Beltone Illuminate Hearing Aids: The New AI Hearing Aid Family From Beltone
Beltone Illuminate is a new family of AI-powered hearing aids from Beltone, part of the GN Hearing group. It brings together three technologies under the name True Directionality: an environment classifier (AcoustIQ), 4-microphone beamforming, and DNN (deep neural network) noise reduction. Working together automatically, they help separate speech from background noise. True Directionality is available in the top technology level, ILU17, in the rechargeable microRIE style.
Beltone reports that AcoustIQ classifies the sound environment in real time with 91% accuracy. According to Beltone's announcement, the range also includes an essential wireless in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid with Auracast, along with new custom Completely-in-Canal (CIC) styles. The CIC styles don't include wireless connectivity.
iHear is the authorized Beltone hearing aid distributor in the UAE. We offer the Beltone Illuminate in the styles available, after a free hearing test that helps determine the right style and technology level for you.
| Style | Battery | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| microRIE 62S (behind-the-ear) | Rechargeable lithium-ion (up to 30 hours, 24 typical), TapControl | Described by Beltone as the world's smallest rechargeable AI receiver-in-ear (RIE) hearing aid. The only style with True Directionality, True Focus, True Noise Reduction, and MultiConnect; True Directionality is available in the top ILU17 level. |
| RIE 63 (behind-the-ear) | Size 312 zinc-air | A replaceable battery, so no daily charging. Includes Clear Focus; the features exclusive to the microRIE 62S are not available. |
| RIE 64 (behind-the-ear) | Size 13 zinc-air + telecoil | The only Illuminate RIE with a built-in telecoil, for venues equipped with induction loops. Includes Clear Focus. |
| ITC (in-the-canal) | Rechargeable (DWC) or size 312 (DW) | A custom-made style with Bluetooth and Auracast streaming, more discreet than behind-the-ear styles. The 312 version doesn't support hands-free calls. |
| ITE (in-the-ear) | Rechargeable | A slightly larger custom style that can be easier to handle, with a similar feature set to the rechargeable ITC. |
| CIC (completely-in-canal) | Size 10A | The most discreet style in the Illuminate range, and one of Beltone's new custom CIC styles. It has no wireless connectivity. |
What’s New in Beltone Illuminate? The Three Technology Pillars
- AcoustIQ: a sound-sensing system that responds to your surroundings instantly and adapts the hearing aid automatically.
- 4-mic beamforming: follows your focus to help bring the clearest speech forward.
- DNN Denoising: activates intelligent noise reduction when needed, using a deep neural network.
Beltone Illuminate Hearing Aid Styles: AI-Powered Hearing Aids to Fit Your Ear
Everyone has different needs. Some people want a high-power receiver, others want the most discreet option, and some have single-sided deafness. That's why the Beltone Illuminate family comes in a range of styles to cover these needs, each with its own feature set. Here's a closer look at each style:
Behind-the-Ear (RIE): A Versatile Style With Three Battery Options
The receiver-in-ear (RIE) style sits behind the ear, with a thin wire leading to a small receiver in the ear canal. Beltone describes the microRIE as its most popular Illuminate style. RIE is available with four receiver power options (LP, MP, HP, and UP), so it can be fitted across a wide range of hearing losses, with the receiver chosen based on your audiogram.
Who is a behind-the-ear hearing aid for?
- People who want a receiver power matched closely to their audiogram.
- People who want a behind-the-ear design that is straightforward to insert, remove, and care for.
- People who want to choose between a rechargeable battery and replaceable batteries.
- People who may find the smallest custom styles hard to handle.
Available colors
10 colors: Red, Navy Blue, Sparkling Silver, Sand, Gold, Bronze, Warm Grey, Graphite, Espresso, and Deep Black. Choose one close to your hair or skin tone, or a color that stands out.
Three battery options in this style
- microRIE 62S (rechargeable): described by Beltone as the world's smallest rechargeable AI receiver-in-ear hearing aid. Charge it overnight; it lasts up to 30 hours maximum (24 typical, including several hours of streaming).
- RIE 63 (size 312 battery): for those who prefer replaceable batteries to charging.
- RIE 64 (size 13 battery): a larger battery than the 312, plus a built-in telecoil, useful in venues equipped with induction loops. It is the only Illuminate RIE with a telecoil.
Why consider a behind-the-ear style?
It offers a choice of rechargeable or replaceable batteries and four receiver power levels. Because the receiver is a separate part, your audiologist can change it if your hearing changes. It also includes the microRIE 62S, the only style with True Directionality (in the ILU17 level) and the other features exclusive to that model.
In-the-Ear (ITE): A Custom Style That Can Be Easier to Handle
The in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid is custom-made to the shape of your ear. It fills the bowl of the outer ear, so it is visible but discreet, and nothing sits behind the ear.
Who is an in-the-ear hearing aid for?
- People who want a style with no wire and nothing behind the ear.
- People who find the smallest custom styles hard to handle, such as some seniors or people with mild dexterity difficulties.
- People who want a custom style that can be easier to insert and remove.
