Test report: Oticon Geno 2 mini HDO

The Oticon Geno 2 mini HDO in review

What exactly can the Geno 2 mini HDO from the manufacturer Oticon do? First of all, it is a traditional hearing aid that sits behind the ear. It covers mild, moderate, and even severe hearing needs. This model is a thin, small hearing aid at a lower price point. What can it offer in everyday hearing? What comfort features does it come with? We took a closer look at it.

Hearing comfort

What is most bothersome for hearing aid users? Exactly, the background noise. Therefore, we will first look at the comfort features that the test device contains. In the Geno 2 mini HDO, we find only the absolute essentials regarding hearing comfort. A normal noise reduction is definitely present. It is supposed to suppress constant sounds like street noise or the hum of the air conditioning. In our test device from Oticon, it only works very limitedly. Looking at the price, this could well fit.

Unfortunately, we did not find a noise filter that responds to short, loud sounds. For active outdoor enthusiasts, we always find wind noise management useful. While there is one in this device, it is not very effective. It cannot be adjusted individually either. The equalizer in the Geno 2 mini HDO has only 6 bands. This means that when making changes, you can only access quite large frequency ranges. So, you always change a lot at once, and the small details cannot be implemented. We cannot produce real 3D spatial sound with the current test device. Especially outdoors, one should frequently look around to see where individual sound sources are located. However, focusing on a specific speaker works quite well through the integrated directional microphones.

Strategies based on artificial intelligence are not yet used in this hearing aid from Oticon.

Rating Hearing comfort: 4,8

Oticon Geno 2 mini HDO:

Operation & connectivity

Almost everyone 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 2 mini HDO. There is a button directly on the hearing aid. With it, you can change the volume or activate additional hearing programs. It can be programmed according to customer preferences. The use is of course optional. We do like the small remote controls, and for this model, we found one. This allows for discreet small adjustments to the volume or sound.

We always appreciate it when a hearing aid surprises us with a great additional feature. For example, we would have liked to see a voice control at this point. However, this is currently not available in the Geno 2 mini HDO. If there are sensors in the hearing aid, a tap control could be conceivable, which would trigger a specific function by tapping the ear with your fingers. However, this option does not exist in the Geno 2 mini HDO.

If you like, you can download an app. This gives you a convenient and discreet way to change the volume or hearing programs on the Geno 2 mini HDO. Everything works quite well. A smartphone or tablet can easily be connected to a small streaming device that wirelessly transmits sound to the hearing aid.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 2,7

Oticon Geno 2 mini HDO:

Simplicity & security

How does one cope with the hearing aid in everyday life? That is the next aspect we need to assess. Because only when such a device works simply and hassle-free can one become accustomed to it. The automatic situation detection is supposed to make listening easier. However, the Geno 2 mini HDO struggles with changing or difficult acoustic environments, as it lacks some adaptive algorithms. Additionally, one should always have a few extra hearing programs set up for this device. Very important in terms of simplicity is the support during the acclimatization process. Especially after having heard poorly for years, it can sometimes be difficult 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 several weeks or months, we reach the calculated amplification level.

Many hearing aids today come with a rechargeable battery, but the Geno 2 mini HDO still operates with disposable batteries. This is somewhat cumbersome to handle and also burdens the environment.

Oticon claims that its hearing aid has an IP class 58 protection. This means it is protected against dust ingress, and water cannot harm the device. Note: water! This does not refer to salty water in 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 break from that.

Rating Simplicity & security: 3,3

Extras

Finally, let's take a quick look to see if there are any extras available: We would have liked to find a tinnitus program at this point, but unfortunately, there is none.

What about remote access? Such online services save a trip to the specialist store, as you can directly contact an acoustic professional through the app. Unfortunately, we did not find anything like that for the Geno 2 mini HDO. It's a pity, as it would have been a great additional tool.

There are no sensors in this Geno 2 variant, which means popular health tracking cannot be offered. For example, this would count the steps throughout the day. As mentioned - this hearing aid does not have that function onboard. This Oticon hearing aid does not have any additional lifestyle options available. Other brands offer voice assistants or reminder functions, but you don't need those for good hearing. It would have just made the product a bit cooler.

Rating Extras: 4,0

Conclusion: Oticon Geno 2 mini HDO

This test device ranks in the lower positions overall and lacks some features. We assign a grade of 3.83. For less demanding listeners, this is acceptable; however, for a very active lifestyle, we recommend a hearing aid with more extensive comfort features.

 

Our Oticon Geno 2 mini HDO review was created on December 17, 2020 and lastly updated on September 8, 2022. The overall rating of 3,83 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 Oticon Geno 2 mini HDO suitable for me?

The fitting range of this hearing aid is "mild, moderate or severe hearing loss." Whether your hearing deficit falls within this range can be quickly assessed by a local hearing care professional.

How much does the Oticon Geno 2 mini HDO cost?

The rough range in which the Oticon Geno 2 mini 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 score in the HörShop test is 3.8 (sufficient). Details are also important to place 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 2 mini HDO?

This behind-the-ear hearing aid has been classified into size category XS. This means that it is quite small. You can compare it with other hearing aids in this size category: Hearing aid comparison.

How well can you hear with the Oticon Geno 2 mini HDO?

The Geno 2 mini HDO from the manufacturer Oticon is equipped with 6 separately adjustable equalizer bands (for reference: current top devices have 25 bands). The rating for noise suppression for this device reaches only 1 out of 5 stars. A rating of 'moderate' (only 1 out of 5 stars) is given for the wind noise suppression of the Geno 2 mini HDO. When summarizing the entire area of "hearing comfort," the total test score is 4.8 (poor).

 

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