The Bernafon Alpha 5 IIC in review
Wir haben die Gesamtnote mit einem Abschlag versehen, da mit dem Bernafon Alpha XT bereits eine neuere Technik auf dem Markt ist.
Bernafon presents the Alpha 5 IIC, a model from a good, mid-range quality level. It can compensate for mild, moderate, and even severe hearing losses. It is a tiny, barely noticeable hearing aid that provides good sound quality due to its placement in the ear canal, very close to the eardrum. It is worn in the ear.
Hearing comfort
The hearing comfort determines whether someone enjoys wearing their hearing aids or not. That is why we first looked at how the hearing aid deals with background noise. In this model, presented by Bernafon, the manufacturer provides the customer with comprehensive sound management. Of course, noise suppression is integrated to mitigate exhausting background noises. In the Alpha 5 IIC, we are not necessarily dealing with a high-performance variant, but in most hearing situations, the noise suppression should be sufficient. In this model, wind noise management can be omitted. The hearing aid sits so deeply in the ear canal that wind noises do not become a problem at all.
The blast filter in this hearing aid is quite solid and suitable for everyday use. Spatial hearing with the Alpha 5 IIC occurs in a very natural way. Due to its special placement deep in the ear canal, the function of the outer ear is preserved, and there are no compromises in directional hearing. The more bands the equalizer in the hearing aid has, the more reliably it can separate speech from background noise. The sound can also be shaped better. The Alpha 5 IIC has 18 bands, making it one of the more powerful models.
The signal processing of the Alpha 5 IIC also employs artificial intelligence. This allows for a much more realistic analysis of the hearing environment, and especially the clarity in noisy environments is significantly improved.
Rating Hearing comfort: 1,8
Operation & connectivity
“Can I make adjustments to my hearing aid myself?” “Is there maybe an app?” These and similar questions are becoming increasingly important when choosing a hearing aid, which is why we will take a look at the control and connectivity options. First, we are interested in whether there is a button on the device. Unfortunately, we will be disappointed with the IIC; there is no immediate adjustment option. Remote controls for hearing aids are generally common today, but Bernafon has not provided one for this device.
Voice commands are a fairly new way to operate hearing aids. However, in this model, we do not have this option yet. That’s not a big deal - the main thing is that you can hear well. There is no control of the hearing aids with a simple tap in this Bernafon model, as specific sensors would have been needed in the casing for that.
We missed an app for the Alpha 5 IIC during the test. If operating via smartphone is important to you, you should consider looking for another model. Unfortunately, wireless connectivity options are completely lacking in this variant. This is no longer quite up to date, but it is likely due to the small size of the hearing aid.
Rating Operation & connectivity: 3,8
The best alternatives to the Alpha 5 IIC
Our database contains 45 reviews of hearing aids with similar technical features to this one (i.e., In the ear (ITE) in völlig unsichtbarer Ausführung in Size "", not rechargable, geeignet für Hörverlust-Grad leicht, mittel & stark). Here are the top 3 (Redaktionsstand 02.10.2025):
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Starkey Signature Series 24 IIC NW | Rating: 4 / 5 |
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Starkey Genesis AI 24 IIC NW | Rating: 4 / 5 |
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Oticon Own 1 IIC | Rating: 4 / 5 |
Simplicity & security
Continuing with the test: How is the user-friendliness? Is it easy or complicated to handle the hearing aid? We rate the situation recognition integrated into the Alpha 5 IIC as more in the middle range. The most important loud and quiet situations are detected and adapted. However, for acoustically more complex moments, this is not entirely sufficient, as one cannot avoid further manual adjustment options. The adaptation to the new hearing experience is supported by this device with a fully automatic acclimatization manager. It adjusts the amplification in barely noticeable steps until my hearing loss is completely compensated. I don't have to do anything other than regularly wear my hearing aids.
Zinc-air batteries power the Alpha 5 IIC. Changing the batteries can be quite cumbersome for people with limited dexterity or vision. If you have concerns about that, you might want to look for a rechargeable model instead.
