Test report: Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10

The Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10 in review

Could this hearing aid from the company Widex be the right one for you? In our test report on the Magnify 100 RIC 10, we have highlighted the most important aspects. Here we have a tiny, hardly noticeable hearing aid at a lower price level that is worn behind the ear. Due to the comfortable position of the speaker in the ear canal, the foundation for good hearing success is laid, as the sound has only a very short path to reach the eardrum. This ensures that all sounds arrive exactly where we want them.

The Magnify 100 RIC 10 provides sufficient amplification for mild to moderate hearing loss.

Hearing comfort

Good speech understanding is a given in modern hearing aids. Equally important is hearing comfort. Only when the ratio of speech transmission to the level of background noise is right can hearing be experienced as pleasant. That’s why we take a look at the comfort features: In the Magnify 100 RIC 10, we find only the absolutely necessary when it comes to hearing comfort. Normal ambient noises like street noise, vacuum cleaner sounds, or fan noise should be dampened by classic noise suppression. In this Widex hearing aid, your expectations should not be too high. Street noise outside will certainly be adequately reduced, but what is loud will also remain loud.

A so-called bang filter would have been nice, as it would have made the clattering when emptying the dishwasher a bit more bearable. However, we have to do without that in the Magnify 100 RIC 10. Users of the Magnify 100 RIC 10 will have to cope with the wind sweeping over the microphones. There is no wind noise reduction here. The device recognizes whether the microphones should transmit everything or be directed forward. This can help in conversation situations but does not replace true spatial hearing. The adjustments in the equalizer are rather coarse. The frequency response is divided into 6 segments. Within these individual areas, nothing can be changed further. This could lead to some sound weaknesses in the Magnify 100 RIC 10, and the separation of speech and noise does not succeed as we would ideally wish.

Widex is not yet utilizing artificial intelligence in this version.

Rating Hearing comfort: 4,8

Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10:

Operation & connectivity

The operation options for hearing aids today are as simple or as complex as one would like. The basic functions operate fully automatically, of course. We wanted to know how users can additionally access the Magnify 100 RIC 10. There is no control element directly on the hearing aid. Due to space constraints, a button is sometimes omitted. A discreet way to change settings on the hearing aid is the remote control. It fits in any pocket. When the person you’re talking to is speaking too softly, just one or two clicks are enough to adjust the volume. Additional hearing programs for listening to music or driving can also be activated with the remote control.

Voice commands are a relatively new way to operate hearing aids. However, we do not have this option in this model. That's not a big deal—what matters is that one can hear well. Tap Control would have been an interesting feature as well. This allows you to change the function with a quick tap on the ear. But that is not available yet in the Magnify 100 RIC 10.

If you like, you can download an app. This provides a convenient and discreet way to adjust the volume or hearing programs on the Magnify 100 RIC 10. It all works quite well. The hearing aid can also be used as a headset, which requires a small additional device. When you clip this to your collar, you have access to the entire multimedia world. Smartphone, tablet, laptop—all Bluetooth-enabled devices can be connected wirelessly to the hearing aid.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 3,0

Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10:

Simplicity & security

How does one manage with a hearing aid in everyday life? This is the next aspect we need to assess. Because only if such a device operates simply and uncomplicatedly can one become comfortable with it. When it comes to relaxed listening, the Magnify 100 RIC 10 is only easy to use if you mostly find yourself in quiet listening environments. If it gets loud or challenging, adaptive situational automatons do not provide any support. If at all, one can only assist with manual control options. The adjustment to the new hearing experience is supported by this device with a fully automatic acclimatization manager. It adjusts the amplification in barely noticeable steps until my hearing loss is completely compensated. I only need to wear my hearing aids regularly.

The RIC 10 from Magnify 100 is powered by 10 disposable batteries and is not rechargeable. This has its pros and cons. For the decision "battery or rechargeable," we have provided assistance here: Rechargeable hearing aids or batteries: 6 criteria for your decision.

We also take a look at the sturdiness of the housing and discover in the data sheet the protection class IP 68. This means that dust cannot penetrate at all, and water only becomes dangerous after prolonged submersion. Protection against contact is also included.

Rating Simplicity & security: 3,0

Extras

In conclusion, we want to know if the hearing aid perhaps offers any special features: Widex has integrated a sound generator that plays 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 used. If one does not have the opportunity to visit the audiologist, they can contact them through the app instead, briefly describe their hearing issue, and then receive a data package with a new hearing aid configuration. If it sounds good, they can upload it to their hearing aids.

There are no sensors in this Magnify 100 variant, so popular health tracking cannot be offered. For example, steps are counted throughout the day. As mentioned - this hearing aid does not have this function onboard. The device from Widex focuses on essential hearing functions and does not offer extras like voice assistants or translation features. While that would have been fun, it is not necessary for a good hearing experience.

Rating Extras: 2,5

Conclusion: Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10

This test device ranks in the lower positions in the overall results and lacks some features. We award a score of 3.66. This is acceptable for less demanding listeners, but for a very active lifestyle, we recommend a hearing aid with more extensive comfort features.

 

Our Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10 review was created on April 11, 2022 and lastly updated on November 16, 2022. The overall rating of 3,66 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 1.5 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 3 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 3 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 3.5 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..

 

 

 

FAQ

How noticeable is the Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10 to others?

It is in the size category XXS, so it appears extremely small. We primarily focused on the impression it gives to outsiders.

How much does the Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10 cost?

The price range in which the Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10 is approximately offered in Germany is between €700.00 and €1,300.00. The performance of the device corresponds to the price. In the test, it achieved an overall rating of 3.7 (sufficient).

Is the Widex Magnify 100 RIC 10 suitable for my hearing loss?

This behind-the-ear hearing aid is suitable for a mild to moderate hearing loss. You can compare other hearing aids from this fitting range with the Magnify 100 RIC 10 from Widex: Hearing Aids Comparison.

How good is hearing with the Magnify 100 RIC 10 from Widex?

This behind-the-ear device received a performance rating of 4.8 (poor) for the category "Hearing Comfort" in the test report. Important for hearing comfort is, among other things, noise suppression. Here, the Magnify 100 RIC 10 from Widex scores 2 out of 5 stars. For the reduction of wind noise, it receives our label 'complete failure', as it does not have this feature. 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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