Test report: Oticon Own 4 CIC

The Oticon Own 4 CIC in review

The Own 4 CIC from Oticon is a discreet, slim-shaped hearing aid that is worn in the ear. By utilizing the barely noticeable wearing position in the ear canal, very good sound transmission is possible. The Own 4 CIC is a mid-range hearing aid and is suitable for both mild and more significant hearing needs.

Hearing comfort

Hearing aids are intended to not only deliver speech to the ear but also to 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? In this test device, we found very few options for comfort adjustment. As in every hearing aid, the typical background noise suppression is included here as well. It aims to reduce uniform, noisy ambient sounds to the point where they no longer dominate. With the Own 4 CIC, we are not exactly spoiled but can manage well with basic noise suppression.

The Own 4 CIC is also equipped for windy outdoor situations. The signal processing can identify wind and reduce it a bit. Short, loud sounds can also be recognized by this device. However, the attenuation is very low. If you often have such impulsive noises in your environment, you should consider choosing a different model. The Own 4 CIC has 14 adjustable frequency bands, placing it in the mid-range. A good acoustician can certainly extract reasonable sound quality from it. We are currently far from experiencing 3D spatial sound here. Only the switchable focus to the front provides a little hearing support in social situations.

The signal processing of the Own 4 CIC also employs artificial intelligence. This allows for a much more realistic analysis of the hearing environment, and especially the clarity in noisy surroundings is significantly improved.

Rating Hearing comfort: 3,7

Oticon Own 4 CIC:

Operation & connectivity

Most hearing aids adjust automatically to their surroundings. However, it is sometimes very practical to be able to change something yourself. After all, the hearing aid doesn’t know how you are feeling. We looked into the control options available with the Own 4 CIC: Usually, there is a button on the hearing aid, and we found it on the Own 4 as well. It can be configured as a volume control or program selection button and can be deactivated if desired. Unfortunately, this hearing aid cannot be adjusted via a remote control – a few points are lost there.

The modern form of control via voice command is not yet found in the Own 4 CIC. Some hearing aids can also be operated with a quick touch of the fingertip without the need to press a button. However, this feature has not yet been implemented here.

If you are looking for an app, unfortunately, you will not find one here. The Own 4 CIC has to manage without smart control functions. That point is lost. The smartphone cannot be connected to the hearing aid; unfortunately, the necessary equipment with a wireless antenna is missing.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 3,5

Simplicity & security

Of course, we are also interested in how quickly one can get used to the Own 4 CIC and how easy daily use is. The program automation in the Own 4 CIC provides us with relatively little support. Without a few individualized hearing programs, one will probably not get by in a lively everyday life. Some people find it difficult to get accustomed, but this hearing aid makes it easy for us to cope with the new volume. There is a acclimatization manager that gradually introduces us to the required target amplification. The timeframe can be just a few weeks or even several months, and it is individually adjustable. The individual steps are so small that one barely notices that there has been a volume increase.

The Own 4 CIC gets its energy from small disposable batteries that need to be changed every few days. While this is not rocket science, it should still be considered in case of motor issues. A rechargeable battery would be much easier to handle.

The data sheet certifies the Oticon device with an IP protection class rating of 68. As a result, it is one of the most robust hearing aids on the market. Dust doesn’t stand a chance, and water does not penetrate the casing as long as it doesn’t submerge deeper than 1.5 meters. Nevertheless, be cautious. Shampoo, for example, alters the surface tension of water. You should also avoid salt water. However, in everyday life, you can behave completely carefree.

Rating Simplicity & security: 2,8

Extras

Before we come to the end, let's take a look at the extras: We really enjoyed the optional tinnitus program. There are quite a few people who are occasionally or frequently bothered by a ringing or buzzing in their ears. The tinnitus program in the Own 4 CIC is essentially just a sound generator. It's about producing broad-spectrum noises or sounds that gently and pleasantly stimulate all areas of hearing. The tinnitus fades into the background and is no longer perceived as disruptive.

What about remote maintenance? Such online services save a trip to the specialist store, as you can directly contact an acoustic professional via the app. Unfortunately, we did not find this for the Own 4 CIC. It's a pity; that would have been a great additional tool.

Many hearing aids today still come with a few health functions. However, since the Own 4 CIC does not have specific sensors for this, we cannot present any special features here. Digital algorithms and suitable apps increasingly allow for the integration of lifestyle functions that support your everyday life. We are impressed by what hearing aids like this from Oticon can do today. Be sure to give it a try!

Rating Extras: 2,5

Conclusion: Oticon Own 4 CIC

With an overall grade of 3.29, this model holds its own in the mid-range. It has a fairly decent level of comfort features on board, which is sufficient for typical everyday moments and creates a satisfying listening experience.

 

Our Oticon Own 4 CIC review was created on January 10, 2023 and lastly updated on June 20, 2024. The overall rating of 3,29 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 2.5 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 2.5 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 3.5 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 3.5 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..

 

 

 

FAQ

How noticeable is the Oticon Own 4 CIC to others?

It is in the size category XS, so it appears quite small. We primarily considered the impression for outsiders.

How much does the Oticon Own 4 CIC cost?

The price range in which the Oticon Own 4 CIC is approximately offered in Germany is between €2,000.00 and €2,500.00. The performance of the device corresponds to this price. In testing, it achieved an overall rating of 3.3 (satisfactory).

Is the Oticon Own 4 CIC suitable for my hearing loss?

This in-ear hearing aid is suitable for mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss. You can compare other hearing aids from this fitting range with the Own 4 CIC from Oticon: Hearing Aid Comparison.

How well does the Own 4 CIC from Oticon perform in hearing?

This in-ear model received a performance rating of 3.7 (sufficient) in the area of "Hearing Comfort." Important for hearing comfort is, among other things, noise suppression. Here, the Own 4 CIC from Oticon scores 2 out of 5 stars. For reducing wind noise, it receives our rating of 'usable' (2 out of 5 stars). The signal processing in this hearing aid occurs in 14 different adjustable channels (the best hearing aids currently have 24 channels).

 

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