The Oticon Geno 1 HDO in review
The Geno 1 HDO from Oticon is a traditional hearing aid worn behind the ear. The customer receives a discreet hearing aid at a lower price level, which can compensate for mild, moderate, and even severe hearing loss.
Hearing comfort
What is most annoying for hearing aid users? Exactly, background noise. Therefore, let's first take a look at the comfort features of the test device. The Geno 1 HDO contains only the absolute essentials regarding hearing comfort. A standard noise reduction feature is definitely available. It is supposed to dampen constant noises like street noise or the sound of the air conditioning. In our test device from Oticon, it only works to a very limited extent. Considering the price, that might fit.
A so-called bang filter would have been nice; it would have made the clattering when emptying the dishwasher a bit more bearable. But we have to do without that in the Geno 1 HDO. We found a basic wind detection feature, but unfortunately, it is not adjustable. One more word about the equalizer: with 6, the number of adjustable bands is quite low. Those who are satisfied with the basic character of the hearing aid may find that sufficient. However, for music lovers, we would recommend a higher number of channels. The device recognizes whether the microphones should transmit everything or focus forward. This can help in conversation situations but does not replace true spatial hearing.
Strategies based on artificial intelligence have not yet been implemented in this hearing aid from Oticon.
Rating Hearing comfort: 4,8
Oticon Geno 1 HDO:
Operation & connectivity
Most hearing aids automatically adapt to their environment. However, it is sometimes very convenient to be able to make adjustments yourself. After all, the hearing aid does not know how you are feeling at the moment. We looked at the control options the Geno 1 HDO offers: There is a button directly on the hearing aid. With it, you can adjust the volume or activate additional hearing programs. It can be programmed according to customer preferences. The use is, of course, optional. A remote control is available for the Geno 1 HDO. It is quite handy, fits in your pocket, and offers a volume up-down option as well as different hearing programs.
In the test, we did not find any voice control options. This feature is not necessarily required, but it would have pleased us nonetheless. Tap Control would also have been an interesting feature. With it, you can change the function with a quick tap on the ear. But that is not available in the Geno 1 HDO yet.
A free app for individual control is available. However, it only includes basic functions that are useful but do not make the app particularly enjoyable to use. In the test, we also tried a small additional tool, a streamer. It wirelessly connects the hearing aids to various mobile devices. This wireless transmission function was one of the most useful elements in this hearing aid. We were able to make phone calls wonderfully and hear the conversation in both ears. We also enjoyed listening to music while jogging or to podcasts during lunch breaks at our desired volume without disturbing others.
Rating Operation & connectivity: 2,7
Oticon Geno 1 HDO:
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Simplicity & security
Usability is the next aspect we want to address. It is about practicality and the question of how easy and safe it is to go about life with the hearing aid. Unfortunately, there is no powerful situational automation in the Geno 1 HDO. We have to make do with a few standard settings. Active hearing aid users will certainly encounter limitations here. Important for us in terms of simplicity is the support during the acclimatization process. Especially after having heard poorly for years, it can sometimes be hard to perceive everything at a natural volume. Our test device includes an acclimatization manager that helps us through the adjustment phase with very small volume adjustments. After a few weeks or months, we then reach the calculated amplification level.
Zinc-air batteries power the Geno 1 HDO. Changing the battery could become quite cumbersome for people with limited dexterity or vision. If you have concerns about this, it is better to look for a rechargeable model.
Oticon specifies an IP class 58 protection for its hearing aid. This means it is protected against dust ingress, and water cannot harm the device. Note: water! This does not include saltwater from the Baltic Sea or bath foam in the tub. But if your hearing aid happens to fall into a watering can or gets caught in a heavy rain shower, it won't be damaged by that.
Rating Simplicity & security: 3,0
Extras
Lastly, we are interested in whether there are any additional goodies on top: a tinnitus program would be such an added bonus. Many people suffering from their ear noise could benefit from it. Unfortunately, the Geno 1 HDO does not have a tinnitus option and loses a few points in the test.
Online services are becoming increasingly common. There is often a remote maintenance service available for hearing aids. However, Oticon has not provided such a service for its Geno 1 HDO. Therefore, one has to go to the specialty store every time they want to have their hearing aid reprogrammed. No extra point for that.
There are no sensors in this Geno 1 variant, which means that popular health tracking cannot be offered either. For example, steps are counted throughout the day. As mentioned, this hearing aid does not have this function on board. The device from Oticon focuses on essential hearing functions and does not offer extras like voice assistants or translation features. While it would have been fun, it is not necessary for a good listening experience.
Rating Extras: 4,0
Conclusion: Oticon Geno 1 HDO
This test device ranks in the lower positions in the overall results and lacks some features. We give it a rating of 3.79. This is acceptable for casual listeners, but for a very active lifestyle, we recommend a hearing aid with more extensive comfort features.
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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Hansaton Beat FS 1 R T 675 | Rating: 4 / 5 |
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Hansaton Beat FS 1 R T 13 | Rating: 4 / 5 |
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Hansaton Beat FS 1 R T 312 | Rating: 4 / 5 |
Our Oticon Geno 1 HDO review was created on March 18, 2021 and lastly updated on September 8, 2022. The overall rating of 3,79 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 1.5 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 3.5 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 3 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 2 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..
FAQ
Is the Geno 1 HDO from Oticon suitable for me?
The fitting range of this hearing aid is "mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss." A hearing acoustic professional can quickly assess whether your hearing deficit falls within this range.
What is the price of the Geno 1 HDO from Oticon?
The rough price range in which the Oticon Geno 1 HDO is currently offered in Germany is approximately between €700.00 and €1,300.00. When considering the price, one should also look at the overall rating: The overall test grade in the HörShop test is 3.8 (sufficient). Details are also important to contextualize the hearing aid price: The star rating for "noise suppression" in the test shows only 1 out of 5 stars.
What size is the Oticon Geno 1 HDO?
This behind-the-ear hearing aid has been classified in size category S. This means it is medium-sized. You can compare it with other hearing aids in this size category: Hearing Aid Comparison.
How well does one hear with the Oticon Geno 1 HDO?
The Geno 1 HDO from the manufacturer Oticon is equipped with 6 separately adjustable equalizer bands (for context: current top devices have 25 bands). The rating for noise suppression for this device achieves only 1 out of 5 stars. A 'moderate' rating (only 1 out of 5 stars) is given for the wind noise suppression of the Geno 1 HDO. Summarizing the entire area of "hearing comfort," the overall test grade is 4.8 (poor).
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