Earlier this month, I travelled to Montreal to attend the launch of the Oticon Zeal hearing aids. I spent a few days learning about the device’s features and left feeling optimistic about how Zeal might make a difference for some of my patients.

Learning about Zeal directly from the people who designed it reminded me how much hearing aid technology has changed. For people who want something small and discreet but still practical, this could be the device they’ve been waiting for.

In-the-Ear Hearing Aids Have Always Been a Compromise

Although smaller devices provide the discreetness many people desire, it often means fewer features, disposable batteries or limited connectivity. Many people are interested in in-the-ear hearing aids, but previous options didn’t always offer everything they wanted.

Zeal aims to change that by combining modern AI sound processing, wireless connectivity and a rechargeable design in a small, in-the-ear device. For some people, this makes it a more practical choice.

Sound and Connectivity for Everyday Life

Zeal uses Oticon’s second-generation Deep Neural Network, trained on millions of real-world sound environments.

It is designed to help with conversations even when people aren’t directly in front of you, making busy environments like restaurant conversations or group settings easier to follow without blocking out other sounds. It keeps sounds feeling natural, so you can still notice what’s happening around you while following the conversation.

The hearing aids also connect easily to other devices. Phone calls, music, podcasts and TV audio can stream directly to both ears, and phone calls can be taken hands-free through the hearing aids themselves.

Zeal also supports Bluetooth® LE Audio and Auracast™, which are expected to become more common in public places such as airports, theatres and conference venues. Android users can use Google Fast Pair for quicker setup. Together, these features help hearing aids fit naturally into everyday life.

Daily Wear and Power

Zeal uses a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. When fully charged, wearers can expect up to a full day of use, even with regular streaming. This makes it easier to get through the day without worrying about battery changes.

Additional features include:

• A 15-minute quick charge that can provide several hours of use.
• A full recharge that takes about two hours.
• The SmartCharger, which includes an internal battery that can be useful when travelling.

For anyone who struggles with small batteries, rechargeable hearing aids can be easier to use.

Zeal is also small and meant for everyday wear. It has an IP68 rating, so it can handle moisture and dust and should hold up under normal use.

In many cases, it can also be conveniently fitted the same day, allowing patients to leave the clinic already wearing their hearing aids instead of waiting weeks. For people who wear hearing aids most of the day, comfort and reliability are just as important as sound quality, and this device is designed to provide both.

Everyday Features in Action

Zeal has a few features that make daily listening easier. SuddenSound Stabilizer helps quiet sudden noises, like clanking dishes or traffic, while letting other sounds stay clear. Wind and Handling Noise Management reduces extra noise from wind or when you adjust the hearing aids, so they’re easier to wear throughout the day.

Tap Control is easy to use, and a simple double tap lets you do small things, like answer a call. Each feature alone might not seem like much, but together they make using the hearing aids throughout the day easier.

My Experience at the Montreal Launch

It was wonderful to get together with other hearing care professionals in person to discuss this new technology and learn its unique features. I was impressed that Oticon even brought one of their engineers from their Denmark design facility to share why this product is different from anything else on the market and explain how it was made possible. I learned how rechargeable battery technology has evolved, how they were able to keep the body of this device so small, durable and compact, all while delivering exceptional sound quality. Perhaps one of the most impactful parts of the launch was the presentation from Kelly Lebel, who is the VP of Professional Services. She shared her personal story with her own Dad and his hearing loss journey. She described noticing her Dad beginning to withdraw from social situations. He would excuse himself from the dinner table and go to a quiet room to watch the game on the TV while everyone was catching up and laughing at the dinner table. After being fit with hearing aids, she shared that he felt more confident in the conversation and told her that he really preferred to stay at the table, but he was tired of missing the punch lines and felt he couldn’t follow the conversation. This resonated with me, as this is what I hear from my patients daily. Knowing that there is hearing technology available to address this is so important, whether it is Zeal, or another option that best suites you. During the presentations, a stat was shared in that 77% of people with hearing loss, do not realize they do and it’s usually noticed by loved ones first. My ultimate hope is that more people will take the 1st step toward better hearing and schedule the hearing assessment. It is in this appointment you can talk, we will listen, and we can plan as to how we can help improve your daily life. 

Why Oticon Zeal Matters

Zeal seems like a good choice for anyone who wants a small, in-the-ear hearing aid that has the features they need. It’s discreet, handles sound well, connects easily and is rechargeable, all in one tiny device.

Putting all of this into such a small hearing aid isn’t simple. The real test will be how Zeal works in everyday life, at home, at work and in social settings.

If you’d like to find out whether Oticon Zeal could work for you, our team can answer questions and talk through your options. Contact us today for more information.