My July 19 Edition of the EarGuru review blog is the new Bernafon Viron.
Headline Pro’s:
Great flexibility from the receivers - 55 to 105db in a friendly small size
Excellent Powerful Processor
Smart Desk top charger and lithium ion
Competitively priced among it’s peers - with excellent performance to boot
Headline Lows:
Design- looks like a more traditional hearing aid that maybe needs freshening up
User controls are bulky
Colours
Charger is an additional cost and the lithium ion batteries will need changing periodically
Review:
Bernafon Viron is a very good hearing aid…simply put. It shares many of the features of the excellent Oticon OPN S, chassis, processor, charger etc but packages them together differently, coupled with excellent customer service and support from the Bernafon team from a hearing aid provider point of view…Bernafon hearing aids are definitely on the up.
I like to keep my reviews short and to the point, highlighting the statistical high points but actually what do the end users think, much more importantly.
From a chip set processing point of view, 32000 single data points of entry and amplification adjustment of 20000 times per second, 2.4ghz and NFMI dual radio processing is nothing to grumble about. Very similar to the Oticon OPN s as you would expect being sibling companies, but this is really the first time both companies have launched a product within months of each other that resemble a similar level of performance.
Again…similar to the Oticon OPN S…4 ranges of receiver power giving excellent flexibility to a vast number of end users, however, major improvements in the feedback cancellation systems have resulted in over 30% better gain stability…meaning that with high power severe users, this technology could replace larger BTE style technology. I recently demonstrated to a 2 year old BTE user of another well known brand with power domes the capability of the aid with absolutely great results.The Feedback Canceller is now a claimed 10 times quicker then the previous Zerena range. This seems a noticeable improvement and not just a claim, very solid gain input indeed.
Looking back at Bernafon Zerena products, many end users and demonstrates liked the ‘one program’ approach called DECS technology - this is here too and thankfully so…Many of my end users in blind tests preferred this technology to the 360 degree Brain hearing functionality of the OPN S…However at this point the test pool has been small and I would not like to comment further other than to say that the Oticon systems are excellent, meaning if this is true…well done to Bernafon. In direct like for like real world tests on real ears, the Viron really does impress, The True Environment Processing seems to deliver what it says on the tin focusing on the important speech cues whilst giving a natural soundscape to background levels, and given it’s lower price point against many of its competitors it really does holds its own.
In my blind test comparisons…the Viron in its early days has indeed done well…out of 10 demonstrations, 4 preferred the Viron against similar level products only losing out to Signia’s NX platform aids and The GN Resound Quattro line. Unfortunately this comparison is not compared to Phonak’s Marvel or Starkey Livio AI as I have not received any demo aids, so I cannot comment.
The Charger is shared pretty much with Oticon S, excellent charger, very fast - under 3 hour charge for a full day - however it is a plug in desk charger and not a pocket style charger such as the Signia Styletto or Phonak Marvel reducing its flexibility from a lifestyle point of view. Good but there are more appealing out there if charger flexibility is your thing.
As a MFI and potential Android connectivity hearing aid however, many comments have been made by end users regarding the look of the aid and its controls. The Bernafon aid shared a very similar case to the traditional Oticon products as you would expect, however, on the latest Oticon OPN s products the colours and button styles have been updated thankfully, unfortunately, this makes the Viron look a little tired and old fashioned with its large buttons and ‘Hearing Aid Beige’ albeit 2 tone colour schemes. I’m sure this will change over the years and the more important technological advances internally have been prioritised but with the Signia Styletto and the new Oticon products looking a million dollars in hearing aid design terms maybe a little more effort should be pushed in the direction of ‘appeal’. I always think especially to a new use, that cosmetic appeal is 50% towards getting someone to accept the wear of amplification, especially the younger audience with apple earbuds, headphones etc.
The App is very capable and very similar to many rivals, but for me this negates the need for big buttons on the aid, I know, some folks like buttons and some don’t have smart phone etc but there is always a remote control that is very affordable in the Bernafon range
As with most hearing aids 2.4ghz wireless brings TV fits, soundclips for remote mic and android access etc, all are capable and user friendly. One small bug bear with both Bernafon and Oticon is the price for the charger, with many brands the charger comes as a complete kit in the price, with some companies charging as much as £250 for the pleasure…as the periodic need to change batteries (yearly to 2 years which can be done in clinic), however, as earlier mentioned, generally the Bernafon product is a cheaper price point therefore still keeping a good value element to the product.
The Viron has been released in 9,7 and 5 ranges covering the mid range to high performing bracked of hearing aids, and thanks to excellent customer relations and service with the Bernafon staff, I was provided with all 3 ranges for demonstration purposes. I find all 3 ranges more than live up to their counterparts broadly speaking and offer again really good value and performance to the end user.
Summary out of 5:
Sound **** 1/2
Performance in Difficult situations: ****
Range of Power: *****
Feedback Cancelling: ****
Range of Accessories: ****
Assessibility (Recharge): ****
Design and Colour Configurations: **1/2
Value: ****
OVERALL VERDICT: 4* out of 5*
As mentioned earlier, the Viron is a substantial leap forward for Bernafon, giving Oticon a real run for it’s money as well as many other manufacturers who may just be nervously looking over their shoulder. Bernafon are definitely now sitting at the big table with a very capable hearing aid range, falling just short of the industry leading products, however, don’t let that put anyone off trying them, my experience with end users is very very good, and in some cases £500 less than more established brands for similar performance levels makes them a very appealing proposition.
EarGuru prices range from £1990 for a binaural set of 5 level aids including the charger and topping out at £2790 for the 9 level with the charger, additional warranties above the inclusive 2 years are an additional cost. (Prices accurate at time of press, these are subject to market changes))
The above review is completely based on customer and end user experience and feedback and the views shared are based on personal opinion of myself and my customers. As I use every manufacturer and stay totally unbiased, relying on what my end users and customers prefer.