Key features in the Illuminate range
The ITE is rechargeable, with a custom charger and up to 30 hours of battery life maximum (24 typical). It offers MP, HP, and UP receiver options and the same feature set as the rechargeable ITC, including Auracast and Bluetooth streaming.
How it differs from a behind-the-ear style
Nothing sits behind the ear and there is no wire, which some people who wear glasses, masks, or headwear every day may prefer. It does not include the features exclusive to the microRIE 62S, and the telecoil is available only in the RIE 64.
In-the-Canal (ITC): Smaller and Less Visible
The in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid is smaller than the ITE and fills only part of the outer ear opening, so it is less noticeable up close.
Who is an in-the-canal hearing aid for?
- People who want a less visible style while keeping it relatively easy to insert and remove.
- People whose hearing loss suits one of the available receivers (LP, MP, HP, or UP), as chosen by the audiologist.
- People who want a balance between more visible styles and fully hidden ones.
Two battery options
The ITC comes in a rechargeable version (model code DWC) and a version with a size 312 battery (model code DW), which has a push button and a volume control on the device itself. Both support Bluetooth and Auracast streaming; the 312 version does not support hands-free calls.
Rechargeable In-the-Canal (ITC-R): Everyday Convenience With No Battery Changes
The rechargeable version of the in-the-canal hearing aid is for people who want the compact ITC size without buying and changing disposable batteries. It charges in a custom charger and lasts up to 30 hours maximum (24 typical, including several hours of streaming).
Who is it for?
- People who want a compact custom style with the convenience of charging, instead of handling tiny batteries that can be hard to hold, especially for some seniors.
- People with a range of hearing losses, with four receiver options (LP, MP, HP, and UP) chosen based on the audiogram.
- People who want a custom style available in all four technology levels (ILU17 to ILU4). Features vary by level.
Additional features
Bluetooth streaming and hands-free calls from a compatible phone, the Beltone HearMax app, and remote support from your audiologist (Remote Fine Tuning and Beltone Remote Care Live), so you don't need a clinic visit for every adjustment.
Why choose this style?
It combines a custom in-the-canal fit with rechargeable convenience and Bluetooth and Auracast connectivity.
Completely-in-Canal (CIC): The Most Discreet Illuminate Style
The completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid is the most discreet style in the Illuminate range. It sits entirely inside the ear canal, so it is very hard to notice from the outside.
Who is a CIC hearing aid for?
- People who want maximum discretion and privacy about using a hearing aid.
- People whose hearing loss suits the receivers available in this style (LP, MP, or HP), as confirmed by the audiologist.
- Socially or professionally active people who prefer not to draw attention to their hearing aid.
Important notes before choosing this style
The CIC uses a size 10A zinc-air battery and is not rechargeable. It also has no wireless connectivity: no Bluetooth or Auracast streaming, and no hands-free calls. Discuss how you plan to use your hearing aid with your audiologist before choosing this style.
Hearing Loss in One Ear Only? The CROS Solution
If you have single-sided deafness, meaning little or no usable hearing in one ear while the other ear has normal or near-normal hearing, a conventional hearing aid on the poorer ear may not help. A CROS system is a recognized solution for this situation. A BiCROS system is used when the better ear also needs amplification.
How does a CROS system work?
The Beltone Illuminate CROS is a transmitter worn on the ear with the unusable hearing. It picks up sound on that side and sends it wirelessly to a hearing aid on your better ear, so you can be aware of sounds from your poorer side, such as in conversations. The transmitter is rechargeable, with about 16 hours of typical battery life.
Who is a CROS solution for?
- People who have lost hearing in one ear, after a medical evaluation. Sudden hearing loss in one ear is a medical emergency, so see an ENT doctor promptly first.
- People born with single-sided hearing loss.
- People who tried a conventional hearing aid on the poorer ear without benefit.
If you or someone you know has this condition, contact iHear to assess whether a CROS system suits your situation.
Who Needs Beltone Illuminate Hearing Aids?
| Who It's For | How Illuminate Can Help |
|---|---|
| People who struggle to follow speech at gatherings and in restaurants | True Directionality (ILU17, microRIE style) brings together AcoustIQ, 4-mic beamforming, and DNN denoising to help bring the speaker's voice forward. Other levels and styles use CrossLink Directionality and focus features. |
| Socially active professionals (meetings, conferences) | AcoustIQ is designed to sense the environment and adapt the hearing aid automatically, with less need for manual adjustment. |
| People who visit venues that offer Auracast broadcasts | Auracast audio can be received directly in all styles except the CIC, where a broadcast is available. |
| People with single-sided deafness | The CROS solution sends sound from the poorer ear to a hearing aid on the better ear. |
| People who want the most discreet style | The CIC sits entirely inside the ear canal. It has no wireless connectivity. |
| People who find very small devices hard to handle | The rechargeable ITE is a slightly larger custom style that can be easier to handle. |
Beltone Illuminate Technology Levels: Four Levels to Suit Different Needs and Budgets, Across Every Hearing Aid Style
Each Beltone Illuminate hearing aid style above comes in four technology levels, from the most advanced (ILU17) to the entry level (ILU4). Your audiologist will help you choose the level that fits your listening needs and budget:
| Level | Speech Intelligibility & Awareness (Beltone rating) | All-Around Directionality | Speech Intelligibility in Noise |
|---|---|---|---|
| ILU17 (top level) | ★★★★★ | True Directionality* | True Focus* / Clear Focus |
| ILU9 | ★★★★ | CrossLink Directionality 4 | True Focus* / Clear Focus |
| ILU6 | ★★★ | CrossLink Directionality 3 | Ultra Focus 2 |
| ILU4 (entry level) | ★★ | CrossLink Directionality 2 | Ultra Focus |
* True Directionality is available only in the ILU17 level of the rechargeable microRIE 62S, and True Focus only in the ILU17 and ILU9 levels of the same model. Other styles use Clear Focus at those levels. The size 312 ITC and the CIC have different feature sets, so ask your audiologist for the exact list for your style.
