The Bernafon Alpha 7 CIC in review
Das Bernafon Alpha XT ist der Nachfolger dieser Technik. Da sie nicht mehr ganz aktuell ist, haben wir eine Abwertung in der Gesamtnote vorgenommen.
Bernafon offers the Alpha 7 CIC, a small mini hearing aid that is worn in the ear. It is a hearing aid from the premium price range and is suitable for mild, moderate, and even severe hearing losses. The discreet position in the ear canal ensures that sound reaches the eardrum without losses.
Hearing comfort
Hearing aids are meant to not only deliver speech to the ear but also sound pleasant. So let's first look at the comfort features. What types of noise does the hearing aid recognize? Are they dampened or transmitted unchanged? Is the hearing aid suitable for a lively everyday life? Here with this test device, the manufacturer provides the customer with comprehensive sound management. As in every hearing aid, typical noise cancellation is also included here. It is designed to reduce uniform, rushing ambient noises to the point where they are no longer so dominant. With the Alpha 7 CIC, noise suppression can be adjusted to the customer's preference.
Wind noise is only perceived as bothersome when it directly hits a hearing aid microphone. However, since this model from Bernafon sits very deep in the ear canal, that cannot happen. Therefore, this device is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Quickly occurring, clattering noises are noticeably and sufficiently dampened, which we find pleasant. A brilliant listening experience is not least based on the number of frequency bands. The more bands there are, and the narrower the individual frequency channels are, the better the hearing aid can be tailored to individual preferences. Here we get 20 bands right away. This allows for not only a fantastic sound impression to be created, but also very careful speech and noise cancellation. The Alpha 7 CIC impresses us with its natural, spatial hearing. The outer ear retains its function, making the 3D feeling just like not wearing a hearing aid at all.
Interestingly, artificial intelligence also plays a role here in signal processing. Sound is thus analyzed not only based on typical frequency patterns. Particularly intense, noisy situations are perceived as more realistic and pleasant.
Rating Hearing comfort: 1,5
Operation & connectivity
Digital hearing aids have long evolved beyond the basic amplification function. Apps and other control options significantly expand the range of functions, which is why we are also looking at this important topic with the Alpha 7 CIC from Bernafon. Usually, there is a button on the hearing aid, and we found one on the Alpha 7 as well. It can be configured as a volume control or program selection button, and can also be disabled if desired. Unfortunately, this hearing aid cannot be adjusted via a remote control – this loses a few points.
For some time now, there has been a trend to adjust hearing aids louder or quieter using voice commands. The idea is really good, but Bernafon has not yet reached this point with this device. Don't worry about it, this feature would be nice, but it is not essential. There is no control of the hearing aids with a simple touch in this Bernafon model because it would have required certain sensors in the housing.
We searched in the app store for an app for further adjustments in vain, which we had hoped would be available. If you were looking forward to wireless streaming, we regret to inform you that a wireless module has unfortunately not been integrated here.
Rating Operation & connectivity: 3,5
The best alternatives to the Alpha 7 CIC
Our database contains 70 reviews of hearing aids with similar technical features to this one (i.e., In the ear (ITE) in sehr kompakter Bauform 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 Genesis AI 24 CIC Wireless | Rating: 5 / 5 |
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Starkey Signature Series 24 CIC NW | Rating: 4.5 / 5 |
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Starkey Genesis AI 20 CIC Wireless | Rating: 4.5 / 5 |
Simplicity & security
We are also interested in how quickly one adapts to the Alpha 7 CIC and how easy daily use is. The automatic situation recognition is of high importance in our test. The better it works, the easier our hearing gets through the day. The Alpha 7 CIC performs confidently here and adapts to many situations. Some people have difficulty getting used to it, but this hearing aid makes it easy for us to manage the new volume. There is a familiarization manager that gradually leads us to the required target amplification. The duration can range from a few weeks to several months, and it is individually adjustable. The individual steps are so small that one barely notices that there has just been an increase in volume.
The CIC from Alpha 7 is powered by 10 disposable batteries; it is not rechargeable. This has its advantages and disadvantages. We have provided a guide for the decision "Battery or Rechargeable": Rechargeable hearing aids or batteries: 6 criteria for your decision.
Let's take a look at the robustness of the housing and discover from the data sheet that it has a protection class of IP 68. This means that dust cannot penetrate at all, and water only becomes dangerous after prolonged submersion. Protection against contact is also included.
Rating Simplicity & security: 2,0
Extras
Before we reach the end, let's take a look at the extras: A special tinnitus program can be programmed into the Alpha 7 CIC upon request. This allows for the generation of stimulating, pleasant sounds that distract from the tinnitus when it is particularly strong. We find this very useful and are happy to award extra points.
What about remote maintenance? Such online services eliminate the need for a visit to the specialist, as you can directly contact an acoustic professional via the app. Unfortunately, we could not find such a feature for the Alpha 7 CIC. That's a pity; it would have been a great additional tool.
Some hearing aids can track certain health data. However, this requires special sensors in the hearing aid, which we unfortunately do not have in the Alpha 7 CIC. Other hearing aids already offer a few advanced options like a fall alarm or reminder functions. We do not find this here, and that's not too dramatic, as the normal hearing functions are still the most important.
Rating Extras: 3,3
Conclusion: Bernafon Alpha 7 CIC
With an overall grade of 3.37, this model holds its ground in the mid-range. It has quite a decent comfort level onboard, sufficient for typical everyday moments and creates a satisfactory listening experience.
What is the difference between the various types of hearing aids? Are there mini hearing aids available with rechargeable batteries? Or with Bluetooth? Read our comprehensive In-Ear Hearing Aids Comparison, which offers this and many more 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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Signia Active Pro IX ITC | Rating: 5 / 5 |
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Philips HearLink 5050 MNR T R | Rating: 5 / 5 |
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Audio Service G8 12 Mood R LI T 8 | Rating: 5 / 5 |
Our Bernafon Alpha 7 CIC review was created on August 21, 2023 and lastly updated on June 25, 2024. The overall rating of 3,37 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 3 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..
FAQ
Welche Größe hat das Alpha 7 CIC 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 7 CIC befindet sich in der Größenklasse XS. Das bedeutet, es wirkt .
Wie gut höre ich mit dem Alpha 7 CIC von Bernafon?
Dieses Hörgerät schneidet mit einer Gesamtnote von 1,5 (****) 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 7 CIC ist 20 (die Klassenbesten haben aktuell 24 Bänder). Für die Windgeräuschunterdrückung bekommt das Gerät von uns das Prädikat .
Ist das Bernafon Alpha 7 CIC für mich geeignet?
Den Eignungsbereich von Hörgeräten nennen Hörakustiker "Anpassbereich". Bernafon hat für das Alpha 7 CIC 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 7 CIC?
Ist das Alpha 7 CIC von Bernafon teuer oder günstig? Es wird in Deutschland derzeit in einem ungefähren Preisrahmen von zwischen 2.500,00 € und 3.000,00 € gehandelt. Wenn eine Krankenkasse sich beteiligt, fällt der Betrag deutlich geringer aus. Wichtig: Sie sollten den Preis zum Zusammenhang mit der Gesamtnote im Testbericht (3.4 (***)) und vor allen Dingen mit der Bewertung im Bereich Lärmunterdrückung () beurteilen.
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