The Oticon Zircon 1 mini RITE R in review
Oticon offers the Zircon 1 mini RITE R, a very small hearing aid that is worn behind the ear. It is a hearing aid from the upper mid-range and is suitable for mild, moderate, and even severe hearing losses. The clever placement of the speaker in the ear canal ensures that sound reaches the eardrum without any loss.
Hearing comfort
The comfort features determine how pleasant listening is perceived in everyday life. This hearing aid allows for solid comfort programming by the audiologist. A classic noise suppression is supposed to reduce annoying background noises to a bearable level. In the Zircon 1 mini RITE R, a stronger noise reduction would be desirable, but that is reserved for higher quality hearing aids. We are happy that the Zircon 1 mini RITE R includes wind reduction.
There is also supposed to be an impulse sound filter implemented. It dampens the short, clattering noises but only very slightly, so it is not really helpful. Unfortunately, spatial hearing is not very effective either. While the hearing aids can focus on sounds in front, that doesn't help when trying to identify the direction from which a car is approaching or where someone is calling from. The Zircon 1 mini RITE R does not have many adjustable equalizer bands, but the 14 should be sufficient for a good hearing result.
By the way, you might find that with this Oticon device, the sound is perceived as clearer and more natural, especially in noisy environments. This is probably due to the implemented artificial intelligence. The hearing aid has already been trained with millions of real sounds, leading to a significantly improved distinction between speech and noise.
Rating Hearing comfort: 2,8
Oticon Zircon 1 mini RITE R:
Operation & connectivity
How can one fully utilize the potential of hearing aids in everyday life? We have found out what access options are available with the Zircon 1 mini RITE R. A very quick way to adjust the volume is the small button on the device. It is easy to feel, and you can increase or decrease the volume in several steps. Additional programs for specific listening situations can also be activated with it. Those who prefer to do without the button can simply have it deactivated. Those who are not keen on touching their ear to adjust the volume will appreciate the optional remote control. This allows for convenient and discreet adjustments to the hearing aid.
In our test, we did not find a voice control option. This function is not necessarily required, but we would have appreciated it nonetheless. In addition to buttons or remote controls, some hearing aids have tap control. This means you can simply tap your ear briefly, and the device switches modes. However, we do not have this feature here at Oticon; it would have required specific sensors.
The app is definitely very useful. Anyone with a smartphone should download it. Even though the app is not one of our favorites, it is still a useful addition to the Zircon 1 mini RITE R. The Zircon 1 comes with a 2.4 GHz antenna and allows us to enjoy binaural phone calls. This actually gives us an advantage over normal-hearing individuals. We think this is great and gladly give it points.
Rating Operation & connectivity: 2,0
Oticon Zircon 1 mini RITE R:
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Simplicity & security
Usability is the next aspect we want to address. This is about everyday usability and the question of how easy and safe it is to navigate life with the hearing aid. Experiencing simple, comfortable hearing with the Zircon 1 mini RITE R is not necessarily the case. In a quieter daily life, you can certainly manage, but as soon as you have a varied hearing experience, you will have to engage in manual adjustments. The integrated acclimatization manager can be of great help when entering the world of hearing aids. Its task is to gradually increase the volume of the hearing aid in tiny steps until the target volume is reached. This way, you can relax and gradually adapt to the new hearing impressions. More information on acclimatization and other hearing aids with this feature has been summarized here: Acclimatization to Hearing Aids.
A significant relief in daily life is the integrated battery. With this, my Zircon 1 mini RITE R always has enough power for the entire day, and I no longer have to worry that the batteries will suddenly run out in the middle of an event. An rechargeable system is also very helpful for those with limited dexterity, as it eliminates the need to insert small button cells.
We also take a look at the robustness of the casing and find the protection class IP 68 in the data sheet. This means that dust cannot penetrate at all, and water only becomes a danger after prolonged submersion. Protection against contact is also included.
Rating Simplicity & security: 2,0
Oticon Zircon 1 mini RITE R:
Extras
Sometimes there are additional functions in hearing aids that can be quite useful. Let's see how it is with this Oticon device: Oticon has integrated a sound generator that plays some soothing sounds for those suffering from tinnitus. This can distract from the tinnitus and provide a bit more relaxation.
We find the remote maintenance service exciting, which can be utilized. If you don't have the opportunity to visit the audiologist, you can instead contact them via the app, briefly describe your hearing problem, and then receive a data package with a new hearing aid configuration. If it sounds good, you upload it to your hearing aids.
Many hearing aids today still come with a few health functions. However, since the Zircon 1 mini RITE R does not have any special sensors for this, we cannot present any specifics here. Digital algorithms and suitable apps increasingly allow the integration of lifestyle functions that support your daily life. We are impressed by what hearing aids like this one from Oticon can do today. Be sure to give it a try!
Rating Extras: 1,8
Conclusion: Oticon Zircon 1 mini RITE R
In conclusion, it can be said that this device is a true all-rounder that impresses us with its comfort features and achieves a good overall score of 2.26. Those who want to forgo top-notch technology but still desire a comfortable hearing experience are in the right place here.
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Our Oticon Zircon 1 mini RITE R review was created on July 7, 2022 and lastly updated on September 9, 2022. The overall rating of 2,26 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 3.5 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 4 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 4 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 4.5 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..
FAQ
Is the Zircon 1 mini RITE R by Oticon suitable for me?
The fitting range of this hearing aid is "hearing loss mild, moderate or severe." A local audiology professional can quickly assess whether your hearing deficit falls within this range.
How much does the Zircon 1 mini RITE R by Oticon cost?
The rough price range at which the Oticon Zircon 1 mini RITE R is currently offered in Germany is approximately between €2,000.00 and €2,500.00. When considering the price, one should also look at the overall rating: The overall test score in the HörShop test is 2.3 (good). Details are also important to contextualize the price of the hearing aid: The star rating for "noise suppression" in the test shows 2 out of 5 stars.
What size is the Oticon Zircon 1 mini RITE R?
This behind-the-ear hearing aid has been categorized into size class XS. This means it is quite small. You can compare it with other hearing aids in this size class: Hearing Aid Comparison.
How well does the Oticon Zircon 1 mini RITE R perform in hearing?
The Zircon 1 mini RITE R from the manufacturer Oticon is equipped with 14 separately adjustable equalizer bands (for context: current flagship devices have 25 bands). The rating for noise suppression for this device reaches 2 out of 5 stars. The designation 'usable' (2 out of 5 stars) applies to the wind noise suppression of the Zircon 1 mini RITE R. Summing up the entire area of "hearing comfort," the overall score in the test is 2.8 (satisfactory).
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