a mold of your ear that sit in the ear or the canal (such as the Serene and some Illuminate and Commence styles), with nothing behind the ear.
Which Beltone Hearing Aid Is Best for Seniors?
It depends first on the degree of hearing loss. But the rechargeable options (Boost Max S, Envision, Serene, and the rechargeable styles of Illuminate) may suit some seniors by avoiding tiny batteries. An iHear audiologist can help decide whether a behind-the-ear or in-the-ear style is easier to handle for the person you're helping.
Do Beltone Hearing Aids Require Frequent Clinic Visits?
Not necessarily. On the wireless models, remote fine tuning and remote firmware updates through the HearMax app allow an iHear audiologist to adjust many of your settings without a clinic visit. Some adjustments, such as changes to the physical fit, may still need a visit.
Do Beltone Hearing Aids From iHear Come With a Warranty?
Yes. Every hearing aid comes with a manufacturer's warranty, plus after-sales service from the iHear team in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.
What's the Difference Between Severe Hearing Loss, Profound Hearing Loss, and Partial Deafness?
Severe (61–80 dB): significant difficulty understanding speech. Profound (81 dB and above): very little hearing remains, and many people rely on lip-reading. Some people call this partial deafness, but that is not a medical term. The boundaries differ between classification systems and are determined by your hearing test. For profound hearing loss, a powerful hearing aid (such as the Boost Max S or Boost SP) can be considered, with an assessment by your audiologist and a cochlear implant evaluation where needed.
What Is the Newest Beltone Hearing Aid?
According to Beltone's announcement on August 10, 2026, Beltone Illuminate is its new family of AI hearing aids, and it is the newest family Beltone has announced at the time of writing. iHear also offers the Envision, Commence, Serene, and the two Boost lines.
What Is Beltone Illuminate, and What Makes It Different?
A new family of Beltone AI hearing aids designed to help you follow speech in noisy places. It introduces True Directionality, which combines AcoustIQ for sound-environment classification, 4-microphone focusing, and deep neural network (DNN) noise reduction, available at the top ILU17 level in the rechargeable microRIE style. It comes in four technology levels (ILU17, ILU9, ILU6, and ILU4) and with IP68 protection.
Which Styles Does Beltone Illuminate Come In?
The family includes behind-the-ear styles (the rechargeable microRIE, and the RIE with a size 312 or size 13 battery), custom in-the-ear styles (the ITC with a size 312 or rechargeable battery, and the rechargeable ITE), the CIC that sits entirely inside the ear canal, and a CROS device for hearing loss in one ear. Availability of models may vary by country, so iHear will confirm the styles available.
Does Beltone Illuminate Support Auracast?
Yes, on all Illuminate styles except the CIC, which has no wireless connectivity. Auracast is a Bluetooth LE Audio technology that lets compatible hearing aids receive audio broadcast by compatible sources, such as TVs and venues that offer Auracast broadcasts, and it only works where a broadcast is available.
What's the Difference Between Beltone Illuminate and Beltone Envision?
Both are Beltone AI hearing aids. Illuminate introduces True Directionality (at the ILU17 level in the microRIE style), additional custom styles (ITC, ITE, and CIC), and a CROS solution, while Envision is offered in the microRIE and RIE styles. Features differ by style and level, so an iHear audiologist recommends the best fit for you after your hearing test.
Is There a Beltone Hearing Aid for Hearing Loss in One Ear Only?
Yes, the Illuminate CROS solution: a rechargeable microRIE-style transmitter worn on the ear with little or no usable hearing sends sound wirelessly to an Illuminate hearing aid on the better ear. A BiCROS system is used when the better ear also needs amplification. Sudden hearing loss in one ear is a medical emergency, so see an ENT doctor promptly first.
How Long Does the Beltone Illuminate Battery Last?
The rechargeable styles (microRIE, ITC-R, and ITE) last up to 30 hours maximum, or 24 hours typical including several hours of streaming. The RIE 63, RIE 64, ITC 312, and CIC use replaceable zinc-air batteries.
For more information
Feel free to contact us anytime. Our team is always ready to help you.
