Test report: Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex

The Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex in review

Oticon presents the Geno 1 mini Ex, a model at a lower price level. It can compensate for mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss. It is a small, slim hearing aid that delivers good sound by cleverly placing the speaker directly in the ear canal. It is worn behind the ear.

Hearing comfort

What is the most bothersome for most hearing aid users? Exactly, the background noises. That's why we will first look at what comfort features the test device includes. With the Geno 1 mini Ex, we find only the absolute essentials regarding hearing comfort. A normal noise suppression is definitely present, intended to dampen constant sounds like traffic noise or the hum of the air conditioner. In our test device from Oticon, it is only partially effective. When looking at the price, this might actually be fitting.

A so-called burst filter would have been nice; it would have made the clattering when unloading the dishwasher a bit more bearable. But we have to do without that in the Geno 1 mini Ex. This hearing aid can detect wind noises, but the reduction is barely noticeable. The adjustment options in the equalizer are rather coarse. The frequency response is divided into 6 segments. Within these individual areas, you can’t change anything further. This could lead to some sound weaknesses of the Geno 1 mini Ex, and the separation of speech and background noise does not work as we would actually wish. The hearing aid automatically decides whether the microphones should align toward a speaker or not. You get a decent spatial impression, but accurately determining directions or estimating distances through hearing is not that easy.

In this version, Oticon is not yet using artificial intelligence.

Rating Hearing comfort: 4,8

Operation & connectivity

Almost every one of us owns a smartphone, so the question arises whether it can also be connected to the new hearing aid. Let’s take a look at the connectivity and usability of the Geno 1 mini Ex. A very quick way to adjust the volume is the small button on the device. It is easy to feel, and you can set it louder or quieter in several stages. Additionally, extra programs for special listening situations can be activated with it. If you prefer not to use the button, it can simply be deactivated. Those who do not like to touch their ear to adjust the volume will appreciate the optional remote control. This allows you to conveniently and discreetly make changes to the hearing aid.

Some hearing aids can already be controlled by voice, but this one from Oticon unfortunately cannot yet. It would be practical if fingers are not as agile anymore or if one simply likes smart gadgets. Besides buttons or remote controls, some hearing aids also have a tap control. This means you can just tap your ear briefly, and then the device switches. However, we do not have that here at Oticon; it would have required specific sensors.

Oticon offers a suitable app for easier operation. However, it is not particularly well-equipped and hardly goes beyond basic functions like volume control and hearing programs. Since the hearing aid has a wireless module, it can also be used as a headset or headphones. A small additional device is required for this, known as a streamer. It serves as the interface between the hearing aids and a Bluetooth-enabled audio device. Smartphone, laptop, navigation system – everything can be connected quickly and easily.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 2,7

Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex:

Simplicity & security

Now let's take a look at how usage is structured in everyday life. Is the handling straightforward? Do I get a secure device? The Geno 1 mini Ex can autonomously differentiate between quiet and loud environments, but there is not much more to the programming automation. One can hardly do without manual adjustment options here. We are very pleased with the integrated acclimatization manager. It gradually increases the volume of the hearing aid in tiny increments until our target amplification is eventually reached. We can relax and gradually adjust to the new auditory impressions.

Unfortunately, the Geno 1 mini Ex is not equipped with a battery, so regular size 312 batteries are required for operation.

The classification of the device to IP class 58 ensures protection from dust and contact as well as from prolonged submersion in water.

Rating Simplicity & security: 3,0

Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex:

Extras

Everyone appreciates a few extra features, so let's see if we can find some here: We would have liked to discover a tinnitus program at this point, but unfortunately, there is none.

Unfortunately, there is no option for remote adjustments. So, anyone who needs optimization and wants to change their hearing aid settings will have to visit an audiology professional.

There are no sensors in this Geno 1 variant, so popular health tracking cannot be offered. For example, steps throughout the day would be counted. As mentioned, this hearing aid does not have this function on board. The functionality of the Geno 1 mini Ex is limited to normal hearing, which is completely fine. Additional features like fall alerts or Siri connections provide a decent added value but are not relevant for good hearing balance.

Rating Extras: 4,0

Conclusion: Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex

In the overall result, this test device ranks in the lower positions and lacks some features. We give it a rating of 3.79. For less demanding listeners, this is acceptable, but for a very active lifestyle, we recommend a hearing aid with more comprehensive comfort features.

 

Our Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex review was created on March 10, 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

How noticeable is the Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex to others?

It is in the size category XS, which makes it quite small. We primarily focused on the impression it leaves on outsiders.

What does the Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex cost?

The price range in which the Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex is approximately offered in Germany is between €700.00 and €1,300.00. The performance of the device is comparable to the price. In the test, it received an overall rating of 3.8 (sufficient).

Is the Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex suitable for my hearing loss?

This behind-the-ear hearing aid is suitable for mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss. You can compare other hearing aids in this fitting range with the Geno 1 mini Ex from Oticon: Hearing Aids Comparison.

How well is hearing with the Oticon Geno 1 mini Ex?

This behind-the-ear device received a performance rating of 4.8 (poor) in the report for the "Hearing Comfort" category. Important for hearing comfort is, among other things, noise suppression. Here, the Geno 1 mini Ex from Oticon only achieves 1 out of 5 stars. For the reduction of wind noise, it receives our rating of 'fair' (only 1 out of 5 stars). The signal processing in this hearing aid occurs in 6 different adjustable channels (the best hearing aids currently have 24 channels).

 

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