The data sheet certifies the Bernafon device with an IP protection class 68. This makes it one of the most resilient hearing aids on the market. Dust stands no chance, and water does not penetrate the casing as long as it doesn't submerge deeper than 1.5 m. However, be cautious. For example, shampoo alters the surface tension of water. You should also avoid saltwater. In everyday life, however, you can behave quite carefree.
Rating Simplicity & security: 2,3
Extras
Before we conclude, let's take a look at the extras: A tinnitus program would be an additional bonus. Many people suffering from their ear noises could benefit from this. Unfortunately, the Alpha 5 IIC does not have a tinnitus option and loses a few points in the test.
What about remote maintenance? Such online services save a trip to the specialty store, as you can directly contact an acoustics professional through the app. Unfortunately, we did not find anything like that for the Alpha 5 IIC. Too bad, that would have been a great additional tool.
A new trend in the hearing aid industry is integrated sensors that can track certain personal health data, for example. However, the Alpha 5 IIC does not offer this. The device from Bernafon focuses on essential hearing functions and does not provide extras like voice assistants or translation features. While that would have been fun, it is not necessary for a good listening experience.
Rating Extras: 4,0
Conclusion: Bernafon Alpha 5 IIC
In the overall result, this test device ranks in the lower positions and is missing some features. We give it a grade of 3.9. This is acceptable for less demanding listeners, but for a very active lifestyle, we recommend a hearing aid with more extensive comfort features.
What is the difference between the different designs? Are the mini hearing aids also available with a battery? Or with Bluetooth? Read our comprehensive in-ear hearing aids comparison, which provides this and other interesting information for you.
Top alternatives in the same price range
Which devices in a comparable price range currently show the best technical performance? Here are the current top 3:
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Philips HearLink 3050 MNR T R | Rating: 4.5 / 5 |
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Audio Service G8 8 Mood R LI T 8 | Rating: 4.5 / 5 |
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Audio Service G8 8 Mood R LI 8 | Rating: 4.5 / 5 |
Our Bernafon Alpha 5 IIC review was created on May 3, 2023 and lastly updated on June 25, 2024. The overall rating of 3,90 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 4.5 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 2.5 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 4 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 2 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..
FAQ
Welche Größe hat das Alpha 5 IIC von Bernafon?
Groß oder klein hat mit der Wirkung nach außen zu tun. Wir beurteilen daher, wie groß Hörgeräte auf Außenstehende wirken. Das Bernafon Alpha 5 IIC befindet sich in der Größenklasse XXS. Das bedeutet, es wirkt .
Wie gut höre ich mit dem Alpha 5 IIC von Bernafon?
Dieses Hörgerät schneidet mit einer Gesamtnote von 1,8 (****) im Bereich "Hörkomfort" ab. Die Note setzt sich aus verschiedenen Komponenten zusammen. Wichtige Kriterien: Die Lärmunterdrückung erreicht . Die Anzahl der einstellbaren Frequenzbänder im Bernafon Alpha 5 IIC ist 18 (die Klassenbesten haben aktuell 24 Bänder). Für die Windgeräuschunterdrückung bekommt das Gerät von uns das Prädikat .
Ist das Bernafon Alpha 5 IIC für mich geeignet?
Den Eignungsbereich von Hörgeräten nennen Hörakustiker "Anpassbereich". Bernafon hat für das Alpha 5 IIC folgenden Anpassbereich festgelegt: . Lassen Sie einen Profi-Hörtest bei einem Hörakustikbetrieb in Ihrer Nähe durchführen, anschließend wissen Sie, ob dieses Hörgerät für Sie geeignet ist.
Was kostet das Bernafon Alpha 5 IIC?
Ist das Alpha 5 IIC von Bernafon teuer oder günstig? Es wird in Deutschland derzeit in einem ungefähren Preisrahmen von zwischen 2.000,00 € und 2.500,00 € gehandelt. Wenn eine Krankenkasse sich beteiligt, fällt der Betrag deutlich geringer aus. Wichtig: Sie sollten den Preis zum Zusammenhang mit der Gesamtnote im Testbericht (3.9 (**)) und vor allen Dingen mit der Bewertung im Bereich Lärmunterdrückung () beurteilen.
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