Every technology level in every hearing aid style includes Feedback Eraser 2, which helps control feedback whistling, and Tinnitus Breaker Pro, which can help ease tinnitus. The CROS transmitter does not include Tinnitus Breaker Pro.
Beltone Illuminate Technology Levels Compared: ILU17 vs. ILU9 vs. ILU6 vs. ILU4
| Feature | ILU17 (top level) | ILU9 | ILU6 | ILU4 (entry level) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Intelligibility & Awareness (Beltone rating) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ |
| All-Around Directionality | True Directionality* | CrossLink Directionality 4 | CrossLink Directionality 3 | CrossLink Directionality 2 |
| Speech Intelligibility in Noise | True Focus* / Clear Focus | Ultra Focus 2 | Ultra Focus | |
| DNN True Noise Reduction* | Mild to strong | On/Off | — | — |
| Noise Reduction (Sound Cleaner Pro), Beltone-stated | Per environment (−10 dB) | Strong (−10 dB) | Considerable (−8 dB) | Moderate (−6 dB) |
| Automatic Volume Adjustment | Smart Gain Pro | Smart Gain | Smart Gain | Smart Gain |
| Sound-Processing Channels | 17 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
| CROS / BiCROS | Available as a rechargeable microRIE-style transmitter, paired with an Illuminate hearing aid | |||
* True Directionality, True Focus, and DNN True Noise Reduction are available only in the rechargeable microRIE 62S: True Directionality at ILU17, True Focus at ILU17 and ILU9, and DNN True Noise Reduction at ILU17 (mild to strong) and ILU9 (on/off). Where True Focus is listed, the RIE 63, RIE 64, ITC-R, and ITE-R offer Clear Focus instead. The size 312 ITC and the CIC have different feature sets, so ask your audiologist for the exact list for your style.
Beltone Illuminate vs. Other AI Hearing Aids: How Does It Compare?
| Criterion | Beltone Illuminate | Other AI Hearing Aids (General) |
|---|---|---|
| Combining 4-mic beamforming and DNN noise reduction at the same time | Beltone states that Illuminate is the only solution to combine them simultaneously. This is True Directionality, available at the ILU17 level of the rechargeable microRIE 62S only. | Varies by manufacturer and model. |
| Water and dust resistance | IP68, with a protective nanocoating on every part | Protection levels vary by manufacturer and model. |
| CROS/BiCROS in a rechargeable design | Yes, as a rechargeable microRIE-style transmitter paired with an Illuminate hearing aid | Offered by several manufacturers, in different designs. |
| Rechargeable battery life | Up to 24 hours on rechargeable styles, even with streaming or AI active, according to Beltone (30 hours maximum, 24 typical, including several hours of streaming) | Varies by manufacturer, model, and usage. |
| Parent company | GN Hearing, Denmark (the group that also owns ReSound) | Other brands belong to other hearing-care groups. |
| Availability and support in the UAE | Through iHear, the authorized Beltone distributor, with branches in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi and service across the UAE | Varies by each brand's local distributor. |
Beltone claims are based on Beltone Illuminate product documentation (2026). Features of other manufacturers vary, so check each manufacturer's official specifications before comparing.
Why Choose Beltone Illuminate Hearing Aids From iHear in the UAE?
A New Beltone Family, Available Through iHear
Beltone Illuminate is Beltone's new family of AI hearing aids, and iHear, the authorized Beltone distributor in the UAE, offers it in the styles available, from behind-the-ear to custom styles, along with the CROS solution for single-sided deafness.
A Hearing Test Guides Your Choice, Not Guesswork
A precise hearing test at our Al Ain or Abu Dhabi branch determines the type and degree of your hearing loss. We then recommend the style and technology level that suit you from the options above.
Manufacturer Warranty and Local Technical Support
Every hearing aid is backed by the manufacturer's warranty, with local servicing and adjustments from our team.
Serving the Whole UAE From Our Two Branches
Our branches in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi serve clients across the UAE. For those outside these two cities, many follow-up adjustments can be made remotely on the models that support remote care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beltone Illuminate Hearing Aids
For more information
Feel free to contact us anytime. Our team is always ready to help you.
